Daniel Unlocked #38. Something Interesting About the Structure of Daniel 7.
Vs’ 2-8 take place on earth and are written in prose. Vs’ 9-10 transfers our focus to heaven and are written in poetry. Vs’ 11-12 transfer back to earth and are written in prose. Vs’ 13-14 transfer back to heaven and are again in poetry. Vs’ 15-22 is set on earth and are in prose and finally vs’ 23-27 are back in heaven and revert to poetry again.
Daniel 7 is in four parts, each part culminating in the setting up of the kingdom. The four sections vs’1-7, 8-14, 19-22, and 24-27 present the three phases of the judgment – Investigation, sentencing and execution.
As you consider the following, please remember that the Bible talks to us in conceptual language that helps our understanding.
An all-knowing God (Omniscient) does not need a judgment to work things out. But the judgment, as represented constantly in the Bible, tells us that a record is (somehow) being kept. From the book of Revelation we will also learn that God has voluntarily put Himself on trial before the universe as part of this judgment.
After the vision of the four animals and the activities of the little horn, the prophet sees a scene of judgment in heaven (Dan. 7:9, 10, 13, 14). As the court convenes, thrones are put in place (metaphorically) and the Ancient of Days takes His seat. As the heavenly scene shows, thousands and thousands of heavenly beings’ minister before the Ancient of Days, the court is seated, and the books are opened. What’s important to note about this judgment is that it occurs after the 1,260-year period of the little horn’s activity (A.D. 538–1798 – we will discuss this in a day or two) but prior to the establishing of God’s final kingdom. In fact, three times in the vision the following sequence appears: Little-horn phase (538–1798) Heavenly judgment, God’s eternal kingdom established.
Notice these verses 7:13, 14, 21, 22, 26, 27. The judgment benefits God’s people! It is good news, not something to be afraid of. If you were incarcerated, but knew your trial would vindicate you, then you would be looking forward to it. This is how it is with the judgment for God’s people. We have, in a sense, been incarcerated in this world of darkness. The judgment will restore to us what was lost in Adam at the fall. Death suffering and misery will be no more – the curse will be gone! (Revelation 22:3)
The Old Testament describes several acts of judgment from the tabernacle and temple, but the judgment referred to here is different. This is a cosmic judgment that affects not only the little horn but also the saints of the ‘Most High’, who will eventually receive the kingdom.
Daniel 7 does not describe the judgment or give details about its beginning and closing. But it implies that the judgment is undertaken in the wake of the little horn’s attack against God and His people. The point here, then, is to emphasize the beginning of a judgment of cosmic proportions. From Daniel 8 and 9, we will learn about the time of this judgment’s beginning.