the clo se parallelism with 2:37-40. These creatures are “four kings, which shall arise out of the earth (7:17). Each beast represents pic- torially the character or the history of one of the world empires. T he L ion W ith the E agle ’ s W ings (7:4) This was the realm of Nebuchad nezzar, king of Babylon, the “head of gold” of 2:38. That the king of the jungle represents a human individual is suggested in the words “a man’s heart” (7 :4 ). The strength and maj esty of a lion were certainly in evi dence during the regime of the mighty ruler. The “plucked” wings remind us of Nebuchadnezzar’s tragic lapse (4:14-16, 32, 33). T he B ear R aised on O ne S ide (7:5) This is the second world empire, Medo-Persia. History confirms the fact that Persia was actually “higher” than the kingdom of the Medes, i.e., it surpassed it in glory and power. The “devouring” of much flesh indi cates the rapacious, greedy nature of Medo-Persia. The “three ribs” may represent three nations, Lydia, Baby lon and Egypt, which entered into a league a g a in s t Medo-Persia and were defeated. T he L eopard W ith F our W ings and F our H eads (7:6) This is Greece, swift in her tri umphant advance; an empire ulti mately to be divided among four gen erals. These are the “four notable” horns of 8:8, which replaced Alexan der the Great, the “great horn” which was broken. The dreadful beast with iron teeth, powerful feet and ten horns (7 :7 ). This is the iron empire of Rome, strong, dreaded, terrible, devouring and crushing the nations with her marching legions (7:23). The “ten horns” suggest the ten toes of the lofty image of Chapter Two. Just as the stone smote the image in the days of the ten toes (2 :34 ), i.e., in the end times, so the emergence of the little horn from among the ten horns ( 7 :8)
takes us to the last days, to the ghastly period of world history still in the future when, from among a con- J federation of nations the lawless one will arise, antichrist, the last blas phemous ruler described so often in tj1 the Bible. j The ten horns are ten kings (7:8, < 24). The “little horn,” victorious over j three of these (7:8, 24), antichrist,! will then commence his iniquitous ca-* reer. Here for the first time in Daniel, this frightful personality is described. U His will be the “eyes of a man, and a " mouth speaking great things” (7 :8 ). ' (Compare Rev. 13:1). His utterances will be blasphemous (Dan. 7:25, com pare II Thess. 28:4, Rev. 13:1). He | will make war against the saints " (Dan. 7:21, 25), the faithful rem nant during the great tribulation. He will revise the laws of the land and even the calendar (7 :25 ). The period a of his triumph will be “a time and times and the dividing of time” (7 :25 ), i.e., three and one-half years. Compare th is w ith Rev. 11:2, 3; 12:6, 14; 13:5; Dan. 12:7. l The sitting of the ancient of days * (7:13, 14, 22). The antichrist will not prosper forever. His doom is sealed. In this remarkable passage we are in- V troduced to a throne scene. Christ * Jesus (“one like the son of man”) is ‘ brought near to God the Father (“the ancient of days”). He received an everlasting dominion (7 :14 ), prior to returning in power and great glory to defeat the forces of antichrist at Armageddon and to establishing his kingdom on earth. The overthrow of antichrist (Dan. 7 :26 ). Just as the image of Dan. 2 was smitten by the stone (2 :34 ), so the dominion of antichrist will be con- . , sumed and destroyed (7 :26 ). And f God’s people, triumphant with their F Saviour at Armageddon, will reign (7:18, 22, 27). The purposes of the Lord will certainly and inexorably be fulfilled in the last days. It If things don't seem to be coming your way, then perhaps you are on the wrong road. is It
|
34
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker