Apocalypse Now!
Daniel 7 (part 1)
An mp3 of this talk can be downloaded from the Bethany City Church Website here
What would Jesus say to Christians in North Korea who are arrested, fined, imprisoned in brutal labour camps, tortured and 400 killed every year for being Christians. What would he say to the family of David Abdulwahab Mohamed Ali, who was killed by his cousin in Somalia when he acknowledged to them that he was a Christian?1
I think Daniel 7 would be a good place to find an answer.
A right perspective
Ch 7 is the climax of, and holds a pivotal place within the book of Daniel. In time it fits in somewhere between King Neds Madness (Ch4) and the Writing on the wall (Ch 5), but it starts a new section of the book which looks at the nature of the visions given to Daniel, rather than the stories about him and the courts of the various Kings. At first glance it is difficult stuff for us to look at, partly because of the way it is written.
It uses lots of imagery and symbols as representative of people, groups, rulers or Kingdoms because using these symbols can communicate in ways that simple literature or text can’t.
Let me give you and example. What am I describing? A great Bulldog, short stocky legs wih a look of stubbornness on its squat face, dressed in red, white and blue.
Answer - Britain. This description produces some understanding in most of us, but it produces more than just an understanding. It communicates a feeling, an emotional response much more than just writing ‘British’. The great Golden Eagle of the United States of America does exactly the same thing. That it, is communicates well if you understand the context. This symbolism and imagery is a powerful form of communication within the original context, but a puzzling one from the outside. The more we know about the culture and context, the better we understand the symbols.
And this use of imagery which is understandable within a particular context, twinned with its subject matter, (thinking about the biggest, cosmic, universal stage both in time and space) is Apocalyptic literature. This is apocalypse now!
When looking at a vision like Daniel 7, it is very easy for us to get hung up on the details of the vision; the who and the when. But we mustn't miss the wood for the trees. It is far more important to grasp the message than to attempt decode the vision. So, Daniel 7 is about understanding who is in control of the destiny of history, rather than exactly what will happen when... the 'Who is who', and 'what do they represent'.
It is a little like watching Gandalf fighting Sauron in the great battle near the end of Lord of the Rings. As you watch you are aware that similar battles are going on all over the place, but with much less significant figures. But this battle is different. The fate of these 2 central figures is indicative of what is happening on the rest of the battle-field. As Gandalf wins his battle you know that the victory is won all over the battle ground, even though the fight goes on. So, Daniel 7, though writing of specific events in the immediate context could be speaking of many different events throughout history, or the destiny of history in general (In fact, the book of Revelation picks up some of the imagery and reuses it for different people). These events are a sign-post to the destiny of History.
If we can keep a hold of this will throwing ourselves into the verses then we will begin to grasp something of the enormity and exciting perspective of this great chapter.
Structure
Chapter 7 is best thought of as functioning a little bit like football commentary on the TV.
I don’t know about you but I’m (confession time!) one of those people who loves to see all the grisly details when someone has been injured. I can’t help but watch. I both want to look and don’t want to look at the same time. When you see someone’s ankle bend at an angle it was never meant to bend at and both squeam and are fascinated at the same time. The great thing about the TV, rather than reality, is you watch it first time in the run of normal play. You will then probably watch it again a second time at normal speed on the replay. The third time you watch it is likely to be just the moment of contact, in slow motion and enlarged on the screen with all the gory detail!
This is what is happening in Ch 7
First of all we see things as they happened in the run of play. We read that in v1-14 - Daniels vision. Then we see the replay (v15-18 – The interpretation of the 4 beasts) and then finally we see the gory detail in high power (v19-28 – The interpretation of the 4th beast).
So first the vision itself
Daniels Vision (7v1-14)
We aren’t going to spend much time thinking about the origins of this dream but suffice to say, I think we must assume that it comes from God and is given to encourage the Jewish exiles to keep going. Like a movie his vision splits into 3 scenes, each starting with the phrase 'In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were...'.
Scene 1
In scene 1 (v2-6) we are introduced to three beasts, wild aggressive beasts that are still under the control of God. Infact they come up, out of the sea which is churned up by a wind from heaven; they seem to originate with God. The first beast is given the heart (or mind) of a man - and is like a beast (v4). The second beast looks like a bear and is instructed to “Get up and eat your fill of flesh!” (v5). The third beast which is like a leopard is “given authority to rule”.
So each of these 3 beasts still has some accountability and connection to Heaven. If you like, they are all like dogs on leads. They do the things that dogs do, but are ultimately still restrained by heavens ruler.
But what does this mean?
Well, very briefly, it is likely that the first beast represents Babylon, the second the Medo Persian empire and the third either Alexander the great and the Greeks or The Persian empire.
The heart of a man in the first beast perhaps representing the humbling of Nebuchadnezzar (Ch4). In Ezekiel Ned is compared to an eagle (Ez 17v13) and in Jeremiah he is likened to a Lion ((Jer 4v8). It is a beast of boldness, feroctiy, destructive power and irresistable strength whilst also exhibitiing speed and agility.
The 3 ribs of the bear could be the 3 babylonian Kingdoms replaced by the Medo Persian empire, and the instruction to eat license to attack Babylon. It is a beast of violence and power.
The Leopard points to speed, stealth with a suggestion of either the Greek kingdom splitting into 4 directions after Alexander, or Cyrus and the 4 Kings of Persia.
But, importantly, we must remember not to get lost in the detail, so we move to Scene 2.
Scene 2
In scene 2 (v7-12) we are introduced to a 4th Beast. It is pictured as wild, out of control, devouring, crushing, trampling, terrifying, frightening, boasting. None of the beasts are painted in particularly optimistic colours, but we are told that this beast “was different from all the former beasts.” It is qualitatively different from the others, not likened to an animal. It is somehow unearthly and it seems that this beast is not held on a leash and doesn’t seem to have the restraint of the first 3. With its large iron teeth, it’s 10 horns and then one horn with human eyes and a boastful tongue, it really is a terrifying picture of uncontrolled evil.
From AD 174-165, one of Alexander the Greats successors, Antiochus IV Epiphanes set himself up as ‘God Manifest’. He had those words, with an image of himself put on coins. He persecuted and slaughtered the Jews and ransacked the temple in Jerusalem. He destroyed the Sabbath and changed the calendar in Israel. It is quite possible that this what the small horn represents. Or maybe not... But either way it is terrifying, uncontrolled evil at its worst – against God’s people.
Daniels vision must have been a horrifying picture of evil running rampant until... into this scene of pure horror come the great words of v9-11.
Just as when a hero arrives into a desperate situation, so, as we reach v9-11 feelings of fear evaporate in the face of something so perfect, so otherworldy that it leaves us stunned. At this point of horror, the climax of evil of Daniels vision, suddenly Daniel is brought into a court room, complete with Judge, seats, court attendants, Observers and court documents. In some ways this is a familiar scene whilst in other ways it is other-worldly and terrifying. We don’t really know where it is located, in heaven or on earth, but it is very clearly the divine council.
And of course there is no doubt who the judge is. The “Ancient of Days” is God. His name referring to his eternal nature, and also probably implying wisdom and qualification to judge. His appearance is one of absolute splendour, glory, purity and blinding holiness, represented by fire. We are waiting for Judgement.
There are thousands of court attendants and tens of thousands of others all standing, watching and waiting. As I say, in many ways the scene is familiar, reminiscent of a John Grisham court room drama. All the essential elements are their, but this court room has a sense of heavenly finality and ultimate justice about it. We are before the Judgement seat of God. And then they are seated, the court books are opened to commence the necessary business for the day.
In v11-12 the camera of Daniels vision returns to the Beast, to see the outcome of the judgement. We are reminded again of the boastful words of the horn, and judgement seems to be in proportion to the boasting. This throne room is no kangaroo court room but is a case of judge, jury and executioner. He is the final authority. With pictures that remind us of the book of Revelation, the 4th beast, its iron teeth dripping with the blood of the nations and its horn boasting before the God of heaven is destroyed forever. The reference to the other beasts living on is probably to contrast the difference in horror and evil of the 4th beast with the other, and he is judged and sentenced accordingly.
Scene 3
And then we move into scene 3 (v13-14), the final and climactic scene of Daniels vision. Into this, partly familiar, partly alien scene a new figure arrives. He is a mysterious figure with some startling, cosmic characteristics.
The Son of Man
Daniel can only describe him as “someone looking like a Son of Man”. That should get alarms going (if we will let them) but for now, Daniel sees someone 'like a human being', but who is supernatural in nature. He comes with the clouds of heaven. Everything about his mode of transport suggests divine, but he looks like a man. Then, in contrast to the Beast in the previous verses, the Son of Man enters the presence of the Ancient of days. He is accepted, is welcome and is qualified to be in God’s presence. This is startling stuff.
But this breathtaking picture goes further than that. He is given authority which has been stripped from the beasts previously. He is given glory. He is given Sovereign power. He receives the attributes that the first 6 chapters of Daniel have made very clear belong only to the one, Holy God. They are now bestowed upon the “Son of Man”. And this is then confirmed by the worship of the nations. Just a quick look back to Ch 3 should show how stunning this is. The God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is the only being in the universe worthy of worship; worship is to be given to no-one except the Holy One, the God of Daniel. But here, in Ch 7, all the nations are bowing down, not to the Ancient of days but to the “Son of Man”. Just look back at Ch 4v3, Ch 4v34 and Ch 6 v26.
Only the God of heaven has an everlasting Kingdom and Dominion, but this is now given to the Son of man. We are to be in no doubt who this “Man” is. HE IS GOD, standing as the “Son of Man” before God. It is clear, un-missable and for Daniel terrifying. (And incidentally, the indications and implications for a doctrine of the Trinity are clear.)
But what does it mean?
So, what do we make of this powerful cosmic vision of the future. Well, in the second half, Someone explains the meaning to Daniel, but my guess is we have got it by now. I think it means 3 things.
Evil will not win
To the Jews it was a warning of terrible times ahead, but not hopeless times. Times of massive suffering and persecution but not without an end. The day is coming when all evil will be destroyed, thrown into the fire at the feet of the Ancient of days. So, keep going! We asked what would Jesus say to persecuted Christians in the 21st Century? What would he say to you? These things will happen “until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgement in favour of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the Kingdom.”(v22)
Despite the rise and fall of nations and empires both good and bad, despite the rise of international terrorism, Godless religion and philosophy; all this will end. Evil will not win
“The court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His Kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.”v26-27
This is a vision that should excite us and thrill us. Despite the rising of these great and awful nations,
“…the saints of the most high will receive the Kingdom and will possess it for ever – yes, for ever and ever.” v18.
One Kingdom will last forever
At the end of this great vision, there are no uncertainties about what the outcome is. There are no twists, no untied ends. The Son of Man is given authority. He is given the worship of the nations, and he is the King ruling over his Kingdom which is an everlasting Kingdom. The saints of the Most High, those who have persisted in worship of the true God, those who, by grace alone find their identity in Jesus Christ will possess the Kingdom forever. The Courts have ruled and judged, the sentence has been carried out and there is only one ruler ruling one Kingdom, forever. The Son of Man.
The Kingdom centres on the Son of Man
No surprise then, when Jesus, five or six hundred years later walked the streets of Palestine, he spoke of himself as the Son of Man. He knew his purpose and his mission. And the vision of Daniel 7 had been awaiting its fulfilment in him. Jesus first coming was the start of the fulfilment. The decisive work has been carried out on the cross. The victory is won but the battle still rages, until one day it will all be complete.
“When these things take place, stand up and lift your heads because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21v25-28.
“Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19v28-30
So, rejoice in our Saviour Jesus Christ who has defeated Satan and his principalities and powers, who is seated at the Right Hand of the Ancient of Days and who will reign forever
1 Details taken from the Advent prayer booklet 2009 of the Barnabas fund.