These 4 beasts are possibly, the kingdoms of the image in chapter 2 of daniel. Thus far the majority of the book has been historical. If you would like to know gods program for the future, it is essential that you understand this book of daniel. This chapter relates the beginning of daniel s last vision, which is continued to the end of the book. David guzik commentary on daniel 7 explains the vision king belshazzar has. These later chapters consist of four prophetic dreamsvisions given to daniel but it is this first one, here in chapter 7, that provides the foundation and basis of the subsequent revelation. Commentary on daniel chapters 7 10 matthew janzen the vision of the four beasts daniel pt.
The prophecies found in the book of daniel are the key to unlocking all biblical prophecy. Daniel 7 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Bible study commentary on the christian life as shown in the book of daniel chapter 4 concerning nebuchadnezzar and the tree of doom. For the first time in the book, a vision is written down. The third beast is the greek empire the third beast is a fourheaded leopard. The book of daniel begins with king nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of babylon, ransacking jerusalem. This could be the meaning of the wings being plucked. This chapter treats of the same subject as the second chapter. After this chapter, the book returns to the hebrew language. The vision predicts major world empires and events from the time of daniel to the second coming of christ. He approached the ancient of days and was led into his presence. The four empires are the same as nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream in daniel 2, although in that dream they are pictured as various metals in a statue. May the spirit of god reveal the meaning of this prophecy to us and.
As the expositors bible commentary explains, the lion symbol was. The seventh chapter of the book of daniel records an unusual vision that he received. This first vision one of four described between daniel 7 through 12 was the most comprehensive. This section deals exclusively with the times of the gentiles. Thus, daniel 8 begins a new division of the book of daniel. Daniel chapter 7 explained discover the 66 books of the. Daniel 7 practically all scholars, whether liberal or conservative, are convinced that the prophecy of this chapter follows the same pattern as that in dan. Daniel 7 tells of daniels vision of four worldkingdoms replaced by the kingdom of god. Chapters 7 and 8 occur after chapter 4, but before chapter 5. Prophecy of the book of daniel chapter 7 commentary. So this is an important chapter in understanding the rest of this book. Walvoord rightly remarks that chapter 7 is a high point in revelation in the book of daniel.
God keeps a record in heaven and that is what is spoken of by the books were opened. I beheld till the thrones were cast down till all these earthly kingdoms were brought to an end, and all enemies and opposite powers were destroyed. Four beasts come out of the sea, the ancient of days sits in judgement over them, and one like a son of man is given eternal kingship. Daniel 7 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. In the first year of belshazzar king of babylon daniel saw a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed. These verses do not teach that all of the world powers were destroyed before christs kingdom was established. The book is also an eschatology, meaning a divine revelation concerning the end of the present age, a moment. Doughty southside christian church june 2015 introduction. Antichrist is no longer called a horn, but a king subduing three out of ten kings no longer horns, daniel 7. Apocalyptic language is composed of symbols that are often lurid in. It devoured and brake in pieces it spread its arms and its terrors to a much greater extent than any of the preceding.
The prophet daniel explained the past and the future of israel and all gentile nations according to the plan and purposes of god and his revelations do so with such incredible accuracy that he has silenced many a biblical skeptic throughout history. From chapter 2, verse 4, through chapter 7, daniel is in aramaic, the gentile and diplomatic language of daniel s day. The seventh chapter of the book of daniel records an unusual vision that he received in the first year of the babylonian king belshazzar 555556 b. Chapter 7 of daniel describes four beasts coming up from the mediterranean sea. Bible study commentary on the book of daniel chapter 7 concerning his vision and prophecy of the coming world empires. Daniel overview james burton coffman commentaries on the. Daniel 7 the seventh chapter of the book of daniel tells of daniel s vision of four worldkingdoms replaced by the kingdom of god. Of such the lord had said, wickedness has come to babylon through the elders and judges posing as guides to the people.
The old testament is written in the hebrew language, with but one exception a portion of the book of daniel. What follows in this chapter, he wrote, is only a summary of what he saw. Catholic exegetes, by and large take the position of the following commentary from the respected and popular navarre bible commentary on daniel. Up to the end of chapter 6, daniel has been the interpreter of kings dreams. The vision to be exposed in chapter 7 is dated during the year 553 b. This commentary is based upon my personal devotional notes and reflections on the book of daniel. While the first chapters of daniel have a more gentile orientation and flavor, chapter 8 turns to a more jewish emphasis. The leopard with its grace, speed and ferocity is the perfect metaphor for the small welltrained, wellequipped, and brilliantly led greek army that supplanted persia. He ends up taking back the cream of the crop, the most elite and noble israelites, to serve at his court in babylon. Daniel 7 daniel s vision of future world history someone has well said that. The dream of daniel 7 moves far beyond daniel s day to the coming of israel s king to end all gentile kingdoms and to establish his eternal kingdom. A commentary on the book of daniel southside christian.
So that there is no reason why the three and a half years should be so. The book of daniel lays the basis for the book of revelation. Book of daniel chapter 7 bible study times of the gentiles earthly. By perusing the book of daniel in chapters 5 7, instead of skimming, it. Book of daniel chapter 4 bible study nebuchadnezzar and. Daniel 7 bible commentary matthew henry concise christianity. The book of daniel verse by verse chapter 7 daniels. He especially desired to know respecting the little horn, which made war with the saints, and prevailed against them.
The prophecy of chapter 2 was intended to be understood by a heathen king. A commentary on the book of daniel by pastor galen l. As we leave the first six chapters and enter chapter 7, we are leaving historical narrative behind and entering an apocalyptic section. In order of events, the vision described in daniel 7 took place during the time between daniel chapters 4 and 5. In daniel 7 the prophet records a night vision that god gave him concerning four world empires, symbolized as four beasts daniel 7. Commentary on daniel chapters 710 ministers of the. Moreover, the vision of the son of man is the centerpiece of ot revelation concerning the messiah. Daniel 7 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on the. The prophetic chapters of the book of daniel date to 167164 bc, with daniel 7 dated somewhat earlier than the rest. Dreadful, and terrible, and strong exceedingly and therefore compared to iron, daniel 2. Commentaries which would help in your study are the prophecy of daniel by edward j. The aramaic section of daniel begins in chapter 2 with nebuchadnezzars dream of the colossus and ends at the end of. But there the four kingdoms, and messiahs final kingdom, were. Young and the volume on daniel in the commentary on the old.
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