The 4 beasts… (4 things)

• 1^st – The dream of Daniel… vs. 1
  • 1^st – The purpose of prophecy…
    • The book of Daniel is broken into two divisions – history / and prophecy…
      • Having completed chapters 1-6 we now come to the prophetic portion of the book…
      • Prophecy is defined as declaring the Word – but it can also include predicting the future…
      • But when Prophecy does involve foretelling the future it can be a bit tricky to interpret…
      • The main purpose of God in using prophecy is not to tell us what will happen…
      • Its so when events come to pass as God foretold – we see He is sovereign / His Word true… 
      • God uses prophecy to show us He – and He alone – is God almighty…
      • The only one who sees the end from the beginning – and is in control of all things!
      • It is through Prophecy that God validates His Word – it is His fingerprint on the Scriptures!
      • Isaiah 46:9-10 – “Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning…”
    • While there are many fulfilled prophecies of the Bible that we can be certain of…
      • The resurrection of Jesus Christ – the rebirth of the nation of Israel to name a few…
      • There are many unfulfilled prophecies that are uncertain until they come to pass…
      • Unfortunately people can be dogmatic on the interpretation of theses unfulfilled prophecies
      • While we can draw powerful application from the unfulfilled prophesies of the Bible…
      • But we need to be cautious in the interpretation of these prophecies!
      • Daniel 12:8-9 – “Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.”
  • 2^nd – Why God choose to give prophetic dreams to Daniel…
    • In the next 6 chapters God reveals to Daniel some of the most amazing prophecies…
      • What made Daniel so special that God choose to reveal them to him…
      • Because Daniel set himself apart for the Lord – not eat the delicacies of the King – Daniel 1
      • Daniel also did not hesitate to stand up boldly for the Lord…
      • He told King Nebuchadnezzar that he was going to be judged by God – Daniel 4
      • Most importantly he had a consistent devotional time with the Lord – Daniel 6:10
      • Therefore he was given amazing revelations – and used by the Lord!
    • Paul tells us in II Timothy 2:20 – in a great house there are many pots…
      • There are very nice pots – ‘special pots’ / then there are the ‘ordinary pots’…
      • God is going to use our lives no matter what – but how will He use us…
      • But are we going to be ordinary pots – or ‘special pots’ used for extraordinary purposes!
    • Becoming an extraordinary pot – II Corinthians 4:7…
      • If you take a clay pot and fill it up with rocks – it is still a cheap pot…
      • But if you take that same pot and fill it up with gold – its priceless!
      • We often get the impression there are SPECIAL people whom God chooses to use…
      • But there are only ordinary people – who believe in God – making them ‘special’!
      • We are all just clay pots – the question to be asked is what is inside of us…
      • Are we full of ourselves – trusting in our abilities – ordinary clay pot…
      • Or are we full of Jesus – set apart / bold / spending time with the Lord – extraordinary pot!
  • 3^rd – The timing of the dream…
    • In the first year of Belshazzar Daniel had a dream – roughly 550 B.C.…
      • About 11 years before the Cyrus and the Medo-Persian Empire would conquer Babylon…
      • God had previously revealed to Daniel the great empires of the world – Daniel 2
      • Now that the first of those Empires was coming to and end – God gave another dream…
      • But where the dream of Nebuchadnezzar was very generic – light on the details…
      • This dream of Daniel gives far more insights into the future Kingdoms of men!
    • We live in extremely exciting times – God revealing great insights about the end times…
      • I had heard the argument the doctrine of the rapture of the church is a recent advent…
      • It is true that you do not find many references to it before the last 100 years or so…
      • But it is common in the Bible for a truth to remain a mystery till the time is right…
      • Up until the 20^th century very few Bible Scholars believed in a literal rebirth of Israel…
      • Until May 14, 1948 – when God did the impossible and Israel became a nation…
      • Like Daniel in his day – we today are seeing prophecies fulfilled right before our eyes…
      • And with that fulfillment comes greater clarity / more details about the end times…
      • We have the privilege of living in the last days – and seeing the Word of God come true!
      • Luke 10:23-24 – “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.”

• 2^nd – The beasts from the sea… vs. 2-8
  • The great sea – and the 4 beasts… vs. 2-3
    • The Great Sea is a reference to the people of the earth – the sum total of all humanity…
      • And there were 4 winds of heaven that stirred up the water – Revelation 7:1…
      • Speaking of the control that God has over the kingdoms of men…
      • In spite of what the media says – it is not the Electoral College who picks our president…
      • It is not even the one who got the most votes that counts…
      • It is God who stirs the water – He is ultimately the one who puts leaders in power…
      • God is sovereign over the nations – and He raises up / tears down according to His will!
      • Romans 13:1 – “All governments have been placed in power by God.”
    • Out of this sea of men – came 4 terrifying beasts to rule over men…
      • Daniel 7 is the companion passage to the dream of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2…
        • God again lays out for Daniel the final Kingdoms of men that will rule the world…
        • But rather than portraying them as a glorious statue made out of precious metal…
        • God shows them as ravenous terrifying beasts intent on destruction!
        • Because these four kingdoms did not exist to honor God – carnal godless nations!
      • Apart from God – man is nothing more than a wild beast…
        • We are made up of 3 parts – an inferior trinity – Genesis 1:27…
        • We are body / mind (soul) / and spirit – but there is a war within us – Galatians 5:16
        • It is a war over what controls our mind – either our sinful body / or our spirit…
        • For those who live for their flesh – they have no thought of pleasing God…
        • They live on for the gratification of their flesh – bound for judgment and destruction!
  • 1^st – The lion with wings like an eagle… vs. 4
    • The lion is chief in the animal kingdom – this beast is chief among the Kingdom of men…
    • It represented the Babylonian Empire (head of gold) – the greatest Empire – Daniel 2:37
    • Removing the eagles wings / standing up on 2 feet / given the heart of a man…
    • Is thought to be a reference to Nebby – who became like a beast through pride – Daniel 4:33
    • But was humbled and his ‘beasts’ (sinful) heart – was changed to a human heart – salvation!
  • 2^nd – The bear with three ribs in its mouth… vs. 5
    • The bear raised up on one side – is the Medo-Persian Empire (chest / arms of silver)…
    • The bear being a very large – somewhat cumbersome animal described Medo-Persia…
    • The Empire was known for its HUGE army – but that also meant it moved slowly…
    • And it was not balanced – it was made of 2 nations – the Persians stronger than the Medes…
    • The 3 ribs are the 3 nations the Persians conquered – Babylon / Lydia / Egypt
  • 3^rd – The leopard with 4 heads and wings… vs. 6
    • The leopard with 4 heads and 4 wings – is the Grecian Empire (waist of silver)…
    • The leopard is much smaller than the first two animals – but also much swifter…
    • Greece under Alexander conquered the known world – from Europe to India – in 12 years…
    • And he did it with a relatively small force – only 30k men – compared to 600k in Persia!
    • The 4 heads speak of the 4 generals who took over the Kingdom at the death of Alexander…
    • Greece went to Cassander / Thrace to Lysimachus / Egypt to Ptolemy / Syria to Seleucus
  • 4^th – The dreadful and terrible beast – with 10 horns… vs. 7-8
    • The final beast is different from the first 3 – there was no animal to liken it to…
    • It is exceedingly strong – with iron teeth – devouring / breaking / stomping its enemies…
    • Speaking of the Roman Empire (combining – legs of iron / and feet of iron mixed with clay)…
    • We are given more of a description of the beast in the book of Revelation…
    • Revelation 13:1 – “Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.  Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.”
    • Letting us know that this fourth beast is comprised of parts of the first three!
    • And the beast had 10 horns – with an 11^th little horn that uprooted 3 of the first ten…
    • The little horn had eyes like a man – and spoke boastful words – more on this later!

• 3^rd – The Ancient of Days… vs. 9-14
  • 1^st – The scene in heaven – the books were opened… vs. 9-10
    • Daniel watched till the thrones ‘came down’ – more literally they were cast down…
      • The Ancient of Days was seated – clothes white as snow / head like wool / throne of fire…
      • This was none other than Jesus Christ – come to judge the nations – cast down thrones…
      • Revelation 1:14 – “His head and hair were white like wool…  His eyes like a flame of fire…”
    • A thousand thousands ministered to him – speaking of millions of angels…
      • Then thousand thousands stood before him – speaking of hundreds of millions of people…
      • The court was seated – and books were opened – the white throne judgment…
      • Revelation 20:11-12 – “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it…  And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God…”
      • All will stand before the throne of God to be judged for the works of their lives
      • There will be two sets of books opened – ‘The books’ and the Book of Life
      • If your name is found written in the Book of Life – then you are saved…
      • If not – then the Books are opened – and you are judged according to your works…
      • Every thing you did – every word you said – every thought you think…
      • Not to see if you will go to heaven or hell – but to show you why you go to hell!
  • 2^nd – The 2^nd coming of Christ… vs. 11-14
    • Daniel watched as the little horn kept speaking – right up until…
      • The 4^th beast was destroyed – and its body given to the ‘burning flame’ (only used here)…
      • Likely referring to the battle of Armageddon – Revelation 16:6…
      • When the Antichrist will gather his army to the Valley of Megiddo – Revelation 19:11-21
      • Then Jesus will come out of Heaven on a white horse – King of Kings / Lord of Lords…
      • With the armies of Heaven – his saints (you and me) – following behind Him on horses…
      • With one word he will defeat the Antichrist and his army – blood to horses bridle…
      • And the Antichrist will be the first to be thrown into the Lake of Fire – Revelation 19:20
    • The rest of the beasts loose their dominion (power) but are preserved for a season…
      • The ‘other 3 beasts’ – though they will have no power – they will be under Christ…
      • Those who did not take the mark – 666 – will enter into the millennial Kingdom!
    • Then one like the Son of Man (Jesus) – comes to the Ancient of Days (God the Father)…
      • And is given all Power and Glory so that everyone should serve Him!
      • He will establish an everlasting Kingdom – one that will never be destroyed…
      • The same ending as Daniel 2 – with the rock that becomes a mountain to fill the earth!
      • Philippians 2:9-10 – “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth…”
    • It takes the return of Jesus to finally establish the Kingdom of God…
      • Interesting that there is no mention of the CHURCH as part of the 4^th beast…
      • For the better part of 1500 years the church has been a force in Europe (Roman Empire)…
      • But the Kingdom of God is not on this earth – and will never be established by men…
      • Jesus said in John 18:36 – “My kingdom is not of this world…”
      • We need to be careful never to put our hope in governments / or politics…
      • Even if the men we vote for are believers – have moral biblical standards…
      • Although we are to be involved in this world / politics – be Salt and Light…
      • We are never to put our faith in this world – or politics – we trust in Jesus!

• 4^th – The interpretaion of the dream… vs. 15-28
  • 1^st – Getting answers to confusing questions… vs. 15-18
    • The spirit of Daniel was grieved within his ‘body’ – literally a sheath (like for a sword)…
      • In his dream – he asked someone by him for an interpretation – likely and angel…
      • He was told the 4 beasts – are 4 kings that will rise out of the earth…
      • But the saints of the most high will receive THE Kingdom – and posses it forever and ever!
    • Because Daniel asked questions – rather than stay confused – he got a great answer…
      • When Jesus taught in parables – He did it to conceal the truth – Luke 8:10
      • It was not that Jesus did not want the crowds to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom…
      • They did not understand because they did not want to take the time to learn!
      • Only to the Disciples understood the real meaning behind the parables… 
      • Simply because only the Disciples took the time to ask Jesus what He meant!
      • The mark of a true disciple of Jesus – is not the one who understands everything…
      • It is the one who asks because he does NOT understand – questions are GOOD!
      • If we have a hard time understanding the Word of God – ask questions!
      • Jesus will open our eyes so we can see and our ears so we can hear!
  • 2^nd – The question of the 4^th beast… vs. 19-24
    • The 4^th beast will be different from the first three – it will devour the whole earth…
      • It will be ruled by 10 horns – horns in the Bible speak of power – 10 powerful nations…
      • The one who interpreted the dream for Daniel referred to them as 10 KINGS…
      • The word King is the Aramaic word ‘melek’ – it can also be translated as ‘angel’…
      • It may not necessarily be referring to a man – but the spiritual power behind the nation…
      • Daniel 10:20 – an angel told Daniel he was going to fight the Prince of Persia (demon)…
      • We are in a spiritual battle – we need to fight the battle on our knees – II Corinthians 10:4
      • So often in life we miss who the real enemy is – we look at the people…
      • But they are puppets – they are being told what to say and do by the God of this world…
      • The key is to go at the one who is in control – attack the root problem!
    • There are several different thoughts as to whom the 10 horns represent…
      • There is speculation it refers to 10 regions of the world – popular with Left Behind Series… 
      • At one point it was thought to be 10 nations within the European Union…
      • Europa – the woman who rides the beast with 10 horns – Revelation 17:3
      • Official website of the European Union is Europa.com / even on the 2 Euro coin (Greece)!
      • But there are now 28 member nations in the EU
    • But it may refer to 10 nations that have risen to power since the fall of Rome…
      • Rather than looking at it as a 10 nations at once – it could be 10 nations over time…
      • Each being a major power – horn – at one time in what was once the Romans Empire…
      • The last 3 of those powers – horns – being displaced by the rise of the Anti-Christ…
      • There are 3 great European powers that still stand today – England / France / Germany!
  • 3^rd – The little horn… vs. 25
    • This is one of more than 30 titles in the Bible given to one man…
      • The Man of Sin – Thessalonians 2:3  / The Son of Perdition – II Thessalonians 2:3
      • And my personal favorite – the big mouth – Daniel 7:8
      • We most often refer to him as the anti-Christ – speaking of his role as a false messiah…
      • I John 2:18 – “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.”
      • He will be a leader who will rise out of the Revived Roman Empire – to rule the world…
      • There is a good chance he will have Jewish heritage – God of his fathers – Daniel 11:37
      • He will present himself to the world as the Messiah – god come to earth!
      • He will make a peace treaty with Israel for 7 years after the Magog invasion – Daniel 9:27
      • There is a good chance that this man is alive today – waiting for the right time…
      • Because he cannot be revealed until the church is removed – the Rapture…
      • If he revealed himself now – we would all know who he is – II Thessalonians 2:7
    • The Little Horn will speak ‘boastful’ words against the Most High…
      • Revelation 13:3-5 – “I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed… and they worshiped the beast… for forty-two months.”
      • The Antichrist will proclaim to the world – he is THE Christ – raised from the dead!
      • He will rule the worlds political system – he will be the government…
      • He will rule the worlds financial system – 666 – make of the beast – Revelation 13:16-18
      • He will be the worlds religion – worship him as the god of this world!
      • He will try and prove he is god – by deceiving the world with signs and wonders…

• He will have a false prophet that causes fire to come down from heaven – Revelation 13:11
• The prophet can make statues of the Anti-Christ speak – put the ‘unbelievers’ to death!
• Signs that would even deceive those who believe in Jesus – if it were possible!
• There is a danger to following signs and wonders…
• Satan can – and will – imitate God – so he looks like the real thing…
• The only way to know the truth is by being men and women of the Word
• Jesus Word is the only Truth – it is how we know a lie from the Truth – John 17:17

To the extent we will even sit on Jesus throne with Him – Revelation 3:21

The Little Horn will persecute the saints of the Most High…

Revelation 13:7 – “It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.”

If you believe in Jesus during the Tribulation – it will cost you your life – Revelation 20:4

This is a good proof text in the Bible for a pre-tribulation rapture…

We as the church have been given incredible promises as it pertains to our enemy…

Matthew 16:18 – gates of hell will not prevail / Isaiah 54:17 – no weapon will harm us…

Luke 10:19 – We have overcome all the power of the enemy – nothing will harm us…

Yet the Antichrist is given power to overcome the saints – those who believe in Jesus…

Either there is a contradiction in the Bible – or these saints are not ‘the church’…

Giving confidence in a pre-trib rapture – the church will not be here – we will be in heaven!

The Little Horn will intend to change times and seasons for time / times / and half a time…

The final 3 ½ years of the tribulation – after the Anti-Christ declares himself God…

The Antichrist will enter the rebuilt 3^rd temple – into the Holiest of All

The footstool of God – where the Ark of the Covenant once stood (1^st Temple only)

There he will demand he is god – and should be worshiped – changing times  / seasons!

Matthew 24:15 – “When you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), run…”

4^th – The Kingdom of God… vs. 26-28

But then the court is seated – and the power of the Antichrist is destroyed forever!

The Kingdom / power will be given to the saints of the Most High – and everlasting Kingdom…

The conclusion of the dream is – we win – we inherit the whole earth!

We live in an fallen world – and even though we still are at war – with sin / the world / satan…

There is no question on the outcome – we know because of Jesus we win in the end!

More than that – God has a plan for us beyond imagination – a reward waiting for us in heaven

We are heirs to all that God has – joint heirs with Jesus Christ – Romans 8:17

Meaning God will give us EVERYTHING – His KINGDOM – Luke 12:32