Jews’ Distress -2

Unless a person is born again, from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3).

I. Jews Distress –  Daniel Chapter 7.

II. Article References (Deceased Theological Scholars).

A. Nineteenth Century Dispensational Theological Scholar References.

John Nelson Darby (1800-1882). Sir Robert Anderson (1841-1918). William Eugene Blackstone (1841-1935). Cyrus Ingerson Scofield (1843-1921). Lewis Sperry Chafer (1871-1952). Henry Allen Ironside (1876-1951).

B. Post 1900 Deceased Dispensational Theological Scholar References.

Merrill Unger, Ph. D. (1909-1980). J. Vernon McGee, Th. D. (1904-1988). Edmond Hiebert, Th. D. (1928-1995). Charles Feinberg, Ph. D. (1909-1995). Irving Jensen, Th. D. (1920-1996). Art Farstad, Th.D. (1935-1998.) John Walvoord, Th. D. (1910-2002) .Paul Feinberg, Th. D. (1938-2004). Dave Hunt, Theologian (1926-2013). Frank Myers, D. Div. (1930-2013).J. Dwight Pentecost, Th. D. (1915-2014). Charles Ryrie, Ph. D. (1925-2016). Robert Thomas, Th. D. (1928-2017). Stanley Toussaint, Th. D. (1928-2017). Robert Lightner, Th. D. (1931-2018). Harold Hoehner, Ph. D. (1935-2009). Thomas McCall, Th. D. (1936-2021). Jimmy DeYoung Ph.D. (1940-2021). Edward Hindson, Ph. D. (1944-2022). Additional references can be seen in my Page, About My References.

III. Article Considerations.

A. One of the most difficult and most important factors of writing an article is related to sources of information. A writer must ensure that such sources have a high degree of knowledge on the subjects that are being written, and also must have a high degree of respect from other writers. A second factor that must be considered relates to how to lawfully use material of other writers. In this web site, copyright statutes are not violated. Also, “public domain,” is to be considered.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain

B. In this article, I have chosen theologians whom have proven themselves to be highly respected by others in the Biblical doctrine of eschatology (the study of what Scripture teaches about the end times), and other doctrines of scripture. Deceased theologians are shown at the heading of this article. A total list of my references is shown in my Page, About My References. Other theological scholars will be added, as they become known to me. 

C. For education and other supporting data for each source of information in this article, please refer to my Page, “About My References.

IV. The Prophecy of Daniel. Chapter 7.

A . Introduction.

Although the visions collected in this section of the book are in approximate chronological order, there is no obvious connection leading one on to the next. Each vision has a separate and distinct message.

B. A vision of four beasts (7:1-14)

1. In the first vision (whose chronological position would be between Chapters 4 and 5), Daniel saw a severe storm stirring up the sea, then, coming up out of the raging waters, four strange beasts. The meaning (partly explained later in the chapter) seems to be that G-d was working in the affairs of the region, stirring up events that produced in turn four kingdoms (7:1-3; see also v. 17).

2. The four kingdoms represented here are the same four kingdoms illustrated in Chapter 2, but there is a difference in emphasis. Whereas the vision given to the heathen king Nebuchadnezzar dealt in general with the historical significance of the events symbolized, the vision given to G-d’s servant Daniel dealt more with how these events would affect the people of G-d. The emphasis in Chapter 2 was that G-d controls the rise and fall of empires. The emphasis in Chapter 7 is that G-d preserves his people through the opposition that these empires bring.

3. Babylon, the kingdom, symbolized by the first beast; was proud, ruthless and unconquerable at the beginning, but later its cruel power softened and it became more humane (4). The second beast, already eating one victim and getting ready to pounce on another, symbolized the Medo-Persian Empire in its greedy conquest (5). The third beast pictured the swift conquest by Alexander the Great and the spread of the Greek Empire (6).

4. The fourth beast, so horrible and terrible that it was beyond description, symbolized brutal all-conquering Rome. From the many kingdoms (‘ten horns’) brought together in the Roman Empire, one leader (a ‘little horn’), emerged as more ruthless than all others. He murdered those who opposed him and established himself as a cruel unchallengeable dictator (7-8).

5. Daniel then had a vision of the fiery chariot-throne of G-d, upon which sat the Lord of the universe. He would judge his creatures with absolute purity and fearful justice (9-10). The ‘little horn’ dictator made such claims to power that G-d could tolerate him no longer. His day of judgment had come. The three previous kingdoms were merely overthrown – taken over rather than wiped out. This fourth kingdom, however, under the absolute rule of its arrogant dictator, was completely and mercilessly destroyed (11-12).

6. In place of this anti-G-d kingdom a new kingdom was set up, one that was different from all that had gone before. It was set up not by a beast-like figure but by a man-like figure. This was the universal kingdom of G-d (13-14).

C. Interpretation of the vision (7:15-28)

1. One of G-d’s heavenly servants explained to Daniel the meaning of the vision. The kingdoms of the world may arrogantly oppose G-d in their ruthless drive for supremacy, but the kingdom that triumphs in the end is the kingdom of G-d (15-18).

2. A reason is then given for G-d’s devastating judgment on the ‘little horn’ dictator of the fourth beast: he had used his power to make war against G-d’s people (19-22). He blasphemously challenged the Almighty and cruelly persecuted His people, even making special laws so that the whole power of the state could be turned against them. But G-d allowed him to rule only for a time, then suddenly intervened and destroyed him (23-26). Once again G-d’s kingdom triumphed; his people were victorious (27). Daniel was disturbed as he considered what the vision foretold (28).

3. History shows that the Roman Empire used its power with arrogance and cruelty. It blasphemed G-d and persecuted His people without restraint. But G-d’s people triumphed and the kingdom of G-d remained unconquerable, whereas the Roman Empire crumbled and even the most brutal of its emperors was destroyed. So will it be with all the ‘beasts’ and all the ‘little horns’, until the Son of man returns in power and glory, and His people in the fullest sense inherit His everlasting kingdom (v. 13-14,27).

D. Key Verses. 

1. 7:1. “The year of Belshazzar =553 B.C.,” 14 years before the fall of Babylon described in chapter 5.

2, 7:3. “Four great beasts.” Representing the rulers of the four world empires previously described in  Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chap. 2 These world empires trampled over Israel, i.e., “Babylon,  Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome,” per Daniel’s prophecy.  This period of time is known as “The Times Of The Gentiles.” The “Times of the Gentiles” refers to a biblical period that began with the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC, and continues until the Second Coming of Christ, during which Jerusalem is under Gentile control. This time is characterized by the dominance of non-Israelite nations over Israel and is mentioned in Luke 21:24. During this time there will be no Jewish King ruling over Israel. (Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled, Luke 21:24).  The times of the Gentiles is not to be confused with “The Fullness Of The Gentiles,” (Romans 11:25), which relates to a precursor of the rapture of the church: “a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” The subject, “The Fullness Of The Gentiles” will be discussed later, along with the teaching of the Rapture.

3. 7:4. “Like a lion… eagle.” Both symbols (of strength and speed, respectively) were used of Babylon (Jer 4:7 13).

4. 7:5. “Resembling a bear.” A symbol of the Medo-Persian Empire, known for its strength and fierceness in battle (Isa 13:17-18). “Raised up on one side,” indicates the superiority pf the Persians in the empire. “Three ribs” may represent three major conquests; Lydia (546), Babylon (539), and Egypt (525).

5. 7:6. “Like a leopard,” represents the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great. After his death the empire had “four heads,” i.e.;  Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, and Macedonia (8:8). 

6. 7:7. “A fourth beast.” Rome. The 10 horns are explained in v 24, the little horn (Antichrist) in vs 24-25. A revived Roman Empire will emerge during the Tribulation, and will attempt to destroy G-d’s people. 

7. 7:9. “Ancient of days.” A reference to G-d as judge (Isa 57:15). 

8. 7:13-14. This is the first reference of Messiah as “Son of Man,” a title our Lord used of Himself often. At His second coming, He will have “dominion” over this world.

9. 7:18. These “saints” probably include believers of all ages, and possibly angels. 

10. 7:24. The final form of the Roman World Empire will be a confederation of 10 nations who will arise simultaneously in the tribulation days.

11. 7:24-27. Antichrist will march to power by subduing three of the 10 nations (v 24), will blaspheme G-d (v 25), will try in some ways to change times and laws in order to promote his anti-G-d program (v 25), will persecute G-d’s saints (v 25) for the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation. 

V. Closing Comments. 

A. The contents in this article rely heavily on my study of the commentaries and articles that relate to Matthew’s Gospel, and/or the End Times, that have been created by the following highly respected theological scholars:

Louis A. Barbieri. John Nelson Darby.  Jimmy E. DeYoung. John D. Grassmick. Edward H. Hindson. Mark L. Hitchcock. David L. Hocking. Dave Hunt. S. Lewis Johnson. David K. Lowe. Leighton Paige Patterson. John Dwight Pentecost. John B. Phillips. Charles L. Quarles. Ronald T. Rhodes. Charles C. Ryrie. C.I. Scofield. Robert L. Thomas. Merrill F. Unger. John W. Walvoord. Harold L. Willmington. Andrew M. Woods.  

B. In the article the italics are mine.