InPerspective

Harry Reeder: When you take a look at apocalyptic literature, when we're looking at the apocalypse, where things are moving into the consummation, two themes are going to constantly be there. One is the seemingly unremitting and unending rebellion of Satan through the powers of this age against the Kingdom of God. The second thing that you're going to see is a constant reminder: God wins. He wins.

Guest (Male): Putting life in biblical perspective with Dr. Harry L. Reeder. This is InPerspective, a radio and internet ministry of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. You probably know the famous Vietnam War movie Apocalypse Now. But today, we will go back to the time of Daniel for a look at apocalypse then.

Holy Scripture contains extraordinary examples of apocalyptic prophetic literature, and one of the most noteworthy is found in chapter seven of the Book of Daniel, describing his remarkable apocalyptic visions. Stay with us now as Dr. Reeder continues our series on Daniel's memorable memoirs and message, as he takes us to Daniel seven for today's teaching, part one of his message: The Triumph of the King and His Kingdom.

Harry Reeder: As I've said on a number of occasions, prophecy is not a big deal with God. It's just God rewriting history. Prophetic language is usually in very broad terms. It is given to us to let us peel back some of what is going to take place, so it's just God rewriting history. But in prophecy, there is a particular genre, a particular category of prophecy, that we call apocalyptic literature, or apocalyptic biblical literature and prophecy. What does it mean, apocalyptic? Well, it is looking toward the end times, but biblical apocalyptic literature is very, very specific.

You've got it in your Bible, the book of Revelation is the apocalypse. The book of Daniel, then the last six chapters where we're studying now, has apocalyptic literature. This chapter is apocalyptic literature. The book of Zechariah has it. Some of Isaiah has it. There are passages throughout the Old Testament and the prophetic books in which there's not only prophetic words, but there is apocalyptic prophecy. So what God wants us to know is to have some information about where we're going, about what's going to happen.

And he wants it to be startlingly factual and clear, yet it is not exhaustive. He wants you to understand, and just like Daniel, Daniel's going to get a vision that's apocalyptic and he's going to say, "Can you give me some help here?" So it's absolutely fine to want to know what the apocalyptic literature is saying to us about the end times, but we have to refrain from speculating about it. Basically, let me give you two characteristics of biblical apocalypse. Two characteristics, whether it's Revelation or Daniel, whether it's the night visions of Zechariah.

When you take a look at apocalyptic literature, when we're looking at the apocalypse where things are moving into the consummation, two themes are going to constantly be there. One is the seemingly unremitting and unending rebellion of Satan through the powers of this age against the kingdom of God. There is an unremitting, continual, seemingly unfathomable ability of Satan to rebel against the kingdom of God by raising up false prophets, false teachers, and particularly using the kingdoms of this world to rebel in cosmic treason against the King himself and the kingdom of God.

The second thing that you're going to see is a constant reminder: God wins. He wins. In fact, he's already promised you the victory. He's already raised the standard of the victory, and he will be victorious. And nothing that's happening or will happen is out from under his sovereign control and the assurance of victory. And this particular chapter is no different. In fact, it is there not for us to engage in undue speculation, certainly to make inquiry, but to communicate to us in this prophetic language, in these broad terms with this highly nuanced symbolism, not that we try to go down too deeply into the details, but we see the scope of what he is saying and where things are headed.

And you'll see that both of those themes that mark out literature that is apocalyptic, that prophetic genre that is pointing to the end times, those two themes of the unremitting nature of evil and rebellion against God and all that is holy, and particularly the use of the kingdoms of this world by Satan, that that particular theme stands paramount, and it does in this text. And then secondly, the assurance that there is only one God and there is no God like Jehovah. And he has won the victory. The Ancient of Days is victorious through his champion, his own son, the Son of Man.

So take your Bibles and look with me in this passage of Daniel chapter seven. Daniel chapter seven is kind of a new section. We're getting a series of visions from Daniel. Let me just go ahead and say this: Don't try to solve everything from the first vision. There's a reason there's a second vision. And I'm not going to jump to the second vision to come back to the first vision. We're going to just do the first vision, that's it. And we're going to go to the second, we're going to go to the third. There's a series of visions that are given to Daniel. Up until now, Daniel hadn't gotten the visions.

These kings have been getting visions. Daniel's been the interpreter. Now Daniel's getting these visions from God. Previously, he'd been given interpretation so that he could be this influential godly statesman in the Babylonian Empire and in the Medo-Persian Empire through a series of not only two kingdoms but two kings. And he will be with the people of God from the time of their captivity to the time of their return. He'll spend his whole life from his teenage years all the way to the end here in this place of Babylon and now the Medo-Persian Empire.

He'll spend it all there, and we had followed him all the way up to the end of his life in chapter six. And now chapter seven takes us back and it rewinds the tape all the way back to Daniel in his 40s or so, all the way back to him in his 40s or maybe 50s. And he's back under Belshazzar, the king that's going to be killed, the one that's going to get the handwriting on the wall for you. Have y'all ever noticed how many little sayings we have in our language that come out of the book of Daniel? Boy, you can see the handwriting on the wall, can't you?

And so we're back to Belshazzar, but now we're before the feast. We're before the feast and the party of chapter five. And we're back with Belshazzar, who is kind of second in command under a guy by the name of Nabonidus. And it's in the days of Belshazzar, in the first year of Belshazzar, King of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. Daniel declared. All right, so Daniel's got a dream and it has so impacted him. He is now going to write it down.

What I'm going to do is just walk through this chapter in three sections. The ingredients of this vision. He's got a vision from the Lord. Number one, I'm going to give you the ingredients of the vision. Number two, we're going to look at the interlude in the vision. And then number three, we're going to look at the interpretation of the visions and then draw a couple of takeaways out of that. So let's take, first of all, a look at the ingredients in verse two. Daniel declared, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea." What is it that he sees coming up out of the sea?

Now you've got to remember, in Bible language: river good, sea bad. River of life, that represents the work of redemption. The sea roaring, foaming, rising up, all of that sea and all of it rising up to overwhelm you, that's the chaos of this age and sin and rebellion against God. So out of the broken treason and rebellion against God, out of the sea comes something. What rises up from that sea? Different from one another, four great beasts came up out of the sea. Verse three: different from one another.

The first was like a lion and had eagle's wings. Then as I looked, its wings were plucked off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it. And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth, and it was told, "Arise, devour much flesh." After this I looked and behold another like a leopard with four wings of a bird on its back, and the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it.

After this I saw in the night visions and behold a fourth beast, terrifying, dreadful, exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth. It devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that was before it, and it had ten horns. I considered the horns and behold there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth speaking great things.

So out of this sea, and we already know in Scripture that represents chaos, sin, evil and rebellion against God. Out of this foaming sea, it cast up four monsters. Boy, we make our own movie here, couldn't we? Four monsters, four beasts. Like one writer said, it's written like today's cinematography. Have you ever noticed how today they'll throw up a visual image and then it'll disappear and another one will just kind of take over from it, and then that'll kind of fade and another one will take over from it? And that's kind of the picture here grammatically of what's taking place.

First one that comes up is a lion. And a lion that is also like an eagle with its wings. And then this lion though, that's like an eagle, all of a sudden becomes man-like instead of beast-like and stands up and begins to act like a man instead of a beast. And then that one is replaced by a bear. And this bear is powerful. This bear is ravenous. See the three ribs coming out from its mouth? This bear has just gobbled up and devoured much. And then that's replaced by another beast. Its primary figure's it's a leopard, but it has four heads and it has four wings.

And then that's followed by another beast and that beast is different. It's different in a number of ways. It's different because it really can't even be pictured. It doesn't say it's like a. It just says a beast. It is so horrific, so monstrous, that it doesn't even qualify with a picture. It's also different because notice something about these others. Notice something about them, these beasts. They come up out of the rebellion of the sea against God and his kingdom. That's obvious, but notice the first was like a lion and had eagle's wings. Look at that verse four.

Then as I looked, its wings were plucked off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man and the mind of a man was given to it. Look at that language. Its wings were plucked off. It was lifted up. It was made to stand. A mind was given to it. And then look at the next one, the bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth, and it was told, "Arise, devour much flesh." And then there's a leopard with four wings and a bird, and the beast had four heads and dominion was given to it.

Dominion was given to it. Notice that these first three beasts not only are able to be imaged as horrendous as the image is, but also notice that they're being lifted up. They're being instructed. They're being given dominion. Well, who's doing that? Well, that's the sovereign hand of God. There's no power that stands but by the hand of God, even that which raises itself up against God. It is God himself that is sovereignly allowing them. So not only the kingdoms of this world and the rulers of this age, Satan himself, all belong to God.

And they are never allowed to do what God does not allow them to do. Oh, they're doing what they're doing, but they are never allowed to go nor go beyond what he will allow them to go. They are always circumscribed. And so here they are. But now watch in this next beast. This next beast, after this I saw in the night visions and behold a fourth beast terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth, it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it. It had ten horns.

I considered the horns and behold there was among them another horn, a little horn before which the three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, this horn was like the eyes of a man and a mouth speaking great things. And so now this one is different because we don't even have a description for it. We've got some characteristics: iron teeth, great power, unstoppable, different from the others. Also the language that was there about the sovereign hand of God and what's happening with those kingdoms is purposefully absent from this one.

So this one seems to have this innate power of evil that certainly God is still sovereign over, but God is pointing out how this evil is now multiplying from one to the other. The other thing that you see pretty quickly is it doesn't take a rocket scientist or even a great theologian certainly when you're reading this to say, "You know, it sure sounds familiar." And you just kind of backtrack over here to the vision to Nebuchadnezzar, and it says, "Man, everything's kind of the same." Remember that vision and that image that was there? That image of great power?

That image of great pride, where you start off with this golden head and then you have this chest and arms of silver, and then that's replaced by bronze, and the bronze waist and legs, and then that's replaced by iron and then iron and clay and ten toes. And then we see this one and we see this lion with eagle. And by the way, we already knew what those were because we'd got that interpretation. The head of gold was who? Nebuchadnezzar. And then we find out that the silver, as this image decreases in value but increases in its strength, but it's obviously top heavy.

Is that you begin to take a look at it and as you're taking a look at it, you begin to see: oh wait, that's Babylon. Okay, I got you. And then Daniel lets us know that the next one is the Medo-Persian Empire. And you got the two parts of it with the two arms, Medo-Persian Empire that will take over from that. And then that'll be replaced by the Grecian Empire, the empire of Alexander the Great. And then that'll be replaced by the Roman Empire with its iron and then its ten toes. But of course the top heavy image will go over because there'll be a little stone that'll come from the mountain and will grow larger and will destroy that image.

Well, it's pretty clear at least up until this point this seems to be coming very close because who was the head of gold? That was Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon. What is this first one? A lion with an eagle like a beast. And then after a period of time, it's no longer acting like a beast. Now it's standing up and acting like a man instead of a beast in the field. Does that sound familiar? And that God had raised him up from that. But then that is going to be replaced by a even more ferocious: those three ribs. We kind of know of what had been gobbled up.

Assyria had been gobbled up and Babylon had been gobbled up and Egypt had been gobbled up. And these three ribs are sticking out. Perhaps that's what that's pointing toward. But then told to devour much flesh. And the Medo-Persian Empire will spread much, much larger than the Babylonian Empire. And then with unbelievable rapidity, Alexander the Great, the Grecian Empire, will replace that one. See the leopard? See the wings? And then he'll die at 32 years of age, rapidly just taking over unbelievable expanses and then dying, and then the kingdom divided up into four parts.

But the reason I got question marks up there is what about this next one? Well, it's pretty clear to me it's the Roman Empire. But let's go further and see what the scriptures themselves tell us about it. But before I go there: Harry, what about the ten horns? Well, the horns represent power. The horns were always the representation of royalty and power and triumph. So there's ten that are there. Now either we're supposed to take a look and find the ten Roman empires, or we come back again. In prophetic literature, numbers are highly symbolic.

And instead of there just in fact being the notion of ten horns that I've got to find out, now what were those ten? Were those the first ten Caesars? Exactly what is that? That perhaps the ten, again, is a number of completion and that it's representing the rulers who will rule in the power and authority and legacy of the Roman Empire. And out of the context of that Roman Empire and its legacy empires, there will rise up one. Notice human-like attributes given to that little horn that replaces three of them, plucks them up, as it were, even though it's a little horn.

And look what it says: "And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man and a boasting mouth." So we begin to learn some things about this little horn. One: it won't tolerate any rivals. Two: it has the eyes of a man, so it's human. And three: it boasts and speaks arrogant and proud things. Well, now we come to the interlude in verse nine. "As I looked," here's the interlude, "thrones were placed. The Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was white as snow, and his hair of his head like pure wool. His throne was fiery flames. Its wheels were burning fire."

"A stream of fire issued and came out before him. A thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened." But let's stop right there. Can't you imagine? If I could get you thinking like a movie for a minute, these beasts just rising up and almost coming through the screen after you, and then this last one coming up and ten horns and three getting plucked out and this one... What's happening to that one? This amazing picture. I mean, I can just see myself: mommy, can I go get some popcorn? I need to get out of here.

And then the Ancient of Days takes his seat. You can almost feel control, authority, power, supremacy, sovereignty. And then the attendance of the angels. Now that's not numbering the angels for you. Again, that's ten times ten times ten, ten thousand times ten. That's just telling you all the angels were there. And there's a whole bunch of them, all that are necessary to accomplish his work. And then see the fire. See the snow. The white hair like snow. See the purity, and see the third thing: judgment.

The books are being opened. Now the bullies have been doing their work. Now the God of glory sits down. Now he comes. There was a very famous sermon that was preached when I was in college, and I had the chance to go hear it preached one time by a pastor from Memphis. His name was R.G. Lee. He had a great sermon called "Payday Someday." They said he preached it something like 10,000 times because he was always asked to preach it. They even made it into a play and put music to it and everything.

But it's that powerful moment that's being described when we all will stand before the judgment seat. Now we're there. The books were open. But now look, keep in the interlude. "I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking." Even in this moment, that horn, that man that is arrogant and pompous and will not tolerate any rivals. In the midst of that, he's still speaking. "And as I looked, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire."

"As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away. Their lives were prolonged for a season and a time." So now what do we see? These beasts, according to the sovereign hand of God at the appointed time, even this last one in all of his horror and strength, is defeated, the one that the little horn was upon. Now watch. "I saw in the night visions," the interlude continues, "and behold, with clouds of heaven." How did this defeat take place? Now you're going to be told. "I saw in the night visions and behold, with the clouds of heaven, there came one like a son of man."

"And he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion has no circumscribed time. It is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and his kingdom, one that shall not be destroyed." Here's the Ancient of Days, and up to the Ancient of Days comes one like the Son of Man. And this one is the King. And he has a kingdom that cannot be destroyed.

These other ones? Destroyed. Even the fourth one. The little horn? Defeated. Even in all of its arrogance and pomposity against the living God. In all of its power, no matter that it's coming out of this roaring sea, no matter its monstrous look, no matter like its seeming ferocity, I look at these visions that are here and what is being described and it seems like this is so overwhelming. And then the Ancient of Days sends the Son of Man, and he establishes a kingdom that is forever. Well, now let's see what the interpretation is.

Daniel wants to know about it, so let's go to the third part, the interpretation. "And as for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious and the visions of my head alarmed me. I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all of this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. 'These four great beasts are four kings who shall rise up out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.'"

"Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things and that seemed greater than its companions. And as I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them."

"Until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High. And the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom. Then he said, 'As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on the earth which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth and trample it down and break it to pieces. As for the ten horns out of this kingdom, ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them. He shall be different from the former ones, and he shall put down three kings.'"

"'He shall speak words against the Most High and shall wear out the saints of the Most High and shall think to change the times and the law. And they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away to be consumed and destroyed to the end. And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. Their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all the kingdoms and dominion shall serve and obey them.'"

"Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me and my color changed. But I kept the matter in my heart." In other words, Daniel hasn't yet quite been settled. We've got more visions to come.

Guest (Male): The apocalyptic prophetic literature of the Bible depicts Satan's rebellion against the kingdom of God, using the world's kingdoms as his pawns, but also reminds us that the Lord ultimately reigns victorious. You are listening to InPerspective featuring the teaching of Dr. Harry L. Reeder. Our current sermon series: Daniel's Memorable Memoirs and Message. For additional teaching by Dr. Reeder, visit inperspective.org. The Bible: fact or myth, historic or fiction? How does the Bible stack up against true science?

Good questions. Find out the answers. Request this month's free gift offer, Dr. Reeder's series: "Is the Bible Reliable?" Call 1-800-488-1888 or visit inperspective.org. Won't you help keep InPerspective's uncompromising message of God's truth on the air and on the internet with your financial support of this ministry? You can send a single gift or become a monthly supporter by visiting our website at inperspective.org. You could instead call us at 1-800-488-1888. Our mailing address is 600 Eden Road, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 17601.

The message you have just heard, as well as audiobooks and more from Dr. Reeder and many other reformed teachers, authors, and speakers are available at reformedresources.org. That's reformedresources.org. And again, if you would like a free copy of this month's gift offer, the series by Dr. Reeder, "Is the Bible Reliable?", call 1-800-488-1888. Join us again next time as Dr. Reeder examines two consistent themes in apocalyptic biblical literature: Satan's relentless rebellion against God's kingdom and the Lord's ultimate triumph. That's next time, as we turn back to the scriptures to put life in biblical perspective.