Daniel

Lesson 7 w/AnswersDaniel 7

Daniel

We continue our study of Daniel by looking at Chapter 7, which marks the beginning of Daniel’s prophetic dreams and visions. We will be examining the symbols contained in these visions and dreams, as well as other details about them provided in the book of Revelation, Chapters 12 and 13.

Read Daniel Chapter 7 and Revelation Chapters 12 and 13; then consider the following questions:

  1. Consider that through the first six chapters of Daniel, we looked at the events in Daniel’s life chronically as they related to the kings he served, ending in the last lesson with the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Now read the first verse of each of Daniel Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 and note the following:
    1. Which King is mentioned, and in what year?
      1. ANSWER 1: Chapter 7 references the first year of Belshazzar (the king who would eventually see the handwriting on the wall).
      2. ANSWER 2: Chapter 8 references the third year of Belshazzar.
      3. ANSWER 3: Chapter 9 references the first year of Darius; this vision occurs prior to Daniel being thrown into the lions’ den.
      4. ANSWER 4: Chapter 10 references the third year of Cyrus, who was the last king that Daniel would serve.
      5. ANSWER 5: Chapter 11 is a tricky one; the opening verse actually refers back to events from Chapter 10. Actually, Chapters 10, 11 and 12 are all focused on the same vision.
    2. Who had the dream or vision mentioned in each of the above chapters?
      1. ANSWER: Daniel, in all cases. These chapters are the personal dreams and visions of Daniel that God gave him during the years he served all of those kings. These dreams are in addition to the dreams that Daniel interpreted for the kings themselves.
  2. To form an interpretive basis for our study of the prophetic dreams and visions of Daniel, we need to understand the concept of a "prophetic year".
    1. What is the length in days of a prophetic year?
      1. ANSWER: 360 days is the normal standard for interpreting prophesy in terms of a prophetic year.
    2. How many days would be found in one half of prophetic year?
      1. ANSWER: Based on the above, we would conclude that 180 days is one-half of a prophetic year.
  3. Read the following references: Daniel 7:25, Daniel 9:27, Revelation 11:3, Revelation 12:14, Revelation 13:5. Based on these verses, what can we determine is the time meant by the phrase "a time, times, and a half time" in terms of years, or days, or months?
    1. ANSWER: Interpreting "time" as one year and "times" as two years; then the phrase refers to three and one-half years, or 1,260 days, or 42 months.
  4. What characteristics are described within Daniel 7:21-25 regarding the "fourth kingdom" which indicate that it is a future kingdom?
    1. ANSWER 1: It is different from all previous kingdoms.
    2. ANSWER 2: It will devour the whole earth and crush it, meaning that it will have complete dominion over the entire earth.
    3. ANSWER 3: There will be ten kings who come from this kingdom.
    4. ANSWER 4: Then, an eleventh king will arise, different from the other ten kings; and he will subdue three of the ten kings.
    5. ANSWER 5: This eleventh king will speak against God, oppress His saints, and try to change the "set times and laws".
    6. ANSWER 6: The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times, and a half-time.
  5. The prophecy referencing the fourth kingdom has never been fulfilled in all of history. Even the Roman Empire does not have this history, i.e., ten kings with three of them subdued by a one-world ruler. There has never been a world ruler with a confederacy of ten, then seven, kings supporting him. In addition to setting up a one-world kingdom, what things can you think of that set this particular king apart from all other kings ever known in history? (See Daniel 8:23-26, for example.)
    1. ANSWER 1: He will lift himself up above all gods, including the one true God; and he will proclaim himself to be God.
    2. ANSWER 2: He will be a master of intrigue.
    3. ANSWER 3: He will cause astounding devastation, and he will succeed at everything he attempts.
    4. ANSWER 4: He will "devour the whole earth" and will oppress God’s holy people.
    5. ANSWER 5: He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior.
    6. ANSWER 6: He will be destroyed, however, NOT by human power.
  6. Based on our reading of Revelation Chapters 12 and 13, who or what is described in the following passages:
    1. Revelation 12:1-5 (see also, Gen 37:9)
      1. ANSWER: The nation of Israel is described in this passage. Many interpret the sun and moon as representations of Jacob and his wife Rachel, and the stars as representations of the twelve tribes. The pregnant woman represents Israel waiting for the arrival of the Messiah.
    2. Revelation 12:7-17 (see also Daniel 7:7 and Revelation 13:1)
      1. ANSWER: This passage describes Satan, the dragon, making war against the Roman Empire during the Tribulation Period.
    3. Revelation Chapter 13 (see also Daniel 7:21-25)
      1. ANSWER: This chapter describes the kingdom that Satan will establish, first with the ten kings, then the seven; and the persecution of the Jews during the second half of the Tribulation Period.

As we continue to observe from our study of the book of Daniel, God laid out through prophecy the specific schedule of events and the role of Satan and Christ in bringing an end to the times of the Gentiles; and then ushering in the eternal reign of Christ. In our next lesson, we will take a close look at that schedule, as we examine Daniel’s dream about the seventy weeks.

Thanks for studying with us, and have a great week everyone.

In Christ,

Wes

[2012]

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