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 n
our
last study in Daniel 7, the prophet had a vision in the night
about four unusual beasts. These beasts represented the empires
of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and a future version
of the Roman Empire (see the last study) or the revived Roman
Empire. In this study we will see more details about the revived
Roman Empire and our future. As we look at this chapter, it
is important to remember that all of the prophecies in Daniel
have been literally fulfilled. We have not seen mystical symbols
or had to guess at the meaning of symbols. In fact, the prophet
Daniel has explained them with historical events. The symbols
have not had mystical meanings but meanings that we understand.
Previous
Study.
Daniel’s vision about our future centers on four beasts:
a winged lion, a bear, a winged leopard, and a dreadful and
terrible beast.
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The
first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle
. . . another beast, a second one, resembling a bear
. . . and behold, another one, like a leopard, which
had on its back four wings of a bird . . . After this
I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth
beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong;
and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed,
and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it
was different from all the beasts that were before it,
and it had ten horns. While I was contemplating the
horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among
them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by
the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed
eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth uttering great
boasts. (NASB) Dan. 7:4-8 |
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These beasts represent the same kingdoms symbolized
by the gold, silver, bronze, iron and the iron mixed with clay
we found in our study in Daniel 2. These kingdoms were the Babylonian,
Medo-Persian, Grecian and the Roman Empires.
Judgment
Is Next.
Daniel’s vision now leaps forward in time to the judgment
which comes before the next kingdom. This is like a movie. Scripture
flashes away from the beast and gives us a glimpse of heaven
where God is on the throne.
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I
kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient
of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow,
and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne
was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire.
A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before
Him; thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and
myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; the court
sat, and the books were opened. Then I kept looking
because of the sound of the boastful words which the
horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was
slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning
fire. (NASB) Dan. 7:9-11 |
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