Good Morning! - Daniel 7:23-25 - Fourth Beast Explained to Daniel - 2009.12.16

Good Morning!

 

Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom

 

upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and

 

shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and

 

break it in pieces.  And the ten horns out of this kingdom

 

are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the

 

first, (the first ten) and he shall subdue three kings.  And he shall speak great words against the

 

most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws:

 

and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time (Daniel 7:23-25).

 

We are back to the Woodcut by Hans Holbein the Younger  (Wikipedia). The image on the far right is the unnatural fourth beast.

Today's text says plainly that the fourth beast is the fourth kingdom and the ten horns out of this kingdom  are ten kings.  The horns come out of this fourth kingdom. The fourth kingdom does not always have ten horns. They are a late-time development. The little horn arises after the ten horns are in place.

McGee has this to say: "There are ten horns that come out of this fourth beast, and they denote the final form of the fourth kingdom. Each of these kings represents a kingdom. An eleventh king, "the little horn," will arise. He is going to be diverse from the others and will move to world power by subduing three of the kings. He will actually become the dictator of the entire world. This is the picture that is given to us in Rev_13:7—"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." He is the Man of Sin, the Antichrist, and he is going to rule the world during the Great Tribulation period, which is a period of seven years."

Lehman Strauss adds this comment: "Since the ten arise "out of" this fourth kingdom, there seems to be an indication that the fourth did not completely pass out of existence, but rather continued in some form  until the ten-horn federation combines. Keep in mind that the fourth beast is alive when the ten horns and the little horn appear, which leads to the conclusion that the Roman Empire, though it collapsed as a world power, has been smoldering through the centuries.  Out of political Rome has emerged ecclesiastical Rome"  (which is much more visible).

There is coming a period of seven literal years during which the fourth beast in its state of the ten kings will once again rule the world. During that short time it will develop into a form that will be dominated by the one strong king, the anti-Christ. The horns (kings) are a development. The one strong, dominating king is a development. All of it is of short duration.  We read above: "…a time and times and the dividing of time." This is strange wording in our day for 3 ½ years.  Time=one year. Times=the plural of one year. Dividing of time=a half year. This time element is taken up later and defined more clearly. I have been reminding you to read Daniel chapters: 2 and 7 and  9 and to Read Revelation chapters 13 and 17.

The 3 ½ years from the above language makes up half of Daniel's 70^th Week as revealed in Daniel chapter 9. It will take half of the seven year period for that form of government to solidify and for the anti-Christ to take it over. After he takes it over, the last half or the last 3 ½ years will be hell on earth. It will be not just the Tribulation Period but the Great Tribulation Period. That's not our subject in this little article. I'm just reaching out to include the destination of where this is all headed.  If you are saved, you have nothing to worry about. We'll talk some more about that tomorrow.

God's revealing of His earthly plan and its timeline is begun simply in Daniel 2 and the great image shown to Nebuchadnezzar. More is revealed in Daniel's dream in Daniel 7.  More is revealed in Revelation 13 and 17. Daniel wanted to know (yesterday's text) and that has been following me around all day. It would be really good if we want to know—if we are determined to know. Think about this: this fourth beast was not in Daniel's front  yard and yet he wanted to know what it meant.

Now think about this: the fourth beast IS in your front yard! Not in the Prophet Daniel's front yard…in YOUR front yard. Wouldn't you like to know more about the beast in your front yard? Within the last two weeks the leader of the United Kingdom (England and Northern Ireland) signed into membership with the European Union. There are now 27 members of that government unit. They are aiming for a United States of Europe. If that is the developing engine for the emerging Roman Empire, the 27 nations will be rearranged so that ten units will be the effective ruling units. Then the anti-Christ will make his move and displace three of those ten.

In short, the earth is through being what you've always known it to be. The scene is changing. If you are saved, you are going to leave out of here unannounced in the twinkling of an eye. Don't get too hung up on your toys. We are seeing many things change before we are called out. A lot more may change toward a one-world government before we leave. Read your Bible. Stay tuned. Walk on your knees. Try to get your family saved and ready. Are your bags all packed? Just kidding. You won't even need to take a hankie (hanky, if you prefer).

Memory Verses for this week:

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a

dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that

which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt

call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21).

 

Digging Deeper

 

…that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Mary's baby had no earthly father. But he DID have a father. God made Adam from the dust of the earth without an earthly father or mother (Genesis 2:7). God made Eve from a rib from Adam, without a mother (Genesis 2:22). Jesus had an earthly mother but no earthly father (Matthew 1:20-21). The Spirit of God was His father. Thus, He was the only begotten Son of God.

 

 

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This article can also be viewed at www.bibleliving.blogspot.com.

 

 

 

 

Good Morning! - Daniel 7:19-22 - Daniel Wants to Know the Truth - 2009.12.15

Good Morning!

 

Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was

 

diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose

 

teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured,

 

broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; 

 

And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other

 

which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that

 

spoke very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same

 

horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and

 

judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed

 

the kingdom (Daniel 7:19-22). (The Parliament Chamber of the European Union where seat #666 remains vacant.)

 

Daniel wanted to know the truth. Everyone does not want to know the truth.  Some are content to hear what they want to hear.  In Jesus' day it was called "itching ears."  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears (2Timothy 4:3);

 

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children (Hosea 4:6).

 

The down-spiraling of a nation's morality does not begin with the children. It begins with the parents of the children. Raising children has always been a challenge. I dare say that the present generation may be unequalled in its difficulty. In the verse above,  parents have rejected the Word of God and God "forgets their children." That's a terrible thought!

 

Daniel wanted to know the truth of the fourth beast. How much interest do you have in knowing anything about the fourth beast in our text? God rarely chases us down to say: "Don't forget to be interested in my Word!" Often times we come to grips with an issue when we are in pain and for the first time we say: "I wonder what's causing all this pain."  The same is true concerning the matters between us and God.

 

As I plod through these verses I am selfish. I want to know more about this for myself. As I study and write, things crystallize for me and I have something to take with me for the rest of my life. You are welcome to look over my shoulder. If Daniel the Prophet wanted to know the truth about the fourth beast, then the Daniel of Flat Rock would do well to know about the truth of the fourth beast.

 

Why is the fourth beast different from all the others? It is the last of the beasts. There is not a fifth beast. Out of this beast (the Roman Empire) comes ten horns of which three are destroyed and one horn is dominant. He is arrogant and aggressive against the saints. This occurs only after the little horn has displaced three horns and is fully developed. It is not now. It is coming. He will make war with the saints and for a while will prevail against them. I am reminded that in the Book of Acts the Apostle Peter preached in the power of the Holy Spirit and three thousand souls were saved. Stephen preached in the power of the Holy Spirit and received three thousand stones (figuratively speaking) and lost his life. Sometimes it looks like God is winning and sometimes it looks like He is losing. This brings up the question: "Why do the righteous suffer?" Like the case of Job we cannot always know why it is our lot to suffer for the moment. Four verses have helped me a lot:

 

… we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).

 

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together (Romans 8:17).

 

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake (Philippians 1:29);

 

be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

 

Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; The Ancient of days is none other than Christ. The judgment amounts to a declaration of the transfer of power. For Satan and his hordes, their time is up. From that point in time, the saints will prevail. This transfer of power is a very short contest and it's all over. Christ has come with His army to possess the earth. The angel told Mary that her son would reign upon the throne of David. This is a peek at how it's going to take place.

 

Memory Verses for this week:

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a

dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that

which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt

call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21).

 

Digging Deeper

 

God reveals things and grows things in small increments. Joseph had been looking at Mary and God's work in her life and the more he looked, the less he understood. In the absence of clear directions from the Lord, the best of his mental faculties brought him no closer to a solution. Finally he thought it was best to err on the side of caution. He was afraid to marry this woman.  He must break away from her but in such a way that it would minimize the social damage to her and her family. But in God's own time he spoke to Joseph in a dream. As is often the case, His first words to him were: "fear not."

Our encounter with God is so often combined with the element of fear. When God takes the initiative it is usually through something different from the ordinary and that produces fear. That's a good attention getter. We are told to "be anxious for nothing." Be careful (anxious, worried) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  (7)  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 4:6-7).

 

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Good Morning! - Daniel 7:15-18 - The Saints Take the Kiongdom - 2009.12-14

I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body,

 

and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto

 

one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all

 

this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation

 

of the things. These great beasts, which are four, are four

 

kings, which shall arise out of the earth.  But the saints of

 

the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever (Daniel 7:15-18).

 

Pictured here are a painting of the Tower of Babel done in 1563, by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, and a photo of the new European Union Parliament Building in Europe (Strasbourg, France).  The new EU building was finished and inaugurated December 14, 1999. The Parliament meets in this building every month for four days or so. Was it designed to look unfinished like the Tower of Babel or is that coincidental? 

 

Daniel was grieved in his spirit because of what he saw in his vision. Why was Daniel grieved in his spirit and modern Christians barely notice that Daniel had such a dream? He was troubled by what he saw and we are not troubled by what we see even if we read about. Am I wrong about this? Am I being unfair? He was so troubled that he asked one of them that stood by about the truth of all that he saw.  Does it ever bother you that the words of Daniel are revealing the blueprint of the end-time that we are in the edge of? Do you really think it's going to be five hundred years before the coming of the Lord to set up His World Kingdom? And does it sober your mind to realize that His coming for the present saints will be at least seven years before He comes to earth to reign?

 

Does it really come home to you that a big part of the Christmas message is that Jesus is coming back to earth to rule the world from Jerusalem? We seem to have missed a big part of something about Christmas when we get riled up over Christmas trees and holiday trees. Mind you, I don't like the idea of merchants taking Christmas money and hijacking the day of Christ's birth, whenever that was.  But Santa Claus had hijacked a big part of Christmas a long time before our current flap over Christmas trees.  I have been around several years now and I don't remember anybody taking time to explain what the message to Mary meant about her baby sitting on the throne of David in Jerusalem or about the prophecies of Isaiah that talked about his running a world government.

 

If the saints of the most High are going to take the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever and ever, who are they going to take it from? If the above European Parliament Building in Strasbourg, France happens to be the seat of the prevailing world government when Christ returns to the earth to reign, you may be looking at one of the buildings Christ will take over when He comes. Remember that Seat #666 is currently unassigned in this building as well as in the older European Parliament Building in Brussels, Belgium.  The Word of God says this:

 

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.  Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six (Revelation 13:16-18).

 

These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth (Daniel 7:17) . Here we have a historical summary of the kingdoms and their kings and all the influence they have brought to bear upon human history—being subdued by the servants of the Most High God.

 

Nebuchadnezzar, together with his kingdom of Babylon, was represented by the head of gold and the two-winged lion. Alexander the Great, synonymous with the Graeco-Macedonian Empire, is depicted by both the sides of brass and a panther. These wild beasts of prey, with their carnivorous and voracious natures, are representative of the character of both the king and the kingdom  (McGee).

These saints are a mixture of all of God's saints. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him…. (2Timothy 2:12)

 

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years (Revelation 20:4).

 

Memory Verses for this week:

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a

dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that

which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt

call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21).

 

Digging Deeper

 

The messages to Mary in Luke 1:32,33 and to Joseph in Matthew 1:21 are different. The message to Mary is that her baby will reign upon the throne of David forever. The message to Joseph is that Mary's baby will save his people from their sins….a reigning king and a suffering savior. There is no contradiction. Jesus was born to die for the sins of the world and also to reign upon the throne of David forever.

 

 

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This article can also be viewed at www.bibleliving.blogspot.com.