Preaching the Word
The "First Principle" podcasts which are numbered # are a great tool for believers to go over the essentials of the Christian Faith.
The "Mysteries of God's Word" podcasts are an indepth study of Scripture.
The other podcasts are sermons that have been given, some verse by verse and others topical.
It is my passion to be true to God and His Word. To preach in such a way that people can easily see the LORD as our Creator and as our Redeemer. To understand that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever even as we live in a world that is continually changing. Salvation is and has always been through faith alone in the Messiah alone. His name is Jesus the Christ; there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Preaching the Word
Daniel 7- The Rise of the Beast - The Mysteries of God's Word
A vision that shook Daniel to his core unveils the blueprint for humanity's final chapter. Four beasts emerge from a chaotic sea - not mere symbols, but revelations of empires that would shape history and the terrifying kingdom yet to come.
The winged lion of Babylon, the lopsided bear of Medo-Persia, the swift leopard of Greece - each beast representing kingdoms long fallen. But the fourth beast defies natural description - iron-toothed, bronze-clawed, and unlike anything on earth. From this terrifying creature rises a little horn speaking blasphemies, waging war against God's people, and temporarily prevailing.
What makes this ancient vision so powerful is how perfectly it aligns with Revelation's apocalyptic scenes. The heavenly courtroom where the Ancient of Days sits enthroned, surrounded by countless angels, with books of judgment opened. The Son of Man approaching to receive dominion over all nations. The little horn's destruction by consuming fire. Each element forms a piece in the prophetic puzzle spanning millennia.
Most remarkably, this vision provides hope amid darkness. Though the saints will face persecution for "a time, times, and half a time," the Ancient of Days will ultimately pass judgment, destroy the beast's dominion, and give the everlasting kingdom to His faithful ones. Daniel's physical reaction - anxiety, alarm, and color draining from his face - speaks to the gravity of what he witnessed.
Whether you're well-versed in eschatology or new to prophetic literature, this breakdown of Daniel 7 illuminates connections between Old and New Testament prophecies, Jesus' teachings, and events yet to unfold. Listen now to understand why this ancient vision remains a cornerstone of biblical prophecy and what it means for believers today.
Email: nathan@nathandietsche.com
Grace and peace to you from God, our Father and our Lord and Savior, jesus Christ. May the Spirit of Truth be with you today as we delve in to Daniel chapter 7. Daniel, chapter 7, is a foundational building block of end-time prophecy. It both parallels the dream that Daniel interpreted for Nebuchadnezzar as well as builds on it, and it gives us a great deal of insight into other scripture that deals with eschatology. We're going to be going through this slowly, taking it verse by verse, and showing the parallels between this chapter and other scripture. Beginning in verse 1, we read In the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon, daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he laid in bed.
Speaker 1:Then he wrote the dream down and told the sum of the matter. Wrote the dream down and told the sum of the matter. This chapter takes us back 18 years from where we were in chapter 6, back into the empire of Babylon. In the first year of Belshazzar's reign, daniel would be about 67 years old right now. Chapter 7 also begins the second half of Daniel, which is different from the first half. The first six chapters of Daniel were chronological and described how the Lord had acted through his people to affect kings and kingdoms during the 70 years of captivity. 70 years of captivity. However, here, beginning in chapter 7, daniel begins to describe additional prophetic visions and dreams that came about at different times and gave insight into the future, often the very distant future, the end times of the earth. And after Daniel received these dreams and visions from God, daniel took the time to write down what we are reading today and he says he gives us the sum of the matter, meaning he's told us everything that he saw. Picking up again in verse 2, picking up again in verse 2, daniel declared here in verses 2 and 3, daniel says that in his vision he saw the four winds of heaven.
Speaker 1:Let's take a moment to talk about the four winds of heaven that are spoken of in Scripture. The four winds of heaven are spoken of in multiple places throughout Scripture. Jesus himself used the phrase the four winds of heaven in Matthew 24, 31 and Mark 13, 27. From the contexts of these scriptures, we can learn two distinct things about the four winds of heaven. First, when they are spoken of, it's describing the fullness of the earth north, south, east and west. Second, in Revelation, chapter 7, verse 1, these four winds of heaven are spoken of as being controllable by the angels. Who can stop the wind? And Daniel tells us that these four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. The great sea in scripture is often referring to the Mediterranean, which is a gigantic body of water with waves much like the ocean. The imagery of this four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea brings to mind wild winds pushing on the great Mediterranean from north, south, east and west from every direction, creating chaotic, destructive and deadly conditions on the water. We learn later in this chapter, in verse 17, that the great sea, here in this context, is actually a representation of the Gentile nations and the people of the earth. Therefore, what this verse is describing is how there will be across the earth chaotic, destructive and deadly conditions, and it will stir up the Gentile nations. And out of the chaotic, destructive conditions of the Gentile nations come four giant beasts. Each beast is different from the other. There are four separate and unique beasts that are described in Daniel, chapter 7.
Speaker 1:Picking up in verse 4. 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. In verse 4, we're told about the first beast. It says it's like a lion with eagle's wings, and this description of the winged lion is very appropriate for Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon. The prophets of God in Scripture often described Nebuchadnezzar as both a lion and as an eagle. Furthermore, babylon itself used lions as a mascot. The famous Ishtar Gate is decorated with lions, and statues with winged lions would have been common in Babylon.
Speaker 1:We're told that the wings are plucked off and then it's lifted up from the ground, made to stand on two feet like a man and then given the mind of a man. This represents what happened to Nebuchadnezzar at the end of his life, how Nebuchadnezzar was humiliated like a beast and then he was restored once again to be like a man, picking up in verse 5, and behold another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side and it had three ribs in its mouth, between its teeth, and, it was told, arise, devour much flesh. This lopsided bear that's raised up on one side is the United Medo-Persian Empire. The purpose for the bear being raised up on one side is to show how the Persians under Cyrus were the dominant partner in this arrangement. It was Cyrus the Persian that had created the alliances and led the army, as their general, to many victories. We're told that this bear has three ribs in its mouth, between its teeth, and these three ribs represent the three major kingdoms that the Medo-Persian empire swallowed up. The first is Lydia, or Asia Minor, the second was Babylon and the third was eventually Egypt. They're told to arise and devour much flesh. The Medo-Persian Empire was a powerful, formidable opponent and continued to devour even after it had conquered three kingdoms, picking up in verse 6,.
Speaker 1:In verse 6, we're told about this winged leopard, and this image of a leopard with four wings of a bird is the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great, along with his four generals. The speed with which Alexander the Great conquered the known world was astounding, from the spring of 335 BC, when Alexander began to make war, until the year of his death in 323 BC at age 33 was only 12 years. And after conquering the Medo-Persian Empire in 330 BC, alexander the Great and his empire lasted just six years. The Christian historian Jerome once said of Alexander the Great nothing was accomplished as swiftly as his conquest. He took everything from the Gulf of Venice and the Adriatic Sea all the way to the Indian Ocean and the Ganges River. He did this not so much in his battles but by his reputation. I have a special note. Next to that, his reputation became renowned after the death of Darius III, who was the king of Persia.
Speaker 1:After describing this winged leopard, verse 6 also talks about the beast having four heads. The four heads on this beast also represent the four generals, but it represents the four generals after the death of Alexander the Great, because these four generals will divide the empire and create four kingdoms, picking up in verse 7,. After this, I saw in the night visions and behold a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had 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 and it had ten horns. Now we see the fourth beast, unlike the other three beasts that were described earlier, each described as an animal on the earth. There's no animal that exists on earth to describe this beast. It's not of this world. Daniel can only describe it as a terrifying and dreadful beast. Its very appearance strikes terror into the onlooker. It's extraordinarily strong, mightier than any kingdom that came before it.
Speaker 1:We're told that it has teeth of iron, and the teeth of iron do point to this being the Roman Empire. Roman armies used iron armor. They were known as the Iron Legions of Rome. However, the empire and beast that's being described here as the fourth beast, it's unique. It's not your typical world empire. Even though the Roman Empire did shatter and divide many nations, we could say that same thing of the previous three empires.
Speaker 1:There's something more to this beast than just an earthly empire. We're told that it devours, it breaks to pieces. We're told that it devours, it breaks to pieces, it stamps with its feet what was left. This imagery of breaking things to pieces and stomping the whole earth. It's the nature of this beast. It tells us what this beast's very nature is like. Its purpose will be global indominance. It will desire to conquer all nations, all languages and all people. While the Roman Empire was known as the empire of the whole world because they had conquered every empire that was before them, as we're going to learn a little bit later, this beast represents something greater, something completely global, and Daniel signals this to us, because Daniel tells us this beast is different from all the other beasts that were before it. As we consider this beast, we need to remember it doesn't fit within the typical parameters of an earthly empire. It's different. This is not a beast that can be depicted by any beast on this earth. It's something outside of our natural order.
Speaker 1:And then we're told that this beast had 10 horns and, as we will learn later, those 10 horns represent 10 kings. Horns represent ten kings. Picking up in verse 8, 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. Verse 8 seems pretty mysterious to us right now, but we'll learn more about it later. But for now we're told that from amongst those 10 horns, which we know are 10 kings, comes up another horn. It wasn't one of the 10, it was another one, it was an eleventh horn, but it came up from amongst them, on the beast. And when this little horn, or this little king, comes to power, three of the other horns will be taken up by the roots, and then we're told that this horn has eyes like a man, and these details are given to us in scripture that we might know that this horn has eyes like a man. And these details are given to us in scripture that we might know that this little horn is in fact a person and represents an actual king.
Speaker 1:Picking up in verse 9, as continues to describe his vision, and as the vision progresses, he sees thrones that are placed in an order. This is a picture of a courtroom being set up, a courtroom that's being set up in the throne room of God. It's describing how judgment is about to come on this fourth beast or this fourth kingdom. Daniel uses a unique name for God here, only found in chapter 7 of Daniel. He calls the Lord the Ancient of Days, conveying an image of the Eternal Father, god as our wise judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like pure wool. This exemplifies the Lord's holiness, his moral purity and his perfection. And then it describes the throne. The throne that the Ancient of Days sat on was of blazing fire. Flames were shooting out of it from every side, and it had large wheels, and the wheels themselves were on fire. Picking up in verse 10,. In verse 10, we're told that a stream of fire issued out and came out before him. One of the primary ways in which God will judge the earth and this fourth beast is with fire.
Speaker 1:The scripture speaks in many places about how, in the day of the Lord, angels will come wreathed with fire, to consume the earth. Some scriptures that speak of this are 2 Thessalonians 1, 7 and 8, joel 2, 3, isaiah 66, 15 and 16,. Malachi 4, 1, zephaniah 1, 18. 16. Malachi 4.1. Zephaniah 1.18. Both phrases, a thousand thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand, are phrases that are used in scripture to describe angels that can't be numbered, angels that will come with the Lord in his final judgment. Now, if you're a math person like me, you might want to try and figure out how many that is. And a thousand thousands is one million, and ten thousand times ten thousand is a hundred million. However, it is very likely that these phrases represent countless angels or what other scriptures refer to as myriads of angels rather than an exact number.
Speaker 1:Finally, in verse 10, we're told that a court sat in judgment and books were opened. As we mentioned in verse 9, this court is God's throne room and it's set up as a court of justice at the beginning of Daniel's 70th week, when God, the elders and the angels will prepare to come out of heaven and bring God's wrath upon the earth. Picking up in verse 11, I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed and its body destroyed, given over to here in verse 11, as Daniel's vision continues. The horn speaks such great words that it makes Daniel shift his attention from the throne room of God and look over towards this little horn. Attention from the throne room of God and look over towards this little horn. This little horn is speaking blasphemous and arrogant words against the Most High God. And as Daniel is watching this little horn speak these words against God, he's killed and then he's burned with fire.
Speaker 1:I find it incredibly interesting to find this detailed description of how God is going to come in judgment and kill the little horn, to be burned with fire. And as we read that, for those who are familiar with scripture, it starts to become clear that all of this is a reference to the final kingdom described in other places of scripture. Let me read Revelation 19.20 to you. It says and the beast was captured and with it the false prophet who, in its presence had done the signs by which he had deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
Speaker 1:Now let's pick up in verse 12. It says as for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. It's telling us that these three other beasts described earlier here, that were natural to the earth, will have their dominions taken away, but they'll be allowed to remain. These will be the people who are still alive on earth after the wrath of God has been poured out and the final battle of Armageddon is finished. The scripture is telling us that there will be people who survive, and these will be the people that form nations that continue into the millennial kingdom, where Jesus Christ will rule over all the nations and people.
Speaker 1:Picking up in verse 13, I saw in the night visions and behold, with the clouds of heaven, there came one like the Son of man. He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. Our understanding that we've been talking about that this is the final judgment of the final kingdom on earth is confirmed with a description and return of the Son of man on the clouds. Clearly, this is not the first coming of the Messiah. This is the second coming of Jesus Christ, as described all over the scripture as he returns on the clouds the title Son of man. Here is where the title Son of man originates in Scripture, although the origins of the Messiah being a seed of Eve go all the way back to Genesis, chapter 3. This title, the Son of man, was one of Jesus's favorite titles and he used it to describe himself over 80 times in the Gospels, picking up in verse 14, to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Speaker 1:In verse 14, we see the establishment of Jesus' thousand-year reign, while all authority had already been given to Jesus after his resurrection from the dead. At the end of this age, when every last person has been saved, that is going to be saved, and Jesus comes in power to destroy the kingdoms of this earth, the Father will establish Jesus Christ as the physical ruler over this earth for 1,000 years. This begins what is known as the Millennial Kingdom. In fact, in verse 14, it makes distinctions of peoples, nations and languages. All of those distinctions are unique to this earth. They won't apply in eternity. Earth. They won't apply in eternity. This promise that is given to the Messiah to rule on the earth is like a promise that the Lord gave to other earthly kings like Nebuchadnezzar. It's clear that this is a promise of an earthly kingdom in which the Son of man will rule as king of kings over every nation, every people group and every language on earth. However, unlike every other earthly king, the king of kings' dominion is everlasting. Even though the thousand-year reign has a finite end, the dominion and physical reign of Jesus Christ will never end once it begins in the millennial kingdom, picking up again in verse 15.
Speaker 1: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 this. So he told me and he made known to me the interpretation of the things In verses 15 and 16,. Daniel is still in this visionary state and he's shaken and he's deeply concerned. And as he's shaken in his spirit, daniel approaches one of the millions of angels that stood before the throne of God, and he asked him what is the truth of all of this? And now the angel is going to begin to make this even clearer for us, picking up in verse 17,.
Speaker 1:These four great beasts are four kings who shall rise out of the earth, but the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom. And Daniel's first question here is a very general question, and so the angel gives a very general answer. The four beasts represent four kings the lion is Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the bear is Cyrus of the Medo-Persian Empire, the leopard is Alexander the Great of Greece, and the terrifying, unnatural beast will be the Antichrist under the revived Roman Empire. Under the revived Roman Empire. And the angel comforts Daniel by telling him that the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom. Now, the saints of the Most High being described here are those who trust in God, those who trust in the Messiah, jesus Christ or, in this context, the Son of man. These are those who have put their faith in the Lord, who worship the Lord, who serve the Lord Most High from every age. And the angel again reaffirms to Daniel that the saints shall possess the kingdom forever and ever. Therefore, the millennial kingdom will be the beginning of Christ's eternal kingdom, with all of his glorified saints, picking up in verse 19,.
Speaker 1: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, and which devoured and broke to here in verse 19, daniel asks the angel specifically about this fourth beast, because he recognizes there's something quite different about it and something quite terrifying about it. It's not like any of those other three beasts, it's not from this natural world. An interesting note here is Daniel mentions that the claws of this beast are made of bronze, which is a detail he left out in verse 7. It implies that this beast is comprised of multiple elements from multiple empires, and it points to the Antichrist beast having elements of all the great world empires, much like Revelation 13 too, which describes the beast this way the beast that I saw was like a leopard, its feet were like a bear's, its mouth was like a lion's and to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. Revelation points to this terrifying beast as having all of the properties of every other great world empire the greatness and glory of Nebuchadnezzar, the tactics and the power of Cyrus and the swiftness to conquer nations like Alexander the Great, Picking up again in verse 20,.
Speaker 1:And about the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn that came up 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. Here in verse 20, daniel's asking what is the deal with these ten horns and that little horn? What is the significance of the little horn having eyes and a mouth that speaks great things? Why did this little horn look like it was stronger than these other ones? Verse 21, as I looked, this horn made war with the saints. It prevailed over them until the ancient of days came and the judgment was given for the saints of the most high, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.
Speaker 1:In verse 21, daniel asks why this horn is able to make war with the saints and prevail over them until the Ancient of Days comes and until they're given the kingdom by the Most High, picking up in verse 23,. Thus he said as for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth. It shall trample it down and break it to pieces. Here in verse 23, one of the clarifying statements that the angel makes is that this fourth beast is a fourth kingdom, not just a fourth king. It's important because we learn that what is so terrifying and dreadful about this beast is the little horn, the king, the antichrist, that quickly comes out of this kingdom.
Speaker 1:The second clarifying statement that the angel makes is that this beast will devour the whole earth. This statement is global and it means exactly what it says. The word for whole here means all whole, every and any. It's describing the entire earth. Furthermore, the use of the words devour and trample describe how this beast will devastate the earth. He will crush all who oppose him. The revised Roman Empire under the Antichrist will conquer the kingdoms of this earth quickly. Furthermore, he shall devour every nation's resources, seizing control of them for his own agenda, and he will leave the world's population with little to nothing. And again this angel clarifies this beast is different from the other kingdoms.
Speaker 1:In Revelation 13.2, we're told that the dragon or Satan will empower this beast. We're told that the dragon or Satan will empower this beast, and it gives us some insight into why this beast doesn't look like any other kingdom on earth, why this beast is not something natural? Because this king is possessed by a very powerful demon Verse 24. As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom, ten kings shall arise Verse 24. Here, in 24, we're really given our first glimpse into what these ten horns really are. They are ten kings and the little horn is a different king, separate from the ten. Furthermore, this little horn that is different will put down three of the ten kings, and this is about the extent we learn from Daniel about this little horn. However, from Revelation, chapter 17, verses 12 through 14, we're told that these ten kings hadn't yet received their power when the apostle John had penned Revelation. Additionally, when they do receive their authority, it will only be for an hour, and that phrase, an hour, can mean an instant or a moment. Therefore, the ten kings will only gain their power and authority for just a brief time, just enough time to create the revived Roman Empire. Revelation also tells us that they're of one mind to hand their power and authority over to the beast. In other words, they're quick to hand their power over to the Antichrist so he can rule this revived Roman Empire Once these ten kings come to power and they establish this new, revived Roman Empire, they'll quickly transfer that authority to the Antichrist.
Speaker 1:This group of men, these ten kings. Even though three of them will be put down by the Antichrist, the rest of them will be loyal to this revived Roman Empire to the very end. Scripture tells us that they will be part of the nations that come against Christ in the battle of Armageddon. Picking up in verse 25, he shall speak words against the Most High and he 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. In verse 25, we're told that this king will speak words against the Most High.
Speaker 1:The Antichrist will listen to no one and take orders from no one. He will exalt himself as the first and final authority over all things and all people. 2 Thessalonians 2.4 describes him this way who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. We can see from this verse in 2 Thessalonians this Antichrist, in an ultimate display of arrogance and pride, will take a seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be the God of the universe of God, proclaiming himself to be the God of the universe, and as he does so, he will wage war on the saints of the Most High God. The Antichrist will be allowed and given authority to wage war against believers, and he will succeed in his efforts. The Antichrist will set up laws against those who believe in the one true God and he will destroy them.
Speaker 1:In Revelation 13.7, there is a very similar verse to this verse here in Daniel. It reads Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them, and authority was given to it over every tribe and people and language and nation. This war that's waged on the saints will be worldwide, but it will be particularly extreme around Jerusalem, because it is there that the Antichrist will set up his new base. Finally, in verse 25, we're told how long this is going to last. It's going to last for a time times and half a time. This could be translated one year, two years and half a year. It refers to the last three and a half years of this age, the time in which the Antichrist will be given dominion over the whole earth.
Speaker 1:Picking up in verse 26,. But the court shall sit in judgment and his dominion shall be taken away to be consumed and destroyed to the end. In verse 26, we are shown when this court sits in judgment. This is the judgment of God's throne room that will begin at the beginning of Daniel's 70th week, or what many people know as the tribulation. It is then that God, the elders and the angels will prepare to bring the wrath of God upon the kingdom of the Antichrist and through the judgments of God and the final battle of Jesus Christ at Armageddon, the dominion of the Antichrist will be taken away. Just as the Antichrist had consumed every resource on earth for his war against God and his saints, so will the wrath of God over the great tribulation have the Antichrist utterly spent of all he had obtained through his tyranny and oppression and in the end he will be destroyed.
Speaker 1:Picking up again in verse 27,. 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. His kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom and all dominions shall serve and obey him. Kingdom and all dominions shall serve and obey him. Verse 27 again clarifies how there will be an earthly kingdom it says, under the whole heaven, where the Son of man will rule and where the saints will reign with him. The millennial kingdom which begins Jesus Christ's eternal kingdom, will be given to those who trusted in God and in his Messiah. Again, the saints included here are all believers from all time. And finally, verse 28. Here is the end of the matter.
Speaker 1:As for me, daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart when Daniel had received this revelation from God about the final beast. It brought such fear and terror into Daniel that his mind became very anxious and his body went into a fight-or flight mode. And as I thought about that, I considered all that Daniel had already gone through in his life. He'd been taken captive into the great empire Babylon when he was about 15 years old. He had his life threatened by King Nebuchadnezzar, and he was always a strange outcast amongst the rest of the nobles who dealt in dark arts. For this dream to bring such terror into Daniel, it truly must have revealed something beyond what we can imagine. Yet even though this was a deeply disturbing vision, daniel did not ignore it. He continued to consider and trust that this is what the Lord had revealed to him, and it's what the Lord has planned. Thank you for joining me for Daniel, chapter 7. God bless you this week.