Daniel 7 (6)

Introduction
Daniel’s vision is firmly focused on historical events. We may safely identify the fourth beast/kingdom with the Roman Empire and its succession of emperors. We know that Rome persecuted the Church for over 200 years, mainly because the Christians refused to recognize the emperor as ultimate law and god – just as Daniel and his friend had done before them. But persecution only strengthened the Church; and the Kingdom of God, which was given to the saints at the first Christian Pentecost, continued to expand and increase. Rome, meanwhile, went into a period of decline and dissolution, until the empire finally disappeared at the beginning of the Middle Ages. And Daniel saw it all, and the implications of these events.

Meditate on Psalm 33.

Read Daniel 7.23-28.

Think it Through
1.  Let’s locate this vision in time. The “Then” of verse 27 does not intend to say that only after the fourth beast/kingdom has been destroyed will the saints receive the Kingdom. Rather, it refers us back to verses 18 and 21, with the implication that the events of verse 23-28 occur within the framework of time in which the Kingdom has already been received and is advancing. The fall of the Roman Empire occurred in stages, but it accelerated rapidly during the fourth and fifth centuries AD. Rome persecuted the Church until early in the fourth century when Constantine, at the beginning of the century, and then Theodosius, at the end, gave Christians full freedom to worship. But in many respects, those emperors were only recognizing what had become a fait accompli: Without imperial sanction, and in the face of imperial hostility, Christianity had spread throughout the empire, and Christians and their churches were established in every place and level of society. What does this suggest about the power that drives the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 4.20; Acts 1.8)? How should we expect that power to work in us, who have received this Kingdom (Phil. 2.13; Eph. 3.20)? Keeping in mind the example of Daniel and the Church in the Roman Empire, that power seems to operate most pointedly in the face of adversity and opposition: What does that mean for you? How should you expect the Kingdom of God to advance most fruitfully in and through you?

2.  There is no need to discern literal meanings in such aspects of this vision as the ten kings, the three kings, and “time and times and half a time.” Kings are empires – and Roman emperors subdued many kingdoms –and the reference to time implies an extended period, albeit one fixed by divine decree. Verse 26 reminds us, following Psalm 33, that none of this catches God by surprise, and none of it occurs outside the scope of His decrees and power. We are seeing in this vision events that happen beyond the time of the New Testament, into the epoch of history in which we live. Sometimes people think that God acts one way within the pages of Biblical history, but that He doesn’t act the same way beyond the pages of Scripture, in the normal course and flow of history as we participate in it. We are to understand from this passage that the same God Who put down Babylon, Persia, and Greece during the period of the giving of Scripture, put down Rome during the course and flow of history beyond the time of Scripture. He has not ceased being sovereign, and it pleases Him now to exert His sovereign power in the world through the vehicle of His Kingdom. What is the Kingdom and dominion of God (v. 27)? Can you offer a succinct definition of the Kingdom? According to verse 27, what expectations should believers hold for the progress of the Kingdom? What does it mean to pray for this Kingdom to come, and to seek it as our highest priority in life (Matt. 6.10, 33)? Does it “trouble” you at all (v. 28) that we see so little evidence of this in our day? Explain.

Meditate
“In other words, this is the end of the end of all affairs of this life, all the empires of earth coming to a close and the eternal kingdom being given to the holy ones of the Most High, with those in charge obeying and devotedly serving him, since his kingdom is eternal and does not come to an end.” Theodoret of Cyr (393-466 AD)

For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 1 Corinthians 4.20

You have called me to Your Kingdom and glory, Lord (1 Thess. 2.12), and I have received Your Spirit and power (Acts 1.8). Let Your power be at work in me today, willing and doing of Your good pleasure, exceedingly abundantly beyond all I have ever thought or asked, and help me to…

Pray Psalm 107.33-43.
Ask God to give you new measures of His power today, so that the Kingdom comes in and through you for righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14.17, 18).

Psalm 107.33-43, 1-3 (Faithfulness: Great is Thy Faithfulness)
You make the desert a river o’erflowing;
You make a wasted life fruitful and strong!
You bless the hungry with fields for the sowing;
Bless and increase us who to You belong!
Refrain vv. 1-3
  Lord, for Your wondrous works, and for Your steadfast love,
  We give You thanks, we exalt Your great Name!
  We who from east and west, north and south gather,
  Boldly redemption in Christ we proclaim!

When we are low, are oppressed and in sorrow,
You pour contempt on our fierce, angry foes.
We will rejoice at the hope of tomorrow:
He shall be wise who Your steadfast love knows!
Refrain

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.