Scripture Reading : Daniel 7
Theme : Vision of End Times
Vision of End Times (1-14). From this point on, the rest of the book is about a series of revelations God gave to Daniel about the end times. This vision is recapitulating Daniel 2 but adds additional information about the leaders of the fourth kingdom, particularly, the little horn (7:8, 8:9), which is referring to the antichrist. This vision is also alluded to in Revelation 13:2. Lion with eagles’ wings is the golden head in Daniel 2, which is Babylon. Bear is Persia. Leopard is Greece. The fourth kingdom is described as a devouring and stamping monster that is different from the first three kingdoms. This cannot be the Roman Empire because it was not a devouring, breaking and stamping empire that was different from Babylon, Persia or Greek. It was very similar. It respected the culture of its conquered people and only cared about getting taxes so they can party in Rome. In any case, the revived fourth kingdom will be destroyed by God, Ancient of Days, through Jesus, the Son of Man (v.13), then His Messianic Kingdom will remain an everlasting kingdom on earth.
Meaning of the Vision (15-28) The four beasts represent four kings, which represent four kingdoms as in Daniel 2. But God will destroy them and give the earth to the people of God (both believing Jews and Christians) as a possession forever (Blessed are the humble, for they shall inherit the earth, Matt. 5:5). The revived fourth kingdom will have a coalition of ten kings. The little horn, the antichrist, will conquer three of the ten kings and then have absolute power over the fourth kingdom (v. 24). This agrees with Revelation 17:12-13. In the end times, Jesus, the Son of Man, the stone in Daniel 2:34, will destroy the fourth kingdom and usher in His everlasting, righteous kingdom.
Praying the Scripture
- As the Bible accurately predicted the first three kingdoms in the Middle East, it is also accurate in its prediction of the fourth kingdom. God has miraculously resurrected the nation of Israel after 2,000 years. The end times is VERY, VERY NEAR because we know the major and minor prophets have prophesized over and over again that in the end times Israel will be attacked by its surrounding nations (Zech. 12:2, 14:2; Joel 3:11-12). Prepare yourself to meet your Lord!!! His second coming is closer than you think. Do not build bunkers, do not be afraid. Commit your life to God!!! James 5:8-11, “You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”
经文：但以理书 7
主题：末世时代的异象
末世的异象（1-14）。从这里开始，但以理书提的都是神给予但以理有关末世时代的一系列启示。这个异象虽重述了但以理书2的内容，但也加入了有关第四国度首领的额外信息，尤其是对小角的描述（7:8, 8:9），即敌基督。启示录13:2影射的就是这个异象。有鹰的翅膀的狮子就是但以理书2中的金头，即巴比伦；熊指的是波斯；豹则是希腊。第四个国被形容成一个吞吃嚼碎，践踏剩物的兽，与前三个国有别。这不可能是罗马帝国，因为她同于巴比伦、波斯和希腊，不是特别吞吃嚼碎、践踏剩物的。罗马帝国尊重被侵占子民的文化，只在乎得取税收，供罗马享宴狂欢。不论如何，被兴起的第四个国将借着人子耶稣（13节）遭亘古常在者神的毁灭；接着，耶稣的弥赛亚国度将在地上长存到永远。
异象的解读（15-28）。文中的四个兽代表了四位君王，也进而代表四个国度，如但以理书2所写的。然而，神会消灭它们，并将地永远归于神的子民（也就是信主的犹太人和基督徒；参太5:5）。被兴起的第四国是由十位君王联盟组成的。小角，即敌基督，将战胜十位君王中的三个，并完全掌控第四个国（24节）。这与启示录17:12-13是一致的。末日时，人子耶稣，即2:34中的石头将毁灭第四个国，引进祂永恒公义的国度。
用经文祷告
- 圣经准确地预测了中东地带的前三个国度，所以也必然对第四国有准确的预言。经两千年后，神奇迹般地复兴了以色列，所以我们晓得末日已经极为逼近了，因为大小先知书一再地预言末日来临时，以色列将遭到邻国的攻击（撒12:2, 14:2；珥3:11-12）。要预备朝见你的主！祂的归来比我们想象中的还要近。不要搭建堡垒，但也不要畏惧，乃要投靠神！雅各书5:8-11：“你们也当忍耐，坚固你们的心，因为主来的日子近了。弟兄们，你们不要彼此埋怨，免得受审判。看哪，审判的主站在门前了！弟兄们，你们要把那先前奉主名说话的众先知当做能受苦、能忍耐的榜样。那先前忍耐的人，我们称他们是有福的。你们听见过约伯的忍耐，也知道主给他的结局，明显主是满心怜悯、大有慈悲。”
