• I needed a familiar passage this week. 8 years is more than sufficient to escape long-term memories.
• Obsession with eschatology > Abandon it altogether. Some would prefer to remain disengaged. Focus on essentials. “End Times” doctrine not central to the gospel.
• Disagreement doesn’t mean unsaved, unwelcome. Differences of opinion abound among solid, reformed Christians.
Common Reading Strategies (Unhelpful):1. Detailed blueprints
• Characteristic = Chronological Precision.
• Method = Each element finds correspondence with historical event/figure.
• Goal = Predicting what the end will look like.
2. Detached from history
• Characteristic = Completely irrelevant to modern reader.
• Method = Poetic license to depict good vs. evil.
• Result = Undermine Scripture’s relevance.
3. Abandon interpretation altogether (ME).
• Characteristic = Relevant but too confusing.
• Method = Overwhelmed by the various interpretations of elements.
• Goal = Keep Calm & Carry On.
• Daniel was far from disengaged. He is emotionally affected by his visions. Not given all the answers, but his heart is burdened. Daniel NOT indifferent.
Pray & Read https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleESV.Da7 (Dan. 7)
• Daniel = exilic. https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleESV.Da7 (Daniel 7) transitions from Historical narrative (1–6) to apocalyptic literature (7–12).
• Demands new reading strategy. We cannot expect precise chronology. Metaphors and similes teach by analogy (cautious with details). Images communicate imprecisely. Evoke powerful feelings.
Scope broadens:
• Present darkness > future darkness
• Temporary deliverance > Eternal deliverance
• How to stand alone (Daniel and Friends) > Why worthwhile to stand alone (All Believers).
I. Worldly Chaos (1–8; 15–28)• Why was Daniel anxious and alarmed (vv.15, 28)? No interpretation provided for vv.9-14, so the vision from vv.1-8 is what alarmed him.
• The Sea (v.2)
• “The Sea” in Biblical and ANE literature symbolizes chaos, evil, and de-creation. Evokes terror. It is a depiction of godlessness and depravity. The waters of the flood de-create the world (https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleESV.Ge6 (Gen.6)). Re-creation begins again with Noah’s family.
• ANE Creation Narrative “Enuma Elish”: Marduk defeats Tiamat (the Sea) to head pantheon. Tiamat remains opposed forever. Daniel’s context.
• The emerging beasts are not what is stirring up the sea, but the four winds of heaven. Implicit > God is sovereign over chaos. Even though the result is chaos in the sea, there remains one constant truth > God is in control!
• The Beasts (vv.3–7; 17–18)
• V.3–8 The beasts rage against God’s created order. They are perversions of His creation.
• Each successive beast grows more grotesque and less human. They become more and more terrifying.
• https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleESV.Da2 (Dan. 2) parallels https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleESV.Da7 (Dan. 7)
• Head of Gold = Babylon = Lion w/ Wings (https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleESV.Je49.19-22 (Jer. 49:19–22)). No significant disagreement. Animal > Human = Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation and restoration (https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleESV.Da4.28-37 (Dan 4:28–37)).
• Torso of Silver = Medo-Persian = Bear
• Midriff of Bronze = Greece = Leopard w/ Wings and 4 Heads
• Legs of Iron/Clay = Rome = Fourth Beast with iron teeth and 10 horns
• The Rock = Christ = Son of Man conquers the kingdoms and receives universal and everlasting dominion.
• So, is all of this in the past?
• Compos. Lion/Bear/Leopard/10 horns (https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleESV.Re13.1-2 (Rev. 13:1–2)). No single nation/king has exhausted the meaning.
• Taken generally (4 = earth, rivers of Eden, corners of the earth https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleESV.Ge2.10-14 (Gen 2:10-14); https://ref.ly/logosref/BibleESV.Ge2.10...
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