Scripture: As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven . . . (Daniel 7:13 NLT).
The visions recorded in Daniel’s chapters 7 and 8 were given to the prophet while he was still a captive in Babylon. The rulers of this world see their kingdoms as imposing, artistic monuments fashioned of valuable materials, like the golden image King Nebuchadnezzar built. But God sees these empires as hideous beasts and unnatural monsters.
Skeptics have argued these amazing prophecies must have been written by someone else after the events happened. But the Dead Sea Scrolls prove the book was written in the 6th century B.C. in Babylon. Daniel was able to predict the coming of future, earthly kingdoms because the Lord God of Israel revealed the future to him.
The first of the four beasts in Chapter 7 is “like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle.” The wings are torn off the beast, the creature stands erect like a man, and a human mind is given to it. This represents King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Its rise to human-like status reflects Nebuchadnezzar’s deliverance and his insight into the true nature of God. The Babylonian Empire was conquered by Cyrus the Great of Persia in B. C. 539.
The second vision was of a creature like a bear, raised on one of its sides, with three ribs in its teeth. This and the ram of Chapter 8 represent the Medo-Persian empire, of which Persia became dominant. The three ribs symbolize nations devoured—Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt. This empire came to an end in B. C. 331.
The third one, a leopard with four wings and four heads, represents Greece under Alexander the Great, known for his conquests’ swiftness. The four heads are the division of his empire after his death The Grecians fell to Rome in B.C. 146. Chapter 8 uses a male goat with a broken horn to symbolize Alexander’s untimely death at age thirty-three. Shortly after conquering all lands from Greece to India, he died and his empire was divided into four weaker kingdoms.
Daniel describes the “abomination of desolation,” which Bible scholars believe has a dual meaning. Jesus spoke of one yet to come (Matthew 24:14), but in B.C. 167, the first had already occurred when Antiochus IV Epiphanes, one of Alexander’s successors, invaded Judea and erected a statue of Zeus in the Jerusalem Temple. Exactly as the vision, Antiochus opposed the daily sacrifices, Temple worship, the circumcision of male babies, and all things connected with Judaism. His acts were loathsome, abhorrent, and detestable to the Jewish people. This persecution lasted almost exactly the time prophesied by Daniel 408 years before. Then Judas Maccabaeus, who led the Jews in the retaking of Jerusalem, celebrated the festival of Hanukkah, commemorating the rededication of the Temple. Christians believe a similar “abomination of desolation” will happen again before our Lord returns.
The fourth beast—“terrifying and frightening and very powerful”— annihilated its prey. This was the Roman Empire, which finally fell in 455 A.D.
After this beast is killed and its body burned, a “Son of Man” will come from heaven in the clouds. This Man—our Lord Jesus—is given authority, glory, and sovereign power, and all the nations of the earth will worship Him. His kingdom is everlasting and indestructible. We believe He is coming soon! Come, Lord Jesus!
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for giving Daniel these visions. His world, like ours, had been turned upside down and inside out. The Jews needed Your peace, Your courage, and Your hope. We too, Lord! You stand outside of time and space, and You see the beginning and the end. Because we know You are in control, we have great peace. This knowledge also gives us the courage to follow You, no matter the cost. Our suffering is not eternal. You are coming back! Above all, we have hope, for we know these prophecies will someday be perfectly fulfilled. You know and orchestrate the events of history, and You hold our future in Your mighty hand. We praise You! Amen.