The End of Time
The End of Time
Why should we care about the end time and end-time prophecies? The answer is simple. It is part of God’s design and it is recorded in His word for us to study and to be unaware of His plan. The world we live in will end and God’s plan is to reconcile (an accounting term) all things at the end. In other words, there is a day of balancing when “all things will be made equal”. Sin will be judged and righteousness and justice will reign. Having been covered by Christ righteousness, I am looking forward to the end because it comes with completion and rewards. We will rule and reign with Christ. This is very exciting and I hope you are looking forward to the END.
In Daniel 7, God gave Daniel revelations of the end and the end times. Daniel 2 (the dream of king Nebuchadnezzar) and the rest of chapters 8-12 are pictures of the beginning of the end, the end times and the END. These are difficult and challenging chapters to study so we ask that the Holy Spirit who is our teacher will instruct us. Are you ready right now for the END? After the END of time, there is FOREVER.
Daniel 7
1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream. 2 Daniel said: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. 3 Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea. 4 "The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it.
5 "And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, 'Get up and eat your fill of flesh!' 6 "After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule. 7 "After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.
8 "While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully.
9 "As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.
11 "Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. 12 (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)
13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
15 "I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me. 16 I approached one of those standing there and asked him the true meaning of all this.
"So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things: 17 'The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, forever and ever.'
19 "Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws—the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. 20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully. 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.
23 "He gave me this explanation: 'The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. 24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time. [a]
26 " 'But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.' 28 "This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself."
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Note that the events of Daniel 7 (“in the first year” vs.1) and chapter 8 (“in the third year” vs.1) precede those of chapter 5 where king Belshazzar’s disobedience was visited with God’s immediate judgment. Also chapters 2, 7 and 8 are addressing the same subject. These are revelations from God and not Daniel’s imaginations.
2. These remaining chapters of Daniel 7-12 are apocalyptic and full of symbolic language just as the book of Revelation. As a result, the pictures or images are not literal. For example, the beasts are not beasts per se but representation of kingdoms and governments. In the time of Daniel’s writing and even to this day, various kingdoms depict their national identity as one beast, animal or other. Even USA has the eagle as its symbol and some other countries have the tiger or lion etc.
3. In Daniel 2, we saw the dream given to king Nebuchadnezzar for which God gave its interpretation to Daniel. Four images were mentioned and the same four categories had been further revealed to Daniel through his vision in chapter 7.
4. In Daniel 7, many Bible scholars agree and I also identify with them that the images represent the following: the Lion represents the Babylonian empire; the Bear represents the Medo-Persia empire; the Leopard represents the Greece and the “Terrifying and Frightening beast” represents the Roman empire.
5. The real theological issue is the meaning and interpretation of the “little horn” that grew out of the “Terrifying and Frightening Beast”. Many believe it is the antichrist because of the blasphemous words, and its hatred of anything God- honoring vs.25. One commentator, E.J. Young said, “From the symbolism it is not possible to tell whether this little horn represents a man, a government, a coalition of governments or an ideology”. I do agree with this statement because we are not sure and many have in the past named various people whom they think is the antichrist. I think the antichrist manifests in all the above. It is a spirit.
6. In Daniel 2, the entry and establishment of the kingdom of God by the birth, death and resurrection of Christ was revealed. Daniel 7 reveals the end of times and the consummation of Christ kingdom and His return “one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven” vs. 13-14. Jesus Himself collaborated His coming in like fashion. See Mathew 24:30.
7. We also see hints of the end times that line up with the book of Revelation. There will be oppression of the saints by this “little horn” or antichrist but God will send His power to deliver the saints of God. Note what the antichrist will do. “He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws” vs.25. These are already happening. The spirit of the antichrist are behind the re-writing of the marriage laws (where it is no longer man and woman)and other laws that suit their cause.
8. Many have also speculated about the “ten horns” of the fourth beast. Some say it is the European Union (EU) but I disagree. E.J Young further commented, “The ten horns, they stand for kingdoms which are to exist during the second phase of the beast’s history. It does not necessarily follow that these kingdoms must arise immediately after the downfall of Rome, but only that they may be able to trace their origin back to Rome” This is so right an interpretation.
So what that we know what the beasts represent! For one, it validates the truth of God’s word since most of the prophecies and visions have come true already. More so, we are not to be ignorant of the enemy’s devices so that we can be ready for the coming of our Lord. Are you ready for Jesus return? More so, have you believed in Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection as substitute for your sin and for your righteousness? Another implication is that it changes the way we live so that we leave all vengeance to God who avenges for us. This present world is not our permanent home so let’s not hold tight to things here. Come Lord Jesus, come. Amen
Why should we care about the end time and end-time prophecies? The answer is simple. It is part of God’s design and it is recorded in His word for us to study and to be unaware of His plan. The world we live in will end and God’s plan is to reconcile (an accounting term) all things at the end. In other words, there is a day of balancing when “all things will be made equal”. Sin will be judged and righteousness and justice will reign. Having been covered by Christ righteousness, I am looking forward to the end because it comes with completion and rewards. We will rule and reign with Christ. This is very exciting and I hope you are looking forward to the END.
In Daniel 7, God gave Daniel revelations of the end and the end times. Daniel 2 (the dream of king Nebuchadnezzar) and the rest of chapters 8-12 are pictures of the beginning of the end, the end times and the END. These are difficult and challenging chapters to study so we ask that the Holy Spirit who is our teacher will instruct us. Are you ready right now for the END? After the END of time, there is FOREVER.
Daniel 7
1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream. 2 Daniel said: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. 3 Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea. 4 "The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it.
5 "And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, 'Get up and eat your fill of flesh!' 6 "After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule. 7 "After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.
8 "While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully.
9 "As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.
11 "Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. 12 (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)
13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
15 "I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me. 16 I approached one of those standing there and asked him the true meaning of all this.
"So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things: 17 'The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, forever and ever.'
19 "Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws—the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. 20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully. 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.
23 "He gave me this explanation: 'The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. 24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time. [a]
26 " 'But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.' 28 "This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself."
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Note that the events of Daniel 7 (“in the first year” vs.1) and chapter 8 (“in the third year” vs.1) precede those of chapter 5 where king Belshazzar’s disobedience was visited with God’s immediate judgment. Also chapters 2, 7 and 8 are addressing the same subject. These are revelations from God and not Daniel’s imaginations.
2. These remaining chapters of Daniel 7-12 are apocalyptic and full of symbolic language just as the book of Revelation. As a result, the pictures or images are not literal. For example, the beasts are not beasts per se but representation of kingdoms and governments. In the time of Daniel’s writing and even to this day, various kingdoms depict their national identity as one beast, animal or other. Even USA has the eagle as its symbol and some other countries have the tiger or lion etc.
3. In Daniel 2, we saw the dream given to king Nebuchadnezzar for which God gave its interpretation to Daniel. Four images were mentioned and the same four categories had been further revealed to Daniel through his vision in chapter 7.
4. In Daniel 7, many Bible scholars agree and I also identify with them that the images represent the following: the Lion represents the Babylonian empire; the Bear represents the Medo-Persia empire; the Leopard represents the Greece and the “Terrifying and Frightening beast” represents the Roman empire.
5. The real theological issue is the meaning and interpretation of the “little horn” that grew out of the “Terrifying and Frightening Beast”. Many believe it is the antichrist because of the blasphemous words, and its hatred of anything God- honoring vs.25. One commentator, E.J. Young said, “From the symbolism it is not possible to tell whether this little horn represents a man, a government, a coalition of governments or an ideology”. I do agree with this statement because we are not sure and many have in the past named various people whom they think is the antichrist. I think the antichrist manifests in all the above. It is a spirit.
6. In Daniel 2, the entry and establishment of the kingdom of God by the birth, death and resurrection of Christ was revealed. Daniel 7 reveals the end of times and the consummation of Christ kingdom and His return “one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven” vs. 13-14. Jesus Himself collaborated His coming in like fashion. See Mathew 24:30.
7. We also see hints of the end times that line up with the book of Revelation. There will be oppression of the saints by this “little horn” or antichrist but God will send His power to deliver the saints of God. Note what the antichrist will do. “He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws” vs.25. These are already happening. The spirit of the antichrist are behind the re-writing of the marriage laws (where it is no longer man and woman)and other laws that suit their cause.
8. Many have also speculated about the “ten horns” of the fourth beast. Some say it is the European Union (EU) but I disagree. E.J Young further commented, “The ten horns, they stand for kingdoms which are to exist during the second phase of the beast’s history. It does not necessarily follow that these kingdoms must arise immediately after the downfall of Rome, but only that they may be able to trace their origin back to Rome” This is so right an interpretation.
So what that we know what the beasts represent! For one, it validates the truth of God’s word since most of the prophecies and visions have come true already. More so, we are not to be ignorant of the enemy’s devices so that we can be ready for the coming of our Lord. Are you ready for Jesus return? More so, have you believed in Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection as substitute for your sin and for your righteousness? Another implication is that it changes the way we live so that we leave all vengeance to God who avenges for us. This present world is not our permanent home so let’s not hold tight to things here. Come Lord Jesus, come. Amen
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