Staying Strong in a Hostile World 2024 - Week 5

Or, weird, frightening images and the reality that you're living in exile | Staying Strong in a Hostile World 2024 | Book of Daniel

May 05, 2024

What a Nightmare!

We’re at Week 5, dear readers, with three weeks ahead of us and the end of this series. I made it to my small group women’s study on Wednesday and the sisters I enjoy so much. Daniel Chapter 7 is different from the more historical accounts in the previous chapters, so we talked about all sorts of topics we gleaned from the chapter.

Yes, we wandered a bit, Lol.

Note: This post doesn’t go into detail on: the Son of Man, the four empires, eschatology, end times, or similar topics. I’m trying to keep these Substack posts short to respect readers’ time.

So, let’s jump right in.

Daniel Chapter 7

Summary

In Daniel chapter 7, the narrative shifts from historical accounts (chapters 1-6) to prophetic visions that God gave to Daniel (chapter 7 to the end of the book, all apocalyptic literature). Daniel sees a series of four beasts emerging from the sea, each representing different kingdoms. The first beast resembles a lion with eagle's wings, symbolizing Babylon; the second beast resembles a bear, representing Media-Persia; the third beast is like a leopard with four wings and four heads, signifying Greece; and the fourth beast is terrifying and indescribable, representing a powerful and oppressive kingdom. Some scholars say it represents the Roman Empire. Each of the four beasts corresponds to a part of the great image King Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream in chapter 2.

Image credit: Logos Bible Software, FaithLife Study Bible, Daniel 7.

Daniel also witnesses the scene of a divine judgment where thrones are set up and the Ancient of Days, our Lord God of Israel, takes his seat. Daniel sees one “like a son of man” coming with the clouds of heaven and receiving authority, dominion, and an everlasting kingdom from the Ancient of Days. This Son of Man is our victorious Messiah, Jesus Christ.

How do you interpret a vision like this? Daniel struggled with it, and was frightened. Yes, the one who interpreted the dreams of the king of Babylonia, needed help, and God provided.

The beasts symbolize the rise and fall of world empires, leading to the ultimate establishment of God's eternal kingdom ruled by the Messiah.

The message of this chapter is God's sovereignty over human history and the assurance of His ultimate victory over all earthly powers.

So What Does this Mean for Us Today?

Daniel chapter 7 guides us on how to consider our future hope and our present reality.

Our Future Hope

In my small group, we talked about how this chapter’s message can be a hard one to swallow. God’s telling us that His people have suffered persecution, will suffer persecution, and very hard days will come to His people. But for us today, because of Jesus, what’s awesome is the ultimate future that awaits us when we’re in His kingdom. The Son of Man (Jesus), seated in the highest place with the Ancient of Days, will crush our enemies and human empires will never rise again.

Can I get an amen? Amen!

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 (HCSB)
9 “As I kept watching, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white like snow, and the hair of His head like whitest wool. His throne was flaming fire; its wheels were blazing fire.
10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands served Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.
13 I continued watching in the night visions, and I saw One like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him.
14 He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.

~~~~~

Revelation 1:7-8 (HCSB)
7 Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, including those who pierced Him. And all the families of the earth will mourn over Him.
This is certain. Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the One who is, who was, and who is coming, the Almighty.”

Victory.

Hope.

That’s what Daniel chapter 7 offers us: What our future holds for us in all eternity as well as what is our current reality.

Our Present Reality

We currently live in the “already but not yet” time in human history after Jesus’ first coming. Obviously, we’re still waiting for Jesus’ second coming, living in countries governed by sinful humans instead of by our King of kings and Lord of lords. We’re in exile similar to Daniel.

Our reality is we’re already redeemed, adopted, and a citizen of God’s spiritual kingdom. But, we’re still waiting for Jesus’ literal rule on Earth.

Why are we still waiting?

2 Peter 3:9 (Amplified Bible, Classic)
9 The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.

God wants all of humanity to have a chance to hear His good news through Jesus, and have the opportunity to repent and believe. A sister in Christ recently reminded me that not all unreached people groups are in remote areas. We need to pray for the people in Japan as well, who live in a highly developed and technologically savvy country, but they belong to one of the largest unreached people groups.

See the statistics on Japan by the International Mission Board [ Read here ]
Read what my sister in Christ, Beverly of Sand & Seed, mentions about Japan in her Substack post “The Harvest Is Plentiful”. Make sure you watch the video on Japan. [ Read here ]:

So, until Father God says it’s time for His Son’s second coming, we’re people in exile. God gave us the book of Daniel, a faithful Israelite in exile in ancient times, to encourage us today. Daniel show us how we can keep our eyes on our Lord God every moment of every day while we wait to go home to His glorious and eternal kingdom.

Those undergoing the persecution described in Daniel’s visions could refer to this book to learn how to act and persevere based on his life in Babylon.

John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Da 7:1–8.
~ Logos Bible Software

How We Can Stand Strong in Exile

My small group ended our session with these thoughts:

We are to live with great hope in our hearts, and expectancy, just like little children who look forward to Christmas Day
We need to encourage our fellow believers whenever we’re together
We are to do Jesus’ kingdom work (the Great Commission), and share Jesus with not-yet believers:
- We have hope, and we live in a world that’s seeking hope, desperately
- We need to show them Jesus’ hope and love, with a humble and loving attitude

Application: What About You?

During these past five weeks in this Daniel series, how have you grown spiritually?

How would you describe where you are in your walk with Jesus?

If you can, take time to write down, type, or voice record your thoughts about your spiritual journey with the Lord these five weeks.

If you feel led, you can share your thoughts in the Comments section. I enjoy our conversations.

Maranatha, come Lord Jesus.

Soli Deo Gloria!

If you’re a not-yet follower of Jesus Christ, please come along on this journey with us. You are welcome here.

And, I invite you to read my series on the book “What Does God Want?”.

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