Insights into Daniel's Apocalyptic Visions and Heavenly Court
Delve into the intriguing apocalyptic literature of Daniel chapters 7-12, where apocalyptic dreams and visions unfold to reveal signs and symbols, offering comfort in times of suffering. Explore Daniel's transition from court stories to prophetic apocalyptic visions, including his dream of four beasts and the heavenly court scene with the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man. Discover the symbolic depth and assurance of God's ultimate justice and rescue portrayed in these captivating narratives.
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Presentation Transcript
- Daniel - Four Kings and a Heavenly Court Daniel 7
Switching Gears Novel that takes a sharp turn Seveneves 2/3 of the way through 5000 years later whole new story Significant change Daniel 1-6 to Daniel 7-12 Daniel 1-6 Court stories fantastic stories Daniel: third highest ruler in the kingdom (ch 5) God s hand on history stories of legend Kind of stories you can use for faith building Great for kids
Switching Gears Vacation Bible School Daniel s vision of a Ram and a Goat not vacation bible school Scary sea creature not vacation bible school
Apocalyptic Literature Daniel 7-12 Apocalyptic dreams and visions Apocalyptic a revealing, unveiling, unfolding Signs and symbols; mysteries Purpose to provide comfort, esp in time of suffering Prophetic, but different that Maj/min prophets God s ultimate justice and rescue Not a crystal ball Do provide assurance God is putting things back
Daniels Dream Four Beasts We read half the passage Vv 15-28 Angel s interpretation of the dream. First year of Belshazzar 550 B.C. ish Turbulent sea foreboding danger, anticipation of evil Four beats/monsters unlike created beings meant to invoke terror
Daniels Dream: Heavenly Court Ancient of Days Righteousness; wisdom; justice Lots of attendants Beast destroyed and thrown into the fire, others stripped of power One like the Son of man given all authority The Cloud Rider
Daniels Dream: Heavenly Court Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds[a]; rejoice before him his name is the LORD. 26 At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. Angels Explanation
Angels Explanation The Four Kings Daniel was troubled Angels tells of the four kings Vv. 20-21: 20I 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. 21As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.
Angels Explanation The Four Kings Vv 23-25 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 holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.
Angels Explanation The Four Kings Beasts are four Kings/Kingdoms Lion Babylon Medo-persians / Greece / Rome? All kinds of possibilities Easy to get sidetracked God s everlasting kingdom - not yet Still devouring, trampling, crushing, and opressing
Angels Explanation The Heavenly Court Vv 26-27 26 But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 27Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.
Angels Explanation The Heavenly Court At the end, God s Kingdom wins Four beasts, Four Kingdoms terrible Final Kingdom God Cosmic battle will come to an end one day, and our King will sit on the throne forever This is meant to comfort
Despite all Appearance, God is in Control Consider to what extent you feel trampling and oppressing force of the Kingdoms of people in the world today Consider whether the knowledge that God is in control and His kingdom will prevail in the end, whether that knowledge is comforting to you Finally, consider how you might provide comfort to others.
