By Terrence Clark
Young Daniel was known as an interpreter of dreams besides many other notable titles of wisdom. He served before several kings---chosen and groomed as of the elite of Israel. He was exalted in prominence and honor, although he and his people were deported servants to Babylon (Ancient Iraq)---remnants of a collapsed rebellious Jewish nation.
The Magi, of the Christmas narrative, who came from the East, pinned as Wisemen, honor may have stemmed from Daniel’s legacy. It was the Hebrew prophet, his gift, and obedience that spared his peers, their predecessors, centuries before. Frustrated, King Nebuchadnezzar would have destroyed the whole consortium of these astronomers and magicians if were not for the young Hebrews intervention. He swore to kill them all if they couldn’t give him his answer. The king had a dream. His disturbing dream needed interpretation, which he inquired of his mystical team of which Daniel and his fellows were a part. The greater challenge---the king could not remember his night vision. |
Daniel in agreement with his comrades---Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) sought God.
“Only God can interpret dreams,” revealed Daniel and God did. Daniel not only revealed the monarchs dream but its meaning. God had shown Nebuchadnezzar, in a dream, the future, and kingdoms to come.
“Only God can interpret dreams,” revealed Daniel and God did. Daniel not only revealed the monarchs dream but its meaning. God had shown Nebuchadnezzar, in a dream, the future, and kingdoms to come.
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions appeared in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and related a summary of it. 2 Daniel said, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea (the nations).
3 And four great beasts, each different from the other, were coming up out of the sea [in succession]. 4 The first (the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar) was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man; a human mind was given to it.
5 And behold, another beast, a second one (the Medo-Persian Empire), was like a bear, and it was raised up on one side (domain), and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much meat.’ 6 After this I kept looking, and behold, another one (the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great), like a leopard, which had on its back four wings like those of a bird; the beast also had four heads (Alexander’s generals, his successors), and power to rule was given to it.
7 After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, [I saw] a fourth beast (the Roman Empire), terrible and extremely strong; and it had huge iron teeth. It devoured and crushed and trampled down what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that came before it, and it had ten horns (ten kings). 8 While I was considering the horns, behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, and three of the first horns were pulled up by the roots before it; and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth boasting of great things.----Daniel 7:1-8 The Amplified Bible
3 And four great beasts, each different from the other, were coming up out of the sea [in succession]. 4 The first (the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar) was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man; a human mind was given to it.
5 And behold, another beast, a second one (the Medo-Persian Empire), was like a bear, and it was raised up on one side (domain), and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much meat.’ 6 After this I kept looking, and behold, another one (the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great), like a leopard, which had on its back four wings like those of a bird; the beast also had four heads (Alexander’s generals, his successors), and power to rule was given to it.
7 After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, [I saw] a fourth beast (the Roman Empire), terrible and extremely strong; and it had huge iron teeth. It devoured and crushed and trampled down what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that came before it, and it had ten horns (ten kings). 8 While I was considering the horns, behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, and three of the first horns were pulled up by the roots before it; and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth boasting of great things.----Daniel 7:1-8 The Amplified Bible
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Now it was Daniel who had a dream that troubled him. He saw beast---living entities come out of the sea of humanity. It was cinematic, a remake of Nebuchadnezzar’s version---like Hollywood’s attempt with Godzilla and King Kong. Still symbolic, it was prophetic of kingdoms to come beginning with the current. (The Amplified bible aids our reference by inserting the names of the kingdoms of history past.) Plotted---the Babylonian first, followed by the Persian, the Greek, and Roman. The last king not really with a new kingdom, but protruding from what was before.
Fascinating is the character of the last symbol---"the little horn" that spoke great things. Tore up were the roots of the kings before it. What a great analogy of the political and spiritual climate of today.The thrashing of the little horns sounding in the atmosphere creating waves and tumults from fake news, twitter, Facebook, speeches, threats, rhetoric, and locker room banter. And the reference is not analogical to any one current leader, but a summary of the current condition. To be clear, this reference is not an attempt to overlay specific prophecy on current politics. But it is a picture of where we are at in the societal, political cloud. Daniel’s dream is a testimony to the nature of kings and kingdoms. It’s a heaven view of the dispensation of human rulers and their impact on chronology. His dream provides not just answers for his day but ours as well.
In the United States, President Trump gave his first state of the union address. Despite the critics---economically there seems to be a light of hope---at least in America. And the thought is considered---if America is strong, then perhaps so is the world.
Fascinating is the character of the last symbol---"the little horn" that spoke great things. Tore up were the roots of the kings before it. What a great analogy of the political and spiritual climate of today.The thrashing of the little horns sounding in the atmosphere creating waves and tumults from fake news, twitter, Facebook, speeches, threats, rhetoric, and locker room banter. And the reference is not analogical to any one current leader, but a summary of the current condition. To be clear, this reference is not an attempt to overlay specific prophecy on current politics. But it is a picture of where we are at in the societal, political cloud. Daniel’s dream is a testimony to the nature of kings and kingdoms. It’s a heaven view of the dispensation of human rulers and their impact on chronology. His dream provides not just answers for his day but ours as well.
In the United States, President Trump gave his first state of the union address. Despite the critics---economically there seems to be a light of hope---at least in America. And the thought is considered---if America is strong, then perhaps so is the world.
At the time of this writing, the world is together in Pyeongchang County South Korea, at the Winter Olympics. The USA (at least the crowds who celebrate sports) has just gather together for the Super Bowl. And many look at sports, even with its competitive nature, as a great unifier of the masses. Still, times of cloudiness prevail covering threats of terrorist and dictators. Hidden in the waters, beast of divisions in politics, religion, and race await to rise. Worldwide all these creatures have existed before. It’s the media which has magnified their reality.
From the world, who swim in these waters, you expect the voice of the beast to overwhelm and foster anxiety. Unfortunately, it has affected the church. A spiritual “scratch test” finds her swayed and seemingly divided by political and social doctrines----as if past difference over biblical doctrine were not enough.
The Holy Spirit calls Christian believers overcomers---people who are not overwhelmed by the world. Jesus said to Governor Pilate—“My kingdom is not of this world.”
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
From the world, who swim in these waters, you expect the voice of the beast to overwhelm and foster anxiety. Unfortunately, it has affected the church. A spiritual “scratch test” finds her swayed and seemingly divided by political and social doctrines----as if past difference over biblical doctrine were not enough.
The Holy Spirit calls Christian believers overcomers---people who are not overwhelmed by the world. Jesus said to Governor Pilate—“My kingdom is not of this world.”
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:20 "For our conversation (citizenship, politic} is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." He did not say to isolate from the world system rather focus and prioritized the kingdom of God. Christians are supposed to be involved in government. We are to make a difference.
Joseph, Esther, Daniel, and Nehemiah are just a few of bible people who worked for and influenced government. Israel herself operated as a monarchy with her succession of kings. Paul ministered to King Agrippa. In Acts 25:11-he used his citizenship to appeal to Rome and Caesar. In Romans 13 we are admonished to pray for those in authority. Apostle Peter says to honor the king. Jesus teaches us to give to Caesar what belongs to him. The Lord paid his taxes and Peter’s. Paul said to pay tribute.
Joseph, Esther, Daniel, and Nehemiah are just a few of bible people who worked for and influenced government. Israel herself operated as a monarchy with her succession of kings. Paul ministered to King Agrippa. In Acts 25:11-he used his citizenship to appeal to Rome and Caesar. In Romans 13 we are admonished to pray for those in authority. Apostle Peter says to honor the king. Jesus teaches us to give to Caesar what belongs to him. The Lord paid his taxes and Peter’s. Paul said to pay tribute.
"However, the church’s greatest authority is not as political leaders, but as the church."
However, the church’s greatest authority is not as political leaders, but as the church. Jesus said he has given the keys to the kingdom to his church---The power to bind and loose. It’s so powerful the gates of Hell cannot prevail against it. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 says the church, with the Holy Spirit, has the power to let----to allow and hold back—even holding back the last king of Daniel’s dream (the Anti-Christ) and his swelling words, until the appointed time.
As powerful as the Church is, with Jesus at the head, her power is diminished when she is allowed to be overwhelmed by the reign of the political climate. In Daniel’s vision, we see the nature of earthly kings---good or bad. It’s what they do. Good or bad—as Nebuchadnezzar found out---despite their attempt to stamp earth’s history---all men---kings and paupers alike must yield to Yahweh’s ultimate plan.
Reading from the Amplified Bible Daniel 7:9, 11, 13 Daniel pronounces “I kept looking.” As he did, he saw first---one like the Ancient of Days---God. Second, he saw the one speaking great words cast down. Third, he saw Jesus. Hallelujah, despite the political, sociological, economical, whirlwinds----Jesus Christ still returns. First with that great trump from the clouds and then later upon the white horse with that two-edged sword coming out his mouth, joined with myriads of saints.
In 2018 it is important for the church and its members not get stuck in the social-political cycle. Her focus is to keep looking for Jesus---not just his return, but the fullness of his glory manifesting on the earth and through his body. Despite the political climate, the king of kings and Lord of Lord is soon to come.
Jesus told his disciples the Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh.
As powerful as the Church is, with Jesus at the head, her power is diminished when she is allowed to be overwhelmed by the reign of the political climate. In Daniel’s vision, we see the nature of earthly kings---good or bad. It’s what they do. Good or bad—as Nebuchadnezzar found out---despite their attempt to stamp earth’s history---all men---kings and paupers alike must yield to Yahweh’s ultimate plan.
Reading from the Amplified Bible Daniel 7:9, 11, 13 Daniel pronounces “I kept looking.” As he did, he saw first---one like the Ancient of Days---God. Second, he saw the one speaking great words cast down. Third, he saw Jesus. Hallelujah, despite the political, sociological, economical, whirlwinds----Jesus Christ still returns. First with that great trump from the clouds and then later upon the white horse with that two-edged sword coming out his mouth, joined with myriads of saints.
In 2018 it is important for the church and its members not get stuck in the social-political cycle. Her focus is to keep looking for Jesus---not just his return, but the fullness of his glory manifesting on the earth and through his body. Despite the political climate, the king of kings and Lord of Lord is soon to come.
Jesus told his disciples the Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh.
Terrence Clark is founder and Chief Editor of Voice of One Christian News & Commentary. He is an ordained minister, Bible teacher, workshop presenter, life coach, author, publisher, cartoonist, and gospel singer. He and his wife Linda have four children and seven grandchildren. He also operates as New Testament prophet.
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