DARE TO BE A DANIEL
A Vision About the Future
Daniel 7
Jerry A Collins
SCC
Are we in
a battle as we determine to live righteously here?
Who are
the beasts and the horns in Daniel’s vision?
How can we
expect to have victory in the spiritual warfare?
Just returning from
1. THE REALITY OF THIS
When we look at the response of Daniel in vs 15, we realize that we are up against something that is unimaginable. It is alarming. In vs 28 at conclusion of this vision after waking up in the morning he is sick and pale. This information is terrifying. It is not given to us for our amusement or for our curiosity. But God lifts the veil behind the realities of this oppression so that we mite see what is driving all of it in the world both historically and even today. And like Daniel, we are troubled or should be. You can see it all over his face. It is now given to us in all of its grotesqueness. This vision should also trouble us! Actually, it should leave us feeling very small and powerless with the sense that we can only find our security in Him and his presence. That we are driven there by overwhelming sense that we have nowhere else to go. Helpless.
2. OUR ENEMY IS POWERFUL, DETERMINED TO DESTROY US
There are 4 beasts in vss 4-7.
(1) Lion & wings of eagle
beast. Jer 49:19ff describe this leader sweeping
across the land in brilliant combination of power and swiftness.
(2) Bear beast with lumbering
power and appetite of a bear Dan 2. Kicking up the dust and approaching in
horrific rythym--medo
(3) Leopard beast with 4 wings and 4 heads and dominion. The swift advance of greek empire the 4 heads being 4 generals divided up.
(4) Monster beast vs 7 terrifying, powerful and frightening. Overbearing arrogance with 10 horns and a little horn vs 8. This horn arrogant does not stop speaking
boastfully vs 11. It may be little but it is lethal.
Daniel asks for explanation of this 4th
beast vs 19 and gets it in vs
23-25. This little horn will be different than all other kingdoms. He will
assert himself and become very powerful and arrogant, full of himself. It is
the AntiChrist. Tho he
comes again and again in differing guises throughout history, he wants to make
up the rules. He wants to have all power and this is who we are up against. The little horn behind it all. The Lord has given a measure
of sovereignty to government and as result history does from time to time seem
to be in the grip of tyrants. This little horn is on a mission and we cannot
stand against him. This is what turned Daniel pale. Paul tells us that we do
not battle against flesh and blood but against the principalities and powers in
the heavenly realms. Materialism, hedonism, and sexual revolution are his
weapons. Even religion is a tool—holy
jihad of islam, centuries of
false catholic teaching in west, and hinduism and
Buddhism in the east. Whatever it is and whenever it is, it raises its ugly and
defiled head and we are waging war, fighting battles of a
spiritual dark forces. This is not a fair fight. He does noit play by the rules but makes up his own. There are no
boundaries no limitations. No morals vs 25. This is
not an even fight either. It is a war against a super heavyweight power that is
bent on our destruction our values, our beliefs. Until we comprehend the depth
of our opposition we cannot appreciate the relief in 14-153. GOD WILL ULTIMATELY HAVE THE VICTORY
We find ourselves in Gods throne
room in 9-10. And what a relief to see God ascending His
throne. Ultimate power is not centered in the governing authorities in
the past or today. It is in God! First, His kingdom is not limited. Kingdoms
will rise and kingdoms will fall but His endures forever! Second, his is describe with purity in contrast to the darkness of the
little horns rule. White like snow and wool. His power
is never compromised by greed and ambition and arrogance. His power is not
motivated by lust or rage or fear. Third, His rule and power brings justice to
everything and to everyone. Like a buring fire vs 11 his divine judgment will prevail over this beast. His
pureness and wholeness will eradicate evil in the world. He cares about evil.
God does get angry when he sees injustice and oppression. Vs 11 we hear the
little horn again. Boasting, arrogant this pompous enemy dares to speak again.
But vs 26
says he will be destroyed and his power will be taken from him forever.
His dominion will disappear and in a moment he will be non-existent. His
pompous words a distant echo fading into oblivion. He will be slain and no
memory will be left of him. Full of hot air, putting on a display of power, he
will be wiped out never to rise again. The horn is gone in a moment of
judgment. Even in history vs 11, there have been glimpses when the
beasts have been broken. The fall of communism. The end of apartheid.
(1)
Don’t underestimate the severity of the spiritual battle
waged against us. It is for the hearts and minds for which we battle. And that
battle is life and death.
(2)
This battle is intense enough to destroy us. We are vulnerable. The enemy is
powerful. We cannot win this on our own.
(3)
We can wage war for the hearts and minds of people confidently because we have
the truth and God is sovereign. Victory is sure.