Daniel 7
Daniel is either liked because of the "children's" stories in chapters 1-6, or because of the apocalyptic portions where beasts are doing beastly stuff or where angels are warring with one another. In my opinion, if you only look at the first six chapters as interesting kids' stories, you miss the entire point, and with that, Daniel ends up in the lion's den as a 20-40 year-old man. Clearly in the first six chapters God is moving and influencing the nations for the return of Israel to their land. In these chapters we need to ask ourselves what God's purpose is in letting us have this information. I would say that God is showing how He will be moving the nations and influencing them for the return of the Messiah and the establishment of His kingdom. Yet, there is still the question of why God is giving us that information. Think about that.
V. 1 The first year of Belshazzar's reign means this vision is given to Daniel about 14 years before the lion's den. Why did God give this to Daniel now? It's all speculation; but I think, among other things, He wanted to encourage Daniel. When Belshazzar was given the rule in Babylon, while Nabonidus was living the high-life elsewhere, that must have felt bad in the entire sagging Empire. This might have been to inspire Daniel to know that God was still in charge and that this weakening of Babylon was a part of His plan to bring about the next Empire. That might be a reason for all of these chapters.
Also, this is the final chapter that is in Aramaic. Now, you could understand chapters 2-6 being in Aramaic, since they were sort of like news communications in the Empire, but what about chapter seven? This again is speculation, but I think that as chief of the wise men, Daniel published this in their literature. Chapter seven, as well as chapter two, hang together and help interpret one another. The rest of the chapters deal exclusively with Israel and how nations and events will impact God's people. Those chapters are written in Hebrew. Chapter seven belongs to the explanation of chapter two, and so I think this was also included in the official records of the kingdom, though maybe, only under "for wise guys only."
Just as an aside, we have no idea as to what Daniel did among the wise men. I can't imagine they just did card tricks all day. He must have had some input into their learning and doings. You know that the wise men who visited Jesus after His birth came from the east, from the region Daniel ruled. How do you think they knew about this coming king who would set up an eternal kingdom? Although you can't say for sure it was the influence of Daniel, it would be silly to exclude that possibility. I don't know how, but I think God began the waiting of the Magi with the influence of Daniel.
Vs. 2-7 In chapter two we had 4 metals as a part of one statue. In the last of those kingdoms, something funny happened in the feet that was a part of that last kingdom, but a continuation of some sort. In the days of those last kings, God sets up His eternal kingdom. Here we have four beasts, and in the days of that final beast something funny happens. Like the iron legs of the statue that have these toes, this final beast will have ten horns. After those horns, God will set up His kingdom. So, we have two visions with one meaning. But here, Daniel is shown something about that final kingdom and God has Daniel particularly concerned with a little horn.
Note, God used the sea often as a symbol of rebellion to His rule. Out of that sea come the nations that will claim world domination, and particularly domination of Israel.
V. 4 Just as the head of gold was Nebuchadnezzar and was given prominence, this beast is also given some honor in its description. God removes the wings and gives it the mind of a man. This is probably alluding to God's education of Nebuchadnezzar, making him rational and understanding that the living God ruled.
V. 5 The bear representing the Persian Empire would have been the breast and arms of silver on the statue. The bear was lopsided, some suggest, because it was of the Medes (weaker side) and the Persians (the stronger side.)
V. 6 This is Greece, the bronze torso and thighs of bronze on the statue. The animal imagery here is very direct. The leopard was a symbol they used; and after Alexander's death, the Empire was divided into four kingdoms: north, south, east and west.
V. 7 Breaking into pieces sort of describes this empire, both in the legs of iron and in this beast with its teeth of iron. I don't know my history, so I don't know that the Romans were more brutal than all other Empires, but they did have the distinction of being the Empire that both killed the Messiah and destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. The ten horns, as we'll see, are ten kings and they would correspond to the toes on the statue. In the description of the statue, it mentions the "days of those kings." Since we know here, that there are ten kings ruling at once, looking back on that phrase and those toes makes sense. I think that because of the way both of these visions help interpret each other, Daniel wrote this in Aramaic, probably to put it together in the file with the vision of the statue.
V. 8 So, there are ten horns and then a small one comes up and plucks up three of the others by their roots, meaning, totally removed. The description of the eyes must have to do with some special intelligence given to that horn. While it is saying these great things….
Vs. 9-10 God takes His seat to pronounce judgment on mankind. This is like the beginning and duration of the tribulation. Notice that some of this description sounds like what Ezekiel saw.
Vs. 11-12 Eventually this horn was judged. The dominion of the other beasts (Iraq, Iran, Greece and Italy) have been taken away but their lands remain. We don't have enough information on this final manifestation of the final beast, but with everything that is said here and elsewhere about the horn, the killing of the beast seems to be talking about a man.
Vs. 13-14 This would be the coming of Christ at the end of the tribulation.
As a result of verse 13, the Jews had a title for the Messiah, the "Son of Man." Imagine the distress of the religious leaders, when they heard Jesus refer to Himself as the "Son of Man." If you read through the gospels next year underlining "Son of Man," it will give you an idea of how often Jesus used this title. Here are a couple of times Jesus used this title.
Mark 2:10 But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -- he said to the paralytic -- 11 "I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home."
Matthew 26:63 But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his robes, and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy.
Vs. 15-16 Daniel seeks help and is given a very brief summary, with the assurance that God will fulfill His promise to Israel.
Vs. 19-22 Now, some of this seems like a review of what he saw, except for the part of the horn beating up the people of Israel until God put an end to it. Daniel didn't mention it before, but God knew it would catch Daniel's eye. What concerned Daniel was that this king was fighting and beating the "saints" / people of Israel.
Vs. 23-28 Notice that this last kingdom, in the final years before the return of Christ, will have power over the whole earth. Those who stand and survive against this power will be few.
V. 25 What is significant in this description of the Anti-Christ is that he will be given power to kill the followers of Christ, who are mostly Jews, during the tribulation. We will see this when we read the book of Revelation.
V. 27 This is clearly the Millennial Kingdom with the Jews being a witness to the world and Christ reigning. For another prediction of this see Isaiah 55:5.
V. 28 Daniel was distressed because of the damage this king will do to Israel. Revelation explains a little more about this. Those days are still future for Israel, but then full vindication from God.
1 John 1
After reading Paul and Peter, what we'll find in John's letters will fall right in line. John wrote this after many churches were established, probably in the 60s A.D., before the persecution by Nero. What marked this time was the rise of false teaching in the church. God, of course, knew it would come and so He used it as a help for us to see the apostles address the issues. In dealing with the false teaching, John will also express in his unique way, the focus of disciples following Christ in the harvest to keep them on target.
Vs. 1-4 Like the introduction to John's gospel, the focus is immediately on Jesus and His message. See how many things you can find in this introduction that would be caution to the believers to resist false teachers.
V. 4 As with Paul, his joy was in seeing disciples joyfully and faithfully following Christ and making disciples.
Vs. 5-10 This section is definitely aiming at something. Now, even if there weren't false teachers, there would still be the presence of inappropriate lifestyles and the warped rationalizations that supported those in the guise of being OK with God.
Vs. 5-6 We've seen people in Corinth doing all sorts of sin, from immorality to idolatry, justifying it before God. Apparently there were teachers who were not only rationalizing this, but they were promoting it.
V. 7 Notice how this great truth not only rebukes those not honoring Christ in their lives, but it says that as disciples walk, He continually cleanses them from the sin they are constantly committing because they live in this body of death. This led John into the next extreme in teaching.
Vs. 8-10 There is no sinless perfection on this earth, whether we say, "oh that's just the flesh and it doesn't count," or if we say, "I've reached that higher plain of existence."
John and the Spirit didn't have much patience for any opinion that says we don't continually need to ask forgiveness before God.
V. 9 This is forgiveness in the family. When a child or spouse sins, it doesn't mean they are out of the family, it means that until someone says they're sorry, you can pretend that nothing happened. On the basis of the power of what Jesus did, He can justly forgive us and cleanse us as often as we sin. We only need to confess.
V. 10 Again, since this is addressed to Christians, this is not talking about before conversion, but walking with Christ. A disciple will keep a very short, and sensitive, account of his sins and will be talking with God often. It's part of the joy of that closeness with the Lord.
Psalm 119:153-176
Isn't it interesting that David used this sort of pattern to writing this entire psalm. In the first part of the statement he refers to something about his life, but the second part always says something about the Word. He goes out of his way to refer to the Word in different ways, but it is always the same. He couldn't live without being in God's Word in every situation every day and every hour. We need to learn to do the same.
As you read, notice again all of the references to distress or trouble and how the Word helps him.
I've used this song before by Jeremy Camp. Most of the words to the song come from this section of Psalm 119.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dg55eP4zw8
Proverbs 28:23-24
V. 23 I was reading this morning how Jesus strongly cautioned His disciples to avoid the leaven of the Pharisees which was hypocrisy. Immediately afterward He told them not to worry about death or persecution. To live as honestly and transparently as we should for Christ, apparently, could get us into trouble. At least Jesus must have thought so.
V. 24 After reading 1 John 1:10 isn't this a funny "coincidence?"
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send comment or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
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