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THE
PANORAMA OF WORLD HISTORY
(Daniel
7)
…Many of
us would like to know the future, at least in some areas. Did you know that you
can know the future because the Lord has told us about it in His Word. Our __Bible__
is a most amazing book!
…Isaiah, writing
God’s Word, wrote of Cyrus, the King of the Persians, calling him by
__name__,
150 years prior.
He
wrote: (46:9-11) “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none
like me. I make known the __end__ from the beginning, from the ancient
times, what is to come. I say, my purpose will stand and I will do all that I
please…what I have __said__ I will bring about, what I have planned, that
will I do.”
…Daniel
7 is one of the great prophecies of the Bible and the __key__ to the
entire program of God, from Babylon to the eternal state. This is the first of
four visions that Daniel received from the Lord.
TWO
FOCUSES IN DANIEL’S VISION GIVING US THE OVERVIEW OF HISTORY UNTIL THE END OF
TIME.
I.
Nations: The Parade Of
__World__
Empires Until The End Of Time.(vv1-8,15-27)
…Unlike
Daniel 2, the nations here are seen as __animals__. The vision is given
in 553 BC.
A.
The lion with
two wings. (v4) This is Babylon who reigned as the “king of the jungle.” He
had wings which reveal swiftness. Yet, its wings were torn off…perhaps when
Nebuchadnezzar was humbled.
B.
The
__bear__.
(v 5) This is the Medes and Persians who conquered Babylon 539 BC. The bear is
not as fast, but is powerful and ferocious. He is “raised up on one side,” this
points to the Persians. The
three ribs in his mouth are the __nations__ he devoured: Lydia, Babylon
and Egypt.
C. The
Leopard with four wings. (v6) This is
__Greece__.
The wings tell of the absolute swiftness of their victories. Alexander defeated
the Persians in 331 BC. When he died the empire divided into __four__
parts, each part headed by one of his generals. Thus the “4 heads” describing
this beast.
D. The
__terrible__
beast. (vv6ff) This beast was a mongrel, unlike any animal, being composed of
parts of a lion, bear, and leopard. It had large __iron__ teeth and was
more terrifying and more powerful than the other three. This beast startled
Daniel. This beast is __Rome__. They crushed and destroyed their
enemies like none other.
1.
A significant
feature of this 4th empire was the 10 horns found on it. (v10, 20)
This represents the
__nations__
that would rise up in what had been the Roman Empire. “Revised Roman Empire.”
2.
The “little
horn” rises to power and crushes 3 of the other 10 nations. This is the one
called
__Antichrist__.
II.
Individuals: Who Occupy A
Leading Role In The Unfolding Of This History.(vv9-14, 21-27)
A. God
the
__Father__
who is called here, “the Ancient of Days.” (v9) The scene is in heaven. The
setting is a courtroom and God the Father is ready to convene court to finally
judge the sinful and wicked kingdoms of men. With the angels around His throne,
the __books__ are opened. Judgment will come to this fourth kingdom by
the very hand of God through __Jesus__. This will be at His 2nd
Coming. (Rev 19) God pronounces His judgment in favor of His Saints(believers)
and the time to possess the Kingdom of Christ has arrived. (v22)
B. __Jesus__
is seen in heaven. He is called here for the __first__ time, “the son of
man.” (13) This title anticipates Jesus’ coming incarnation. This was the
title Jesus most __often__ gave of Himself. Mark 10:45, “The Son Of Man
did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life…”
…Here
Jesus is given “authority, glory, and sovereign power over all people…and His
dominion will be a lasting one that will never be destroyed. This is what John
saw in Revelation 4-5…Wow!!! This is the beginning of the final world kingdom,
the kingdom of __Christ__. It will last 1000 years.
C. The
__Antichrist__
who is called the “little horn.” He will rise to political power in the old
Roman Empire. He is brilliant. He grossly blasphemes God. He is Satan’s
masterpiece. He will cause great suffering to the Jews, killing many. His last
3 ½ years will make Hitler look like a kitten.
…When
Jesus comes at His 2nd Coming, He will kill this “ incarnation of
evil.” (Rev 19:20)
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1.
The coming Kingdom of Christ is for the saved. You must be born again!
2.
Be encouraged, we are almost at the end.
3.
God has set all the boundaries. Take comfort in that.
4.
If you are saved, you are on the victor side.
5.
God is the final judge of everyone. Live for the Lord. Serve Him in
the day you are able.
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