Daniel 8:1

Daniel 8:1 says, In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.  The book of Daniel is not chronological, and this vision, like the one in the last chapter, occurred during the reign of Belshazzar.  When this vision occurred, Daniel seemed to be awake and the vision did not come in a dream.  God does indeed speak to us in many different ways.  Matthew Henry says it was most likely during the last year of his reign.  Matthew Henry also says that these events will also occur soon, affecting only the kingdoms of Persia and Greece.  We know that some of God's prophecies are fulfilled quickly, while others are yet to be fulfilled.  Verse two adds, And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.  Daniel states that he saw a vision and that when he saw the vision he was at Shusan palace in the province of Elam, but in the vision he was by the river of Ulai.  This was one of the palaces of Persia, and Daniel was still in Babylon, so he was there spiritually and not physically.  We as followers of Christ are already spiritually in the kingdom of God, but we may never be there physically in this lifetime.  Yet, just as the fulfillment of Daniel's prophecies was or is certain, so is the coming of God's kingdom.  Verse three continues, Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.  Daniel begins to relate his vision.  He saw a ram with two horns, one of which was higher than the other.  This was really nothing all that unusual.  Sometimes God speaks to us through ordinary things, if we are listening to Him.  Verse four states, I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.  Daniel said the ram became great and none could stand against him.  Matthew Henry says this represented the Medes and the Persians, of which the Persians were greater.  Verse five adds, And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.  There is still nothing truly extraordinary about what Daniel saw, other than maybe the fact that the goat didn't touch the ground and had a notable horn.  Matthew Henry says this refers to Alexander the Great and the Grecian empire, which defeated the Persians.  Verse six continues, And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.  Matthew Henry says this refers to the Medes and Persians, who had greater numbers in battle, but were no match for Alexander's army.  Sometimes, victory does not come to the army with the largest number.  Verse seven says, And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.  This is still a reference to Alexander's defeating the Medes and Persians.  Verse eight adds, Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.  Like all the others, Alexander's kingdom, again which Matthew Henry says this refers to, came to an end and was divided into four parts.  He said these were Syria, Egypt, Asia and Greece.  The one message that I am sure that we can get from this is that no earthly kingdom, no matter how powerful, will never last forever.

Daniel 7:24

Daniel 7:24 says, And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.  Though still dealing with this fourth kingdom, Daniel is now told that the ten horns represent ten kings, and the little horn a king who will subdue three kings.  Matthew Henry says that the understanding of what kingdom and kings this represents is not agreed upon, and I believe there may be even more views today.   He then states, "Now I cannot prove either side to be wrong; and therefore, since prophecies sometimes have many fulfillings, and we ought to give scripture its full latitude (in this as in many other controversies),"  As I have said before, I believe that the important thing to realize is that there will be many rulers, or kingdoms, that will oppose Christianity and that before the return of Christ there will be one who is especially brutal to Christians.  We may assign this last kingdom, and even this last ruler, or little horn, to any nation or ruler today who opposes and persecutes Christians, but this should never change our faith in God.  Verse twenty-five adds, And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.  When this last ruler is in power, he will speak boldly against God and wear out the saints.  He will attempt to change laws and customs, especially those relating to the word of God.  I don't believe the changing of times relates to something like daylight savings time, but to the times of the worship of God.  I know a lot of this is already happening in the world today, and it is only going to get worse as we get closer and closer to the return of Christ.  Verse twenty-six continues, But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.  This is what we as followers of Christ need to understand most of all.  Christ is already victorious, and as His followers so are we.  Verse twenty-seven states, And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.  I believe that this will really just be a restoration of the way things were supposed to be from the beginning.  People were supposed to worship and serve God while having communion with Him. When Christ returns, this will be the way it is for the saints, those who have accepted salvation through faith in Christ.  Verse twenty-eight adds, Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.  Daniel said that the matter was settled, but he was still troubled but kept the matter in his heart.  We may not always understand everything about the prophesies of God, but we can be certain of the most important one, and that is that Christ will return victorious.

Daniel 7:19

Daniel 7:19 says, Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;  This fourth beast was different than the others, seemingly being indestructible and very cruel.  Verse twenty adds, And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.  The beast had ten horns, then another horn came up and overcame three of the other horns.  Daniel really wanted to know about the little horn with eyes and a mouth that spoke great things.  Verse twenty-one continues, I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;  Daniel saw the little horn making war against the saints and prevailing.  I believe that Daniel was wondering if God's kingdom was some day going to be defeated.  Until this fourth beast, it had been an earthly kingdom against an earthly kingdom, but now it was an earthly kingdom against the saints of God and the earthly kingdom prevailed.  We can be certain that such a time is coming when there will be all out war by the world against the saints, the followers of Christ, but I do not profess to know when that will occur, but I believe there will be little doubt when it does.  Verse twenty-two states, Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.  Daniel was told that even though it seemed that the little beast had defeated the saints that this was not the case.  This would end when the Ancient of days, God Himself, judges the world at the second coming of Christ.  Then we, as followers of Christ, will truly possess the kingdom.  Verse twenty-three adds, Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.  Daniel was told this fourth kingdom would be different than all the others and would devour the whole earth, treading it down and breaking it into pieces.  I believe that this means that this kingdom will have no concern for the world but will destroy anything and everything to carry out its purpose, especially against the saints of God.  Though we can see where this might seemingly apply to certain countries today, so could the early Christians see it as applying in their day.. 

Daniel 7:15

Daniel 7:15 says, I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.  Daniel had interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dream and the hand writing on the wall for Belshazzar, but his own dreams left him troubled.  I will never claim to understand all of Daniel's dreams and visions, but do know that they represented certain kingdoms that would rule the earth.  The most important point is the coming kingdom of Christ, when all other kingdoms will pass away.  Verse sixteen adds, I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.  Daniel had always relied on God to allow him to interpret God's message, whether in dreams or writing.  We must do the same.  Daniel asked one of those that stood by, an angel, what this dream meant.  We may not have an angel to help us understand God's word, but we have the Holy Spirit, which is even better.  Daniel was given the interpretation.  I believe that we can always rely on God to help us understand His word to us.  Verse seventeen continues, These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.  The great beasts represented four great kings, or kingdoms.  They were earthly kingdoms, and would pass away, as Matthew Henry says, like dust.  We can name four certain kingdoms that this applies to, but I don't believe that is not the main point.  Verse eighteen concludes, But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.  For me, this is what I really need to know.  We, as followers of Christ, will live forever and ever in the kingdom of God when Christ returns.  Earthly kingdoms come and go, but God's kingdom is everlasting.  Daniel then asks for a better understanding of the fourth beast, so we will look at it separately.

Daniel 7:9

Daniel 7:9 says, I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.  Here, Daniel speaks of the coming kingdom of God, which was ushered in by the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  God is referred to as the Ancient of days, sitting in white garment with a throne like flame.  All other thrones, or kingdoms are already defeated, since the coming of Christ, but when Christ returns all will bow down and worship Him.  For some, this will come too late and will result in the judgment of God without the mediation of Christ.  This is why we must be witnessing for Christ today with urgency. Verse ten adds, A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.  As the heavenly host ministers to God, the fiery stream awaits those who have not acknowledged Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Then, the books will be opened.  No one will be sent away unjustly by God, but they will be judged by their actions, if they have not accepted Christ.  Verse eleven continues, I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.  Matthew Henry sees this as an earthly ruler, but I believe that it refers to the defeat of Satan himself.  Satan is the great deceiver behind all those kingdoms that do not acknowledge or even defy God, but he will be sent away to eternal punishment at the second coming.  Verse twelve states, As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.  Matthew Henry sees these other kingdoms as any that came after the Roman or Syrian empires, but this would not be after the books were opened in judgment.  I believe that this means that they have lost all their claim to power and are sent away to everlasting punishment.  Though all that people claim in this life will be destroyed, the soul is eternal.  Verse thirteen adds, I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.  Daniel said he saw One like the Son of Man come in the clouds before the Ancient of Days.  As followers of Christ, He will come before God on our behalf.  Matthew Henry discussed this as referring to the birth or ascension of Christ, but I believe that it refers to the second coming.  Verse fourteen continues, And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.  When Christ came the first time, He came as a lowly carpenter's Son, but when He returns all dominion and glory will be given to Him forever.  Unlike all earthly kingdoms, no matter how powerful, the kingdom of Christ will never pass away.

Daniel 7:1

Daniel 7:1 says, In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.  We are now backing up in time to the first year of Belshazzar's reign.  We are also being told of some of Daniel's dreams and visions.  These are prophetic visions, and as Matthew Henry says they are hard to interpret.  They do point to suffering for God's people and not for the prosperity that many Jews expected to come in this world.  God's kingdom is spiritual and not physical.  The first eight verses speak of the four beasts that Daniel saw in his dreams.  Verse two adds, Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.  Daniel first speaks of the four winds of heaven.  Matthew Henry said these represented kingdoms or those rulers within a kingdom always being at war with each other.  Verse three continues, And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.  After the four winds, Daniel saw four great beasts rising out of the sea.  These beasts were different from one another.  Verse four states, The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.  Matthew Henry says this first beast represented the Chaldeans, who had a heart like a lion and wings like an eagle for a time.  Then, they had their wings plucked and their heart was a man's heart.  Their power went away.  Kingdoms on earth can be powerful for a time, then just lose their power.  Verse five adds, And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.  Matthew Henry says this beast represented the Persian monarchy, which was like a bear and the ribs in its mouth represented kingdoms that were devoured.  This kingdom was not quite as glorious as the Chaldean kingdom but was more brutal.  Verse six continues, After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard,which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.  According to Matthew Henry, this beast represented the Grecian empire, which under Alexander the Great was even larger and more powerful than the empire of Nebuchadnezzar.  Upon the death of Alexander the Great, the kingdom was divided between four rulers.  Verse seven says, After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.   This is unnamed beast is considered by some to represent the Roman empire, which did rule most of the known world and was at times very brutal.  Verse eight adds, I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.  This little horn in this case would be the Turkish empire, which defeated three of the kingdoms within the Roman empire.  Others consider this fourth kingdom to be Syrian, and the horns its ten rulers, with the little horn representing Antiochus Epiphanes, who by whatever means claimed the power of three of the other ten.  This is all according to Matthew Henry.

Daniel 6:24

Daniel 6:24 says, And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.  These were the men who had plotted against Daniel, and in effect against God.  They had wanted to silence Daniel because he had prospered under God's blessing.  Instead of looking to God for this same type blessing, they wanted to silence Daniel and remain true to their gods.  There are people today who will do everything they can to silence those who truly follow and speak for the only true God.  We might think it extreme that the wives and children were thrown into the lion's den as well, but it was a common practice to punish the family along with the guilty in that day.  They were all devoured by the lions, but if there were those who had acknowledged God as their God, they were still delivered to everlasting life.  Verse twenty-five adds, Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.  Darius was once again writing to all people, but this time he was wishing them peace.  He really could not dictate peace though, because only God can bring peace to the world. Verse twenty-six continues, I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.  Though it was better that Darius decree that everyone worship the God of Daniel than that they worship some other God, that did not mean that everyone was suddenly saved.  The only way that we can acknowledge God as our God is individually.  A right relationship with God can only come from a person accepting Christ as Savior and Lord themself.  Darius could not, nor can we, force people to acknowledge God for Who He is.  Verse twenty-seven states, He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.  Darius was correct about Who God is.  God does indeed deliver and rescue us from the power of sin, and by the very order of the universe He works signs and wonders.  In our own lives, though it may not be from the lion's den, we as followers of Christ should be able to see where God has delivered us from bad situations.  Most importantly, we can see where God, through our faith in Christ, has delivered us from the power of sin and death.  Verse twenty-eight adds, So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.  Daniel continued to prosper, even during another reign change.  Kingdoms on earth may change but, if we are followers of Christ, we know that we shall prosper forever, no matter what happens in this life.  We should simply remain true to God, whether we are in the lion's den or are one of the most powerful people in the country.