DANIEL CHAPTER NINE - The Seventy Weeks of Daniel

Biblical Time Line

Daniel's Vision of the Ram and Goat Daniel 8

Daniel's Prayer and Gabriel's Answer Daniel 9

Daniel Comforted by the Angel Daniel 10

Daniel Prophesies Overthrow of Persia Daniel 11

Daniel Prophesies Deliverance for Israel Daniel 12

(Dan 9:3-4 NKJV)
Daniel Prays in Mourning

1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans-- 2 in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books [scrolls] the number of the years [specified] by the word of the LORD through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.  3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

After the death of Belshazzar, Daniel served the concurring king, Darius.

(2) The reference in verse two is of (Jeremiah 25: 11, 12, and 29:10).  God set a period of 70 years (10 X 7 where seven is the number of completion) of exile and desolation.

The wearing of sackcloth (like burlap) and tossing ashes in the air so they cover the body or rolling in ashes are all accepted signs of a Jew in mourning.  Hebrews would also put dirt on their heads during funerals to mourn the dead. (Gen 3:19) see also Neh 9:1; Est 4:1,3,16; Job 2:12; Jonah 3:5-6).

“A mourner cast Ashes (or dust) on his head (II Sam. xiii. 9), or sat (Job ii. 8; Jonah iii. 6) or lay (Esth. iv. 3) or rolled himself (Jer. vi. 26; Ezek. xxvii. 30) in Ashes (or dust). In remembrance that we were created from dust and must return to dust.”[1]

Daniel was offering a prayer of intercession for the exiled people of Israel; because they did not show signs of repentance.  Daniel did not see any hope that the new king would release them.  Daniel, therefore, prays that the Lord would fulfill the prophecy of Jeremiah. Daniel had been in captivity for about 69 years, which would have made his age about 84 and about one year before Cyrus allows the Jews to return to Israel. 

(Dan 9:4-5 NKJV)

4 And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, 5 "we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.

The significance of seventy years.  Seventy years is 7 times ten.  Why is this important?  The seventh day of the week is the Sabbath (day of rest –no work).  The seventh day is holy (Exodus 20:8-10).  The Jewish nation was sent into exile because they turned their backs on God and His laws and worshiped false gods. (Read Jeremiah 52) Therefore, God punishes Israel for their wickedness for seventy years.

Daniel repents not only for himself but also for the nation of Israel, which is evidenced by the word “we”. The Jewish people while in Babylonian captivity continued their evil practices of worshiping false gods, worshiping idols and not keeping Gods laws. 

There are several instances in Scripture where God shows us the result of cohabitation with unbelievers or people of a different belief.  This practice is why God commanded Joshua to kill all the people of Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites. God knew that if any were allowed to live they would draw His people to their gods.   (Deuteronomy 20:16-18)  The apostle Paul warns the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 of the dangers of marrying a person of different faith or no faith at all.

This concept is more important today than ever.  Too many marriages are based in lust and not love. Too many marriages are not centered in Jesus but rather in their own understanding.  Jesus tells us not to lean on our own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

(Dan 9:6-7 NKJV)

6 "Neither have we heeded your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land. 7 "O Lord, righteousness [belongs] to You, but to us shame of face, as [it is] this day--to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You.

The prophet Jeremiah gave the nation of Israel God’s warnings of punishment for their evil ways.  Israel was not persuaded to change its ways and continued to practice evil. “Jeremiah preached from about 628 BC to 586 BC (about 2600 years ago) in Jerusalem. During that time, Babylon took control of Jerusalem. Babylon began taking Jews as captives to Babylon as early as 605 BC and 597 BC. Babylon destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC.

Jeremiah prophesied that the Jews would be scattered from their homeland and persecuted. He also said that God would protect the Jews from total destruction and that they would one day return to their homeland, and that the second Israel would be more impressive than the first. Today, we can see with our own eyes that the Jews have indeed survived widespread persecutions and that they have re-established Israel (in 1948), after 19 centuries of exile and persecutions throughout the world.”[2]

(Dan 9:8-11 NKJV)

8 "O Lord, to us [belongs] shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. 9 "To the Lord our God [belong] mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. 10 "We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets.  11 "Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him.

What is the curse spoken of in verse 11? Read and discuss Leviticus 26:27-33. What covenant is referred to in Lev 26:15? Physical ailments described in Lev 26:16. Curse against the land Lev 26:16 & 29:27. Defeat in battle Lev 26:17. Read and discuss the curses of Deuteronomy 27:15-26.

There are 12 curses:

1 curse for idols.

1 curse dishonoring one’s father.

3 curses pertaining to the law.

4 curses pertaining to sexual immorality.

1 curse for murder.

1 curse for murder for hire.

1 curse for failure to confirm by action.

(Dan 9:12 NKJV)

12 "And He has confirmed His words, which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; for under the whole heaven, such has never been done as what has been done to Jerusalem.

Read Lamentations 1 and draw parallels between Israel/Judah and the United States. Both one nation under God, turned their backs on God, and both have and are suffering because of failure to obey God.  

(Dan 9:13 NKJV)

13 "As [it is] written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth.

A rebuke against the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel must repent before they will be restored. “Jeremiah's prophetic ministry began in 626 B.C. and ended sometime after 586. [2] Jeremiah was sent by God to Israel to seek repentance. (Jeremiah 5:3) Jeremiah, not finding repentance, tells the nation about God’s wrath.  He prophesied the destruction of Israel. 

(Dan 9:14-18 NKJV)

14 "Therefore the LORD has kept the disaster in mind, and brought it upon us; for the LORD our God [is] righteous in all the works which He does, though we have not obeyed His voice.  15 "And now, O Lord our God, who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and made Yourself a name, as [it is] this day--we have sinned, we have done wickedly!  16 "O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people [are] a reproach to all [those] around us.  17 "Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord's sake cause your face to shine on your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18 "O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.

Daniel’s faith was unwavering, and he was favored by God. God had exiled Israel for their idolatry and profaning the Sabbath year. (Leviticus 25: 1-8) Daniel’s prayer was an intercessory prayer.  Daniel was not a priest and was not ordained to offer atonement sacrifices.  However, he prayed in lieu of the sacrifice at the time of the sacrifice for his nation. It is imperative that Christians ask God for mercy on our nation, as Daniel did.  We must ask God to guide our elected leaders in decisions both in their personal and public lives.

(Dan 9:20-21 NKJV)

19 "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.“ 20 Now while I [was] speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God, 21 yes, while I [was] speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.

(20) Gabriel entered before Daniel had finished praying.  God knew what Daniel had in his heart and knew what Daniel was asking. Sometimes Christians get impatient after praying, not realizing perhaps that God could answer. YES! NO! or NOT RIGHT NOW. Like Daniel, we must always pray with the expectation of God’s answer and be prepared to abide by it. (21) I had seen in the vision at the beginning--namely, in the former vision by the river Ulai

(Daniel 8:1 Daniel 8:16 )

The evening offering/sacrifice was not authorized because the Temple was not in Babylon and lay defiled in Jerusalem. 

(Dan 9:22-23 NKJV)

22 And he informed [me], and talked with me, and said, "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. 23 "At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell [you], for you [are] greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision:

 

(22) This time God’s messenger, Gabriel, gives Daniel “the rest of the story.” (23)  There was no delay in God’s response to Daniel’s prayer because He knew what was in Daniel’s heart. Why did God sentence Israel to seventy years of exile and not seventy-seven years? See verse 24 .

(Dan 9:24 NKJV)

24 "Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy.

Seventy weeks, a week having seven days, the symbolic day is one year. (Numbers 14:34)  Seventy times seven would equal 490 years were given to Israel to realize their sin, repent and to seek God’s forgiveness. Here is where the conventional interpretation of seventy weeks is difficult to reconcile. We are dealing with the Julian calendar, not the Gregorian calendar.  The explanation of the Julian calendar versus the Gregorian calendar is covered in the next paragraph.

Is the use of "weeks" as "years" here to confuse us? On the contrary, the biblical (Hebrew) calendar uses 360 days to equal one year.  However, in the Gregorian calendar, we use 365 days in a year, adjusting the calendar every four years (a leap year).  The Hebrew calendar uses a much more complicated means to adjust its calendar. “The calendar is adjusted because a solar year is 365 days long while a lunar year of 12 months is usually 354 days, 11 days shorter. In order to remain aligned with the solar year an extra month is added in certain years, this is a Hebrew leap year.” (Michaels)

God marked time in Genesis one as being governed by the sun and the moon, making a 24 hour day and a 7 day week.  Having said this it makes sense that God would give a prophecy to Daniel showing a week equaling a year.  A time calculation beyond a week has relevance to only us. Peter tells us to the Lord “one day is as a thousand years.” (2Peter 3:8 ESV) Read Leviticus 25 for the source.

“That is, seventy weeks of years, or 490 years, which reckoned from the seventh year of Artaxerxes, coinciding with the 4,256th year of the Julian period, and in the month Nisan, in which Ezra was commissioned to restore the Jewish state and polity [a form or process of civil government or constitution.], (Ezr 7:9-26) will bring us to the month of Nisan of the 4,746th year of the same period, or A.D. 33, the very month and year in which our Lord suffered, and completed the work of our salvation. Lev 25:8; Num 14:34; Eze 4:6”. [4]

God has been dealing with the Jews from the time of the Abrahamic covenant to the time of Paul's commissioning by Jesus, estimated to be between 33 and 36 AD. Paul is commissioned to bring the gospel of Christ to the Gentile nations, thus beginning the church age.  The church age will end when the church is completed or full.

(Dan 9:24-25 NKJV)

25 "Know therefore and understand, [That] from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, [There shall be] seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.

A break in time periods usually means a break in the events.  Therefore, after 7 weeks or 49 years, there is a break of length in the timeline. A week still equals 7 years, so the conversion would be 7 X 7 or 49 years, plus 62 x 7 or 434 years. The rebuilding of Jerusalem began in Cyrus’s first year, who reigned 539—530 BC.  Read Ezra one.

The first remnants of Israel tried to rebuild the city and lay the foundation of the temple. (Isaiah 44:28) Why is there a division in time? Read Ezra 7:1-21. It was not until Nehemiah’s return to Israel that the building of the wall resumed. (Neh 2:4-6) “The return of the exiles to Judah, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem was accomplished in three main stages. The first and main party returns with Zerubbabel 538 BC. They were to rebuild the temple.  A second party returns with Ezra about 80 years later. They make spiritual and religious restoration and reform.

 A third wave returns with Nehemiah in 445 BC. They rebuild the city walls and gates, but not many houses. Notice that this quote does not mention the remnant allowed to leave Babylon by Cyrus.  This remnant was small in numbers because many younger Jews did not have firsthand knowledge of Jerusalem. Their success was limited because of resistance from the Arabs.

When was Nehemiah given permission to return to Judah? Nehemiah pleaded with King Artaxerxes “…in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes…”(Neh 2:1 ESV).  Artaxerxes, king of Persia, reigned from 465 to 425 B.C. The 20^th year would have put the date at 445 B.C. However, it was about one year later that Nehemiah began construction.

“The starting point of the prophecy would have begun on Nisan 1 (March 5), 444 B.C., followed by 69 weeks of 360-day biblical/prophetic years or 173,880 days, and culminated on Nisan 10 (March 30), A.D. 33, the date of Jesus the Messiah's triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Lk 19:28-40).”[3]

Keep in mind the Sabbath is the seventh day of the Jewish week a day set aside by God for man as a day of rest with the stipulation that this day was to be kept holy because God rested on the seventh day.  Considering this it is not a stretch to understand why God’s timetable is in sevens.

Why is this important for us to know?

When prophetic time is broken up into two or more segments, we should research scripture to understand how long and why it was separated in order to better understand whether the prophecy is for the Jew, the Gentile, or both.

A cross reference for 70 weeks in Blue Letter Bible is: “The seventy weeks are here divided into three periods.

1. Seven weeks, or 49 years, for the restoration of Jerusalem.

2. Sixty-two weeks, or 434 years, from that time to the announcement of the Messiah by John the Baptist.

3. One week, or seven years, for the ministry of John and of Christ himself to the crucifixion.” No matter which interpretation you choose, both encompass the rebuilding of the Temple and Jesus’s ministry.[4]

(Dan 9:26 NKJV)

26 "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it [shall be] with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined.

The Messiah would be rejected after 62 weeks. A prediction that Jesus would be crucified (cut off), not for anything He had done but rather for what mankind had done. The people of the prince (Cesar) will come and destroy the city and the Temple. 

The metaphorical use of the word flood here, like that used in Nehemiah 1:8, but with an overflowing flood, he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.  (Nah 1:8 ESV)

(Dan 9:27 NKJV)

27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week [7], and for half of the week [3.5] he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator."

Where in the timeline is the covenant made? Who will bring about the desolation? What is meant by the world consummation? Read Jeremiah 31: 27-40. For more information on this subject, read the commentary by Pastor Larry W. Cockerham. A new covenant between God and Israel.  It is God’s will that Israel would become a nation of priests. Read Isaiah 42:1-6. The intent of this prophecy was to give Israel hope during the reign of Antiochus (an early antichrist). Jeremiah 31:31-34

Read Jeremiah fifty-three. This part of the prophecy not only speaks of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-164 BC) but also “The Antichrist” yet to come. “Both involve two end-time periods. When it comes to the larger picture, these two periods of persecution leading up to the first and second coming of Christ are portrayed in both the exploits of Antiochus IV as well as those of the coming Antichrist.”[5]

“After being humiliated and forced to leave Egypt, Antiochus’s vengeance was quickly turned upon Jerusalem. He killed over eighty thousand men, women, and children and sold forty thousand into slavery (2 Macc. v. 5-14). The holy place was robbed of its treasures and the temple was dedicated to Jupiter Olympus. The temple was defiled by offering a sow upon the altar and scattering its juice over all the sanctuary and vessels. He substituted the Jewish feasts with the drunken revelry of Bacchanalia, forcing the Jews to worship Bacchus, the god of pleasure and wine. The licentious festival of Saturnalia, the worship of Saturn, was also enforced upon the inhabitants. He forbade the reading of the Holy Scriptures and the tradition of circumcision. Throwing them … [remaining words to grouse to pint Maccabees 1:20-28 and 2 Maccabees 5:11-17.”[6]

 

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[1] Morris Jastrow, Jr., Crawford Howell Troy, Marcus Jastow, Lewis Ginzberg, and Kaufmann Kohler. "Ashes." JewishEncyclopedia.com. 2011. Accessed September 27, 2018. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/1944-ashes.

[2] Robert Jamerson, Aaron R. Fausset, and David Brown. "Bible Commentary Critical and Explanatory; Jamieson, Fausset, Brown." Bible Study Tools. 2018. Accessed October 31, 2018. https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/jamieson-fausset-brown/.First published 1871

[3] Staff. "Jeremiah's Prophecies." Samaria, Places in the Bible. Accessed September 28, 2018. http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/jeremiah.htm.

[4] "Daniel 9:1 (ESV) - In the first year of." Blue Letter Bible. Accessed 25 Oct, 2018. https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/dan/9/1/t_corr_859024

[5] Cockerham, Larry W. "Antiochus IV Epiphanes: The Antichrist of the Old Testament." Antiochus IV Epiphanes: The Antichrist of the Old Testament. 2011. Accessed October 26, 2018. http://www.prophecyforum.com/antiochus.html.

[6] Larry W Cockerham. "Antiochus IV Epiphanes: The Antichrist of the Old Testament." Antiochus IV Epiphanes: The Antichrist of the Old Testament. 2011. Accessed October 26, 2018. http://www.prophecyforum.com/antiochus.html.

DANIEL CHAPTER EIGHT - Daniel has a Dream

Bill Fritz

Adult Education

Fellowship Bible Church

Chapter Summary

King Nebuchadnezzar reign 605-652 B.C.

605 BC

Daniel Refuses the King's Portion Daniel 1

604 BC

Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar Dream Daniel 2

585 BC

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Daniel 3

582 BC

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream Daniel 4

582 BC

Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream Daniel 4:19

Evil-Merodach 562-560

Neriglissar 560-556 B.C.

Nabonidus 556-539

Belshazzar 556-539 (seven years)

539 BC
Daniel Interprets Handwriting on the Wall Daniel 5

Babylon falls

539 BC
Daniel Survives the Lions' Den Daniel 6
539 BC

Daniel's Vision of Four Beasts Daniel 7
539 BC

Daniel's Vision of the Ram and Goat Daniel 8
539 BC

Daniel in Susa the Citadel

(Dan 8:1-2 ESV)

1 In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first. 2 And I saw in the vision; and when I saw, I was in Susa the citadel, which is in the province of Elam. And I saw in the vision, and I was at the Ulai canal.

This dream occurred about midpoint in king Belshazzar’s reign in Babylon.

Take a moment and see where these places are in the Middle East in relation to Babylon.

Daniel has a Vision
Dan 8:3-25

3 I raised my eyes and saw, and behold, a ram standing on the bank of the canal. It had two horns, and both horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.

           Remember the horn is a symbol of a ruler, a power, and or authority.  Therefore these two horns represent two rulers one greater than the other.  The larger horn represents the ruler Cyrus who rose in power and influence over Media.  The first and smaller horn represented king Darius of the Medes.  Darius was about sixty-two when he took Babylon (Dan 5:31).  The ram corresponds to the bear which corresponds to the silver torso of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue.

4 I saw the ram charging westward and northward and southward. No beast could stand before him, and there was no one who could rescue from his power. He did as he pleased and became great.

Cyrus the Great conquests - (Dan 8:5 ESV)

5 As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west across the face of the whole earth, without touching the ground. And the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes.

           Alexander the great is depicted by the leopard a swift cunning beast of prey.   How is he pictured in Nebuchadnezzar's statue?  He is the third kingdom pictured as the brass loin covering.  His kingdom was more vast than any before him and yet symbolically of less worth. Alexander moved swiftly and may have come to the Middle East by way of the Mediterranean Sea thereby not touching land.[1]  In Dan 7:6 the description of the leopard does not tell of a horn.

 

(Dan 8:6-7 ESV)

6 He came to the ram with the two horns, which I had seen standing on the bank of the canal, and he ran at him in his powerful wrath. 7 I saw him come close to the ram, and he was enraged against him and struck the ram and broke his two horns. And the ram had no power to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled on him. And there was no one who could rescue the ram from his power.

“Alexander defeats Darius in 334 B.C. in the location of the Ulai River.  Newton contends the wrath of the Greeks stemmed from the invasion of the Persians and their cruelty by the Persians. In 331 B.C. he defeated Darius Codomanus, and in 330 burned Persepolis and completed the conquest of Persia[2].”

[7]        Both ruler’s (Cyrus and Darius) reign were now broken.  The Ram having two horns (two kings Persian and Medes) was the Persian Empire now overthrown by the Leopard (Greece). 

            Remember this is Daniels vision of the future of Darius, Cyrus and the Persian Empire. 

In chapter seven we saw Greece symbolized by a leopard however in chapter 8 we see specifically Alexander symbolized by the single horn of the shaggy-haired goat.  Like Satan (Rev 12:8,9) Persia was defeated and thrown down to the ground.

8 Then the goat became exceedingly great, but when he was strong, the great horn was broken, and instead of it there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.

            “The great horn was broken”, Alexander ruled his kingdom until his death in 323 B.C. in Babylon; Alexander’s kingdom was divided after his death.  The kingdom was divided between four princes “Seleucus, in the east, obtained Syria, Babylonia, Media, &c.; Cassander, in the west, Macedon Thessaly, Greece; PTOLEMY, in the south, Egypt, Cyprus, &c.; Lysimachus, in the north, Thrace, Cappadocia, and the north parts of Asia Minor[3].” (Jamieson, faucet and Brown)

The Rise of the Little Horn (Dan 8:9-10 ESV)

9 Out of one of them came a little horn, which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land. 10 It grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them.

This is not the same symbol of the little horn found in Daniel 7:8.  Where the little horn came up among the other horns.  “like a bear… next I saw…like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back”. (Dan 7:5) We know the leopard symbolizes Alexander and the four heads are symbolic of the four princes to receive Alexander’s kingdom after his death.

            Paraphrasing Daniel 7:7 “The fourth beast …. Terrifying and exceedingly strong.”  The fourth beast is the Roman Empire who Concord all the lands held by the four Grecian rulers and much more in approximately 164B.C.  Returning now to Daniel 8:9 “out of one of the broken horns grew a little horn.”

 [9]       This verse changes the prophecy from the time of Alexander the Great to a time after Dan 8:26.  The little horn grew up out of one of those four kingdoms whose power became exceedingly great towards the South, the North, and the glorious land.  The glorious land, Israel see also Ezekiel 20:6.

            Quoting the Holman Christian Study Bible which may clarify the meaning of the little horn of Daniel 8:9. “as opposed to the little horn that will come from the fourth kingdom (Rome) described in Dan 7:8, a different little horn emerged out of one of the four kingdoms that divided the Greek Empire. This one was Antiochus IV (175-163 b.c.), ruler of the Seleucid dynasty[4], who conquered surrounding areas to the south and to the east but especially dominated the beautiful land of Israel. He brutally trampled and persecuted the Jewish people from 170-164 b.c. Antiochus blasphemously presented himself as the Prince of the host, God Himself (called the Prince of princes in 8:25), stopping daily sacrifice and defiling the holy temple (His sanctuary) in Jerusalem (167 b.c.). He will be successful, but only temporarily.”  (Holman Christian Study Bible HCSB, Dan 8:9-12).

 (Dan 8:11-12 ESV)

11 It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown. 12 And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because of transgression, and it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper.

Antiochus IV elevated himself to the prince of the host, a position held by God.  He was not an antichrist because the Christ had not yet become flesh. Antiochus IV stopped burnt offerings and other Jewish forms of sacrifice offered daily morning and twilight proclaiming himself to be God the Prince of the host. (Exodus 29:38, 39)

After Antiochus IV death, “It took more than two decades of fighting before the Maccabees forced the Seleucids to retreat from the Land of Israel.” (Jewish virtual library)

So in Daniel 8:10 "the host" is used; and again in Daniel 8: 13, where also "give" is used as here for "giving up" for destruction (compare Daniel 11:6 ) [MAURER][5]. “it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper.”  Isaiah also speaks of truth as if it were a person. (Isaiah 59:13-15) The meaning is clear all that is righteous, true, and pure would be cast out of the hearts of men and fall into scorn and forgetfulness.  It will be a time of upheaval where right is wrong, and wrong becomes right.

(Dan 8:13-14 ESV)

13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke, "For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled underfoot?" 14 And he said to me, "For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state."

“2,300 evenings and mornings” figuring evening to morning to be 12 hours and calculating it out the result is 3.19 years and factoring the difference between the Gregorian and Jewish calendar we can be pretty safe in rounding off to 3 years.  Is this the first part of the tribulation? (Dan 8:17)

15 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it. And behold, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. 16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, "Gabriel, make this man understand the vision."

The man commands Gabriel as Gabriel is an arch angle only God could command him.  

Daniel sees Jesus but how could he see Jesus, He was not born yet.  The form of Jesus has not changed since before the beginning of time, He existed with God from eternity. (John 1:1) So, therefore, Jesus is and always was the son of God in human form.  Most Christians believe it was Jesus in the flames with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

17 So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, "Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end."

            What is meant by the time of the end?  from the Hebrew word "ya’ad H3259; properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand):—appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed)"[6].

(Dan 8:18-19 ESV)

18 And when he had spoken to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But he touched me and made me stand up. 19 He said, "Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation, for it refers to the appointed time of the end.

What is the indignation? God’s displeasure against the Jews.  The calamities have an appointed time which means that the time of Israel’s punishment will end, it has an appointed duration.

20 As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia.

            We should now be able to see the cross references between Nebuchadnezzar’s and Daniel’s dreams.  Except for Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statue Daniel’s dreams were comprised of animals which represent countries.  God is still dealing with Israel. Gentiles will not enter the picture until after Jesus is resurrected from the grave.

21 And the goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king.

The first king--Philip was king of Macedon before Alexander, but the latter was the first who, as a generalissimo of Greece, subdued the Persian empire[7].   

22 As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms shall arise from his nation, but not with his power.

            Once again the horn is symbolic imagery of a king, kingdom, or power.  In this case, the single horn broken represents Alexander the greats kingdom which will be divided into four kingdoms.  United we stand divided we fall is a quote that describes this scenario.  The four kingdoms will not be as strong as the one.  Alexander’s kingdom is divided between his four generals.

Compare (Dan 8:23 KJV)

23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

            By all indication this ruler would be skilled in the dark arts understanding secret writings.  The word riddles were translated from the Hebrew word: "chîydâh, khee-daw'; from H2330; a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim:—dark saying (sentence, speech), hard question, proverb, riddle"[8].  This ruler was in league with Satan. “His great power would not be his own but would have a satanic source” (Dan 8:23 HCSB)

24 His power shall be great--but not by his own power; and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints. 25 By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken--but by no human hand.

[24]      This king is thought to have been Antiochus Epiphanes who was by all accounts ruthless, cruel, hated the people of God, and he changed their laws.

[25]      Who is the Prince of princes? Daniel 8:11 indicates that this Prince is the Arch Angle Michael, defender of Israel, who describes Antiochus to Daniel.  Antiochus by all historical accounts lived up Gabriel’s description.  Looking back once again at Nebuchadnezzar’s prophetic statue we will read of how this last king was destroyed not by human hands. (Dan 2:45)

(Dan 8:26-27 ESV)

26 The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now." 27 And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king's business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it.

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[1] Note: In less than twelve years Alexander had conquered his empire

[2] Jamieson, Fausset & Brown. "Commentary on Daniel 7 by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown." Blue Letter Bible. Last Modified 19 Feb, 2000. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/jfb/Dan/Dan_007.cfm

[3] Jamieson, Fausset & Brown. "Commentary on Daniel 7 by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown." Blue Letter Bible. Last Modified 19 Feb, 2000. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/jfb/Dan/Dan_007.cfm

[4] Seleucid ruled over what is now Iran, Iraq, and Saria.

[5] Jamieson, Fausset & Brown. "Commentary on Daniel 7 by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown." Blue Letter Bible. Last Modified 19 Feb, 2000. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/jfb/Dan/Dan_008.cfm

[6] "H3259 - ya`ad - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (ESV)." Blue Letter Bible. Accessed 19 Sep, 2018. https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H3259&t=ESV

[7] Britannica, the Editors of Encyclopedia. "Macedonia." Encyclopedia Britannica. March 29, 2018. Accessed September 19, 2018. https://www.britannica.com/place/Macedonia-ancient-kingdom-Europe.

[8]   "H2330 - chud - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (ESV)." Blue Letter Bible. Accessed 19 Sep, 2018. https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H2330&t=KJV

DANIEL CHAPTER 7 - Prophesy of World Powers

Prophesy of World Powers

Bill Fritz

Adult Education

Fellowship Bible Church

Book of Daniel Time Line Recap

605 BC

Daniel Refuses the King's Portion - Daniel 1

604 BC

Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar Dream - Daniel 2

585 BC

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego - Daniel 3

582 BC

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream - Daniel 4

582 BC

Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream - Daniel 4:19

539 BC

Daniel Interprets Handwriting on the Wall - Daniel 5

539 BC

Daniel Survives the Lions' Den - Daniel 6

539 BC

Daniel has a vision

(Dan 7:1 NKJV[1])

1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head [while] on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts.

As you recall in Chapter five Daniel revealed the interpretation of the writing on the wall which spelled the doom of King Belshazzar.  Shortly thereafter Babylon fell to King Cyrus.

The Dream of Daniel was not jumbled or confused with other images but rather a clear prophetic image of three beasts.  Therefore Daniel had this dream sometime before his interpretation of the writing because the king was killed that very night (Dan 5:30).

The reason for Daniel writing just the main facts are not clear. 

Daniel’s Beastly Dream

(Dan 7:2-3 NKJV)

2 Daniel spoke, saying, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. 3 "And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.

There are many well know theologians who differ in their interpretation of words in verse two.  Dreams, for the most part, are packed with symbolic images.  It is helpful when looking at Daniels dreams to look for the symbolism.  Not all visions in Scripture are explained. 

The four winds come from the four points of the compass which indicates the entire world converging on a central point, Babylon.  The Aramaic word for sea literally is a sea in this case the Mediterranean.  However symbolically the same word might mean the sea of humanity.

The word wind or winds translates from the Aramaic word “ruwach used in the following manner: spirit (8x), wind (2x), mind (1x).” [2]   

The spirits of heaven would be angels or watchers who do the bidding of God. (Hebrews 1:14) We see other instances where a spirit referred to as breath (breath of life Gen 2:7, or wind (comparison in John 3:8).

The word “sea” has a figurative or symbolic meaning as the world, or humanity.  We must remember that this is a dream. Symbolism plays a key role in dreams giving clues as to its interpretation.  This was the case with King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams and also for Daniels dream.  Therefore, thinking along these lines, the sea probably means humanity.  The beasts rose up out of the sea of humanity.

 

The First Beast

(Dan 7:4)

4 "The first [was] like a lion, and had eagle's wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man's heart was given to it.

The first symbol appeared as a lion.  A lion, called the king of the beast because he fears no predator. The lion’s strength and courage establish him at the top of the food chain.

King Nebuchadnezzar was a fearless, ruthless king who conquered many nations.  We have learned that Nebuchadnezzar was like a tree (Dan 4) offering food and shelter for the inhabitants of his kingdom.  We also know he was made like the beasts of the field because of his boasting, and failure to worship the God of heaven.  Therefore it is reasonable to assume that he was the first beast. (see also Jer 4:7)

The Second Beast

(Dan 7:5)

5 "And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and [had] three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: 'Arise, devour much flesh!'

When we picture a bear in our minds, we see a strong creature with powerful jaws and sharp claws.  What does the bear symbolize?  As we recall Nebuchadnezzar’s dream the second kingdom to rise in power is the Persians (silver), ruled by King Cyrus (638 to 333 B.C.).  The Persians were cruel and hungered for power, and riches.  If the lion is at the top of the food chain, then the bear is second to him.  Persia enriched itself on the plunder from the nations they had conquered, much like a bear.  What then of the three ribs in the bear’s jaws?

The Third Beast

(Dan 7:6)

6 "After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.

This strange looking beast is a symbolic representation of a kingdom and its power.

The leopard is smaller than the lion but swifter, attacking it's praying from its place of hiding without warning. The use of animals to depict kingdoms and or their actions is common in scripture.  This form of expression utilized familiar objects, or animals to give those who hear a better understanding. We see the Chaldeans pictured in (Habakkuk 1:6-11).  We also see this type of representation in Johns Revelation.  We will learn later in the chapter the explanation of this strange beast. 

The Fourth Beast

(Dan 7:7-8)

7 "After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It [was] different from all the beasts that [were] before it, and it had ten horns.

Does the 4th beast correspond with the legs of iron?  This vision is explained in Dan 7:19

The iron teeth (an animal’s offensive and defensive weapon) is a picture of hard unyielding strength and supremacy. If we were to compare Revelation 13:1&2 we would see a lot of similarities.  And if we turned to Revelation17:12 we would see the meaning of the horns.

What is the residue referring too?

In Daniel 7:24, we will see the horns described as kings arising from this kingdom. 

Which king and kingdom are being discussed in Daniel 7&8, and is this prophecy talking about Babylon's future, Israel’s future or a future yet to come? Most theologians see this prophecy as the future yet to come with the little horn rising out of the Roman Catholic Papacy.   If this is the case then what about the stone striking at the feet of the statue?  In Daniels revelation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s statue dream (Daniel 2:41), the ten toes were ten kingdoms made of potters clay mixed with iron.  The composition of the splintered Roman Empire (the fourth kingdom) into ten kingdoms whereby some would be strong while others would be weak, was crushed along with the remainder of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue. The huge stone carved out of the mountain which destroyed the statue, believed to be the Christ Jesus.  However, no mention is made of the little horn in Daniel 2.  What then does the little horn mean? We can’t be certain who the 10 kings/kingdoms are which were symbolized by the statues ten toes.  

We can assume that the rock (Jesus) which was carved out of the side of the mountain, destroyed them.  It is not farfetched to believe this mountain was the holy mountain of God (pointing to Jesus as the rock).

Considering all these facts and hypotheses. One can deduce the ten kingdoms will be destroyed sometime between the fall of Rome and the Advent of Jesus.  Because Jesus was crucified before the fall of Rome; the advent must, therefore, be His second advent, when he descends from heaven to establish His millennial kingdom.  In doing so Jesus would establish His kingdom, and there will be no other kingdoms but His.

No consensus could be found on the ten world superpowers believed to be in existence today.   The following seems to fit the parameters: France, Spain, England, Germany, Japan, China, USSR USA, Turkey, and Islam (becoming a world power through propagation)

The Little Horn

(Daniel 7:8)

8 "I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, [were] eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.

This part of the revelation refers to a time after the Messiah ascended.  The horn (king or kingdom) started as being small (small power) but then grew larger (larger more influential in power) than the previous horns (previous four* powers).  After the division of the Roman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire grew in strength and influence; as described in Daniel chapter two.  Many theologians believe this fifth kingdom (the feet and toes) represents the Holy Roman Catholic church, arguably the most powerful kingdom after the fall of the Roman Empire of that time.  This kingdom did not rise to power until long after Calvary. 

We must ask ourselves what significance is the little horn?  The little horn refers to a power not yet matured at the time of the revelation.  The three horns plucked out by their roots represent kingdoms who would be overthrown never to rise again. We know these kingdoms to be Babylon, Greece, and Rome, which were also identified by Nebuchadnezzar’s statue dream.  These kingdoms were of great power defeated never to regain their power (plucked up by the roots).

                We cannot be sure whom the ten toes symbolize the ten kings/kingdoms; this is an instance where we have seen prophecy which has happened and prophesied I believe, we can agree, which has not happened yet but is very close. 

In scripture, eyes represent intelligence, shrewdness or revelation.  These “eyes like [in appearance] the eyes of a man." this could mean the eyes of a real man perhaps a Pope who sees himself as the high priest of God thereby making himself equal to Jesus who is of the order of Melchizedek, and the only high priest of God. 

The mouth that speaks boastfully could also be a Pope or some other world leader all of which speak boastfully.  However, most theologians profess this little horn is the antichrist, the beast of Revelation chapter 13.  Could the reference to eyes and mouth also apply to another power of significant influence? 

The Books are Opened

(Dan 9-10)

9 "I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment [was] white as snow, and the hair of His head [was] like pure wool. His throne [was] a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; 10 A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

Who is the Ancient of Days? (Micha 5:2 ESV, Isiah 9:6)  According to the cited scriptures Jesus was, is and shall be, and therefore He is the Ancient of Days, God Almighty, Jehovah.  (See also Daniel 7:13-14)  There is a lot of symbolism in this verse, which is to be expected in a dream or night vision.

The following segments of verse nine describe a Judge and judgment; but when, and of what, and of whom?  The term seated is the same as a judge in a courtroom.  The judge comes into court and is the first to be seated, signifying that the judge is ready to judge. 

White is symbolic of purity, He was robed in white. The white hair symbolizes His judgments are pure and righteous.  His throne described as a fiery flame is symbolic of His all-consuming wrath.  His judgment is of Babylon initially and then of the ten powers yet not fully known.  The wheels of His throne are symbolic of the swiftness of His judgment. (Malachi 3:5)

Verse ten shows the majesty of Jesus and the authority of the only one who can open the books. 

Daniel’s vision encompasses different time periods.  It is at this point in Daniel’s prophesy we must begin to compare prophecies.  Turning back to Nebuchadnezzar’s statue dream, Jesus (the rock) destroys the four kingdoms as well as the fifth kingdom which is symbolized by the ten toes, of iron and clay, or ten powers or kingdoms yet to come, some stronger than others.

The last sentence of verse ten is a clue giving us some possible answers to our initial question, and a look into our future.  John’s Revelation 20:12 speaks of the books being open. 

The only one who can open the books is Jesus (Revelation 5:5).  Who or what was Jesus to judge?  According to John’s Revelation 6:1; the world would be judged through tribulation brought about by the breaking of the seven seals.  Ending with Satan possibly the last of the ten powers and his dominion being confined for a thousand years.

As we read on we will see the Beasts being judged

 

The Beasts Judged

(Dan 11-12 NKJV)

11 "I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. 12 "As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

It is not hard to believe this is clearly a prophecy of the final judgment when Satan and his followers are cast into the lake of fire. (Rev 19:20)  That is, the three first had passed away not by direct destroying judgments, such as consumed the little horn.  They had continued to exist, but their "dominion was taken away"; whereas the fourth beast shall cease utterly, superseded by Messiah's kingdom.” [2]

What are the rest of the beasts and their dominion?  These beasts or men of influence and power to lure people from Jesus would be cut short during the first three years of the tribulation period. 

Mathew 24:22 & 23 speak of the Great Tribulation and how those days would be cut short else all would perish even the elect.  The angel reveals the fourth beast to Daniel and said to us in verses Daniel 7:23-25.

The Son of Man

(13-14 NKJV)

13 "I was watching in the night visions, And behold, [One] like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, And His kingdom [the one] which shall not be destroyed.

One like the Son of Man is Jesus who stands before the Ancient of Day (the heavenly Father personage of God).  This was the first ascension when Jesus was taken up into the clouds which received Him. (Acts 1:9)

 

  Daniel Help in Understanding

(15-18 NKJV)

 15 "I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within [my] body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 16 "I came near to one of those who stood by and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17 'Those great beasts, which are four, [are] four kings [which] arise out of the earth. 18 'But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.'

The phrase “arise out of the earth” would mean the word earth which is translated from the 'erets beneath the earth or inferior and in Hebrew corresponding to H776; the earth; by implication (figuratively) low:—earth, interior.[3] 

The four kingdoms each inferior to the proceeding king or kingdom; this would refer back to the statue dream of Nebuchadnezzar.  The saints of the most high are all those who acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, who accept Him as Lord of their lives. 

What About the Fourth Beast

(Dan 7:19-22 NKJV)

19 "Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, [with] its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, [which] devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; 20 "and the ten horns that [were] on its head, and the other [horn] which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance [was] greater than his fellows. 21 "I was watching, and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, 22 "until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made [in favor] of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.

The Fourth Beast Revealed

(Dan 7:23-24 NKJV)

23 "Thus he said: 'The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all [other] kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, Trample it and break it in pieces. 24 The ten horns [are] ten kings [Who] shall arise from this kingdom. Also, another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first [ones] and shall subdue three kings. 

We have named the fourth kingdom as being Rome, because of the relevance to Nebuchadnezzar’s statue dream revelation.  What are the ten kingdoms (horns) arising from this kingdom?

“It is out of the fourth kingdom that ten others arise, whatever exterior territory any of them possess (Revelation 13:1, 17:12)[4].’

Fourth Beast Speaks Pompous Words

(Dan 7:25 NKJV)

25 He shall speak [pompous] words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then [the saints] shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.

How are we to recognize the Antichrist of the end of days? 

He will be boastful

He will unite the world

He will want to change Old Testament laws namely sacrifices.

He will intend on changing times (only God can change time). (Dan 2:21)

He will declare that there are no other gods but him, and he will demand worship. 

He will seat himself in the Temple.

He will persecute Christian (saints) still living and shall intend to change times and law

Has there been anyone in history thus far who matches all the above qualifications?

What time and what laws are being spoken of in this statement?  His (the antichrist) intention will be to change the times of sacrifice, by ending sacrifices.   The law referred to here is the law handed down through Moses. (Ezra 7: 6, 10, 12 NKJV) In order to alter or stop the practice of sacrificial law, it must first be observed; this is not the case in present-day Israel.  A logical conclusion might be that this prophecy is not of our future, but rather Israel’s future. 

An alternate conclusion would be Israel will institute the law of sacrifice which means the Temple must once again be rebuilt[5].  There has been a movement to rebuild the temple again for the third time. For a time and times and half a time.  What is meant by this sentence?

It is widely believed this is the time of the tribulation which is divided into two three and a half year period.  The total of this tribulation is 1,260 days.  Turn in your Bibles to Revelation chapter 12, and read Verses 1-17 stopping first at verse 6 then again at verse 14.  According to Revelation 12 time is established as 1,260 days, which is times and times and a halftime.  The logical conclusion is that the time period in Daniel 7:25 is 1,260 days; this is the same time frame given in Revelation 12 to the remnant of Israel to be nurtured.

The Court of Saints

(Dan 7:26-28 NKJV)

26 'But the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy [it] forever. 27 Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.' 28 "This [is] the end of the account. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I kept the matter in my heart."

Bibliography and References

        1.  Robert Bryce, Easy English Bible Study, Daniel 5, https://www.easyenglish.bible/bible-commentary/dan-lbw.htm

        Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, . "Commentary on Daniel 7 by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown." Blue Letter Bible. Last Modified 19 Feb, 2000. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/jfb/Dan/Dan_007.cfm

        3.  Wikepedia.org.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Prideaux_Tregelles

         4.  "H776 - 'erets - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (ESV)." Blue Letter Bible. Accessed 18 Sep, 2018. https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H776&t=ESV   

5. Ibid., H7308

[1]  Weisz, Tuly. "We're Ready to Rebuild the Temple." Breaking Israel News | Latest News. Biblical Perspective. September 09, 2015. Accessed August 18, 2018. https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/19539/ready-rebuild-temple/.

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[1] Unless otherwise specified all Biblical references are taken from the New King James Version -NKJV)

[2] "H7308 - ruwach (Aramaic) - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (NKJV)." Blue Letter Bible. Accessed 18 Sep, 2018. https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H7308&t=NKJV

[3] "H776 - 'erets - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (ESV)." Blue Letter Bible. Accessed 18 Sep, 2018. https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H776&t=ESV

[4] Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, . "Commentary on Daniel 7 by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown." Blue Letter Bible. Last Modified 19 Feb, 2000. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/jfb/Dan/Dan_007.cfm

[5] Weisz, Tuly. "We're Ready to Rebuild the Temple." Breaking Israel News | Latest News. Biblical Perspective. September 09, 2015. Accessed August 18, 2018. https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/19539/ready-rebuild-temple/.