27/03/22 – Daniel 7:9-14
Daniel 7:9 – 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.
I beheld – or “I continued to look” (until the thrones – or kingdoms – were cast down).
the thrones – throne; royal chair; seat of authority or honour; royal dignity, authority and power. Could represent kingdoms, particularly the thrones of the four kingdoms (of the four beasts).
were cast down – rᵉmah
(Aramaic) (cast down; thrown down).
The same word is translated “be cast”
in Daniel 3:11
(And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, [that] he should be cast into
the midst of a burning fiery furnace.)
It is translated “cast”
in “and they brought Daniel, and cast [him] into
the den of lions” (Daniel 6:16). It is a generally violent term.
Some commentaries suggest that this means that the
thrones were placed or put in position, upon which God’s angelic assessors were
to sit, but I think this unlikely.
Ellicott has a different view: that the thrones
(plural) are where the 12 apostles would sit in judgment of the 12 tribes of
Israel (based on Matthew 19:28), also unlikely.
Matthew 19:28 – And Jesus
said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which
have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the
throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve
tribes of Israel.
But this does not appear to be specifically the
judgment of Israel here.
Most logically, though, the thrones would refer to
earthly kingdoms that will be overthrown or cast down before God (the Ancient
of days) sits in judgment as per
Revelation 20:11-12 – 11And I saw a great
white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven
fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the
dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another
book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged
out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. After Armageddon the little horn of the 4th
beast will be dealt with as per Revelation 19:20 – And the beast was taken, and with him
the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them
that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image.
These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Thus, “I beheld (kept on looking) until
these kingdoms were brought to an end (their authority removed; cast down),
that is, a violent end.”
the Ancient of days
– literally a very aged man; one who was ancient in days; a very old-looking
man. It can have the idea of being so old that he literally must be able to
live for ever, thus indicating eternalness.
Barnes says: “The phrase
"Ancient of days" is one that denotes an elderly or old person;
meaning, he who is most ancient as to days, and is equivalent to the French L'Eternel, or English, The Eternal.”
Pulpit says: “The Ancient of days did sit. It is not "the Ancient
of days," but "one ancient in days," that is to say, the phrase
is not appellative, but descriptive. After the thrones of these earlier
kingdoms were cast down, then one appeared like an old man clad in a garment of
snowy whiteness, and the hair of his head as wool. That this is a symbolic
appearance of God is beyond doubt.”
whose
garment [was] white as snow – signifying glory, light and
purity. God is light and dwells in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16). Such light demonstrates God’s
absolute authority and glory, while the whiteness demonstrates His purity.
On the Mount
of Transfiguration, Jesus shone like the sun with clothing as white (leukos = brilliant,
dazzingly white) as the light.
Matthew 17:1-2 – 1And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his
brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain
apart, 2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as
the sun, and his raiment was white (leukos) as the light.
and the hair of his head like the pure wool
– Pure wool here is white. Such pure wool is a symbol of purity from sin; note Isaiah 1:18
– Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord:
though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be
red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (where “as white as snow” is synonymous for “as wool”) This “like the pure
wool”, along with “white as snow”, in Vs 9 above, can only refer
to God Himself who is alone pure and holy.
Jesus is also described using “white like wool” and “as white as snow”.
Revelation 1:14 – His head and [his]
hairs [were] white (leukos) like wool, as white (leukos) as snow; and his eyes [were] as a flame of fire;
his throne [was like] the fiery flame
– God is holy and must oppose sin in every shape and form; thus
His very nature must purify everything in His presence from such unholiness. Fire
is depicted in the Bible as purifying from corruption and sin.
1 Peter 1:7 – That the trial of
your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth,
though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and
glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1 Corinthians 3:13 – Every man’s
work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed
by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
his wheels [as] burning fire
– Ezekiel pictures the living creatures that serve God as resembling wheels of
fire.
Ezekiel 1:13-16 – 13As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance [was]
like burning coals of fire, [and] like the appearance of lamps: it
went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out
of the fire went forth lightning. 14And the living creatures ran and
returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. 15Now as I
beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living
creatures, with his four faces. 16The appearance of the wheels and
their work [was] like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one
likeness: and their appearance and their work [was] as it were a wheel
in the middle of a wheel.
Ezekiel also describes the four creatures as resembling
a lion, a calf, a man and an eagle.
Ezekiel 1:10 – As for the
likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a
lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side;
they four also had the face of an eagle.
John in Revelation gives a similar description of
the four creatures where the “ox” and the “calf” are probably the same
creature.
Revelation 4:6-7 – 6And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like
unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and
round about the throne, [were] four beasts (= living beings) full of
eyes before and behind. 7And the first beast [was] like a
lion, and the second beast like a calf (can be translated “bullock”), and the
third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a
flying eagle.
Daniel 7:10 – 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.
Revelation 5:11 – And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
fiery – fiery; fire. Derived from a word meaning “lamp” or something that shines. The fiery stream came out in front of Him. It has the idea of a stream of fire gushing outwards, noting that God’s throne was like a fiery flame (Vs 9 above).
When Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offered strange fire before the Lord in the desert, God destroyed them with fire.
Leviticus 10:2 – And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.
Hebrews 12:29 – For our God [is] a consuming fire.
Note the fire coming from the mouths of God’s two witnesses in Jerusalem.
Revelation 11:5 – And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
thousand thousands – thousand times thousands, that is, millions (people or angels?) ministered or served Him. Probably angels.
ten thousand – ribbow (Aramaic) (myriad) Can mean ten thousand, but the word literally means “myriad”, or a number so large that it cannot be counted. Its Hebrew equivalent ribbow has been translated as various numbers; note the following:
1 Chronicles 29:7 – And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand (literally “five” and “thousand”) talents and ten thousand (literally “myriad” or ten thousand) drams, and of silver ten thousand (literally “ten” and “thousand”) talents, and of brass eighteen thousand (literally “eight” and “myriad” – = 8+10 thousand – and “thousand”) talents, and one hundred thousand (literally “one hundred” and “thousand”) talents of iron.
As can be seen, ribbow (“myriad”) can be interpreted many ways, but its main idea would be a number so big that it was uncountable, a great or huge amount, innumerable.
The Hebrew ribbow (myriad) derives from rabab (to be or become many; be or become much; be or become great)
Obviously ten thousand would have been a huge number, myriad, in fact, in many
cases.
ten thousand times ten thousand
– or “myriads times myriads” or possibly “myriads upon myriads”, a huge number so great that it couldn’t be counted or
numbered. Actual numbers given could then be a matter of guesswork. Apart from
the million or so ministering to God, there were uncountable myriad numbers
standing before Him. Are they those who belong before God’s throne (such as
angels or the redeemed), or are they awaiting judgment? It does seem more
logical that these are probably angels or similar, as observers of the
judgment, like spectators at a court case.
the judgment was set
– literally “the judgment was seated”, thus God is now
sitting in judgment.
and the books were opened
– Primarily the written accounts of the four beasts’ works (according to the
context here) but would also cover all the works of all mankind without
exception.
One day all mankind will be judged, either
for heaven or hell. Not one shall miss that roll call. “All that the Father
giveth me (for judgment) shall come to
me” (John 6:37) “And this is the
Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I
should lose nothing, but should raise it up again (for judgment) at the last day.” (John 6:39)
For all will be called to judgment and all
will be judged.
John 5:28-29 – 28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all
that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come
forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that
have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Note the great white (brilliantly dazzingly
white) throne of judgment in:
Revelation 20:11-12 – 11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
1 Corinthians 3:13 – Every
man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it
shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort
it is.
Daniel 7:11 – 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.
voice – or “sound”
great – rabrab (Aramaic) It is the same word translated “great things” in Daniel 7:8.
Note also “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies” (Revelation 13:5) speaking of the antichrist.
Thus, “I continued to look (because of the great words of blasphemy being uttered by the horn), I continued to look until that beast was slain, his body destroyed and delivered to the burning fire.”
The beast here is that 4th beast of Daniel 7:7-8 with ten horns among which another little horn grew (representing the antichrist of the end times). The antichrist is slain and his body (either the antichrist’s body, or the members of his kingdom, the final revived Roman empire) is destroyed. I think that means the antichrist is physically destroyed and delivered to the fire as per Revelation 19:20.
Revelation 19:20 – And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Revelation 20:10 – And the devil that deceived them (that is, earth’s nations gathered at Armageddon against Jerusalem) was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Daniel 7:12 – As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
Do they apply to the other three beasts or to the seven remaining horns? Or, if the beast of Vs 11 above is the antichrist, is the original Roman empire one of “the rest of the beasts”? From the context, it must refer to the beasts as they apply to the end times; thus these beasts could be seen as allegorical types of the original 4 beasts or empires. (In the same way, the 7 churches of Revelation 2 & 3 may be seen as the seven types of church to be found throughout the ages, especially as we approach the end times.) Those original empires (Chaldean/Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek and even the original Roman empire) would have been long since defeated, so we must be talking about those who will be there at the time of the final days, when the revived Roman empire returns under the rule of the antichrist. However, while those four beasts clearly represent the four empires (Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greek and Roman), symbolically they could also represent the four winds striving with each other (Daniel 7:2), the conflict of ideologies in the world of today. Thus, not only were they actual kingdoms of the past, but also actual kingdom types (or ideologies) of today. In this way they could be seen as all the others involved in this epic Armageddon battle of the world against God’s people, like many different viewpoints yet all eventually united as one (under the antichrist) against God and His people (and also defeated as one when Christ the Messiah returns to deliver His people).
Note that following their defeat at Armageddon, the beast and his false prophet were cast alive into the lake of fire, while the rest of humanity are to be held in abeyance until the judgment of that great white throne which follows after the millennial reign of Christ. The beast who is cast into the fire in Revelation 19:20 is the leader of the final (revived) stage of that Roman empire represented by the fourth beast of Daniel 7:7-8. However, while the beast (the ruler and representative of that revived Roman empire) is destroyed immediately, the others (those who followed him) will wait a short time (short in terms of eternity, that is) before their judgment.
they had their dominion taken away – They had the authority of their kingdoms taken from them, much, probably the same as Nebuchadnezzar had his taken away for 7 seasons or years. This would refer to Armageddon where Christ defeats all those who dare oppose God and His people.
for a season and time – Not necessarily an exact amount of time, but that time would continue from the destruction of the beast until the final reckoning for the rest of evil mankind at the great white throne of God.
their lives were prolonged for a season and time – Their lives were provided or given to them for a limited amount of time (until the time for their judgment came). The antichrist and his false prophet were destroyed immediately after Armageddon, but the rest (his followers) will wait until they face their Judge at the great white throne.
Daniel 7:13 – 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 continues to relate his dream. The Son of man (Christ the Messiah) came with clouds of heaven as sovereign ruler and judge of nations. (Note Acts 1:9-11: Jesus said He would return in like manner as He had left, in the clouds.)
Revelation 14:14-15 – 14And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the
cloud [one] sat like unto the Son of man,
having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15And
another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat
on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the
time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
Isaiah 63:3-4 – 3I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people [there
was] none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in
my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain
all my raiment. 4For the day of vengeance [is] in mine heart,
and the year of my redeemed is come.
Revelation 19:11-15 – 11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Zechariah 14:1-4 – 1Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 2For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which [is] before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, [and there shall be] a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
Revelation 1:7 – Behold,
he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which
pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.
Zechariah 12:9-10 – 9And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only [son], and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn.
clouds – Some think it refers to the clouds of those following Him into battle (Revelation 19:14) or to physical clouds (Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 14:14-15), possibly both.
Son of man – It is clear from the context that this can only refer here to Christ the Messiah. Of course, the term “son of man” can apply to created man himself as per much of its usage, especially in the OT (eg Psalm 8:4) However in a number of places such as in Numbers 23:19 it certainly refers to Christ. Just about all the occurrences in the NT refer to Christ the Messiah (eg Revelation 1:13; 14:14), with the one exception appearing to be in Hebrews 2:6 (where it actually quotes an OT verse, Psalm 8:4). The term “Son of man” (Ben Adam) used for Christ may derive from Christ being the seed of woman as per Genesis 3:15.
Ancient of days – this term is only used in Daniel, 3 times, all in Aramaic and all in Ch.7 (Vss 9, 13 & 22). It refers to God’s eternal nature. See Vs 9 above.
they brought him near before him – for Christ to take up His position of authority at the right hand of God.
Acts 7:56 – And (Stephen)
said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son
of man standing on the right hand of God.
“they” is either just a figure of speech to say that he was brought before him. “they” could be the same or similar to the “they” of Daniel 4:25 (“That they shall drive thee from men”). It is not really important to know exactly who “they” are, other than probably being heavenly servants of God. It could just as easily be said in Vs 13 above that “he was brought near before him”.
The question is: Who are the “him” and “him”? They would have to refer to (a) “the Son of man” and (b) “the Ancient of days”. Thus the Son of man was brought near before (brought to; presented to; led into the presence of) the Ancient of days.
1 Corinthians 15:24 – Then [cometh] the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
Luke 1:32-33 – 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Effectively this means that in the end, Christ takes over His rightful place on the throne in heaven, being placed on the right hand (of authority) with all creation being subject to Him.
1 Peter 3:22 – Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Hebrews 1:13 – But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Philippians 2:6 – Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Hebrews 1:1-3 – 1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Daniel 7:14 – 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.
serve – pay reverence to. It is similar to “serve” as in “Serve the Lord with fear” as in Psalm 2:11.
Thus, “And there was given to Him dominion
(sovereignty over all creation), and glory (honour; esteem; splendour;
preciousness), and a kingdom (royalty; kingdom authority; kingship), that all
mankind without exception (no-one excluded) should serve (pay reverence to)
Him. His dominion (sovereignty) is everlasting (eternal; shall last for ever);
it will not pass away (it will never be removed; it will never end), and His
kingdom (kingly authority) shall never be destroyed (be ruined); that is, His
kingdom is His forever.”
John 17:4-5 – 4I
have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5And now, O Father, glorify
thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the
world was.
Hebrews 1:8 – But
unto the Son [he saith], Thy throne, O God, [is] for ever and
ever: a sceptre of righteousness [is] the sceptre of thy kingdom.
all peoples, nations and
languages – All / everyone / no-one excluded / all mankind
without exception. as per Nebuchadnezzar’s statements as such.
people, nations, and languages
(Daniel 3:4)
all people, nations, and languages
(Daniel 4:1)
Also note Daniel 5:19.
While past kingdoms may have such great authority
for some time, Christ’s kingdom will have absolute authority forever.
Nebuchadnezzar was given a great kingdom over all
people, nations and languages.
Note Daniel 5:18-19a – 18O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and
majesty, and glory, and honour: 19And for the majesty that he gave
him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him:
In a way Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom was a type of
God’s kingdom, but with one huge difference: God’s kingdom will last forever!
Daniel 2:44 – And in the days of
these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be
destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it
shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for
ever.
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