4.1- Discussion of Daniel 7, verses 15-23
>>> Verses
15, 16: Intense emotion about this fascinating vision, with the subsequent logical
question about its meaning. This, of course, should be also our reaction.
>>> Verses
17, 18: The answer to the question to explain “it all” is surprising because
the answer Daniel receives covers “it all”:
The whole history of the world in two verses. …
Namely: First there will be four kingdoms
that will disappear, and subsequently, the people of God will receive power and
keep it forever. This is the plan of God
with the world we live in: There will
not be any more a nation on earth that will threaten Israel (or the church).
>>>
Verse19-22: Explanation of the fourth - and fifth - kingdom.
In the vision of
Daniel these two kingdoms go from one into the other in a smooth transition.
And this occurs, while there are 1878 years between them. (This is the
difference between the year 1948, the year when Israel officially became a
nation again, and the year 70, the year of the siege of Jerusalem, when the
Jews went into exile). See Rev. 17 verse
12: “The ten horns you saw are ten
kings who have not yet begun to rule, but who will be given authority to
rule as kings for one hour with the beast”. The ten kings in this verse, will arrive after the old Roman Empire
has disappeared, and the Jews have come back from their exile and have returned
to their land. Very difficult times will arise. See Rev. 17 verses 13 and 14: “These ten all have the same purpose, and
they give their power and authority to the beast. They will fight against
the Lamb; but the Lamb, together with his called, chosen, and faithful
followers, will defeat them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings”.
>>> Verse 23:
This fourth beast is different from the ones before. This difference we
must seek in its cruelty: “It will crush
the whole earth and trample it down”, says the bible. This is also because
of its satanic religious dictatorship: see verse 25, where it says that he will
try to change their religious laws
