I was looking for the study on Daniel 7 and found it under Daniel 2 ?!?!

Hope you don't mind me sharing some things--
Daryl has already covered some of the bases, but I think the following will bring in some new thoughts --

There is so much in Daniel 7, a prophetic vision not only of the march of earthly kingdoms through history, but also awe inspiring pictures of activities in heaven, leading us to grand culmination at the end of the 1000 years when through Christ, the saints will inherit the earth.

Four beasts of prey emerge! These beasts are feared in real life, and their symbolic meaning is also to register fear and to warn of aggressive behavior.

Daniel 7:17 tells us what they stand for.

These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
The kings are defined as kingdoms in verse 23. From the wind-driven waves four major powers would arise and seize domination of upon the earth. (They are, as already mentioned, Babylon, Media Persia, Greece, Rome)


Yet one point that is seldom mentioned is that this chapter focuses on dominion ”.


Earthly human dominion :
Daniel 7:6 Dominion was given to the leopard.
Daniel 7:12 the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged
Daniel 7:26 judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion,
Daniel 7:27 And the realm and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given unto the saints.

So we see these beasts of prey striving for dominion like an awful game of “king on the mountain”. Who is the king of the mountain?
Who can acheive dominion over the earth?

<B>Christ's dominion Daniel 7:14

And there was given him [Christ] 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

Dominion is often depicted in the Bible as being over the earth and the sea. God created the heavens, and the earth and the sea and is ruler over them.

At creation God gave Adam "dominion" over the earth (Gen. 1:26) But another stole it from them by enticing them with promises of "being like God" if they disobey God.

In turning from God into disobedience and rebellion against God's commands, they were but paying homage to the prince of disobedience.

Thus the struggle FOR DOMINION --
A struggle in which mankind seeks to be their own gods.

Man seeks to have dominion over the sea and over the earth, and in Daniel 8 the horn reaches up into heaven itself to seek dominion over things pertaining to heavenly things as well.

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New topic created from this and subsequent posts. - Daryl

SOME QUOTES FROM ELLEN WHITE:

"After the earth with its teeming animal and vegetable life had been called into existence, man, the crowning work of the Creator, and the one for whom the beautiful earth had been fitted up, was brought upon the stage of action. To him was given dominion over all that his eye could behold; for "God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over . . . all the earth. . . . So God created man in his own image, . . . male and female created he them. DG 22-23


"After tempting man to sin, Satan claimed the earth as his, and styled himself the prince of this world. Having conformed to his own nature the father and mother of our race, he thought to establish here his empire. He declared that men had chosen him as their sovereign. Through his
control of men, he held dominion over the world. Christ had come to disprove Satan's claim. As the Son of man, Christ would stand loyal to God . Thus it would be shown that Satan had not gained complete control of the human race, and that his claim to the world was false. All who desired deliverance from his power would be set free. The dominion that Adam had lost through sin would be recovered. {DA 114-115}

The fourth beast --

As pointed out earlier, you will notice in Daniel 2 that the iron continues until the very end. Yes, it is in a different form, mixed with clay, divided into ten toes, but still the iron continues to the end.

The fourth beast also continues to the end, also changes form, as ten horns come up and another horn erupts that dominates the other other horns.

Indeed this is the deadliest of the beasts. When pagan Rome gave way to papal Rome, the latter took upon itself not only ecclesiastical power but also political power. The papacy sits in the seat of Rome.


Yes, it received it's deadly wound in 1798, causing it's power to ebb away till in mid 1800's it had practically no political at all. ( (And I'm sorry to see the lesson is rather vague with the time -- prophecy has given us a sure word on these things and just because power does not spring into being or ebb completely away in an instant does not mean that specific events in history cannot mark the crucial point of beginning and end of a time period) )

In Rev. 13 we find that wound will heal and the "beast" gains world wide worship.

It is no secret that the papacy wants primacy over all people -- and thinks it's her God given right to rule the lives of people as the representative of Chrst. She has her ambassadors and men from various "orders" in the governments, schools of education, and other influential places all over the world.

Quote:

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In chapter 13 (verses 1-10 of Revelation ) is described another beast, "like unto a leopard," to which the dragon gave "his power, and his seat, and great authority." This symbol, as most Protestants have believed, represents the papacy, which succeeded to the power and seat and authority once held by the ancient Roman empire. Of the leopardlike beast it is declared: "There was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies. . . . And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." This prophecy, which is nearly identical with the description of the little horn of Daniel 7, unquestionably points to the papacy. {GC 439.1}

"Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." And, says the prophet, "I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death." And again: "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword." The forty and two months are the same as the "time and times and the dividing of time," three years and a half, or 1260 days, of Daniel 7-- the time during which the papal power was to oppress God's people. This period, as stated in preceding chapters, began with the supremacy of the papacy, A.D. 538, and terminated in 1798.

At that time the pope was made captive by the French army, the papal power received its deadly wound, and the prediction was fulfilled, "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity." {GC 439.2}

The infliction of the deadly wound points to the downfall of the papacy in 1798. After this, says the prophet, "his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Paul states plainly that the "man of sin" will continue until the second advent. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8. To the very close of time he will carry forward the work of deception. And the revelator declares, also referring to the papacy: "All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life." Revelation 13:8. In both the Old and the New World, the papacy will receive homage in the honor paid to the Sunday institution, that rests solely upon the authority of the Roman Church . {GC 578.3}

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THE SON OF MAN

And now to the most exciting part of the chapter-- that part which, in my opinion is THE MOST IMPORTANT!!!

We've already seen beasts (political and religious powers) striving for dominion, till finally we see the little horn challenging God Himself, changing His times and laws and persecuting His saints. We hear it speak great blasphemies words (blasphemy is claiming the prerogatives of God for oneself).


BUT THEN (after the 1260 years but before the beasts destruction)
the scene changes from earth, to heaven.
The heavenly court with myriads of heavenly witnesses convenes.


Dan. 7:9 I watched till the thrones were placed, and the Ancient of days did sit, His raiment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool, his throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire. 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.

There's a judgment in heaven!
And notice --
there is a lot of movement. Thrones are placed, the ancient of Days MOVES and SITS --
Many would question the judgement on a basis that they don't think God's throne can move -- but Daniel makes it plain there is MOVEMENT here!


Who is brought before that court?

Is it the horn?
Is it the beasts?

No, it is the SON OF MAN coming in clouds of heaven.
He is presented, brought before, escorted by the angels, to the Ancient of Days.

"They brought him near before Him." (Dan. 7:13)

The Son of Man is brought in to stand before the tribunal.

The gospels clearly identify the SON OF MAN to be Christ!
But WHY is HE brought before the court as the One to be tried?

It's not a co-incidence that Christ is here called THE SON OF MAN.
He is the representative of the human race which lost their dominion of the earth due to sin. He is, as scripture tells us, the second Adam, taking the place of the first Adam who fell. For Christ became human to live as a human in this sinful world, yet in total obedience to God the Father, so He can stand at the head of the human race and win back the lost inheritance.

Will mankind ever have the inheritance God intended for them at creation?

Not in their own strength –
Christ as the representative of the human race goes to stand before the court . He does not come out the way He came in. He comes out as the victor for mankind, of the earth.

The sentence of the tribunal is : "There was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom...Dan. 7:14"

Christ is our representative in that court.
There is nothing we can do to earn back the lost inheritance. It is only as Christ, THE SON OF MAN, our representative, is declared "worthy" of receiving the dominion that we have hope in sharing that inheritence with Him.
To HIM is given the dominion!


"The coming of Christ here described is not His second coming to the earth. He comes to the Ancient of Days in heaven to receive dominion and glory and a kingdom, which will be given Him at the close of His work as a mediator. GC 480"

That sentence also spells the doom of all who have given themselves to treason against Christ’s government.
That is the just outcome-- those who insist on living in treason against Christ's dominion are not to be a part of His kingdom.


This is where Christ confesses the names of HIS “BRETHREN” before the Father and the angel’s --
He confesses the names of those His true followers who will inherit the dominion with Him.

Rev. 3:5 (Jesus says) He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Matt. 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

And only thus, through Christ, does mankind receive the promise of restoration and become co-heirs with Christ of the restored inheritance.

Daniel 7:27 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 everlastin g kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

To round off this study let me share these quotes:

Quote:

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""All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven; as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ, and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life. The Lord declares, by the prophet Isaiah: "I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." Isaiah 43:25. Said Jesus: "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels." "Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven." Revelation 3:5; Matthew 10:32, 33. {GC 483.2}


The deepest interest manifested among men in the decisions of earthly tribunals but faintly represents the interest
evinced in the heavenly courts when the names entered in the book of life come up in review before the Judge of all the earth. The divine Intercessor presents the plea that all who have overcome through faith in His blood be forgiven their transgressions, that they be restored to their Eden home, and crowned as joint heirs with Himself to "the first dominion." GC 483

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Subject name change only. - Daryl

Interesting information.

What would you say is the purpose or focus of this week's study?

Sunday study:
The establishment of God's final kingdom is assured. What assurance do you have that you will be there when it is? What is your assurance based on?
Unquote.

What is my assurance? Jesus Christ!

What is my assurance based on?
God's grace!

In His love

James S

Quote.
What would you say is the purpose or focus of this week's study?
Unquote.

The focus of this week study is to introduce a power that has dominion over men through a man that sits at the head of a denomination, and through his wine, made many people drunk, his dominion would last till the end of the world.

This man thinks to change time and law and speak of blasphemy.

In His love

James

This week's study also introduces the fact there is a judgment that will take place before the end of this world as we know it, however, it only introduces it, as we will be dealing with in in more detail in later lesson studies.

The subject is that Christ wins back the lost inhertance of mankind, as THE SON OF MAN, that is, as man's representative. He is GIVEN the dominion.

And yes, then there is the presentation of the names --
as in Rev. 3:5 -- (He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.)

"Christ presents the plea that all who have overcome through faith in His blood be forgiven their transgressions, that they be restored to their Eden home, and crowned as joint heirs with Himself to "the first dominion." GC 483

It is a chapter that shows the ultimate victory of Christ and all who overcome in His name restored to their Eden home.

We need not fear or be broken by the iron teeth and nails of the beast-- it is he that will be destoryed.



in 1844 Christ, THE SON OF MAN (Who is also the Son of God) but here pictured as the SON OF MAN the representative of mankind, went in before the Ancient of Days in clouds of glory to receive His kingdom and confirm the list of all who would share that kingdom with Him.
The book of life -- contains that list. The names of those Who "walk with Christ in white" and Who "overcome" will be confessed before the Father and the angels, there names will NOT be blotted out, and they will share in Christ's kingdom.

It's a beautiful chapter.

Well, it my week to lead the Sabbath school study and I thought I would post some of my notes. I took much of the historical quotes from Uriah Smith's book "Daniel and Reveltation"

~Ren

2. Dan 7:24 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.
In the rise and development of Arianism early in the fourth century and the challenge it presented to papal supremacy, we find the causes leading to the plucking up of three of the kingdoms of Western Rome by the papal power. Arius, parish priest of the ancient and influential church of Alexandria, promulgated his doctrine to the world, occasioning so fierce a controversy in the Christian church that a general council was called at Nicaea, by the emperor Constantine in A.D. 325, to consider and rule upon its teaching. Arius maintained "that the Son was totally and essentially distinct from the Father; that He was the first and noblest of those beings whom the Father had created out of nothing, the instrument by whose subordinate operation the Almighty Father formed the universe, and therefore inferior to the Father, both in nature and dignity. (**Sounds like Jehovaswitnesses***)" This opinion was condemned by the council, which decreed that Christ was of one and the same substance with the Father. For ages it continued to agitate the Christian world, the Arians everywhere becoming the bitter enemies of the pope and of the Roman Catholic Church. It was evident that the spread of Arianism would check the onward march of Catholicism, and that the possession of Italy and it renowned capital by a people of the Arian persuasion would be fatal to the supremacy of a Catholic bishop. The prophecy, however, had declared that this horn symbolizing the papacy would rise to supreme power, and that in reaching this position it would subdue three kings.
The pope who was thus peremptorily ordered by the Arian emperor not to set foot again upon Italian soil until he had carried out the will of the king, certainly could not hope for much advancement toward any kind of supremacy until that power was taken out of the way.
While the Catholics were thus feeling the restraining power of an Arian king in Italy, they were suffering a violent persecution from the Arian Vandals in Africa. Such was the position of affairs, when, A.D. 533, Justinian entered upon his Vandal and Gothic wars. But a dream appeared to him in which he was bidden "not to shrink from the execution of his design; for by assisting the Christians he would overthrow the power of the Vandals."


3. Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High
Catholic Encylopedia: "The pope alone is deservedly called by the name 'most holy,' because he alone is the vicar of Christ, who is the fountain and source and fullness of all holiness. . . . 'He is likewise the divine monarch and supreme emperor, and king of kings.' . . . Hence the pope is crowned with a triple crown, as king of heaven and of earth and of the lower regions. . . . Moreover the superiority and the power of the Roman Pontiff by no means pertain only to heavenly things, to earthly things, and to things under the earth, but are even over angels, than whom he is greater. . . . So that if it were possible that the angels might err in the faith, or might think contrary to the faith, they could be judged and excommunicated by the pope. . . . For he is of so great dignity and power that he forms one and the same tribunal with Christ. . . .”
Christopher Marcellus, at the fourth session of the fifth Lateran Council in an oration to the Pope, exclaimed: "Thou are the shepherd, thou art the physician, thou art the director, thou art the husbandman; finally, thou art another God on earth."
To none can this apply so well or so fully as to the popes of Rome. They have assumed infallibility, which belongs only to God. They profess to forgive sins, which belongs only to God. They profess to open and shut heaven, which belongs only to God. They profess to be higher than all the kings of the earth, which belongs only to God. And they go beyond God in pretending to loose whole nations from their oath of allegiance to their kings, when such kings do not please them. And they go against God when they give indulgences for sin. This is the worst of all blasphemies."


4. Dan 7:25 and shall wear out the saints of the most High
"Can anyone doubt that this is true of the papacy? The Inquisition, the 'persecutions of the Waldenses;' the ravages of the Duke of Alva; the fires of Smithfield; the tortures at Goa--indeed, the whole history of the papacy may be appealed to in proof that his is applicable to that power. If anything could have 'worn out the saints of the Most High'--could have cut them off from the earth of that evangelical religion would have become extinct, it would have been the persecutions of the papal power. In the year 1208, a crusade was proclaimed by Pope Innocent III against the Waldenses and Albigenses, in which a million of men perished. From the beginning of the order of the Jesuits, in the year 1540, to 1580, nine hundred thousand were destroyed. One hundred and fifty thousand perished by the Inquisition in thirty years. In the Low Countries fifty thousand persons were hanged, beheaded, burned, and buried alive, for the crime of heresy, within the space of thirty-eight years from the edict of Charles V against the Protestants, to the peace of Chateau Cambreses in 1559. Eighteen thousand suffered by the hand of the executioner in the space of five years and a half during the administration of the Duke of Alva. Indeed, the slightest acquaintance with the history of the papacy will convince any one that what is here said of 'making war with the saints' (verse 21), and 'wearing out the saints of the Most High' (verse 25), is strictly applicable to that power, and will accurately describe its history."
That the Church of Rome has shed more innocent blood than any other institution that has ever existed among mankind.
In a letter of Pope Martin V (A.D. 1417-1431), are the following instructions to the King of Poland: " 'Know that the interest of the Holy See, and those of your crown make it a duty to exterminate the Hussites. Remember that these impious persons dare proclaim principles of equality, they maintain that all Christians are brethren, and that God has not given to privileged men the right of ruling nations; they hold that Christ came on earth to abolish slavery; they call the people to liberty, that is, to the annihilation of kings and priests! Whilst there is still time, then, turn your forces against Bohemia; burn, massacre, make deserts everywhere, for nothing could be more agreeable to God, or more useful to the cause of kings, than the extermination of the Hussites.'
Pagan Rome could slay the infants, but spare the mothers; but papal Rome slew both mothers and infants together. No age, no sex, no condition in life, was exempt from her relentless rage.

5. Dan 7:25 …and think to change times and laws
To afford converts from heathenism a substitute for the worship of idols, and thus to promote their nominal acceptance of Christianity, the adoration of images and relics was gradually introduced into the Christian worship. The decree of a general council [SECOND COUNCIL OF NICE, A.D. 787.] finally established this system of idolatry. To complete the sacrilegious work, Rome presumed to expunge from the law of God the second commandment, forbidding image worship, and to divide the tenth commandment, in order to preserve the number. {GC88 51.4}
The spirit of concession to paganism opened the way for a still further disregard of Heaven's authority. Satan tampered with the fourth commandment also, and essayed to set aside the ancient Sabbath, the day which God had blessed and sanctified, [GEN. 2:2, 3.] and in its stead to exalt the festival observed by the heathen as "the venerable day of the sun." This change was not at first attempted openly. In the first centuries the true Sabbath had been kept by all Christians. They were jealous for the honor of God, and, believing that his law is immutable, they zealously guarded the sacredness of its precepts. But with great subtlety, Satan worked through his agents to bring about his object. That the attention of the people might be called to the Sunday, it was made a festival in honor of the resurrection of Christ. Religious services were held upon it; yet it was regarded as a day of recreation, the Sabbath being still sacredly observed. {GC88 52.1}


6. Dan 7:25 …and they (Saint) shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Eze 4:6 And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.
Num 14:34 After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year
The edict of the emperor Justinian, dated A.D. 533, made the bishop of Rome the head of all the churches. But this edict could not go into effect until the Arian Ostrogoths, the last of the three horns that were plucked up to make room for the papacy, were driven from Rome; and this was not accomplished, as already shown, until A.D. 538.
For 538 + 1260 = 1798; and in the year 1798, Berthier, with a French army, entered Rome, proclaimed a republic, took the pope prisoner, and inflicted a deadly wound upon the papacy.


7. Where else is the 1260 year prophecy mentioned?

Rev 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

But who or what are these witnesses? But who or what are these witnesses?
Psa 119:129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
Psa 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
John 5:39 Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify (or bear witness ) of me.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations;

Also, Zec 4:1-6 and 11-14
Sackcloth represents mourning: 2 Sam 3:31, Johnah 3:6-8

It is important to notice the makeup of the beasts. Not simply a lion, but a lion with eagles wings, etc.

Lion -->Jer 4:7, 1o
Eagles Wings --> Habaka 1:6-8
Babylon was a kingdom of great strength, royality, and that under Nebuchadnezzar its conquests were extended with great rapidity.

Bear: Medo-Persia fell short of Babylon in wealth, magnificence, and brilliance. The Persian division of the kingdom, for although it came up last, it attained the higher eminence, becoming a dominant influence in the nation. The three ribs doubtless signify the three provinces of Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt, which were especially oppressed by Medo-Persia.

Lepord: The conquests of Grecia under Alexander had no parallel in ancient times for suddenness and rapidity.

~Ren