The Book of Daniel is one of the most interesting in the Bible, mainly for it's combinations of genres. At points, it reads as a narrative, and others as a prophetical book. It flits continually from past to present to future, without much notice at times. But with this, the book provides a rich, vast expanse of lessons for all ages at all times.
The main focus that I took away from the book was the prophecies regarding the end times. This is mainly because I just finished an university course in Revelation, with the Old Testament connection continually being drawn to Daniel. The two tend to touch on many similar prophecies regarding events, or persons/creatures, of the end times.
For example, both books describe a Beast. This similar beast is the first of two in Revelation 13, and the last of four in Daniel 7.
"Then in my vision that night, I saw a fourth beast - terrifying, dreadful, and very strong. It devoured and crushed its victims with huge iron teeth and trampled their remains beneath its feet. It was different from any of the other beasts, and it had ten horns. As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the first horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly." Daniel 7:7-8
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." Revelation 13:1
Both beasts speak great words against God, making war against the saints, gaining more and more power, and then ruling over the nations for 42 months.
The symbolism is massive in these two verses. In Daniel 7, the ten horns on the beast refer to ten Gentile world powers who follow in Satan's footsteps to conquer the world. Three will eventually fall, before the Antichrist, or the little horn, arrives on the scene.
The beast in Revelation is specifically referring to the Antichrist who arrives from the sea of Gentile rulers. He sides with the seven powers who are conquering the world, and continues Satan's mission to overthrow Israel and God.
The good news is that this beast, or the Antichrist, will be destroyed eternally in the lake of fire, or hell. God will remain triumphant through Jesus Christ, and the saints.
The main focus that I took away from the book was the prophecies regarding the end times. This is mainly because I just finished an university course in Revelation, with the Old Testament connection continually being drawn to Daniel. The two tend to touch on many similar prophecies regarding events, or persons/creatures, of the end times.
For example, both books describe a Beast. This similar beast is the first of two in Revelation 13, and the last of four in Daniel 7.
"Then in my vision that night, I saw a fourth beast - terrifying, dreadful, and very strong. It devoured and crushed its victims with huge iron teeth and trampled their remains beneath its feet. It was different from any of the other beasts, and it had ten horns. As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the first horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly." Daniel 7:7-8
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." Revelation 13:1
Both beasts speak great words against God, making war against the saints, gaining more and more power, and then ruling over the nations for 42 months.
The symbolism is massive in these two verses. In Daniel 7, the ten horns on the beast refer to ten Gentile world powers who follow in Satan's footsteps to conquer the world. Three will eventually fall, before the Antichrist, or the little horn, arrives on the scene.
The beast in Revelation is specifically referring to the Antichrist who arrives from the sea of Gentile rulers. He sides with the seven powers who are conquering the world, and continues Satan's mission to overthrow Israel and God.
The good news is that this beast, or the Antichrist, will be destroyed eternally in the lake of fire, or hell. God will remain triumphant through Jesus Christ, and the saints.
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