TIMES OF THE GENTILES PART 5

The third vision is found in verses 9-12.This vision takes place in heaven.In verses 9=10 the vision is of the throne of GOD the FATHER who is described under the title of the Ancient of Days.He is viewed as a judge and the book of judgement is opened.He is surrounded by myriads of angels who will be responsible to carry these judgements out.What is being judged is the fourth Gentile empire verses [11-12].In verse 11 it is the fourth beast,particularly the little horn,that judged and destroyed.As for the other three [verse 12],two things are stated:first there dominion was taken away;and secondly,their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.The exact meaning of this will be discussed under the third passage relating to the times of the Gentiles.The third vision is of God the Father,ready to move out in judgement against the fourth empire.Verses 13-14 contain the fourth vision.It begins with the setting of the kingdom of GOD following the destruction of the fourth Gentile empire.In verse 13 the second coming of Christ is viewed and this is followed by the setting up of the messianic kingdom in verse 14.Having described the four visions which he saw,which present essentially the same overview of the four Gentile empires as was found in Daniel two,he now gives the interpretation in verses 15-27 of Daniel 7.The major emphasis will be upon the fourth empire; 15 My spirit trembled, I Daniel was affrighted at these things, and the visions of my head troubled me. 16 I went near to one of them that stood by, and asked the truth of him concerning all these things, and he told me the interpretation of the words, and instructed me: 17 These four great beasts are four kingdoms, which shall arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the most high God shall take the kingdom: and they shall possess the kingdom for ever and ever. 19 After this I would diligently learn concerning the fourth beast, which was very different from all, and exceeding terrible: his teeth and claws were of iron: he devoured and broke in pieces, and the rest he stamped upon with his feet: 20 And concerning the ten horns that he had on his head: and concerning the other that came up, before which three horns fell: and of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth speaking great things, and was greater than the rest. 21 I beheld, and lo, that horn made war against the saints, and prevailed over them, 22 Till the Ancient of days came and gave judgment to the saints of the most High, and the time came, and the saints obtained the kingdom. 23 And thus he said: The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be greater than all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24 And the ten horns of the same kingdom, shall be ten kings: and another shall rise up after them, and he shall be mightier than the former, and he shall bring down three kings. 25 And he shall speak words against the High One, and shall crush the saints of the most High: and he shall think himself able to change times and laws, and they shall be delivered into his hand until a time, and times, and half a time. 26 And judgment shall sit, that his power may be taken away, and be broken in pieces, and perish even to the end. 27 And that the kingdom, and power, and the greatness of the kingdom, under the whole heaven, may be given to the people of the saints of the most High: whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all kings shall serve him, and shall obey him.After Daniel requests the interpretation in verses 15-16,he is given a summary interpretation in verses 17-18.In verse 17 Daniel is told that these four beast represent four kingdoms.Nevertheless,it is the servants of the Most High who will possess the kingdom ;for whatever will be possessed by the four Gentile empires will be only temporary[verse 18].We will pick up here next time GOD BLESS.