Daniel’s Dream and Vision

In the 37th year of a 40-year captivity, King Jehoiachin of Israel was released from prison (2 Kings:25:27); and he was treated admirably by the Chaldean King Evilmerodach. Daniel’s dream (chapter 7:1) occurs in the first year of King Belshazzar who is reigning (if our timelines is correct) three years later when the Medes and the Persians overrun Babylon (Daniel 5:30-31).

Daniel 7 – The Dream

Four beasts (v. 3):

• a lion with eagle’s wings (v. 4)
• a bear, raised on one side, with 3 ribs in its mouth (v. 5)
• a leopard with 4 wings and 4 heads and dominion (v. 6).
• a dreadful and terrible beast with iron teeth and 10 horns and an 11th little horn (v. 7-8)
• The Ancient of Days and the Son of Man defeat the beast(s) (v. 9-15).

The meaning:

• 4 beasts are 4 kingdoms
• But the kingdom of God prevails in the end

Daniel 8 – The Vision

• A ram with 2 horns and a goat with 1. (v. 1-14).
• These represent the kingdom of the Medes and Persians (2 horns of the ram) and the kingdom of Greece (Alexander the Great being the single horn) (v. 15-27).

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Nebuchadnezzar’s Image and Dream

Read these two chapters together as they teach the cause and effect relationship between sin and judgment.

Daniel 3 – The Image

• The gold image, 75′ tall and 9′ wide, rose high above the plain of Dura (v. 1).
• The order, given by King Nebuchadnezzar, was that, on cue, all should bow and worship the image which he had erected (v. 2-6). Failure or refusal to bow down would merit immediate death by fire.
• Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did not bow on cue; and their Babylonian adversaries were quick to accuse them to the king (v. 8-12).
• Although given a second opportunity to comply, the three steadfastly refused to dishonor their God (v. 13-18).
• Left with no alternative, the king sentenced them to death by fire; but God delivered them unharmed (v. 19-27).
• King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the power of their God, decreed that none should speak against their God, and promoted the three men of faith (v. 28-30).

Daniel 4 – The Dream

• This is not the first dream that Nebuchadnezzar had, nor is it the first of his dreams that Daniel interpreted for him (v. 1-9).
• The dream about a great tree that was cut down foretold the demise of Nebuchadnezzar (v. 10-26).
• Daniel’s counsel was that the king repent (v. 27).
• But a year later, Nebuchadnezzar was boasting again of his greatness and his accomplishments; and God spoke from heaven and announced the king’s punishment for his pride (v. 28-32).
• When the time of his temporary insanity was over, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the greatness and sovereignty of God (v. 33-37).

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Go ahead. Survey the city.

As we conclude our reading of the book of Ezekiel, let us not forget that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable. What valuable lessons do you see in this chapter?

Ezekiel 48

• The land is to be divided according to God’s reckoning; and not one of God’s elect will be left without an inheritance (v. 1-29).
• In the midst of all the people is to be the holy place of worship, even as it had been in the wilderness (v. 8-22).
• The city and its main gates are measured and accounted for (v. 23-35).

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