Dreams & Visions
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream in chapter 2
This dream is interpreted for us. 2:39 says "After you, another kingdom will rise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth. Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom." Thus, the dream is about 4 kingdoms (usually interpreted as Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece & Rome). These were the 4 kingdoms that existed b/w the time of the dream and the arrival of Christ. 2:44 says ""In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed." When Jesus came, He came announcing the arrival of that kingdom. Thus the chapter 2 dream covers the time period from Daniel through Christ.
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of a Tree in chapter 4
This dream is also interpreted for us by Daniel. The tree represents Nebuchadnezzar (4:22- "you, O king, are that tree!"). The tree being cut down is interpreted as Nebuchadnezzar being "driven away from people" and living "with the wild animals" for a time, but will be (and was) restored after that time (the fulfillment is documented in the end of the chapter).
Daniel's Dream of Four Beasts in chapter 7
Again, this dream is interpreted for us (this time, apparently, by an angel) and corresponds to Nebuchadnezzar's dream in chapter 2. 7:17 says, "The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth." So this would, again, most likely refer to Babylon/Medo-Persia/Greece/Rome. During the reign of Rome, a new eternal kingdom will begin (this being the kingdom Jesus announced in His ministry). The rest of Daniel 7 gives further detail on the 4th kingdom (Rome).
Daniel's Vision of a Ram and a Goat
The vision here in chapter 8 is also interpreted for us by Gabriel. He says in 8:20, "The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. The shaggy goat is the king of Greece." Thus the dream in chapter 8 is a zoomed up view of the 2nd and 3rd kingdoms of the previous dreams. The dream deals with Alexander the Great (the large horn) and the 4 minor kingdoms which existed in the Greek Empire after his early demise. A later leader of one of these 4 minor kingdoms is described as a "master of intrigue" and is most likely Antiochus IV (since this is still consiidered the 3 Kingdom (Greece).
Revelation of chapter 9
Daniel is given information about the next 490 years for Israel starting with a decree to restore/rebuild Jerusalem and culminating with the arrival of the Annointed One (Jesus).
Daniel was given a revelation of a Man in chapter 10
This revelation frightened him, but was explained 3 weeks later via a vision which helped him to understand the revelation. The 'understanding' is given in Chapter 11. It is specifically about the end of the 2nd kingdom (persia) and the start of the 3rd (Greece). The mighty king (11:3) is, once again, Alexander the Great. Just as in the chapter 8 vision, it explains the 4 minor kingdoms that arise after Alexander's death (north, south, east, west, see 11:4). Only the southern (historically known as the Ptolemies) and the northern (historically known as the Seleucids) kings receive mention (since they were the most significant). Verses 36-45 are the most controversial, but it's preferable not to seperate the kings mentioned therein with a gap of many centuries and thus it is probably still 1st century AD or earlier in mind. Chapter 12 picks up there and either jumps ahead to judgment day OR is referring to AD70 and the spiritual resurrection (being born again). The latter seems to fit the context better, but is avoided by most who prefer to interpret all prophetic passages as being fulfilled in our current circumstances.
This dream is interpreted for us. 2:39 says "After you, another kingdom will rise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth. Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom." Thus, the dream is about 4 kingdoms (usually interpreted as Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece & Rome). These were the 4 kingdoms that existed b/w the time of the dream and the arrival of Christ. 2:44 says ""In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed." When Jesus came, He came announcing the arrival of that kingdom. Thus the chapter 2 dream covers the time period from Daniel through Christ.
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of a Tree in chapter 4
This dream is also interpreted for us by Daniel. The tree represents Nebuchadnezzar (4:22- "you, O king, are that tree!"). The tree being cut down is interpreted as Nebuchadnezzar being "driven away from people" and living "with the wild animals" for a time, but will be (and was) restored after that time (the fulfillment is documented in the end of the chapter).
Daniel's Dream of Four Beasts in chapter 7
Again, this dream is interpreted for us (this time, apparently, by an angel) and corresponds to Nebuchadnezzar's dream in chapter 2. 7:17 says, "The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth." So this would, again, most likely refer to Babylon/Medo-Persia/Greece/Rome. During the reign of Rome, a new eternal kingdom will begin (this being the kingdom Jesus announced in His ministry). The rest of Daniel 7 gives further detail on the 4th kingdom (Rome).
Daniel's Vision of a Ram and a Goat
The vision here in chapter 8 is also interpreted for us by Gabriel. He says in 8:20, "The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. The shaggy goat is the king of Greece." Thus the dream in chapter 8 is a zoomed up view of the 2nd and 3rd kingdoms of the previous dreams. The dream deals with Alexander the Great (the large horn) and the 4 minor kingdoms which existed in the Greek Empire after his early demise. A later leader of one of these 4 minor kingdoms is described as a "master of intrigue" and is most likely Antiochus IV (since this is still consiidered the 3 Kingdom (Greece).
Revelation of chapter 9
Daniel is given information about the next 490 years for Israel starting with a decree to restore/rebuild Jerusalem and culminating with the arrival of the Annointed One (Jesus).
Daniel was given a revelation of a Man in chapter 10
This revelation frightened him, but was explained 3 weeks later via a vision which helped him to understand the revelation. The 'understanding' is given in Chapter 11. It is specifically about the end of the 2nd kingdom (persia) and the start of the 3rd (Greece). The mighty king (11:3) is, once again, Alexander the Great. Just as in the chapter 8 vision, it explains the 4 minor kingdoms that arise after Alexander's death (north, south, east, west, see 11:4). Only the southern (historically known as the Ptolemies) and the northern (historically known as the Seleucids) kings receive mention (since they were the most significant). Verses 36-45 are the most controversial, but it's preferable not to seperate the kings mentioned therein with a gap of many centuries and thus it is probably still 1st century AD or earlier in mind. Chapter 12 picks up there and either jumps ahead to judgment day OR is referring to AD70 and the spiritual resurrection (being born again). The latter seems to fit the context better, but is avoided by most who prefer to interpret all prophetic passages as being fulfilled in our current circumstances.
posted by matthew at 11:29 PM
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