Bible Reading
Daniel 7:1-28 “In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. Daniel declared, 'I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. The first was like a lion and had eagles' wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it. And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, 'Arise, devour much flesh.' After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it. After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. 'These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.' Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom. Thus he said: 'As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces. As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.' Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.”
[25:03]Romans 3:9-18, 23 “What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: 'None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.' ... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
[43:19]Revelation 5:1-6 “Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?' And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, 'Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.' And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”
[53:19]Observation questions
- What details make the fourth beast in Daniel 7 different from the first three beasts, and what happens to it when the court sits in judgment? [35:27]
- What does Daniel’s vision show about the Ancient of Days—His appearance, His throne, those around Him, and the books being opened? [32:55]
- In Romans 3, what areas of human life are described as affected by sin—actions, words, desires, and relationship with God?
- In Revelation 5, what is John told to expect when he hears about the Lion of Judah, and what does he actually see when he looks? [56:31]
Interpretation questions
- Why does Daniel 7 place the terrifying beast’s judgment before the Son of Man receives His everlasting kingdom? What does that order communicate about the outcome of evil powers? [46:02]
- Daniel’s courtroom scene includes all humanity standing before a holy Judge. How does Romans 3 explain why no person can stand before God claiming to have passed the test by personal goodness? [42:27]
- Romans 3 says that God is both just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Why is Jesus’ sacrifice necessary for God to forgive sinners without ignoring sin? [51:41]
- Why is Jesus shown as both the conquering Lion and the slain-but-standing Lamb? How does this shape the way Christians understand strength, victory, and kingship? [57:13]
Application questions
- What temporary kingdom most competes for the heart right now—comfort, money, success, political influence, reputation, entertainment, or something else? What does living for King Jesus look like in that specific area this week? [01:05:06]
- The commandments reach deeper than outward behavior into anger, lust, dishonesty, coveting, and misplaced loves. Which of these exposes a need for honest repentance rather than excuses or comparison with others? [40:40]
- When the future feels unstable or frightening, where does the mind usually go first for security? How could the truth that Jesus already has the victory change a fearful response this week? [46:32]
- Is there any way personal effort has become a substitute for trusting Christ—trying to be “good enough,” religious enough, or put together enough? What would it look like to rest in Christ’s righteousness instead? [50:36]
- Jesus conquers as the Lamb who was slain. How might His sacrificial way challenge the desire to win arguments, protect pride, get even, or always appear strong?
- What is one practical way to live as a citizen of Christ’s everlasting kingdom this week—in the home, at work, at school, online, or in serving someone who needs help? [59:21]
