Bible Reading
Daniel 7:1-14 “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.”
[33:44]Matthew 26:64 “Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
[50:52]Psalm 2:1-4 “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.”
[42:48]Observation questions
- In Daniel 7, what comes out of the churning sea, and what details make the fourth beast especially frightening? [34:14]
- What does the little horn do and say that reveals its arrogant character? [38:40]
- What changes in the vision when the Ancient of Days takes his seat, and what actions show that heaven is not in chaos? [40:30]
- In Matthew 26:64, what does Jesus say the religious leaders will see, and how does that connect to Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man? [51:52]
Interpretation questions
- Daniel’s beasts represent kingdoms that use power to bring death, disorder, and oppression rather than blessing and life. What makes a kingdom, institution, or leader “beastly” according to the pattern in Daniel 7? [37:28]
- Psalm 2 and Daniel 7 both show rulers opposing God while God remains calmly enthroned. How does God’s calm response reshape the way believers should understand powerful people and frightening events? [42:32]
- Jesus speaks of the Son of Man’s coming in glory while standing before people who are about to condemn him. Why is the cross not a contradiction of Jesus’ authority, but part of his victory over evil powers? [52:43]
- Daniel 7 says that God’s holy people will receive the kingdom, even after suffering under beastly power. What kind of hope does this offer believers who feel ignored, pressured, or defeated by the world around them? [49:02]
Application questions
- What current events, cultural pressures, or personal circumstances most tempt you to believe that chaos is in control? How might the picture of the Ancient of Days seated on his throne change your response this week? [41:57]
- Beastly power demands fear, loyalty, and sometimes even worship. What voices or powers most compete for your deepest allegiance—such as political identity, money, success, comfort, anger, or approval—and how can you recognize when one of them is becoming a master? [55:54]
- In what situations are you most tempted to imitate beastly ways—boasting, controlling, dehumanizing others, using anger, or treating people as obstacles? What would it look like to represent God by bringing life, beauty, and blessing instead? [35:24]
- Jesus has defeated the evil powers, yet their effects still appear in the world. Where do you need courage to live as a person whose loyalty belongs to Christ rather than to fear or violence? [57:12]
- Communion declares that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again. How can this truth shape one concrete decision, conversation, or relationship in your life this week? [57:36]
