Inside Track
July 12, 2020

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(Bible references from ESV unless otherwise noted)

Daniel’s Vision of the Four Great Beasts

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. —Daniel 7:1-3

These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. —Daniel 7:17

The First Beast: Babylon

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. —Daniel 7:4

The Second Beast: Medo-Persia

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.” —Daniel 7:5

The Third Beast: Greece

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. —Daniel 7:6

The Fourth Beast: Rome

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. —Daniel 7:7-8

As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them. —Daniel 7:21

As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them… 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. —Daniel 7:21, 25

Truth from 7:1-8:
God is in control over all peoples and nations.

Vision of The Ancient of Days: God

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. —Daniel 7:9-10

The Antichrist is Judged

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. —Daniel 7:11-12

The Father gives authority to the Son

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. —Daniel 7:13-14

Truth from 7:9-28:
God is in control of His Kingdom and will put down all evil.

Big Idea: When things on earth look bleak, take a look from heaven’s perspective.

Study Guide

Our small groups are on their summer schedule. Each week this summer we will be supplying study guide questions for you and your family to process. After you have completed the study guide, decide what next step you plan to take as a result of what you heard and write it down.

  1. Why do you think Daniel’s readers would have been comforted to hear this message of God’s sovereignty? In what ways does it bring hope and comfort to you? Explain.

  2. Discuss the truth from 7:1-8: “God is in control over all people and nations.”

  3. How does this bring you hope and comfort? What other truths and promises can you see and practice from these verses?

  4. Discuss the truth from 7:9-28: “God is in control of His Kingdom & will put down all evil.”

  5. How does this bring hope and comfort? What other truths and promises can you see and practice from these verses?

  6. How can this chapter help us better achieve our church mission to Pursue + Practice?