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#5.
Daniel's Dream.
pp. 177 - 179
Strictly speaking Daniel's dream is recorded in chapter 7: of his prophecy, but
under our heading we must include Nebuchadnezzar's dream recorded in Dan. 2: The
general outline of the latter is fairly generally known by students of the Word, and until
we arrive at the prophecy as a part of our systematic study, the consideration of
controversial features must be deferred. Without therefore going beyond what is actually
written in Dan. 2:, we may say with confidence that at the close of Gentile dominion on
this earth, when it shall have passed through the several phases symbolized by gold,
silver, brass, iron and clay, this dominion shall be suddenly and violently shattered, and
in its place God shall establish a kingdom that shall never be destroyed (see Dan. 2: 44).
Daniel's dream, given in chapter 7:, shows that the setting up of this kingdom takes
place at the second coming of the Lord. Once more we adhere to the one theme before
us, deferring the question as to whether the four beasts are parallel with the metals of
Nebuchadnezzar's image, or whether they have a different time period both for
commencement and for fulfillment. The theme of the second coming is found in
verses 9-14. In these verses we have the apocalypse of the O.T.:--
"I beheld till the thrones were set, and the Ancient of days did sit, Whose garment was
white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery
flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before
Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand
stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened . . . . . I saw in the
night visions, and behold one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and
came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was
given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages
should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away,
and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed" (Dan. 7: 9-14).
Daniel, desiring fuller information concerning the dream, asked one of them that stood
by concerning it. He was told that the saints of the Most High would take the kingdom,
and in answer to a yet closer questioning concerning the fourth beast and the ten horns,
he was told the condition of things that would obtain at the end, when the beast would
blaspheme God, and "wear out the saints of the Most High". This, however, was for a
time; oppression would at length give place to judgment.
"And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole
heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, Whose kingdom is an
everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him" (Dan. 7: 27).
The sphere of the dream, as also of Nebuchadnezzar's is limited to the kingdoms of
this world. It is "under the whole heaven" (vii 27), it fills "the whole earth" (2: 35),
it takes the place of kingdoms ruled by man, and its dominion includes peoples, nations
and languages. A reference to Dan. 3: 4 will show that this was the language of