THE FOUR BEASTS AND THE SMALL HORN NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S DREAM AND DANIEL’S VISION In this chapter, we find Daniel granted a vision, which was interpreted by the angel himself instead of Daniel interpreting the kings’ dreams. This vision does not need any interpretation because it was explained to Daniel. In general, this vision carries the same meaning of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, as related in the second chapter, but with a different view and some additions. He saw the transfer of the kingdom from the Assyrians to the Babylonians (612 B.C.), from Babylonians to Persians (year 530 B.C.), from Persians to Macedonians (Alexander the Great - year 331 B.C.), and from Macedonians to the Roman Empire which started in the year 63 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar, who symbolizes the ordinary man, saw the great kingdoms of the world represented in the statue of a great man. The statue was made of metal with a head made of bronze. However, Daniel, the spiritual man, saw it represented in four wild hungry beasts talking about the moral issues of the kingdoms of the world. What Nebuchadnezzar saw is the human vision of the four kingdoms, for they focused on wealth, authority, and greatness. However, what Daniel saw represents God’s outlook to those kingdoms, where he sees them all as wild beasts that want to devour one another1. Nebuchadnezzar saw it from a political point of view, whereas Daniel saw it from a spiritual point of view, which is the victory of the kingdom of goodness and the destruction of evil. Nebuchadnezzar saw Christ as a small stone growing little by little, but Daniel saw Him as the glorious Son of Man (13-14) who came to establish His spiritual kingdom in the lives of the people. Nebuchadnezzar did not see the Antichrist, but Daniel saw him as the evil king who will appear at the end of the days. The dream of Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel’s vision were both recorded to benefit the Jewish nation under captivity, the Babylonians and the future generations. However, in this vision, every empire is different from the other, but they all share the same characteristics of violence (four beasts) and irrationality. 1. The history of the vision 1 2. The Great sea 2 3. The first beast: Babylon 3-4 4. The second beast: Medes and Persians 5 5. The third beast: The Greek Empire 6 6. The fourth beast: The Roman Empire 7 7. The small horn 8 8. The Ancient Days 9-12 9. Like the Son of Man 13,14 1 See Clarence Larkin: The Book of Revelation, 1919, p. 111. 147 10. The interpretation of the vision 15-18 11. The kingdom of Antichrist and the kingdom of the saints 19-27 12. Daniel’s worry 28 1. THE HISTORY OF THE VISION “In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts” (1). Daniel was granted this vision during the first year of the reign of King Belshazzar, the last of the Babylonian kings (year 556 - 539 B.C.). From the historical point of view, this chapter comes before chapters five and six, since the timing of this vision was in the year 555 B.C. 2. THE GREAT SEA “Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea” (2). By night, that is, before the Sun of Righteousness shone in this world, in the darkness of the evil world, he saw the Great Sea, which we call now the Mediterranean Sea. 1. The boundary of the four great kingdoms was the Mediterranean Sea, and the capital of the last kingdom was Rome, on its coast, thus it is fit that the four animals appear in it. The sea, in the Bible, is a symbol of nations, peoples, gentiles and tongues. (Rev 17: 15, Lk 21: 25, Is 57: 20). 2. The great sea with its waves refers to the worrisome state or instability. This is a feature that the four kingdoms had in common. The sea is also a state of unrest and anxiety; that is why in the new heaven and the new earth, there is no sea. (Rev 21: 1). Some people think that the term “Great Sea” does not mean the Mediterranean Sea as mentioned in Isaiah 9:1, but it means the dwelling of Satan, who sends his servants to attack God’s kingdom. Some Jews see that the dragon, symbol of Satan, lives in the sea (Is.27:1), and that the watchful Church which works with the mighty hand of God, dries the sea and attacks the dragon. “Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord! Awake as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Are you not the arm that cut Rahab apart, and wounded the serpent? Are you not the One who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; that made the depths of the sea a road for the redeemed to cross over?” (Is 51: 9-10). That is why he sings, saying, “You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters. You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces, and gave him as food to the people inhabiting the wilderness. (Ps 74: 13-14). The four winds of heaven refer to the hidden stewardship of God; the wind refers to the Holy Spirit who works in secret (John 3: 8), for in the Hebrew and Greek languages, “wind” and “spirit” are the same word. The vision that the prophet saw came from heaven, with God’s permission, where God’s Spirit works for the kingdom of heaven. The four winds of heaven were angelic powers, and this is in accordance with what was mentioned in the book of Deuteronomy. “When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries 148 of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel” (Deut 32: 8). The sea covered by bitter waves refers to this world, as the Lord explained about the net cast in the sea (Matt 13). And the Lord was described as the king of all creatures that live in the sea, as mentioned in Psalm 73. Also in Amos, it was said, “And though they hide themselves on top of Carmel, from there I will search and take them; though they hide from My sight at the bottom of the sea, from there I will command the serpent, and it shall bite them” (Amos 9: 3). The four winds of heaven on the great sea are called the “winds of heaven,” for every angel fulfills his obligations within limits1. St. Jerome Probably what is meant by the “four winds of heaven” is that the four empires will be hanging in the winds, which means that these kingdoms have no stability, and no one can change the events that God had declared. 3. THE FIRST BEAST: BABYLON “And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it” (3-4). In verse 17, the four beasts refer to four kings, whereas in verse 23, the four beasts refer to the four kingdoms. It is obvious that each kingdom had its own king. Nebuchadnezzar represented the kingdom of Babylon, while Cyrus represented the kingdom of Persia; Alexander the Great represented the Greek Kingdom (Macedonia), and the beast in Revelation chapter 13 referred to the Roman kingdom. A lion with eagles’ wings represented the Babylonian kingdom; that is, power and the speed of motion distinguish him, for the Babylonian kingdom dominated the whole world in a very short period. In the book of Ezekiel, Babylon was referred to by a flying eagle, which quickly devours its prey. St. Jerome said: [The fact that Babylon had the wings of an eagle refers to the pride of the mighty kingdom and its ruler, as was mentioned in the book of Isaiah, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High” (Is 14: 14). That is why it was written: “If you are elevated like the eagle, I will lower you” (4). As the lion represents the king of the beasts, the eagle represents the king of the birds2.] Daniel saw the wings of the Babylonian kingdom were cut off, which means the kingdom started to decline because it was unable to fly. When one is known by his bravery, it is said that he has a heart of a lion or “lion hearted” like King Richard. Here, we find a lion with a man’s heart. Outwardly, he appears to be like a brave lion among the beasts, but inwardly, he is full of fear like an unarmed man among wild beasts. This is what happened with Babylon during the days of Belshazzar. St. Jerome translates the Aramaic word “aryeh” as a lioness. He said: [The kingdom of Babylon was not called lion but lioness, because of its fierceness and brutality, and moreover because of its indulgence in lusts.] He also said: [The authors of natural history confirm that the lionesses are fiercer than the lions, especially when they 1 PL 25:663A, B; 664 2 PL 25:664. 149 nurse their cubs, and they are very lustful in intercourse1.] St. Hippolytus of Rome said: [When talking about a lioness coming from the sea, it means the kingdom of Babylon, same thing with the head of a golden statue. The wings of the eagle refer to King Nebuchadnezzar who was very boastful of his glory against God. Then, his wings were plucked off, which means that his glory was destroyed, for he was expelled from his kingdom. The words “It was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it” mean that he returned to himself and realized that he was a mere person, giving the glory to God2.] St. Jerome said: [it is obvious that Nebuchadnezzar after losing his kingdom, the power was removed from him, then he returned to his original state and learned not only to be a man instead of a lioness, but to regain his heart whom he had lost. This can be applied to the kingdom of the Chaldeans too, that is, after the killing of Belshazzar, and the Medes and the Persians took over the empire, the Babylonians realized that they were nothing3.] The kings of Babylon were: 1. Nebopolassar is the first to establish the New Kingdom of Babylon after he rebelled against the Assyrians in the North and became independent. In the year 612 B.C., he destroyed Nineveh and burned it. 2. Nebuchadnezzar (606 - 562 B. C.) invaded many places and established the city of Babylon and the temples of Merodach. He also invaded Jerusalem three times (606, 599, 587 B.C.) and during the last invasion he destroyed the temple, which became desolate. The offering of sacrifices ceased during the captivity. 3. Evil-Merodach (562- 560 B.C.) forgave Jehoiachin, the king of Judah. 4. Neriglissar (560 - 556 B.C.) is the brother-in-law of the previous king. 5. Nabonidus, the father of Belshazzar, (556 -539 B. C.), gave up the kingdom to his son and in his days, the Babylonian kingdom was abolished. When Cyrus invaded Babylon, he killed Belshazzar but his father remained outside Babylon and abandoned the political work until his death. 4. THE SECOND BEAST: MEDES AND PERSIA “And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!” (5). The most important features of a bear are power, violence and timidity. It was known that the kingdoms of Medes and Persia did not use any military skills or swift motions to conquer the countries, but with large numbers of army they invaded the countries. In his battle against the Greeks, Ahasuerus fought against 2.5 million men from the allies when his army was composed of about 5 million men. Upon entering a city, they would demolish it because of their multitude and would cause famine because they captured all the food supplies for the needs of the army4. It was raised up on one side, for the kingdom was made up of two nations: the Medes and the Persians. But after a short while, the Persians dominated over the Medes. St. Jerome said that the raising up of the bear on one side meant that although the 1 PL 25:664. 2 Cf. AN Frs., vol. 5. p. 178, 209. 3 PL 25:664C. 4 Clarence Larkin: The Book of Revelatien, 1919, p. 109. 150 Persian Kingdom was very fierce with other nations, yet it was gentle with the Jews. It treated them differently from the other nations, that is why the kingdom was raised on one side1. The three ribs between the bear’s teeth are the main Babylonian cities: Babylon, Ecbatana and Borsippa. The army of Cyrus invaded these cities. They may be also referred to the kingdoms of Lydia, Babylon and Egypt2. However, St. Hippolytus of Rome said that the ribs referred to three nations: Medes, Persians, and Babylon3, where they all met under the Persian Empire. The kings of Persia were: A. Cyrus II (559 - 530 B.C.): Isaiah the prophet called him “the anointed of the Lord” because he forgave the Jews and issued a decree for their return from the captivity of Babylon during the era of Zorobabel, when Cyrus gave him permission to rebuild the temple and restore all its vessels, which Nebuchadnezzar had stolen. Cyrus started his reign in the northern part in the year 559 B.C., and he was able to add Babylon, which was in the southern part, in the year 539 B.C. when he killed Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon who had invaded many places in the Arab island. B. Cambyses (530 - 522 B.C.). C. Pseudo-Smerdis (522 B.C.). D. Darius I (522 -486 B.C.). E. Xerxes I (486-465)B.C. ), the book of Esther. F. Artaxerxes I (465 - 424 B.C.), the book of Nehemiah. G. Xerxes II (424 - 423 B.C.). H. Darius II (423 - 404 B.C.). I. Artaxerxes II (404 - 359 B.C.). J. Artaxerxes III (359/8 – 338/7 B.C.). K. Arses (338/7 – 336/5 B.C.). L.Darius III (337/6 – 336/5 B.C.). 5. THE THIRD BEAST: THE GREEK EMPIRE “After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it” (6). The leopard is normally smaller than the lion, but the one referred to in this verse is bigger because he has four wings and four heads. The Greek Empire was less greater than the Babylonian Empire, like the leopard being smaller than the lion, however, Alexander the Great was more swift than the Babylonian emperors, that is why the leopard had four wings to allow him to fly in the four directions of the world. The four wings refer to the multiplied speed and victory, for in ten years, Alexander the Great, the founder of the Greek Empire, in the year 333 B.C. conquered all the Persian kingdom and dominated the entire world, including Egypt and Palestine4. The four heads refer to the four divisions of the kingdom after the death of Alexander the Great at the age of 34 years old. His four leaders were Seleucus, king of Syria, Ptolemy, 1 PL 25:665. 2 Ibid 109. 3 AN Frs., vol. 5. p. 178-9. 4 Clarence Larkin, p. 110. 151 king of Egypt, Israel and Palestine, the leader Macedonia, and the leader of Thrace. St. Jerome said: [The victory of Alexander the Great was so fast, for he conquered all the way from the Illyricum to the Adriatic Sea, to the Indian Ocean and the Ganges River. He did not only enter these battles, but he mightily conquered and in four years ruled over all Asia and part of Europe1.] In spite of his genius and military ability, we must not forget that all the authority he was given came from God. St. Jerome said: [He was given authority; this statement reveals that the greatness of the empire was not due to his bravery but to the will of God2.] 6. THE FOURTH BEAST: THE ROMAN EMPIRE This chapter mentioned the Roman Empire, which was symbolized by a beast that Daniel could not compare to any existing beast. Nothing could be more violent and brutal than this empire. St. Jerome said: [In the previous animals we saw different symbols for terror, but in this case all kinds of terror were found in one animal3.] [This is probably to show how terrifying the animal was, to demonstrate how fierce the Romans were; they were like a wild animal that crushed all the rest. Indeed, the Romans tortured the Gentiles and submitted them to slavery and taxes4.] The Roman Empire was established in the year 63 B.C., and was extended until it occupied both kingdoms of Babylon and Persia as well as Egypt in the year 47 B.C. “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns” (7). This beast, dreadful, terrible, and exceedingly strong, was much stronger than all the other beasts. It had huge iron teeth and brass toes (the Septuagint). This description corresponds to the feet of the statue, which Nebuchadnezzar had seen, some were iron and some were pottery (Dan 2: 33). St. Hippolytus of Rome said that the toes, made of iron and pottery, correspond to the ten horns of the beast, which represent the ten kings of this kingdom5. This beast was dreadful, terrible and very strong, a description which could not fit any of the previous kings. For instance, Alexander the Great conquered most of the countries of the world, yet his desire was to be famous and not to dominate. When his dreams were fulfilled, he granted freedom to all the countries under his dominion. The Romans however, dominated the world and became harsh rulers; they subdued Asia Minor, Syria, Cecilia, Greece, Macedonia, Spain, Wales, and some parts of Germany. All the countries of the Mediterranean, including Egypt, submitted to the Romans, for they submitted to the taxes imposed by them as well as to their laws. The Romans left some rulers in Asia Minor, but these were spies for them. Julius Caesar was the first to enter Great Britain after subduing Wales that is why the book of Daniel called the Roman Empire dreadful and very strong beast. 1 PL 25:666. 2 PL 25:666. 3 PL 25:666. 4 PL 25:666. 5 AN Frs., vol. 5. p. 178. 152 “It had huge iron teeth,” which symbolized its fierce attacks and its strong greed. The best crops of the world and all its resources were transferred to Rome, yet the Romans were not satisfied. The Roman Empire never cared about the needs of the colonies but on the contrary, it crushed them. The emperors used to send ambassadors to the colonies with the excuse of keeping their security, but their main goal was spying and transferring all the valuable things to Rome. Some critics think that this beast refer to the Selecusians, and its ten heads refer to: Seleucus I, Antiochus Soter, Antiochus II, Seleucus II, Seleucus III, Antiochus III, Seleucus IV, Heliodorus, Ptolemy VI, Demetrius, and the strong horn is Antiochus Epiphanes who crushed the last three kings. However, the correct opinion is that the fourth beast refers to the Roman Empire. He is a different beast because the Romans did not impose their culture on their colonies. Their concern was military power and tax collection. Their empire was characterized by its administration and by leaving each country with its own culture. Some scholars say that the ten horns refer to the ten periods of the Romans persecution. Others see that they represent kingdoms, which will exist during the second stage of history1. Some Jews think that it means ten kings will rule Rome, but it is obvious that the number 10 in the Holy Bible means abundance. The Roman emperors appointed governors over the colonies, one over Syria, another over Macedonia, and another over Spain, etc. Those governors had rights like the kings. They could do whatever they liked but they had to submit to the emperor, whom they considered as a god, and had to obey his laws. 7. THE SMALL HORN “I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words” (8). Porphyry thinks that the small horn, which appeared after the ten horns, was Antiochus Epiphanes, and that the three horns which were plucked out of the ten were Ptolemy VI (Philometer), Ptolemy VII (Euergetes) and Artaraxias the king of Armenia. St. Jerome refuted that by saying that some Christian critics said that the small horn was Satan or the devil or the son of perdition who dared to sit in the temple of God making himself like God (2 Thess 2) 2. He also said that it would be impossible to say that the small horn was Antiochus whom Judas Maccabaeus had conquered for how could he say that Judas will be coming on the clouds as the son of man and that he comes before the “Ancient of Days” (13) How can he grant authority and royal power and that all nations and tribes worship him and that his dominion is everlasting3 (14) If he refers to Maccabaeus, then let those who defend him explain how can the kingdom of the Maccabees have the characteristic of continuity4. John Calvin mentioned that some had thought that the small horn was the Pope of . 1 منشو ا رت النفیر: د ا رسات في الكتاب المقدس، ج 4، ص 344 2 PL 25:667A-668. 3 PL 25:670-671. 4 PL 25:671. 153 Rome or the appearance of the Turks. But this opinion was refuted1. He also mentioned that the small horn might have been Julius Caesar or any other Caesar like Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero or others. The senate shared the authority of the Caesars to limit it that is why they were compared to the small horn2. Since the visions and the prophecies revealed the coming of the Lord Jesus to establish His spiritual kingdom and abolish the violence from the hearts, the devil started attacking the believers. This attack becomes very apparent day after day and it will be especially more evident when the Antichrist will come. Daniel prophesied about this when he mentioned the small horn; also the Lord Jesus Christ talked about it in his teaching about the end of the world (Matt 24). St. Paul also made reference to it (2 Thess.3: 2), as well as St. John the Beloved. (Rev 13). The small horn symbolizes the Antichrist. This was mentioned in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament. (Matt 24, 2 Thess.2: 2-8, Dan 7) to emphasize that although the Church will be surrounded by many tribulations, especially in the last days, yet the end result is the victory of the divine plan for the Kingdom of God. If Satan and all his powers attack the kingdom, still the saints will reign with God, not on earth but in heaven. What is written here concerning the Antichrist is identical to what is mentioned in the New Testament. The characteristics of the small horn were: A. A little one, mysterious and violent (8), he suddenly appears and conquers kingdoms and establishes a kingdom which resist the Church of God (25) and he terrifies all (28). B. He is like another king who has the power of Satan and makes himself god. (8, Rev 13: 2, 2 Thess 2: 9). C. He conquers three kings (8,24). D. He is very smart and knows how to plan for he has many eyes. E. He blasphemes and resists God. F. He looks exciting (20). G. His kingdom is temporary for a time and two times and a half time; he thinks that he can conquer the kingdom of God and can change times (25), as if he does not know about the divine plan, which conquers all evil. H. The secret of the victory is the advent of the Lord Jesus: 1. His first advent was when He destroyed the devil by His cross. 2. His second advent will be to reign with the saints in heaven after conquering the Antichrist. 3. The coming of the Lord in the heart is to conquer the kingdom of evil inside us. 8. THE OF TIMES “I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened” (9- 10). 1 John Calvin: A Commentary on Daniel, 1986, vol. 2, Oxford, p. 26. 2 Ibid 27. 154 After talking about the four empires, which ended by the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to establish His kingdom in the hearts, Daniel talked about condemning those wicked empires. He saw the eternal God sitting on the throne and He had dethroned all the empires with their authorities, though He had prolonged their lives for a season and a time (12). He states that God is the Judge, whom he calls the “Ancient of Days” to assure that all the past events are not overlooked. He is the eternal Judge, but because He is patient, He waits for the appropriate time. Since He created us, He offers us many opportunities to enjoy His mercies. Since the beginning of our fall, He awaits our return, but the time will come when He will sit on the seat of judgment to judge according to His justice and righteousness. Some see in the term “thrones were put in place,” in Hebrew means that the thrones of kings were removed so that the King of kings alone will judge. Others see in this term that God will sit on His throne surrounded by the heavenly saints and they will rejoice the victory of the believers and the destruction of Satan and his followers. Probably the thrones here refer to what the Lord Jesus promised His disciples that they would judge the twelve tribes of Israel. God the Almighty will judge all human beings, and the victorious righteous will judge the wicked who will have no excuse. They will be rebuked by the righteousness of their follow-servants who lived with them in this world. The attributes of God the Judge here correspond to what is mentioned in the Revelation (Rev 1: 1-4 etc.). The Lord Jesus said that He is the Judge of the Gentiles (Matt 25: 31-46). When a man approaches his end, he becomes in more dignity; but God is the eternal, Ancient of Times and the oldest of all things1. St. Clement of Alexandria] No doubt the man who is judged will be desperate, but when God sits on His throne to bestow on him a reward, then this is a happy man2. God’s judgment subdues pride that is why the Roman Empire will be destroyed, for it is the horn that utters lofty words3] St. Jerome When Daniel described God’s judgment, He appeared sitting, and he made reference to the books which were opened (Dan 7: 10). No doubt that these books contained people’s sins. We are the ones who write these books, which will judge us on the Last Day4.] Origen No one can see God, but He declares Himself to us according to our ability and in a manner that will edify us. Here the revelation presents the conflict between the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ with His saints and the kingdom of the Antichrist. God appeared in a white robe, white like snow, and his hair like pure wool. The white color refers to purity and the heavenly life. Our weapon in the battle is our enjoyment of the heavenly 1 Paed. 3:3. 2 On Ps. hom.. 26. 3 PL 25:669D. 4 In Gen. hom. 13:4. 155 life, lifting our hearts to heaven and being occupied with our eternal life and keeping oneself pure. Talking about the fiery inflamed throne and the chariots mean that our depths are changed to a spiritual throne inflamed with the fire of the divine love, with no laziness or negligence but with inflamed spirits like the Cherubim. In front of Him flows a river, which quenches our thirst, not with water but with holy fire, thus changing our depths to a Paradise carrying the fruits of the inflamed spirit. If the Antichrist is scary and dreadful, yet the children of God, in whom the heavenly river flows, become so powerful that the devil before them cannot stand! Then, he declares that innumerable heavenly hosts, thousands and ten thousands, desire to serve Him. The heavenly hosts along with the believers stand before Him. The believers have the following traits: * Heavenly thoughts and purity. * The fire of love and the inflamed zeal. * The fire of the daring heart, which never fails. * They stand in countless numbers. Origen mentioned the Book of Life in a singular form. Also St. John the Beloved said the same thing in the Revelation (Rev 3: 7, 5: 1-5). Moses, too, said the same thing: “Yet now, if You will forgive their sin, but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your Book which You have written” (Ex 32: 32). However, the plural form was used to refer to the books, which track those who are kept for eternal judgment1. The closed books will show an accountability of all our performances, every word or thought or even any idle word (Matt 12: 36). Some people think that there are real books in heaven in which our sins are recorded; however these books are symbol of our conscious that will be revealed on that Day, and each one will realize what he has done to himself2.] St. Jerome The conscious of people and their deeds, whether good or evil, are revealed before everyone on that Day. One of these books is the Book of Life, which contains the names of the living, while the other is the book of evil, which the accuser holds in his hands, this one wants to revenge and how cunning he is, we read of him being the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night (Rev 12: 10). This is the earthly book about which the prophet Jeremiah said, “shall be written in the earth” (Jer 17: 13) 3. St. Jerome 9. ONE LOOKS LIKE THE SON OF MAN “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then 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 the one which shall not be destroyed” (13-14). 1 Comm. on John, book 5,7. 2 On On Ps. hom. 14. 3 PL 25:669D. 156 He comes to reign forever, where the saints enjoy fellowship of glory with Him. Tertullian, in his debate with the Jews, clarified that Daniel had prophesied that there are two comings for the Lord Jesus. First, He comes as a small rock, which knocks down the statue of temporal kingdoms, He comes incarnated emptying Himself, however in His Second Coming, He will come on the clouds in His heavenly royal glory1 He is the Son of God, He is the Word of the Father, and He is the Son of Man. He was born from St. Mary, and He became the Son of Man2. St. Ireneaus] All authority given by the Father to the Son was revealed to those in heaven, and to those on earth, and to those under the earth and He is the Judge of everyone. (Phil.2: 10). He is the Lord to those in heaven for He is the Word born before all ages; and He is the Lord to those on earth for by His death, He conquered death and preached the Gospel to the spirits in prison (1 Pet 3: 19) 3. St. Hippolytus 10. THE EXPLANATION OF THE REVELATION Daniel was worried when he saw this vision, so he approached one of those standing - most probably an angel - asking to be given an explanation of what he had seen. However, Daniel was peaceful when he realized that all these kingdoms, with their brutality and dominion, will one-day end with the kingdom of the saints in heaven, which is preceded by the great tribulation of the Antichrist. “I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever” (15–18). The prophet Daniel saw all the heavenly hosts standing before the throne serving Him joyfully, for it is written that thousands ministered to Him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him (10). This motivates us to serve Him like the heavenly hosts. St. Clement of Rome said: [As we gather together in harmony, let us cry fervently with one voice to become partakers of His great glorious promises. He is our pride, our rest in Him, let us submit to His and realize that all the angels are assembled to minister to Him4.] St. Gregory of Nyssa said: This picture motivates us to desire to be like the angel through the redeeming act of Christ. He said, [We live with Christ because we are crucified with Him, glorified with Him and we reign with Him. The result of our presence with Him is our transfer from the level of the human nature and human dignity to that of the angels, thus Daniel said that thousands stood before Him5.] It is appropriate for those who are pure to put simple white clothes. Very clearly, 1 Cf. An Answer to the Jews, 14. 2 Adv. Haer. 3:19:3. 3 Treatise on Christ and Antichrist, 26. 4 1Cor. 34:7,5. 5 On Virginity, ch. 24. 157 Daniel said, “I watched till thrones were put in place and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow” (9). In the revelation, the Lord appeared in white clothes. Also the saints appeared in the same clothes. “…I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God… Then a white robe was given to each of them…” (Rev 6: 9, 11). The white color is the natural color for the truth1. St. Clement of Alexandria 11. THE KINGDOM OF THE ANTICHRIST AND THE KINGDOM OF THE SAINTS “Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows. I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them” (19–21). Daniel was eager to know the secret of this strange beast. He repeated his description because he realized how dangerous his violent act is. The other king beside the ten kings is the small horn who knows the Antichrist. He reigns for a time and times and half a time (25). St. Jerome thinks that a time means a year, that is, the Antichrist will reign for three and a half years (16-23). The Antichrist will stir a war against the saints and will glorify himself, attempting to change God’s laws and the holy rituals2. The four kingdoms are earthly kingdoms; “all are from the dust, and all return to dust” (Eccel 3: 20). But the saints will be granted not an earthly kingdom but a heavenly one3. St. Jerome “Thus he said: ‘the fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces. The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and two times and half a time. But the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever. Then the kingdom and dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him” (23-27). 12. DANIEL’S WORRY “This is the end of the account. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled 1 Paed. 2:11. 2 PL 25:671,671A. 3 PL 25:671. 158 me, and my countenance changed; but I kept the matter in my heart” (28). Daniel was incapable of completely understanding the vision; therefore he kept it in his heart. 159 FROM THE INSPIRATION OF DANIEL (7) A GLORIOUS AND ETERNAL KINGDOM The world is like a raging sea, out of which comes wild beasts to devour and dominate! But Your kingdom is definitely coming to reign over Your saints forever, Not on transient earth but on new eternal heaven! This is the last hour! You are certainly coming to rule! The Antichrist is entering a decisive battle. It is a battle of life or death! May the evil be mortified and the darkness abolished, And may the kingdom of light shine inside us! May the Antichrist come. He is very violent and destroyer of souls! But You are much stronger and greater! May Your church be protected until the end of the ages!
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