Daniel 7:1-28

Daniel 7:1

The principles which underlie this prophecy are at once profoundly suggestive and exceedingly important.

I. Foremost among them we find the terribly significant truth that earthly power in and of itself degenerates into brutality. The appropriate symbol of a great empire is a wild beast.

II. Observe that the tendency of this brutality is to increase. The four beasts that Daniel saw came in this order; first the lion, then the bear, then the panther, then that composite, unnamed, almost unnamable animal, with "great iron teeth, devouring and breaking in pieces, and stamping the residue with the feet of it."

III. The great lesson suggested by the prophecy is that the restoration of man to humanity, must come, not from himself, but from above. He who introduced the healing salt which was to purify thoroughly the little fountain of our earthly life was sent forth from the "Ancient of Days." He came from heaven to earth, that he might elevate earth at length to heaven.

W. M. Taylor, Daniel the Beloved,p. 137.

I. From this passage we learn, first, that we must not expect to escape accusation in the world. No matter how carefully we order our lives, slander will have something to say against us.

II. We learn, that when we must either sin or suffer, we ought, without hesitation to prefer the suffering.

III. We learn, that no human power can keep us from prayer.

W. M. Taylor, Daniel the Beloved,p. 116.

Reference: Daniel 7:9. Preacher's Monthly,vol. iv., p. 249.