Please read Daniel Ch 7 prior to reading the post, and read post one, two, three, four, five, six and seven in this series first.

Summary: In Daniel 7, Daniel has a prophetic vision of four great beasts rising from the sea, symbolizing successive kingdoms. The first is like a lion with eagle’s wings, the second a bear, the third a leopard with four wings and heads, and the fourth a terrifying beast with iron teeth and ten horns, representing a powerful and destructive kingdom. Among the horns arises a smaller one with human-like eyes and arrogant speech. Daniel then sees a vision of God, the Ancient of Days, seated on His throne in judgment, where the fourth beast is destroyed. The Son of Man approaches the Ancient of Days and is given eternal dominion and a kingdom. An angel explains that the beasts represent earthly kingdoms, but the saints of God will ultimately inherit His everlasting kingdom. This vision emphasizes God’s sovereignty and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom over all earthly powers.

BATG Political Economy Commentary: While we did not meet my goal to finish this series prior to the election, finish it we will! This is still a book for our present times, as once again we have seen kingdoms of men come and go. The kingdom of Trump came and it went, but now it has come again. The kingdom of Obama came, and then it went, and then it came again (in the form of Biden) and then it went (with its new flagbearer Kamala). Yet the message of this book is that God’s Kingdom ultimately triumphs. So let’s get into it. In Chapter 7, we are in the final section in Aramaic, suggesting a connection with what has happened previously. Further, in the Chiastic structure, chapter seven is paired with chapter two, where we saw a fourfold progression of the kingdoms of this world. As with chapter two, we can already understand, following Sinclair Ferguson, that “events of history are not isolated from events beyond history.” As we ponder a second Trump term, we can be certain that a sovereign God put “even the lowliest of men” in place, but we also recognize that He put Mr. Biden in previously. Further, while many of us are hopeful for better governance with Mr. Trump, he still represents the kingdom of men.

The initial description of the four beasts contrasts with chapter two’s statue of four kingdoms, with the terrifying nature of the beasts (to Daniel). Identifying the four beasts and the little horn which was so interesting to Daniel is less important than seeing the big picture: these four terrifying kingdoms–as horrible as they are–are contrasted with the awesome majesty of the Ancient of Days and Son of Man who will be introduced shortly. The kingdoms likely represent the four kingdoms represented in chapter two (Babylon, Medes/Persians, Greece, Rome). These are major events in history, where people will tend to see only the machinations of men and their pursuit of supreme power, and yet beginning in V9, we see “the Ancient of Days took his seat.” After the chaos of the beasts, Daniel shows the incredible calmness of God on his throne. Calm, yet also more powerful than any image can properly comprehend:

“…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.”

This calmness is matched with strength, as despite the horn’s great words, the beast was killed according to the judgment written in the books. We are reminded that the ultimate authority is not the Supreme Court, the Obamas, Donald Trump or any earthly kingdom–they will all be judged. The books will be opened, and God will overwhelmingly triumph. Further, this is accomplished by the Ancient of Days (the Father) giving dominion and glory and a kingdom to one like “a son of man.”

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.

Jesus Christ, the son of man, is the ultimate political reality. He is King of the universe today, and He is sitting on the throne today, while His father is putting His enemies under His feet. And today, even at this moment, you and I are seated with him in the heavenlies. The vision given to Daniel completes the contrast with the chaos of this world. We have certainty amidst all chaos because of the power and outworking of God’s complete and total sovereignty in the affairs of men. Further, not only will we survive the chaos, but Daniel is told (v18) that we (the saints) shall receive the kingdom and possess it forever!

Nevertheless, as Jesus told us–following Daniel–in this world we will have tribulation. But Jesus (and the Book of Daniel {and Revelation!}) tell us to take heart, for He (and therefore we in Christ) has overcome the world. When Daniel focuses on the fourth beast and the horns on it, he sees that beast waging war against the saints and prevailing over them for a period, but the Ancient of Days comes and gives judgment to the saints of the Most High, and then the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. As v27 says,

And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him

This is the encouragement of Daniel, no matter what happens in the politics of this world, it is all part of a bigger plan. Kingdoms of men rise and kingdoms of men fall. We will have many trials, as the kingdoms of men are hostile to the Kingdom of God. But the Ancient of Days will come, books will be opened, judgment follows, and we will reign with Him forever. That this is ultimate political economy reality. So we continue to be in the world (including the kingdoms of men) but not of the world. As Psalm 146 tells us:

Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.  When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.