SPIRITUAL WARFARE STUDY DANIEL 7

​DANIEL 7 STUDY GUIDE

IN THE FIRST YEAR OF BELSHAZZAR KING OF BABYLON DANIEL HAD A DREAM AND VISIONS OF HIS HEAD UPON HIS BED: THEN HE WROTE THE DREAM AND TOLD THE SUM OF THE MATTERS.
DANIEL SPAKE AND SAID, I SAW IN MY VISION BY NIGHT, AND, BEHOLD, THE FOUR WINDS OF THE HEAVEN STROVE UPON THE GREAT SEA.
AND FOUR GREAT BEASTS CAME UP FROM THE SEA, DIVERSE ONE FROM ANOTHER.
THE FIRST WAS LIKE A LION, AND HAD EAGLE’S WINGS: I BEHELD TILL THE WINGS THEREOF WERE PLUCKED, AND IT WAS LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH, AND MADE TO STAND UPON THE FEET AS A MAN, AND A MAN’S HEART WAS GIVEN TO IT.
- LION SYMBOLIC OF STRENGTH AND DOMINANCE
-EAGLE IS SYMBOLIC OF THE ABILITY TO SOAR THE HIGHEST OF HEIGHTS AND DEEPEST OF DEPTHS.
-REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD THAT IS ALL SEEING AND ALL KNOWING, BEHOLDING THE GOOD AS WELL AS THE EVIL. THESE ARE RARE CREATURES AT ONE POINT NEARLY EXTINCT THEY WERE SANCTIFIED
-WINDS WERE SYMBOLIC OF POWER AND FORCES
-GREAT SEA IS SYMBOLIC OF MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE

Daniel, a Holy Prophet, is a seer prophet. That is to say that the Lord used him in the prophetic office by showing him things. He used his five senses in the form of discernment and the Lord used him to speak the word of God by having him speak what he saw in the revelations of the dreams and visions that the Lord had given him. He is shown four powers or forces from Heaven that strove upon a multitude of people. The four great beasts arose from the sea, which is to say that four kingdoms emerged from the midst of a multitude of people of diversity. Though these kingdoms emerged from a people they were appointed and allowed by the Most High. 
With their reign they have forces of principalities that strove with them. The animals that are mentioned are symbolic of a spirit in operation within the kingdom or ruler that is being revealed. The forces of the kingdoms are different one from another.
Remember that when the lord communicates in the prophetic within a dream or vision, oftentimes he gives a confirmation by repetition. He will speak more than once to create authenticity with His servants.

PSALM 62:11
GOD HATH SPOKEN ONCE; TWICE HAVE I HEARD THIS; THAT POWER BELONGETH UNTO GOD.

The first occasion the Lord gives the revelation of these end times kingdoms in chapter two, in the form of a dream with King Nebuchadnezzar. The Lord also used his prophet to confirm the communication and give the interpretation of the matter. When he gave reference he used symbolism of the types of metal to compare the appearance of the kingdoms, the strength of each, as well as the spiritual superiority or inferiority to the other kingdoms.

However, in the second revelation of the gentile kingdoms of the end times, the Lord gives more detail of the spiritual appearance instead of how they appeared outwardly. He gives insight on how each kingdom operates spiritual and its characteristics, intentions, and their destruction.

The first was like a lion is significant of the dominance and strength of the kingdom. This is a strong spirit and no one sees what is coming. Having the wings of an eagle, this king is able to soar high above all of his enemies, to go high heights and deep depths. This is his spiritual method of transportation. He is a super power. His powers and forces are in high places. The prophet beholds until this kingdom has its wings plucked and isn’t as powerful as when it started in the beginning. The eagle spirit and its godliness (likeness to God) is lifted from the earth. What was once godly is no longer a godly nation. The nation is made to stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. Therefore, the nation is given to walk in it’s own strength and having a man’s heart they are given fleshly, natural emotions, and cares of life.
Proverbs 4:23

KEEP THY HEART WITH ALL DILIGENCE; FOR OUT OF IT ARE THE ISSUES OF LIFE.

The Lord gives his people His wisdom, His knowledge, His understanding and His counsel right within the midst of those in this kingdom, but they turn their back on God.

AND BEHOLD ANOTHER BEAST, A SECOND, LIKE A BEAR, AND IT RAISED UP ITSELF ON ONE SIDE, AND IT HAD THREE RIBS IN THE MOUTH OF IT BETWEEN THE TEETH OF IT: AND THEY SAID THUS UNTO IT, ARISE, DEVOUR MUCH FLESH.

-This “bear” has strength, but not like the strength of the lion. This kingdom is not moving on its own. It is existing but not “driven”. It is connected with other kingdoms. A portion of this kingdom is in slumber.
- The ribs signify unity/ covering/ protection of vital organs and functions/ intimacy. The Location in the mouth is to signify it will go forth to consume or devour the unity/ protection/relationship with the trinity.

AMOS 5:19

AS IF A MAN DID FLEE FROM A LION, AND A BEAR MET HIM; OR WENT INTO THE HOUSE, AND LEANED HIS HAND ON THE WALL, AND A SERPENT BIT HIM.

HOSEA 13:6-11

ACCORDING TO THEIR PASTURE, SO WERE THEY FILLED; THEY WERE FILLED, AND THEIR HEART WAS EXALTED; THEREFORE HAVE THEY FORGOTTEN ME.
THEREFORE I WILL BE UNTO THEM AS A LION: AS A LEOPARD BY THE WAY WILL I OBSERVE THEM:
I WILL MEET THEM AS A BEAR THAT IS BEREAVED OF  HER WHELPS, AND WILL REND THE CAUL OF THEIR HEART, AND THERE WILL I DEVOUR THEM LIKE A LION: THE WILD BEAST SHALL TEAR THEM.
O’ ISRAEL, THOU HAST DESTROYED THYSELF; BUT IN ME IS THINE HELP.
I WILL BE THY KING: WHERE IS ANY OTHER THAT MAY SAVE THEE IN ALL THY CITIES? AND  THY JUDGES OF WHOM THOU SAIDST, GIVE ME A KING AND PRINCES?
I GAVE THEE A KING IN MINE ANGER, AND TOOK HIM AWAY IN MY WRATH.

The holy prophet Daniel in the midst of a people who have already been given numerous warnings by the prophet Jeremiah and the prophet Ezekiel. The chosen are in spiritual captivity. The Lord is giving a revelation to his servant that he is being given a foreshadow of what is to come in the end times. The only way to get a complete understanding is that the prophet had to go through and experience some of the things he was chosen to write about. As the chosen of the Most High, we are first partakers of those things we are given to speak on behalf of God. Daniel, too, is in captivity with the rest of the people. He didn’t sin, but the Lord uses him to show that the Lord rains upon the just as well as the unjust. Daniel has to deal with a corrupt society of people who were chosen by God  and called by His name. He also had to deal with corrupt leadership and ungodly people in authority. Nonetheless, Daniel humbles himself to continue to fast and seek the Lord with fervent prayer. The Lord reveals these kingdoms of the world, how they operate, and how he will use them to bring judgment, and then ultimately how they will be destroyed. The Lord will still be redeeming and reconciling souls until he returns.
The Lord God is angry and his wrath is with him. The children that he has known and loved have turned their backs. The lord is angry because these people have become self-dependent. He ha revealed himself as their God, their savior, and their King. This people have become prideful and arrogant. They are full of themselves. They are self-righteous and wise in their own sight. They stand on their own authority and operate on their own will.
The Lord uses the prophet Amos to speak of some of the judgment that will overtake his people because they utilize privilege and advantage to oppress the chose men and women of God. The Lord desires to judge the head first. These are the leaders, priests, elders, and sheppards’ of his people.
EZEKIEL 7:9
AND THEY THAT ESCAPE OF YOU SHALL REMEMBER ME AMONG THE NATIONS WHITHER THEY SHALL BE CARRIED CAPTIVES, BECAUSE I AM BROKEN WITH THEIR WHORISH HEARTS, WHICH HATH DEPARTED FROM ME, AND WITH THEIR EYES, WHICH GO A- WHORING AFTER THEIR IDOLS: AND THEY SHALL LOATHE THEMSELVES FOR THE EVILS WHICH THEY COMMITTED IN THEIR ABOMINATIONS.
AND THEY SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD, AND THAT I HAVE NOT SAID IN VAIN THAT I WOULD DO THIS EVIL UNTO THEM.

We have broken the Lord’s heart! He has called us. He has chosen us. He has equipped us. He has fought our battles for us and driven out our enemies. However, instead of humbling ourselves at the feet of god, we turned our back and put him on a level of man instead reverencing with a godly fear that is due to his name.
I will bring to your remembrance the account of King David. After being on the run from his father-in-law, and mentor, Saul; David was delivered by God on several occasions. He was delivered personally from circumstances and situations and he was delivered in unity with the Israelites from their enemies on every side.
Time after time King David went and inquired of the Lord to know what his will was. He was completely dependent on the Lord’s sprit, even though the people themselves had pleaded for a king. David ceased not to inquire of the Lord before going to battle. He trusted in the Lord with his whole heart.
When David had grown old, after having gotten the victory from fighting several wars, the Lord moved him to number the people. He wanted to judge the children of Israel. David on this occasion didn’t receive sound counsel. The captain pleaded with David not to do this thing. Yet arrogance and self-righteousness had corrupted the people from the head and downward through the ranks. Therefore, the lord was angry. The people were used to winning. They were privileged. They were putting their confidence in man and in the flesh, instead putting their trust in their savior, the Most High.

 The Lord reveals that these four kingdoms that have been established in the end times are the kingdoms of the world. These kingdoms will come to an end. The Lord reminds us that the children of Israel go through a cycle. They sin; he raises up an enemy; they go into captivity; they repent; he raises up a deliverer; and then there is rest.
These kingdoms that are in place are there for an appointed time for the sake of the Lord’s will and purpose. These things must come to pass that the fruition of the prophetic can manifest.

EPHESIANS 6:10-18
…FOR WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNES IN HIGH PLACES.

Within these kingdoms there are spiritual principalities with powers that have been established in high places. All of the powers and rulers have been ordained for the Lord’s purpose and to get the children to their expected end. Though these kingdoms maybe mentioned consecutively, they have been existing among each other  and unity with each other all over the world and for centuries. Just as the kingdom of God had been ordained before the world began. No matter what  ruler, emperor, king, or president there is at the present time; the principality has been there and as the writer penned through King Solomon, “there is nothing new under the sun.”

AMOS 3:7
SURELY THE LORD GOD WILL DO NOTHING, BUT HE REVEALETH HIS SECRETS UNTO HIS SERVANTS THE PROPHETS. THE LION HATH ROARED, WHO WILL NOT FEAR? THE LORD GOD HATH SPOKEN, WHO CAN BUT PROPHESY?

The Lord has stated that before we were formed in the womb, He knew us and called us according to his purpose (Jer 1:5). Therefore, if he knew whom he called and predestined, then he also knew what would take place  regarding  each of the kingdoms that he allowed to be established within the earth. The plan and the purpose for such things he did share with his servants and then commanded that they speak by the spirit what they have seen and what they have heard.

COLOSSIANS 1:16-17

FOR BY HIM WERE ALL THINGS CREATED , THAT ARE IN HEAVEN, AND THAT ARE IN EARTH, VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE, WHETHER THEY BE THRONES, OR DOMINIONS, OR PRINCIPALITIES, OR POWERS: ALL THINGS WERE CREATED BY HIM, AND FOR HIM:
AND HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS, AND BY HIM ALL THINGS CONSIST.

Therefore these four kingdoms have been ordained before the worlds were even created. The Lord stated that he would bring judgment upon the children of Israel, he will bring judgment upon the enemy that he uses to come against them, and then he will restore all things unto himself.
These four kingdoms are in place to do just that.

The first was like a lion. This kingdom greatly resembles the kingdom of God outwardly. The Lord has been called the lion of Judah. He is known for His strength. The eagle’s wings are consistent with the Lord being the all seeing eye, no matter the height or the depth. He sees all and he knows all things. Daniel says he looked until his wings were plucked , and it was lifted form the earth. The spirit of God and his infinite strength and its ability to move freely and elevate above all enemies is lifted from the earth which indicates the spirit returning back to God. The strength, sight, and mobility returns to God. It is made to stand upon his feet as a man and a man’s heart was given it is to say that this kingdom in the character of man and has the cares of the world. This kingdom appears to have once been favored of God, but has forsaken the holy covenant and therefore has his spirit been lifted.

Oftentimes, we have heard that the Lord and whom he has chosen are the head and not the tail; above and not beneath. Therefore, the Lord reveals it is a kingdom of gold in previous chapters to the prophet Daniel. The kingdom flourishes as a green bay tree. It is a superior kingdom to all others. However, it is taken in pride and vanity.

AMOS 4:6-12

AND I ALSO HAVE GIVEN YOU CLEANNESS OF TEETH IN ALLYOUR CITIES, AND WANT OF BREAD IN ALL YOUR PLACES: YET HAVE YE NOT RETURNED UNTO ME; SAITH THE LORD. 

AND ALSO I HAVE WITHHOLDEN THE RAIN FROM YOU, WHEN THERE WERE YET THREE MONTHS TO THE HARVEST: AND I CAUSED IT TO RAIN UPON ONE CITY , AND CAUSED IT  NOT TO RAIN UPON ANOTHER CITY: ONE PIECE WAS RAINED UPON , AND THE PIECE WHERE UPON IT RAINED NOT WITHERED.

SO TWO OR THREE CITIES WANDERED UNTO ONE CITY TO DRINK WATER; BUT THEY WERE NOT SATISFIED; YET HAVE YE NOT RETURNED UNTO ME, SAITH THE LORD.

I HAVE SMITTEN YOU WITH BLASTING AND MILDEW: WHEN YOUR GARDENS AND VINEYARD AND YOUR FIG TREES AND YOUR OLIVE TREES INCREASED, THE PALMERWORM DEVOURED THEM: YET YOU HAVE NOT RETURNED UNTO ME, SAITH THE LORD.

I HAVE SENT AMONG YOU THE PESTILENCE AFTER THE MANNER OF THE EGYPT: YOUR YOUNG MEN HAVE I SLAIN WITH THE SWORD, AND HAVE TAKEN AWAY YOUR HORSES; AND I HAVE MADE THE STINK OF YOUR CAMPS TO COME UP UNTO YOUR NOSTRILS: YET HAVE YE NOT RETURNED UNTO ME, SAITH THE LORD.

I HAVE OVERTHROWN SOME OF YOU, AS GOD OVERTHREW SODOM AND GOMORRAH, AND YOU WERE AS A FIREBRAND PLUCKED OUT OF THE BURNING: YET HAVE YE NOT RETURNED UNTO ME, SAITH THE LORD.

THEREFORE THUS WILL I DO UNTO THEE, O’ ISRAEL: AND BECAUSE I WILL DO THIS UNTO THEE, PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD O ISRAEL.

The Lord God has chastened his people. He doesn’t judge without first warning and giving room to repent and return to him.

AMOS 2:14 AND 3:2

 THERFORE THE FLIGHT SHALL PERISH FROM THE SWIFT, AND THE STRONG SHALL NOT STRENGTHEN HIS FORCE, NEITHER SHALL THE MIGHTY DELIVER HIMSELF.
YOU ONLY HAVE I KNOWN OF ALL THE FAMILIES  OF THE EARTH: THEREFORE I WILL PUNISH YOU FOR ALL YOUR INIQUITIES.

The Lord shares these things with his Holy Prophet Daniel so that he can pray and warn people who have already been carried into captivity to return to the true and living God. He wanted us to know what we were up against so that we could effectively contend for the faith and have a way of escape out of the kingdoms of this world.

ROM 8:28-32

AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD, TO THHEM WHO ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.
FOR WHOM HE DID FORKNOW, HE ALSO DID PREDESTINATE TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, THAT HE MIGHT BE THE FIRST BORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN.
MOREOVER WHO HE DID PREDESTINATE, THEM HE ALSO CALLED: AND WHOM HE CALLED, THEM HE ALSO JUSTIFIED: AND WHOM HE JUSTIFIED, THEM HE ALSO GLORIFIED.
WHAT SHALL WE THEN SAY TO THESE THINGS? IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?
HE THAT SPARED NOT HIS OWN SON, BUT DELIVERED HIM UP FOR US ALL, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS?

Therefore, take heed those who think they stand lest they fall. The people within the first kingdom magnified themselves against God. He being a just judge, judgeth righteously.

JEREMIAH 48:43-44
FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD; BEHOLD, HE SHALL FLY AS AN EAGLE, AND SHALL SPREAD HIS WINGS OVER MOAB.
FEAR, AND THE PIT, AND THE SNARE, SHALL BE UPON THEE, O INHABITANT OF MOAB, SAITH THE LORD.
HE THAT FLEETH FROM FEAR SHALL FALL INTO THE PIT; AND HE THAT GETTETH UP OUT OF THE PIT SHALL BE TAKEN IN THE SNARE: FOR I WILL BRING UPON IT, EVEN UPON MOAB, THE YEAR OF THEIR VISITATION, SAITH THE LORD.

DANIEL 7: 4

AND BEHOLD, ANOTHER BEAST, A SECOND, LIKE A BEAR. THE SECOND KINGDOM IS FULL OF SLEEPING PEOPLE. THIS KINGDOM IS NOT ON THE MOVE FOR ANYTHING. THEY ARE FULL OF INTIMIDATION AND FEAR BUT ARE SPIRITUALLY SLUMBERING AND HAVE NO CONCERN ABOUT WHAT’S GOING ON. IT IS RAISED UP ON ONE SIDE TO SHOW SYMBOLICALLY THAT IT IS NOT MOBILE, BUT LAYING DOWN. THE THREE RIBS REPRESENT A SPIRITUAL  UNITY. THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. AND ALL THINGS THAT THE LORD HAS ESTABLISHED WITHIN THIS UNITY. WE KNOW THAT THE LORD BUILDS AND EDIFIES, BUT THE ENEMY COMES TO STEAL, KILL, AND DESTROY. THIS PRINCIPALITY HAS COMMANDED TO ITS PEOPLE TO DEVOUR THE UNITY THAT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THE MOST HIGH. THIS SPIRIT WILL ATTEMPT TO DESTROY RELATIONSHIPS, PARTNERSHIPS, BUSINESSES, MARRIAGES, FRIENDHIPS AND EVERYTHING THAT THE LORD HAS BUILT BY HIS SPIRIT.

ISAIAH 29:10

FOR THE LORD HATH POURED OUT UPON YOU THE SPIRIT OF DEEP SLEEP, AND HATH CLOSED YOUR EYES: THE PROPHETS AND YOUR RULERS, THE SEERS HATH HE COVERED.

AND THE VISION OF ALL IS BECOME UNTO YOU AS THE WORDS OF A BOOK THAT IS SEALED, WHICH MEN DELIVER TO ONE THAT IS LEARNED,  SAYING, READ THIS, I PRAY THEE: AND HE SAITH, I CANNOT; FOR IT IS SEALED.
 
AND THE BOOK IS DELIVERED TO HIM THAT IS NOT LEARNED, SAYING READ THIS, I PRAY THEE: AND HE SAITH, I AM NOT LEARNED.

WHEREFORE THE LORD SAID, FORASMUCH AS THIS PEOPLE DRAW NEAR ME WITH THEIR MOUTH, AND WITH THEIR LIPS DO HONOUR ME, BUT HAVE REMOVED THEIR HEART FAR FROM ME, AND THEIR FEAR TOWARD ME IS TAUGHT BY THE PRECEPT OF MEN:

THEREFORE, BEHOLD, I WILL PROCEED TO DO A MARVELLOUS WORK AMONG THIS PEOPLE, EVEN A MARVELLOUS WORK AND A WONDER: FOR THE WISDOM OF THEIR WISE MEN SHALL PERISH, AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR PRUDENT MEN SHALL BE HID.

WOE UNTO THEM THAT SEEK DEEP TO HIDE THEIR COUNSEL FROM THE LORD, AND THEIR WORKS ARE IN THE DARK, AND THEY SAY, WHO SEETH US? AND WHO KNOWETH US?

SURELY YOUR TURNINGS OF THINGS UPSIDE DOWN SHALL BE ESTEEMED AS THE POTTER’S CLAY: FOR SHALL THE WORK SAY OF HIM THAT MADE IT, HE MADE ME NOT? OR SHAL THE THING FRAMED SAY OF HIM THAT FRAMED IT, HE HAD NO UNDERSTANDING?