Daniel 7:1-3 (NKJV) — 1 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. 2 Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. 3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. 

There was a realness to Daniel’s dream, so much so, that it grieved the spirit within his body. In these first two verses, Daniel refers to himself in 3rd-person to stress the importance and accuracy of this account. Daniel looked to God’s messenger in the dream for its interpretation. 

What are some notable parallels and takeaways from the statue of Daniel 2 and the four beasts of Daniel 7? 

In what ways has God spoken to you and how do you determine the meaning of His message? 

Daniel 7:21-22, 28 (NKJV) — 21 “I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. 28 “This is the end of the account. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I kept the matter in my heart.”

The little horn (the Antichrist) spoke pompous words, making war against the saints (God’s holy people, believers) until the Ancient of Days (God the Father) came and passed judgement in favor of the saints. The Antichrist’s dominion was consumed and the One like the Son of Man (Jesus) was established as King forever. Pastor Weston told us on Sunday, “where all nations have failed, Jesus Christ will never fail.” This provides helpful eternal context to the trials in our daily lives. 

How does the experience of the saints and unbelievers during the end times inform how you interact with saints and unbelievers today? 

How has this chapter changed your countenance and realigned your perspective and hope?