Day 248, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Daniel 7–8
Dreams and Visions
We all have dreams. Some claim to have visions. What are the purposes of dreams and visions? Why do we have them, and what do they mean? Are they just a result of consuming a late-night pizza, too much caffeine, medication, or is something else causing them?
Solomon, the man who lived to be the wisest (outside of Jesus Christ), said, “... a dream comes when there are many cares” (Ecclesiastes 5:3, NIV). That is often the case. If we watch a scary movie, do our taxes, have an argument, or are worried about life situations, we often have dreams. A peaceful mind, however, usually gives a person a restful sleep. Are there times when dreams or visions show us the future?
Dreams and visions once revealed the future
In today’s Bible reading, God speaks to Daniel and shows him things to come. He does this to encourage the Jewish people in exile. The LORD reveals three dreams to Daniel, several years apart. They predict the same events, although the figures in the dreams are different. Why show Daniel three night-visions? God does this to show the certainty of their fulfillment.
Dream 1: a statue
The first dream was of an enormous statue with a head of gold. Its chest and arms were made of silver. The belly and thighs were made of bronze, and the feet were composed of iron and clay (see Daniel 2), the first dream was of a great statue with a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, and feet with a mixture of iron and clay. They represented the four kingdoms: Babylon (which was in power), Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, respectively.They represented the four kingdoms: Babylon (which was in power), Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, respectively.
Dream 2: Four Beasts
Another night vision corresponding to the one given in Daniel 2 is recorded in today’s Bible reading (chapter 7). King Belshazzar is king, and he, too, has a dream.
In his night vision, there’re four beasts.
First, he sees a lion with eagle wings. They’re torn off, and then the beast is lifted off the ground and made to stand like a man. Finally, it’s given a man’s heart.
This beast represents his patriarchal father, Nebuchadnezzar, the fierce and majestic king of Babylon. Like the lion with the eagle wings torn off, Nebuchadnezzar’s power and nobility were stripped from him until he repented (Daniel 4). King Belshazzar forgot the lesson King Nebuchadnezzar learned about being arrogant and taking away God’s glory.King Belshazzar failed to remember the lesson King Nebuchadnezzar taught about pride and not giving credit to God.
The second beast, a bear, represents Medo-Persia. Daniel sees her lying on her side, meaning that one side would be higher (more dominant) than the other. Persia would become more powerful than Media, and like the bear devouring three ribs, she’d devour three nations. Theologians aren’t sure which nations these were. The Bible Knowledge Commentary suggests they might be Babylon, Assyria, and Egypt or Lydia. If so, Ezekiel’s prophecy of Egypt’s destruction would yet occur.
The third beast is a leopard with the wings of a bird. It represents the nation of Greece and the speed with which Alexander the Great would conquer the entire known world. He would even destroy the proud mercantile nation of Tyre. Four horns issue out of the leopard’s head. They represent four rulers which would succeed Alexander after his untimely death.
The last beast is fierce, with iron teeth and bronze claws. It crushes all in its path. This beast represents Rome. In the last days of the earth as we know it, another beast-like nation willrise to crush nations. Some suggest this to be a revived Roman empire. There will be ten rulers, and then one prominent ruler will rise from among them.
At this time, the Lord Jesus will come back. He will have the ruler thrown into hell (a place of burning torment), and the Lord will reign on the earth for 1,000 years.
Dream 3: The Ram and Shaggy Goat
This vision parallels the dreams in Daniel 2 and 7, but excludes Babylon because of the imminent conquest by Medo-Persia. The ram with two horns represents the kingdoms of Media and Persia, respectively, with the more prominent horn being Persia.
The fleet-footed, shaggy goat with the single prominent horn represents Greece and Alexander as its king. Four other horns (or rulers) take his place after its horn is broken off (i.e., he dies). A master of intrigue (probably Antiochus Epiphanies) rises from one of these ruling horns. He will be empowered (probably by Satan) to crush and destroy. He will defile the Jewish temple and seek to destroy God’s people. But God will later kill him.
What is the significance of these dreams?
- The LORD is Sovereign and in control of all nations and their destinies.
- Challenging times are ahead for the exiled Jews. Again, their land will be trampled and torn by wars.
- God will preserve a remnant of his people. His Son [Jesus] will one day rule over them with all authority, glory, and sovereign power forever (Daniel 7:14).
- Jesus’ kingdom will never be destroyed. Believing Jews who survive the Great Tribulation will receive the kingdom promised them since the days of Abraham, and they will possess it forever.
Do dreams and visions warn us of some future event?
While God may use night visions to warn us, we should not think of them as prophecies. The writer of the book of Hebrews says,
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe (Hebrews 1:1-2, NIV).
Prophetical dreams, therefore, are no longer necessary because God has spoken to us through his Son and through his Word, the Bible. Do we know him? He offers us forgiveness, peace, and spiritual life, which will last forever.
1. Belshazzar was a successor of a Babylonian King and Nebuchadnezzar’s descendant by marriage
2. The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the O.T., edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p. 1350
3. The Bible Knowledge Commentary suggests the four rulers represent four rulers which would succeed Alexander after his untimely death.Tthese nations might be Babylon, Assyria, and Egypt or Lydia. If so, Ezekiel’s prophecy of Egypt’s destruction has not yet occurred.
Discussion
What would happen to the exiled Jewish people and the land of Israel after Babylon conquered Judah?
Why did God share these dreams and their interpretations with Israel and us?
Should we think of dreams as prophecies? Why or why not?
Focus Verse
John 16:33 (NIV) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
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Looking Ahead: Learn How God is Working in our World in our Next Lesson from the book of Daniel.
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