Please read Daniel 7:7-28 carefully and list every fact about the little horn under its proper heading. These ‘successes’ or ‘failures’ may be implied or obvious. Be sure to note the verse locations with each fact.
The little horn’s successes:
“crushed and devoured its victims (7)
“trampled what was left under its feet (7)
“was waging war against the saints and defeating them (21)
“subdued the other horns (8)
“subdued the other kings (24)
“will speak against the Most High (25)
“will oppress the saints (25)
will try to change the set times and the laws (25)”
The little horn’s defeats:
“The beast was slain and thrown into the blazing fire (11)
“The court will sit and take away his power (26)
“He will be completely destroyed forever (26)
“The saints will receive the kingdom, sovereignty, etc. (27)
“The Ancient of Days pronounced judgment in favor of the saints and the Most High (22) [leading back to the defeat of v.11]”
What event does verse 22 foretell?
“The imprisoning of Satan and the Antichrist at the beginning of the Millennium (probably more likely) or the great white throne judgment”
How does this ‘judgment’ encourage you in your temptations and struggles?
“As an older Christian rock song proclaims, ‘I’ve read the back of the Book and we win!’ However tough things may get on the journey, I know my side wins and the assurance can comfort and strengthen me.”
Daniel 7:24 tells us that ‘the ten horns are ten kings who will come’ from the fourth kingdom. We’ve already identified the fourth kingdom in both Daniel 2 and Daniel 7. What is this fourth Gentile kingdom?
“The Roman Empire which transformed/evolved into our modern forms of government.”
Look back over this paragraph to make sure this information is sticking. To what does the church age refer?
“The present era which starts at Pentecost”
God alone wears the royal Timex. Be assured He can tell time.
Dearest Rachel –
It took a little squinting, but I even transcribed the section you crossed out (that’s the trouble with writing these things in pen, honey, even if that’s the only way you could write in purple like you preferred – everything you write down is indelible when it’s written in ink). Hope you don’t mind too much about that. I have to assume that the reason you scratched those first two “successes” out was because they were accomplished by the beast as a whole creature, and not by the horns specifically, and therefore, they don’t fit the question as asked.
Either way, it’s interesting that you list more successes than failures (and even the first of the failures looks as if it applies to the beast as a whole, so presumably, that one should have been scratched out as well?). Not that it matters; the fact that the beast and its horns ultimately fails negates any and all of its successes. All the battle victories in the world don’t matter if it loses the war in the end.
And, of course, it does lose the war; what did the beast expect, considering what it was up against? It’s interesting how, when demons encountered Jesus in His day, the recognized who He was, and acted terrified, entreating that He not banish them into the eternal darkness at that moment, as it wasn’t yet ‘the appointed time’ yet. They already know they’ve lost, and what’s awaiting them, but they’d already made their decision to align with the losing side, so they probably figure they’ve no choice but to fight on, and take as many captives with them as they can (as if that would matter, in the end).
The beast and its horns, on the other hand, represent a human empire, made up of humans, who don’t seem to understand the power of the side they oppose. Despite the fact that this is in the future (at least for Daniel), and these people could theoretically still choose not to array themselves against the Almighty, they will, presumably under the assumption that they can actually win against Him, when even demons harbor no such illusions. You even commented in your previous homework about how amazing it is that the little horn continues to brag, even as heaven’s courtroom is assembled and passes judgment upon it right in front of it.
But then again, that’s humanity for you; we have a remarkable talent for denying what’s even in front of our faces. How much more so will we be able to pit ourselves against an Opponent that we cannot perceive with our own senses, and therefore assume doesn’t actually exist. We keep proving further that we are lesser creatures than the demons, while thinking that we can accomplish more than they can. How stupid is that?
Anyway, as for the song you referenced, I think this is it. Having grown up with the likes of Steve Taylor and the Seventy-Sevens, I wouldn’t call it Christian rock, but I get that it’s of a bit more recent vintage than the hymns you collected, so… I get your meaning. My guess is that you’d seen it in one of those Gaither Homecoming videos that my folks used to collect and play from time to time; and regardless of what you would call the genre of music, the point certainly stands.
And at this point, you’ve already seen the victory that I have yet to. I’ve still got to ride things out on this side of the ending for now. Until I get there, though, I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your eye on me and wish me luck, as I’m still going to need it.
Letters to Rachel 