Introducing Apocalypse | Daniel 2-7 & 7:28
Text: Daniel 7:1-7
1. Getting Oriented in Daniel 7 & Apocalyptic Literature
Daniel 7
With chapters 2-6, Daniel 7 is written in Aramaic, and it has strong parallels to chapter 2.
With chapters 8-12, Daniel 7 is a vision Daniel has, it focuses on the persecution of God’s people and God’s eventual victory, and it is apocalyptic in style
Apocalyptic Literature: The Definition
Apocalypse means “an unveiling” or “an uncovering” or “a revelation"
Apocalyptic literature uncovers a transcendent reality so that we can see things as they actually are and will be
Apocalyptic Literature: The Design
It uses vivid symbolism, imaginative language, dreams, and visions to communicate realities that ordinary language cannot fully capture
Its goal is not merely to give us information, but to shape our hearts and imaginations
Apocalyptic Literature: The Desired Response
Apocalyptic literature arises in times of distress, when God’s people need to remember that there is more going on than meets the eye
It reveals that God remains sovereign over all things—visible and invisible, present and future.
We don't need to...
Decode every detail of apocalyptic imagery
Fear apocalyptic imagery
The proper response is comfort, hope, and faithful endurance.
2. An Example of Apocalyptic Literature
Daniel 2 and Daniel 7 both portray four earthly kingdoms.
In Daniel 2, the kingdoms appear as an impressive statue made of gold, silver, bronze, and iron—the pinnacle of human power and achievement
In Daniel 7, those same kingdoms are unveiled from a different perspective: they appear as beastly, destructive creatures
Human kingdoms may look glorious from an earthly perspective, but kingdoms that reject God's rule ultimately become destructive and dehumanizing.
The same temptation exists in our own lives: we can pursue success, pleasure, authority, and reputation as though they will satisfy us
True human flourishing comes not from building our own kingdoms, but from worshiping the Lord and submitting to his good rule
4. Jesus: The Greatest Apocalypse
Jesus is the ultimate unveiling of God
God did not merely give us information about himself; he came to us in the person of Jesus
In Jesus, we see what God is like and how God relates to his people
Through his life, death, resurrection, and return, Jesus accomplishes what God promises throughout the apocalyptic visions of Scripture
5. Responding to God's Revelation
Because God has revealed himself to us in Jesus, we respond with:
Comfort — Jesus is with us in our suffering. He knows grief and suffering firsthand and will never leave his people alone.
Hope — Jesus conquered death through his resurrection and will return to make all things new. His resurrection gives us hope not only for eternity, but for God's transforming work in us today.
Faithful Endurance — Our suffering is not meaningless. God is using even our difficulties to shape us, and Jesus is worthy of our obedience no matter the cost.
Jesus alone is the true King. Rather than pursuing our own kingdoms, we are called to surrender our lives to him, endure faithfully, and bear witness to him so that others might come to know the King who has revealed himself to us.