Next, in N.T. Wright’s book, Simply Jesus, is Daniel’s mention of the “one like” the Son of Man in chapter seven of the Book of Daniel. Perhaps more clearly than any other book in the Old Covenant scriptures, the themes expressed in the Exodus are expressed in Daniel. The ‘tyrant’ is the Babylonian king or other authoritative figures in his court, who are jealous of God’s people. In chapter one we find Daniel and his three friends faithful in the little things pertaining to God (food), in the face of displeasing the Babylonians king, and God’s blessing vindicates them. In chapter three, once again Daniel’s three friends are faithful to God in the face of death from the king, and of course there is the victory of God over the command of death by fire from the king in chapter three. Finally, in chapter six, other authorities in Babylon trick the king and get Daniel cast into a lions’ den and certain death, but victory comes once again through God and Daniel is saved, because of his obedience to the Lord.
The Book of Daniel posits Daniel as an interpreter of dreams (Daniel 2 & 4) and signs (Daniel 5). In chapter 7 Daniel has a dream himself, first about four beasts that bring chaos and destruction to the earth (Daniel 7:1-12). Afterward, but still in the dream Daniel sees a heavenly figure, the Son of Man who is given a kingdom (Daniel 7:13-14). The dream, itself, was interpreted by other heavenly figures (angels?), who were also a part of the dream (Daniel 7:15-28). Thus, we have in the dream the threats of certain tyrants, but also the victory of God and the vindication of God’s people, called saints in the dream.
Daniel was particularly interested in the fourth beast, who was different from the three, which came before him, and also in the little horn that came up on the fourth beast’s head (Daniel 7:8, 19-20). The fourth beast had 10 horns, but also another horn arose from his head, and this horn was of a different sort than the ten. It is this smaller horn that speaks blasphemous words against the Most High God, and seems to be the persecuting authority against God’s people.
As for the time in which these things would take place, vis-à-vis the matter concerning the fourth beast and its little horn, the text isn’t definitive. However, if Daniel 12:1 applies, it would be a time unequaled in Israel’s history. It is described in chapter 12 as the time of the end (Daniel 12:4, 9) and the end of the days (Daniel 12:13), which seems to be the last days described by Jacob, when he blessed his sons (Genesis 49:1) and the latter days, which Moses described (Deuteronomy 31:29), when Israel would become as Sodom and Gomorrah (Daniel 32:32).
It would be the time that the fourth kingdom would clash with the Kingdom of God, judgment would then be brought against the gentile kingdom and its little horn. Victory is given the saints or the people of God (Daniel 7:26-27), who are permitted to possess the Kingdom of God, which shall never be destroyed (Daniel 7:18, 22, 27), while the death blow is given the gentile kingdom (Daniel 2:44).
So, this is what the prophet claims, but how would it become a reality? Jesus claimed that God had returned to his people. He had become King over the whole earth, and the nations were angry that this had occurred (Revelation 11:15, cp. verses 16-18). Nevertheless, victory is promised the faithful. We need to keep in mind that, when originally the Lord brought order (Genesis 1:3-25) out of chaos (Genesis 1:1-2), he was alone, and hadn’t created mankind, who was to be his image (Genesis 1:26), vis-à-vis it was intended that mankind would have authority over the earth, and in the exercise of that authority, man would behave like God in character.
Therefore, although God, in the person of the Son of Man, has become King over the earth (Revelation 11:15; 19:11-16), he has to work out his will through the submission of man to his will. In other words, while God is King, mankind is the manager of the work of God. On the one hand, we have the servants of God, willing to submit to him, but on the other hand we have the nations, who are not so well disposed to do what God wants done. The kingdoms of this world, then clash with the Kingdom of God. While victory is assured, God works at the pace of faithful men. History back to Jesus is a picture of that work. The spread of the Gospel (the new revolution) has brought mercy to the children and the aged. Governments have become more and more attentive to the needs of the people. Laws are more merciful, and charitable organizations to assist in meeting the needs of others have arisen. This is not to say that evil men don’t arise and temporarily control these better governments or charitable organizations etc., but such things are temporary setbacks in the march of the Gospel against the evils of mankind.
Smoodock's Blog 