Daniel 7-12: Daniel's Apocalypse

Daniel 7-12 shows Daniel not as the revealer of chapters 1-6, but one to whom things are revealed. Before he interpreted the dreams of others; now he requires supernatural interpreters for his own apocalyptic visions. Apocalypse here comes from the Greek meaning "revelation." However, the popular connotation of apocalypse as the end of this world order is still appropriate in certain cases.

Revelation by nature presents fantastic imagery that represents a historical reality. It is not prophetic per se, as apocalyptic visions are "kept secret" from the public after the events have already occurred and their meanings can presumably be understood.

"But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and the book sealed until the time of the end. Many shall be running back and forth, and evil shall increase."
(Daniel 12.4)

“Go your way, Daniel, for the words are to remain secret and sealed until the time of the end."
(Daniel 12.9)

First Vision: Daniel 7
Daniel's first revelation exposes him to the future of the political world stage through four kingdoms, represented by beasts. Judah may look forward to these nations that will arise to rule the world.

1. The first beast:

"The first was like a lion and had eagles' wings. Then, as I watched, its wings were plucked off and it was lifted up form the ground and made to stand on two feet like a human being; and a human mind was given to it."
(Daniel 7.4)

This beast undoubtedly represents Babylon through the image of Nebuchadnezzar, God's designated actor to exile the nation. When the Babylonian king goes mad in Daniel 4, he is described in beastly terms, particularly as an eagle, an image that also appears in Ezekiel 17:

He was driven away from human society, ate grass like oxen, and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew as long as eagles' feathers and his nails became like birds' claws.
(Daniel 4.33)

And, like the beast in Daniel 7, Nebuchadnezzar's sanity is eventually restored.

So what to make of the eagle/lion mix? Mixed parts (e.g. cotton/wool, milk/meat, Israelite/outsider) are forbidden by Leviticus, so there is something particularly vile about this beast. I think the lion is chosen specifically because it is a traditional symbol of Judah. This creates a beastly image rife with tension. Nebuchadnezzar, remember, was divinely commissioned. The lion/eagle beast therefore may represent a hybrid of Judah and its conqueror Babylon. That nation is now composed of not only its own people, but now the exiled Jews as well. When the wings are plucked, the creature represents a ghastly new reality for Judah. The beast that existed under the kingship of Nebuchadnezzar through Darius will be irrevocably changed, and the Jews may not enjoy the same freedoms as Daniel.

2. The second beast, bear-like with three tusks and many teeth that is told, "Arise! devour many bodies!" is Medea, which attacked, but was unable to conquer Babylon.

3. The third beast, like a leopard with four bird wings on its back and four heads, represents Persia. To this beast is given dominion, mirroring the historical reality of Persia's successful conquest of Babylon.

4. The fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and strong, represents Greece - its horns are the leaders from Seleucus I through Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

After the time of these four beasts will arise Israel's savior:

I saw one like a human being
coming with the clouds of heaven,
And he came to the Ancient One
and was presented before him.
To him was given dominion
and glory and kingship,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not pass away,
and his kingship is one
that shall never be destroyed.
(Daniel 7.13-14)

After seeing all this, Daniel seeks an attendant to the Lord who can explain the vision to him. The interpretation goes pretty much as above, with the one like a human being ushering in an eternal kingdom for the Jews:

"The kingship and dominion
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
shall be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High;
their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey them."
(Daniel 7.27)

Further Visions
Daniel's further apocalypses clarify and expound upon the material introduced in the vision of chapter 7.

Chapter 8 presents a vision of the future actions of Medea, Persia, and Greece, with particular emphasis on Greece.

In chapter 9, direct revelation occurs, with no imagery to be interpreted. Daniel, who prays for God's forgiveness on behalf of Jerusalem, is visited by the angel Gabriel, who gives him the history of the future, a succession of 70 weeks of years (490 years total) until good finally triumphs.

Chapter 10 presents another direct revelation, and here we dig into more apocalyptic devices. A man (probably Gabriel, who is Israel's patron angel) visits Daniel and tells him that he has been fighting the patron angel of Persia. In the apocalyptic worldview, you see, events on earth mimic those in heaven. This idea is common among a number of cultures, and helps to provide a symmetry and reason for events on earth.

In fact, future peace in the Christian tradition is perceived in exactly this way:

...Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven...

And so the one like a man departs from Daniel, with the parting words,

"Do you know why I have come to you? Now I must return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I am through with him, the prince of Greece will come. But I am to tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth. Thee is no one with me who contends against these princes except Michael, your prince."
(Daniel 10.20-21)

At a later time (Daniel 11-12) Gabriel reveals to Daniel a blueprint of the very difficult times ahead, but ultimately the story ends positively for God's people. We even get a tiny glimpse of the notion of heaven:

“At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever."
(Daniel 12.1-3)