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Daniel 7, 8, 9, 12

Lesson 7 provides the opportunity for us to study the courtroom judgment in detail.  Whenever Antichrist's deceitful actions are revealed in Daniel, the verses that immediately follow, describe Heaven's response in the form of the courtroom setting.  In reality, the Court sits in direct response to Antichrist's deceptive practices and Satan's attack on Heaven (Revelation 12:7-9).

Thrones, like chariot wheels (Ezekiel 1:15-26; 10:2) ablaze with fire (Exodus 3:2;Psalm 97:3; Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29), will be arranged in Heaven's Temple (Psalms 122:5) and the Ancient of Days (Ezekiel 1:26; Isaiah 6:1; Job 36:26; Psalms 102:24; Isaiah 41:4; Psalms 90:2) clothed in the white apparel of righteousness (Isaiah 1:18; Psalm 51:7) will move within the Temple to sit in counsel within the newly arranged Courtroom (Jeremiah 23:17-18; Psalm 89:7).

Millions of angels will be attending the proceedings (1 Kings 22:19; Revelation 5:11), for the holy ones watch earthly affairs and proclaim announcements of the Court (Daniel 4:17).  A select group of humans are involved in the Courtroom drama (Revelation 4:4), for the redeemed will be given the power of decision in the coming government of God (1 Corinthians 6:2-3; Revelation 20:4).

In vision, Daniel saw that "the judgment was set, and the books were opened," (Daniel 7:9-10).  The investigative court will proceed with opened books (Isaiah 65:6; Malachi 3:16; Psalms 56:8; Jeremiah 17:1), which will lead to the Judge's sentence of death against the nations (1 Kings 22:19; Joel 3:2; Psalms 72:2-4).

In each of the prophetic passages that deal with the Courtroom setting, we find the same elements of an earthly courtroom.  God will not forcibly reclaim earth's territory from Satan without proper proceedings in the presence of jury and witnesses.  In contrast, Jesus underwent a sham trial spurred on by hatred and lies, which ended His three and one-half year ministry of compassion.  However, Almighty and the inhabitants of Heaven will not ask for reversal of Satan and Antichrist's authority over the planet (Luke 4:6) and their demise (Ezekiel 28:18-19; Revelation 19:20), without first hearing the case in detail and by reviewing the books of record.

Nonetheless, God knows the end from the beginning and His Word spells out Lucifer's doom that will end his three and one-half year bloody pursuit, as well as the demise of Antichrist and the False Prophet and those who have aligned themselves with them.

Opening Scene of the Court

1. Daniel has just described the uprising of Antichrist in Daniel 7:8.  Now Daniel takes us to a scene in Heaven.  What does he see taking place after Antichrist comes into power (Daniel 7:9-10)?

The prophet sees the thrones "set in place".  We should note however that the King James Version reads the opposite, "were cast down".  Both translations reveal truths concerning this event.  The original language indicates that although the thrones will be cast down in a cosmic battle that will occur in Heaven at the time of the end, they will soon thereafter be set back up for the end-time Court proceedings that will bring about the final solution to the great controversy. 

The phrase "cast down" is from a Chaldee word {HEBREW CHARACTERS IN PRINTED TEXT}, remi, which may properly be rendered "hurled by violence," as is plainly the case where it is used to describe the casting of the three Hebrews into the fiery furnace, and of casting Daniel into the den of lions. Indeed, Satan and his angels will reach Heaven, even the very throne room of the Most High, in an attempt to overtake God's kingdom.  In spite of this violent battle, Satan will not prevail but will be cast out of Heaven. 

Another equally correct translation is "to set or place in order," as in the placing of the judgment seats mentioned here, as also a like setting or placing in Revelation 4:2, in which the Greek bears out the same meaning. This rearrangement in the courts in Heaven makes way for the opening of the recorded books of investigative evidence so that all testimony might be examined as to whose kingdom will prevail--that of Christ or Satan.

2. Revelation 4:2-11 the prophet John also sees the throne room in Heaven.  How does he describe the One sitting on the throne and those who surround Him? 

The best description the prophet could give of what he saw, was the Father sitting on the throne.  A rainbow encircled Him.  Twenty-four elders, "purchased men" according to Revelation 5:9 who will reign on earth with the saints, surround the throne.  In Daniel we are told the "thrones" are set alongside God's.  This would indicate the reigning of a group who will make importance decisions about the nations and about God's kingdom.  However, attention is focused on God Himself as judge.  He is described as One "advanced in years"--a picture not of senility but of venerability.  It is He who existed before the world began (Isaiah 44:6; Psalm 55:19), who exemplifies wisdom as well as might.  His raiment, like His hair, is the purist white, reflecting that dazzling brightness which is a mark of divine or celestial beings (Matt. 28:3). In the counsel of the holy ones, God is greatly revered (Psalm 89:7).  The picture of God as the arbiter and judge of all the earth is a common one in the Old Testament.

3. Daniel also saw the throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze (7:9).  How does Ezekiel describe the four living creatures (Ezekiel 1:4-21)?  

The throne has burning wheels, reminding us of the chariot-throne of Ezekiel's vision from which fire came flashing forth (Ezekiel 1:4; 13-15).  These fiery creatures are four massive angels who each have six wings.  They stand before the Lord and are known in Scripture as the "four winds" (Zechariah 6:2-5).  These four magnificent creatures are closely associated with the four horses of Revelation 6:1-8 and the emergence of earthly powers (Lion, Bear and Leopard, etc.) in Daniel 7:2-3.

4.       How many angels did Daniel see in the throne vision (7:10)?

There were literally millions of angels witnessing the proceedings.  John likewise sees the vast number of angels in his vision (Revelation 5:11).

In neither Daniel's vision nor John's revelation of the Heavenly Sanctuary do we see Jesus sitting on His throne next to the Father.  Hebrews 8:1-2 says Christ is sat down at the right hand of God as the high priest.