Big Idea: Envisioning the person and kingdom work of God through the Son of Man can bring comfort and assurance in a dark, unjust, and uncertain world.

Understanding the Text

Daniel 7:1–28 is woven into the book’s overall literary structure in several ways. First, it resets the chronological narrative of chapters 1–6 by returning to Belshazzar’s first year as its historical marker. Second, it completes the first of three parallel pairs of chapters (2 and 7) in the book’s concentric, Aramaic center section. Third, as a parallel pair, Daniel 2 and 7 address the same four kingdoms. In addition, Daniel’s “vision” in chapter 7 supplements the “vision” he receives regarding Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (2:19, 28, 31–45), yet with additional information. Fourth, it is the first of four apocalyptic vision…