The concept of a world empire would have meant the civilized world of the Mediterranean basin plus Persia to the ancient readers of Daniel. So an empire that conquered the whole world could be perceived as Rome. However, the nature of the last empire in Daniel seven shows a scope that envelopes more than the original writer could have known. In these days we see the possibility of a world governemnt as literally taking control of the whole world. We know the world to be round, we know of the Americas, and we know that The League of Nations and The United Nations have been two attempts to extend law and order around the world. This is why End Times books often use the United Nations or something like it as the housing for the Beast’s government. Some see the Roman connection in the European Community, and that the Beast will manipulate the world from Europe.
In times of economic trouble and religious confusion we can see that someone can come and restore econmoic stability and quietly start attacking a religious group. Hitler did this in the 30’s in Germany. If Christians were scapegoated like the Jews were, you could imagine the same course of events occuring again. As long as people can trade and feel financially secure they will praise the Beast who brings them that security.
Some people, like Charlie Brown in the Christmas special of 1965, will see that commercialism is shallow and realise that the world is wrong side up. They will be sacrificed to the Beast, but finally a new world order will arise that is neither consumerist or self-interested. The Ancient of Days will use the globalized structures to rule justly on Earth. A Second Advent. Peace on Earth and goodwill to men.
Daniel 7:11-28
11 “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. 12(The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)
13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[a] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
The Interpretation of the Dream
15 “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me. 16I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this.
“So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. 18But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.’
19 “Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws—the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. 20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully. 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them, 22until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.
23 “He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. 24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.[b]
26 “‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 27Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’
28 “This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.”
Questions
- How is the final beast’s fate described?
- How are God’s people treated in the last beast’s empire?
- How might a single ruler claim authority over all the Earth in today’s environment?
- How do you view the present trend to globalization?
- How could you use the present changes in the world to communicate to others that God is incontrol?
- If you are a Teaching the Bible in the Classroom student, you are not required to continue posting but you may choose to do so if you wish.
Going Deeper
- How does daily Bible reading affect a course?
- Was the reading better when it was titled by chapter and verse (e.g. Daniel 7:6,7) or was it better when it was titled by topic (e.g. God Looks ofn the Outside)?
- Why do you think many students who claim to be Christian do not read their Bible in a daily fashion when going through Elementary and Senior School?
- How are parents key in establishing the value of the Bible in their home?
- Would you require daily Bible study from students? How might this vary with grade?
- How would you respond to a parent (this happened) who complained that doing 7 days of reading each Sunday because it is due on Monday is just too much for her child (she was asking for the load to be removed)?
Plymothian 
1. It will be completely destroyed.
2. They will be oppressed.
3. By taking control of the UN and expanding it to the whole world.
4. It is the steps toward one ruler, and then ultimately toward one kingdom of God.
5. By explaining that he is preparing the world to be united in him kingdom.
1.How is the final beast’s fate described?
the beast will die!!
2.How are God’s people treated in the last beast’s empire?
NOt well at all
3.How might a single ruler claim authority over all the Earth in today’s environment?
He would come as a peacekeeper.
4.How do you view the present trend to globalization?
I do not think that it is necessarliy bad. I think that sometimes countries put their nose into other people’s business. I do see how it could lead down bad paths.
5.How could you use the present changes in the world to communicate to others that God is incontrol?
I could show how the Bible said that the globalization would happen.
6.If you are a Teaching the Bible in the Classroom student, you are not required to continue posting but you may choose to do so if you wish.
Going Deeper
1.How does daily Bible reading affect a course?
I think that it gets the student directly thinking about the course and the material.
2.Was the reading better when it was titled by chapter and verse (e.g. Daniel 7:6,7) or was it better when it was titled by topic (e.g. God Looks ofn the Outside)?
I think probably the topic.
3.Why do you think many students who claim to be Christian do not read their Bible in a daily fashion when going through Elementary and Senior School?
They do not see it modeled. They are not introduced to it or taught how to do ut, so with the exception of a small crack at reading a few chapters here and there, they do not know how to study it on their own,
4.How are parents key in establishing the value of the Bible in their home?
Modeling!!!
5.Would you require daily Bible study from students? How might this vary with grade?
I think that it would benefit younger student. I feel that for Bible college students who are already (theoretically) getting into the Word daily, it is a little unneccassary.
6.How would you respond to a parent (this happened) who complained that doing 7 days of reading each Sunday because it is due on Monday is just too much for her child (she was asking for the load to be removed)?
I would tell her that if her child did the reading every day like she was assigned then it would not be that bad.
1. the beast was slain, its body was destroyed, and it was thrown into the blazing fire.
2. They will be handed over into their hands and will be oppressed.
3. By promising world peace.
5. Create a series of questions, asking why unexplainable events happen.
1. it will be demolished and disposed of
2. they will be harshly treated
1) He was completely destroyed, sentenced to an eternity of torture.
2) They will be oppressed by the cruel leader.
3) As the world becomes more and more global, a leader could easily gain control over the whole world, especially if he/she had control of the economy.
4) I view it as a sign to the ends of the age.
5) I would tell them that everything that is happening is part of God’s eternal plan, as described in his word.
How is the final beast’s fate described? But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever (v.26)
How are God’s people treated in the last beast’s empire?He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time (v.25)
How might a single ruler claim authority over all the Earth in today’s environment? for example, the U.S.’s economics, communities, and cultures (almost every parts) affect other many nations today. This means the U.S.’s leader, the single ruler, can have a huge authority which can claim over all other countries today.
How do you view the present trend to globalization? The End of the world is coming as the bible says!!
How could you use the present changes in the world to communicate to others that God is incontrol?
If you are a Teaching the Bible in the Classroom student, you are not required to continue posting but you may choose to do so if you wish.