Prophecy

What Thoughts Made Daniel Pale with Fright?

by Wade Nye
12/28/14
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Daniel 7:28 “At this point the revelation ended. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were greatly alarming me, and my face grew pale, but I kept the matter to myself.”

The last few passages of Daniel 7 (22-27) describe a great and glorious event. God’s judgment of the little horn (oppressor of the saints) and the saints taking possession of the earthly kingdom of Christ. But Daniel’s pale faced reaction to this revelation makes little sense. In this article we will study why Daniel had this reaction and what meaning this can add to these prophetic passages. We will also examine what place the handing of the kingdom over to the saints has in Eschatology.

When Daniel’s face grew pale it could be better described as “the brightness of his face changed” in today’s language we would say “he turned white as a sheet” or “all the color left his face” this is a fearful reaction. A face growing pale is a common theme in Daniel (1:10, 5:6, 5:9, 5:10, 10:8) in every instance indicating fear, fright and or illness.

Most commentators indicate that his reaction was similar to what he had in 10:8.

Daniel 10:8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision; yet no strength was left in me, for my natural color turned to a deathly pallor, and I retained no strength.

Daniel turned pale when he saw a vision of an angel (or the Lord) in 10:8. The difference in 7:28 it is not his reaction to the vision that made him frightened (the vision had come to an end). It was when Daniel later thought about the contents of the revelation he became frightened.

In 10:8 the source of fright was clearly the vision itself at the instant that the vision happened. Because 10:8 occurred during waking hours, outdoors, with all the senses sharp it brought alarm when it occurred. The more distant dream state vision in 7:1 did not induce the same level of fright while it was occurring. So what was hidden in the vision in 7 that frightened Daniel?

Although there were some impressive events in the vision. Terrible Beasts doing frightful things. The little horn boasting and doing harm to God’s people, the appearance of God Almighty and the heavenly assembly in some type of important ruling. But it seems that in the midst of the vision Daniel’s fear had become curiosity (7:16).

Every fearful event it in Daniel 7 seems to come to a happy ending.If all had come to a happy ending than what was the source of Daniel’s frightening thoughts?

Let’s focus on what appears on the surface as good news. As silly as it sounds the happy ending seems to be the source of Daniel’s fearful expression. What place does the saints possessing the kingdom have in Eschatological terms?

1. The beginning of the millennial rule?
2. The return of Christ?
3. Something else?

Since Daniel was very wise and even highly esteemed by God something worrisome is buried in the end of the vision that only a man with Daniel’s wisdom could see. The return of Christ can be ruled out first (Number 2). The Lord’s return could bring no fear to Daniel for it is the end of all fear and trouble for God’s faithful. Also making the depiction of the Lords return unlikely is the millennial rule is not mentioned in the narrative. Surely God would have depicted 1000 years of Christ’s co-rule with the saints in the vision.

If Daniel 7 depicts the Millennial reign (Revelation 20:1-7) then it makes no mention of the end of that reign and Satan’s unchaining (Revelation 20:3&7). So if the no mention of the end of the millennial rule is in the vision then why did Daniel grow pale with fright?

No matter how much wisdom Daniel had he would not have been able to extrapolate the future chaining much less the unchaining of Satan from the text of Chapter 7. In Chapter 7 it seems that the saints are given a free hand at ruling the kingdom they possess it themselves, The millennial rule in Revelation 20 seems more of the co-ruling of Christ with his saints. So the millennial reign (and its end) can be ruled out (Number 1).

So we come to the something else (Number 3). Let’s break down what the events were that transpired when Christ (described as One Like the Son of Man) came before the throne of God (Described as the Ancient of Days).

1. The system of sole rule (dominion invested in 1 individual) would be done away with.(11&12)
2. Countries that were sole rule were allowed to continue even though their rulers had lost dominion.(12)
3. Christians (saints) would have collective dominion and self-determination.(27)
4. Christians (saints) would never have to be persecuted by a dominate pagan power again. Especially those solely wielding the power of the tongue. They could have freedom of worship. Christian nations ruled collectively would always be the dominate power on the earth.
5. Even those who were not Christians (saints) would fall under the system of Christ and his method of self-determinate rule.(27)

So the happy event that was described in Daniel 7 is what we see around us today. The end of power over nations invested in one man (sole rule). Government in which the power is invested in the people in one form or another is the predominate system worldwide today. We still see some slight signs of life in Monarchs, Dictators and Despots but for sure all of the dominion and the power on earth today is invested in Christ and he dispenses it to the people (not the rulers).

Today even the most despotic rulers toss and turn at night worried about the will of the people. In the past this was not the case. Back then most rulers slept soundly and had no fear of loss of dominion.

Back to our pale faced subject. Daniel was fearful and rightly so, he was contemplating the negative possibilities of God’s people being given worldwide authority and dominion. He had a unique perspective of those possibilities. He had this because of the times he was in.

Daniel and all of his people were exiled in Babylon. Virtual prisoners because God’s people the Jews had squandered all of authority, dominion and blessings they were given.
 

God had centuries earlier delivered His people the Jews from slavery in Egypt and given them a land flowing with milk and honey. God had given the Jews a marvelous temple to worship Him God had given the Jews protection on every side from all of their enemies. Yet they chose to worship idols (among other sins).

Daniel was witness as God by his own hand allowed the destruction of His holy city Jerusalem and his own temple. He witnessed how God allowed his people to be stripped of their lands and possessions and become exiled in a foreign country amongst unbelievers. God allowed the land of Israel to be barren and desolate. Daniel also being well versed in the writings of Moses and the prophets he knew full well the failings that God’s people had when given dominion and authority and peace on all sides. From the Garden of Eden to Solomon’s fall and beyond.

Israel was a mere prototype of what was to come. Even though Israel was a tiny country, the upheaval that disobedience to God caused was staggering. What would happen if God’s people became disobedient worldwide? Especially in the face of knowing Him and seeing His blessings? The repercussions were mind boggling.

So the thoughts of Daniel’s head that were gained from the night vision (dream revelation). Was the possibility of exactly what we see today. Namely every man following what they want to do rather than doing God’s will. Putting created things ahead of the kingdom of God. Many people forget that creation includes career, family, education and retirement. These created things can be as much of an idol as money, cars homes and jewelry. Having idols is what brought upheaval in the Temple and Jerusalem and Israel and put God’s people into captivity.

Today’s idols will bring discipline in the form of visible devastation on God’s own house, his people and his land’s. This visible devastation will be far worse than what Daniel witnessed in Jerusalem because it will be worldwide and God’s own people Christians and what are called Christian nations will bear the brunt of that devastation.

Ephesians 1:22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.²³ And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.