Apocalyptic Visions

Daniel & Zechariah

Notes on the Book of Daniel

Daniel & his three friends were deported in the first Babylonian takeover (606) as part of a “re-education” scheme to retrain political and religious leaders’ sons as Babylonian protégés

The book has two parts: Six stories of events in Babylon (1-6) Four apocalyptic visions of world-changing events to come (7-12)

Most common interpretations point to the coming Persian, Greek and Roman world-domination campaigns as prelude to the Messianic Kingdom In fact, the High Priest Jaddua is supposed to have used the Book of

Daniel to show Alexander the Great his future in 329 B.C. Main interpretive argument:

Is Daniel “revealed apocalyptic prophecy” or “recorded religiously-projected history”?

Six Stories (Daniel 1-6)

1. Daniel & Friends remain kosher while living in an alien land and are divinely rewarded.

2. Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of coming kingdoms, displaying the divine source of all wisdom.

3. Daniel’s friends miraculously survive the fiery furnace punishment intended for all who will not worship Nebuchadnezzar.

Six Stories (continued)

4. Nebuchadnezzar given a divine vision of punishment for royal hubris.

5. Divine writing of judgment on banquet hall of Belshazzar interpreted by Daniel.

6. Now a royal advisor to Darius the Mede, Daniel is the target of royal intrigue but survives the lion’s den.

The Meaning of the Six Stories

Yahweh is sovereign over all nations Yahweh works through the political

designs of world rulers Yahweh is the source of true wisdom and

mediates this wisdom through the Jews Covenant faithfulness may bring

challenge and persecution, but is the only appropriate way of life no matter where one finds oneself.

The Five Kingdoms of Daniel 2

Head of Gold: Babylonian Empire (650-539)

Breast of Silver: Medo-Persian Empire (539-329)

Belly of Brass: Greek Empire (329-150) Legs of Iron: Roman Empire (150-0) Pebble that Becomes Mountain:

Kingdom of God/Christianity (0-Forever)

Four Apocalyptic Visions (Daniel 7-12)

1. The Four Beasts from the Sea (Daniel 7) Reiteration of Nebuchadnezzar’s Statue Vision (Daniel 2), with

some amplifications

2. The Ram, the He-Goat and the Horn (Daniel 8) Amplification of visions regarding Persians & Greeks

3. Reflections on Jeremiah’s Prophecy of Seventy Years (Daniel 9)

Divine promise of fulfillment of Jeremiah 25:11-14

4. End Time Rulers (Daniel 10-12) Amplification on Persian-Greek conflicts resulting in the

“abomination of desolation” defilement of the temple (Antiochus IV “Epiphanes/Epimanes”)

What Are the Characteristics of “Apocalyptic Literature?”

Temporal dualism: strong distinction between current and coming ages

Pessimism about current age, optimism about future age History is to be understood as occurring in eons or segments (4, 7,

12) reflecting a divine plan Imminent arrival of God’s reign which will destroy current temporal

powers Cosmic vantage point and global impact of unfolding events Vindication of “the Righteous” and restoration of natural perfections

and harmonies Involvement of supernatural beings in current conflicts, as well as

future gories & glories Clear Messianic figure who is at the center of all things and events

Notes on Zechariah

Post-exilic prophet (520-518) in the early days of the restored community in Jerusalem, just as the Second Temple was being built (contemporary to Zerubbabel & Haggai)

Significant difference between first (1-8) and second (9-14) sections has led many to suggest two authors, or authorship at two different times under different circumstances

Zechariah’s “visions” become increasingly apocalyptic

Outline of Zechariah’s Visions

Call to Repentance (1:1-6) Night Visions: (1:8-6:8)

Four horsemen; promise of restoration (1:8-17) Four horns, four smiths; judgment on nations (1:18-21) Man with measuring line; rebuilding Jerusalem (2:1-13) Joshua & Satan; promise of “My servant the Branch” (3) Gold lampstand and two olive trees; “by My Spirit” (4) Flying scroll; curse over whole earth (5:1-4) Woman in ephah basket; wickedness personified (5:5-11) Four chariots and horses; divine patrol (6)

Call for social justice (7) Promise of divine blessing (8)

Outline of Zechariah’s Visions

Events leading to the end of the age (9-11) Yahweh asserts domination over hostile cities (9:1-8) Zion’s King comes (9:9-17) Shepherdless people are regathered in the promised land (10-11)

Events of the end of the ages (12-14) Siege laid against Jerusalem (12:1-3) Yahweh sustains Judah and destroys nations (12:4-9) Yahweh pours out grace on the people (12:10-14) Fountain of cleansing opened (13:1-6) Judgment executed on the shepherd (13:7-9) “Day of the Lord” described (14)

Reflections on Zechariah

Heightened sense of the spiritual Social unrest couched in terms of demonic

warfare Apocalyptic interpretation of history as nearing

its cataclysmic showdown Confidence in the coming of Yahweh’s

redemption and reign Final tagline taken from High Priest’s head

covering and distributed to the common elements of life: “Holy to the Lord”