Prophectic question

[Sailormilan2]

I was at church today, and notice a white board in one of the side rooms with texts from Daniel written all over it. Since it piqued my interest, I went in to discuss it with the teacher.
We discussed Daniel 7 & 8 with their possible alternate possibilities. Our official interpretation is Lion with eagles wings/Babylon, Bear/MedoPersia, Leopard with wings/Greece, Strange Beast/Rome&Roman Catholic church.
I pointed out some alternate ideas. Lion/USA, Bear/Russia, Leopard/Oriental nations, Strange Beast/NWO or OWO.
He gave me a rather condesending smile and said, "Daniel tells us who it is". Unfortunately, I am at a loss as I cannot find where "Daniel tells us". Daniel 2 really doesn't say, though more than likely it is referring to Babylon, MedoPersia, Greece, Rome. But, nowhere in Daniel 7 is there a clue as to who the nations are that I can find. So, how can Daniel tell us?
We then went to Daniel 8, Ram and the He Goat and discussed a alternate idea. Mainly that Greece is literally a Power from the West going against Iraq/Iran. He said that that could not be. Even when I mentioned Daniel 8:17, that the Angel told Daniel the vision was for the End of Time(or End of Age/Ages............depending on your Bible version).
His reply to that was that when Christ came, that was the start of the End of Time therefore it fits. This is something I have never heard of before. I told him I still had difficulty since the Greece/MedoPersia mess was 500 years before Christ, so still could not be in the "End of Time" era.
Has anyone ever heard that the coming of Christ started the end of time? Since that is something I have never heard before.
Finally, he said that all prophecies have a dual application. Physical and Spiritual, and that the Spiritual application is for the future.
Any comments?

[Lineman101]

Hi Sailor,
You are about to read many views regarding the prophecies of Daniel. I, with others, will address your questions regarding Daniel 7 & 8. But quickly, I would view a large portion of Daniel fulfilled during the time of Antiochus Epiphanies. This time is found in the Catholic bibles under Maccabees.

Concerning the "Christ started the end of time" comment, I would say that this person is referring to this verse in Hebrews 1:2-

2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. (NIV emphasis mine)

According to this and other verses in the NT, we understand that we are living in the final moments of time. While we don't know when this time will end, we know that Jesus is going to return. We need to prepare for His immediate arrival, but plan that He may not come for a thousand years.

As far as having dual meanings, I would strongly disagree with that statement. IMHO, when a person starts to water down the specific prophecies by claiming spiritual meanings to everything, the misinterpretation can be explained away easily.

[RAMCLAP]

Yup. From Cross to Advent are the last days. When He returns there will be no more days.
When we've been there 10000 years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing His praise
Than when we first begun.

Praise God.

[Lineman101]

Yup. From Cross to Advent are the last days. When He returns there will be no more days.
When we've been there 10000 years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing His praise
Than when we first begun.

Praise God.

I'll amen that!

[hasserl]

I would agree with the previous 2, since Christ's death and resurrection we ARE in the last days. This is the Lutheran teaching on end times.

[illuminate10]

I was at church today, and notice a white board in one of the side rooms with texts from Daniel written all over it. Since it piqued my interest, I went in to discuss it with the teacher.
We discussed Daniel 7 & 8 with their possible alternate possibilities. Our official interpretation is Lion with eagles wings/Babylon, Bear/MedoPersia, Leopard with wings/Greece, Strange Beast/Rome&Roman Catholic church.
I pointed out some alternate ideas. Lion/USA, Bear/Russia, Leopard/Oriental nations, Strange Beast/NWO or OWO.
He gave me a rather condesending smile and said, "Daniel tells us who it is". Unfortunately, I am at a loss as I cannot find where "Daniel tells us". Daniel 2 really doesn't say, though more than likely it is referring to Babylon, MedoPersia, Greece, Rome. But, nowhere in Daniel 7 is there a clue as to who the nations are that I can find. So, how can Daniel tell us?
We then went to Daniel 8, Ram and the He Goat and discussed a alternate idea. Mainly that Greece is literally a Power from the West going against Iraq/Iran. He said that that could not be. Even when I mentioned Daniel 8:17, that the Angel told Daniel the vision was for the End of Time(or End of Age/Ages............depending on your Bible version).
His reply to that was that when Christ came, that was the start of the End of Time therefore it fits. This is something I have never heard of before. I told him I still had difficulty since the Greece/MedoPersia mess was 500 years before Christ, so still could not be in the "End of Time" era.
Has anyone ever heard that the coming of Christ started the end of time? Since that is something I have never heard before.
Finally, he said that all prophecies have a dual application. Physical and Spiritual, and that the Spiritual application is for the future.
Any comments?

You bring up very valid points, I'm interested also because the nations of Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome couldn't be the incarnation of those nations at that time only? If that's the case, wouldn't there be a 5th kingdom here too to wipe them all away and "stand forever" much like the image in Daniel 2?


I never heard of since the Messiah coming it is now the last days either but hey, different strokes for different folks.