Daniel 11 – All Eyes on Waco

Sermon Study Guide

“All Eyes on Waco” (Daniel 11)

How to Use This Study Guide

• Personal Bible Study: Dive deep into the scriptures and reflect on how these teachings apply to your life.
• Small Group Discussion: Use this guide to spur meaningful conversations in your Bible study groups.
• Sabbath School Classes: Enhance class discussions with structured insights and questions.
• Family Worship: Explore these sessions as a family to grow together in faith and understanding.

Icons Explained:

• 📖 Scripture Focus: Highlights the key biblical passages for each session.
• 💭 Teaching Points: Summarizes the main teachings from the sermon.
• ❓ Discussion Questions: Prompts to encourage reflection and dialogue.
• ✍️ Personal Application: Practical steps to apply the sermon lessons in daily life.

Session 1: Listen to the External Expositors

📖 Opening Scripture: “But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days” (Daniel 2:28).

💭 Teaching Summary:

1. The first principle of prophetic interpretation is to listen to the external expositors. This means paying attention to the explanations provided within the scriptures themselves. Many prophecies, particularly in Daniel, are accompanied by an interpretation from an angel or a human. For example, in Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is explained by Daniel, who attributes the revelation to God. Similarly, in Genesis, Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh, the butler, and the baker. This principle teaches us to seek understanding from within the text, guided by the explanations provided by God.
2. In Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the tree is explained by Daniel, who identifies the tree as Nebuchadnezzar himself. This demonstrates the importance of adhering to the internal explanations provided within the scriptures. By doing so, we avoid misinterpretations that arise from ignoring these divinely provided insights. The internal expositors help us understand the symbols and their meanings, ensuring our interpretations align with the intended message.

❓ Discussion Questions:

• Why is it important to consider the internal expositors when interpreting biblical prophecies?
• How does understanding the context of a prophecy enhance its interpretation?
• Can you think of other examples in the Bible where an external expositor provides the interpretation of a dream or vision?
• What might happen if we ignore the interpretations given within the scriptures themselves?

✍️ Personal Application:

• Identify a prophecy in the Bible and study the interpretation provided within the text. Reflect on how this enhances your understanding.
• Commit to reading the Bible with an open heart, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you to the truths within the scriptures.

Session 2: Compare Scripture with Scripture

📖 Opening Scripture: “For precept must be upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little” (Isaiah 28:10).

💭 Teaching Summary:

1. Comparing scripture with scripture allows us to see the Bible as a coherent whole. This principle is essential for interpreting symbols that recur throughout the Bible. For instance, the sun, moon, and stars in Revelation 12 can be better understood by referring back to Joseph’s dream in Genesis. This method ensures that our interpretations are consistent and grounded in the broader biblical narrative, rather than based on isolated readings.
2. In interpreting the symbols of prophecy, it’s crucial to use clear scripture to interpret less clear passages. This prevents us from projecting our own meanings onto the text. By studying the Bible holistically and seeking consistency in symbolism, we maintain the integrity of the scriptures. This approach also guards against imaginative but unfounded interpretations that can arise from neglecting this principle.

❓ Discussion Questions:

• How does comparing scripture with scripture help us in understanding biblical prophecies?
• Why is it important to recognize the Bible as a coherent whole when interpreting prophecy?
• What are some challenges we might face when trying to compare scripture with scripture?
• How can we ensure that our interpretations remain consistent with the biblical narrative?

✍️ Personal Application:

• Select a symbol from Daniel or Revelation and trace its use throughout the Bible. Reflect on how this study enhances your understanding.
• Pray for discernment and wisdom as you study the scriptures, seeking to understand the interconnectedness of God’s word.

Session 3: Be Consistent in Your Interpretation

📖 Opening Scripture: “God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33).

💭 Teaching Summary:

1. Consistency in interpretation is akin to consistency in parenting: it’s foundational. Just as children thrive under consistent guidance, our understanding of prophecy benefits from consistent interpretation of symbols. The beasts in Daniel 7, for instance, have corresponding elements in Revelation. This consistency across scriptures highlights the orderliness of God’s revelations and helps us avoid confusion and misinterpretation.
2. If symbols are interpreted inconsistently, such as the heads and horns in Daniel and Revelation, it leads to a chaotic jumble of meanings. Recognizing the internal harmony of the Bible helps us maintain clarity and coherence in our interpretations. This principle prevents us from developing arbitrary interpretations and ensures that we remain aligned with the intended message of the scriptures.

❓ Discussion Questions:

• What are the dangers of inconsistent interpretation of biblical symbols?
• How does consistency in interpretation reflect the nature of God as a God of order?
• Can you think of examples where consistent interpretation of symbols has clarified your understanding of prophecy?
• Why is it important to have a systematic approach when studying biblical prophecy?

✍️ Personal Application:

• Review your past interpretations of a biblical prophecy and assess them for consistency. Consider how this impacts your understanding.
• Commit to studying the Bible systematically, seeking consistency in interpretation and allowing God’s order to guide your understanding.

Session 4: Recognize Prophetic Augmentation

📖 Opening Scripture: “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18).

💭 Teaching Summary:

1. Prophetic augmentation involves the idea that later prophecies build upon earlier ones, adding more detail and clarity. In Daniel, the visions progress from Daniel 2 to 7, 8, and beyond, each adding layers to the prophetic message. This process is akin to a marriage, where understanding deepens over time. The additional details enrich our understanding without contradicting the previous revelations.
2. Understanding prophetic augmentation helps us appreciate the interconnectedness of biblical prophecies. It highlights the unfolding nature of God’s plan and encourages us to study the books of Daniel and Revelation together. Recognizing this principle prevents us from viewing the prophecies as isolated snapshots but rather as a cohesive narrative that guides us through God’s redemptive history.

❓ Discussion Questions:

• How does prophetic augmentation enhance our understanding of God’s plan throughout history?
• Why is it important to view the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation as interconnected?
• What insights can we gain from recognizing the progression of detail in biblical prophecies?
• How does this principle encourage us to study the Bible more deeply?

✍️ Personal Application:

• Study a sequence of prophecies, such as those in Daniel, and note how each builds upon the previous ones. Reflect on the insights gained.
• Pray for a deeper understanding of God’s prophetic messages and commit to studying the Bible with a holistic perspective.

Session 5: Respect the Previous Interpreters

📖 Opening Scripture: “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct” (Hebrews 13:7).

💭 Teaching Summary:

1. Respecting previous interpreters involves recognizing the contributions of past scholars and theologians. Giants like Martin Luther, Charles Wesley, and Uriah Smith have paved the way for our understanding of prophecy. This principle teaches humility and acknowledges that we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us, benefiting from their insights and discoveries.
2. This respect for previous interpreters is not about blind adherence but rather about appreciating the collective wisdom that has shaped our understanding. By learning from their interpretations, we gain a deeper appreciation for the richness of the biblical narrative and avoid the pitfalls of isolated interpretation. This principle reminds us that our understanding of prophecy is part of a larger, ongoing conversation within the body of Christ.

❓ Discussion Questions:

• Why is it important to respect the contributions of previous interpreters of biblical prophecy?
• How can we balance respect for past interpretations with openness to new insights?
• What role does humility play in our study of biblical prophecy?
• How can we learn from the insights of different denominations and traditions in our understanding of prophecy?

✍️ Personal Application:

• Read a commentary or article by a respected interpreter of prophecy and reflect on how their insights enhance your understanding.
• Pray for humility and openness as you study the Bible, seeking to learn from the collective wisdom of the Christian community.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the wisdom and guidance found in Your Word. As we study the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, grant us understanding and insight. Help us to apply these principles of interpretation faithfully, respecting the insights of those who have gone before us. May our study draw us closer to You and equip us to share Your message with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.