Daniel’s Vision of the Four Beasts
The second half of the book features visions...
The second half of the book features visions given to Daniel. These visions showed Daniel and his people, both those in exile and those who had returned to Judea, that the future is securely in God’s hands. All empires will ultimately fall before the Kingdom of Heaven. Daniel’s people will be rescued from all their troubles (12:1–3), and God will resurrect and judge all humankind (see 12:13). Daniel interpreted these visions with help from divine messengers (7:10; 8:15; 9:22; 10:14; 12:7).
This chapter contains a terrifying vision (7:2–14) and...
This chapter contains a terrifying vision (7:2–14) and its interpretation (7:17–27). The sequence of kingdoms recalls Nebuchadnezzar’s dream some forty-five years earlier (2:1–45).
1In the first year of the reign of Belshazzar over Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he lay on his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is the summary of his account.
2Daniel declared: “In my vision in the night I looked, and suddenly the four winds of heaven were churning up the great sea.†
The kingdoms of the world are represented as...
The kingdoms of the world are represented as four huge beasts (7:17; cp. Rev 13:1–2).
3Then four great beasts came up out of the sea, each one different from the others:
4The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man and given the mind of a man.
5Suddenly another beast appeared, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. So it was told, ‘Get up and gorge yourself on flesh!’
6Next, as I watched, suddenly another beast appeared. It was like a leopard, and on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.
7After this, as I watched in my vision in the night, suddenly a fourth beast appeared, and it was terrifying—dreadful and extremely strong—with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed; then it trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns. 8While I was contemplating the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like those of a man and a mouth that spoke words of arrogance.
Daniel’s Vision of the Ancient of Days
The kingdoms of the world are represented by...
- The kingdoms of the world are represented by fierce animals; the Kingdom of God is represented by a divine-human figure (also in 7:13–14) and by holy people.
- the Ancient One: This name is a circumlocution for God, whose existence preceded all the nations and peoples of the earth.
- White . . . hair and clothing represent wisdom and purity. The river of fire speaks of God’s purifying presence.
9As I continued to watch,
thrones were set in place,and the Ancient of Days took His seat.His clothing was white as snow,and the hair of His head was like pure wool.His throne was flaming with fire,and its wheels were all ablaze.10A river of fire was flowing,coming out from His presence.Thousands upon thousands attended Him,and myriads upon myriads stood before Him.The court was convened,and the books were opened.11Then I kept watching because of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued to watch, the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. 12As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was removed, but they were granted an extension of life for a season and a time.
Daniel’s Vision of the Son of Man
This being like a son of man, unlike...
This being like a son of man, unlike the arrogant little horn, did not boast and was not violent. He did not violently overthrow other kings, and he received God’s favor and blessing. He was led into God’s presence and was presented to him. God gave him kingship and a kingdom. This figure is the Messiah, God’s chosen and anointed King.
13In my vision in the night I continued to watch,
and I saw One like the Son of Man†coming with the clouds of heaven.†He approached the Ancient of Daysand was led into His presence.14And He was given dominion,glory, and kingship,that the people of every nation and languageshould serve Him.His dominion is an everlasting dominionthat will not pass away,and His kingdom is onethat will never be destroyed.Daniel’s Visions Interpreted
Daniel dared to approach the beings standing beside...
Daniel dared to approach the beings standing beside the throne of God, and he was helped, not harmed.
15I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit, and the visions in my mind alarmed me. 16I approached one of those who were standing there, and I asked him the true meaning of all this.
So he told me the interpretation of these things: 17‘These four great beasts are four kings who will arise from the earth. 18But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever—yes, forever and ever.’
Daniel requested and received more information about the...
Daniel requested and received more information about the fourth beast, the ten horns, and the little horn.
19Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others—extremely terrifying—devouring and crushing with iron teeth and bronze claws, then trampling underfoot whatever was left. 20I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn whose appearance was more imposing than the others, with eyes and with a mouth that spoke words of arrogance. 21As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them, 22until the Ancient of Days arrived and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for them to possess the kingdom.
23This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it.
Its ten horns are ten kings: This number...
- Its ten horns are ten kings: This number might refer to ten specific individuals, or it might be a symbolic number meaning that this kingdom lasted through the reigns of many kings (cp. Rev 13:1).
- Then another king, who corresponds to the “little horn” (Dan 7:21), will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people by blaspheming the Lord, trying to interfere with worship of the Lord, trying to make the holy people follow his religion, and subjecting them to constant threats.
- a time, times, and half a time: The text is not explicit as to the length of time. Nonetheless, the period of oppression for the holy people would be limited and would end suddenly and unexpectedly.
24And the ten horns are ten kings who will rise from this kingdom. After them another king, different from the earlier ones, will rise and subdue three kings. 25He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.
26But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 27Then the sovereignty, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’
28Thus ends the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and my face turned pale. But I kept the matter to myself.”