The Book of the Prophet Daniel 7 The Vision of the Four Symbolic Beasts

 The Book of the Prophet Daniel 7

The Vision of the Four Symbolic Beasts

1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while he was lying on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and related the sum of the matters.

2 Daniel spoke and said: “I was watching in my vision at night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were battling on the great sea.

3 And four great beasts, different from one another, came up out of the sea.

4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched until its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.

5 I continued watching, and behold, a second beast, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’” 

6 After this I looked, and behold, another beast, like a leopard, and on its back it had four wings of a bird. This beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.

7 After this I looked in the visions of the night, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible and exceedingly strong; it had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet; it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.

8 While I was considering the horns, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots; and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

9 I looked until thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 

10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

11 I kept watching because of the sound of the great words coming from the horn. I kept watching until the beast was slain, its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire.

12 As for the other beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season.

13 In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.

14 He was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations and languages ​​should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me.

16 I approached one of those standing nearby and asked him the truth about all this. And he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things.

17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings who will arise on the earth.

18 But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever and ever.

19 Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with teeth of iron and claws of bronze; which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet.

20 And also of the ten horns that were on its head, and of the other horn that came up, before which three fell, I say of that horn which had eyes, and a mouth which spoke great things, and whose appearance was more steadfast than that of its companions.

21 I watched, and behold, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed against them.

22 Until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

23 Thus he said: “The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall trample it down, and break it in pieces.

24 And as for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise; and another shall arise after them, who shall be different from the former ones, and shall subdue three kings.”

25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.

26 But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and destroyed forever.

27 Then the sovereignty, dominion and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of God’s holy people. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey him.

28 The vision ended. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I kept these things in my heart.