Daniel 7

Four beasts

1In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions in his mind as he lay in bed. He wrote down the dream, giving an account of what he saw. 2Daniel said: In my night vision I saw the four winds of heaven churning the great sea. 3Four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the others. 4The first was like a lion with eagle’s wings. As I watched, its wings were plucked off. It was lifted from the ground, made to stand on two feet like a human being, and given a human mind. 5Then I saw a second beast, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, with three ribs between its teeth. It was told, “Get up! Devour plenty of flesh!” 6After that I saw another, like a leopard, with four bird’s wings on its back. The beast had four heads, and authority to rule was given to it. 7After that, in my night visions, I saw a fourth beast—terrifying, dreadful, and immensely strong. It had huge iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, trampling what remained underfoot. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns. 8As I studied the horns, another horn, a small one, came up among them. Three of the earlier horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth speaking arrogantly.

The court sits

9I watched until thrones were set in place
and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was white as snow,
the hair of his head like pure wool.
His throne was flames of fire;
its wheels were burning fire. 10A river of fire flowed out before him.
A thousand thousands served him;
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court took its seat,
and the books were opened. 11I kept watching because of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. I watched until the beast was killed, its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire. 12The other beasts had their authority taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

A humanlike figure

13In my night visions I saw
someone like a son of man
coming with the clouds of heaven.
He approached the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him. 14He was given authority, glory, and kingship,
so that all peoples, nations, and languages would serve him.
His rule is an everlasting rule that will not pass away,
and his kingdom will never be destroyed.

The vision explained

15My spirit was distressed within me, Daniel, and the visions in my mind alarmed me. 16I approached one of those standing there and asked him the truth about all this. He told me and explained what it meant: 17“These four great beasts are four kings who will arise from the earth. 18But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever—forever and ever.” 19Then I wanted to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and so terrifying. It had iron teeth and bronze claws; it devoured and crushed, trampling what remained underfoot. 20I also asked about the ten horns on its head and the other horn that came up, before which three fell. That horn had eyes and a mouth speaking arrogantly, and it looked greater than its companions. 21As I watched, that horn waged war against the holy ones and prevailed over them, 22until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was given for the holy ones of the Most High. The time arrived, and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom. 23He said, “The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom on earth, different from every other kingdom. It will devour the whole earth, trample it, and crush it. 24The ten horns are ten kings who will arise from that kingdom. Another will arise after them, different from the earlier ones, and bring down three kings. 25He will speak against the Most High and wear down the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change appointed times and law. They will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. 26But the court will sit, and his authority will be taken away, destroyed and abolished completely. 27The kingship, authority, and greatness of the kingdoms under all heaven will be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all authorities will serve and obey him.” 28That is the end of the account. I, Daniel, was deeply alarmed by my thoughts, and I turned pale. But I kept the matter in my heart.