Daniel 7

Daniel has a Vision of Four Animals Coming up from the Sea

7:1 In the first1 year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had2 a dream filled with visions3 while he was lying on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream in summary fashion.4 7:2 Daniel explained:5 “I was watching in my vision during the night as6 the four winds of the sky7 were stirring up the great sea.8 7:3 Then four large beasts came up from the sea; they were different from one another.

7:4 “The first one was like a lion with eagles’ wings. As I watched, its wings were pulled off and it was lifted up from the ground. It was made to stand on two feet like a human being, and a human mind9 was given to it.10

7:5 “Then11 a second beast appeared, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and there were three ribs12 in its mouth between its teeth.13 It was told,14 ‘Get up and devour much flesh!’

7:6 “After these things,15 as I was watching, another beast16 like a leopard appeared, with four bird-like wings on its back.17 This beast had four heads,18 and ruling authority was given to it.

7:7 “After these things, as I was watching in the night visions19 a fourth beast appeared – one dreadful, terrible, and very strong.20 It had two large rows21 of iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and anything that was left it trampled with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that came before it, and it had ten horns.

7:8 “As I was contemplating the horns, another horn – a small one – came up between them, and three of the former horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it.22 This horn had eyes resembling human eyes and a mouth speaking arrogant23 things.

7:9 “While I was watching,

thrones were set up,

and the Ancient of Days24 took his seat.

His attire was white like snow;

the hair of his head was like lamb’s25 wool.

His throne was ablaze with fire

and its wheels were all aflame.26

7:10 A river of fire was streaming forth

and proceeding from his presence.

Many thousands were ministering to him;

Many tens of thousands stood ready to serve him.27

The court convened28

and the books were opened.

7:11 “Then I kept on watching because of the arrogant words of the horn that was speaking. I was watching29 until the beast was killed and its body destroyed and thrown into30 the flaming fire. 7:12 As for the rest of the beasts, their ruling authority had already been removed, though they were permitted to go on living31 for a time and a season. 7:13 I was watching in the night visions,

“And with32 the clouds of the sky33

one like a son of man34 was approaching.

He went up to the Ancient of Days

and was escorted35 before him.

7:14 To him was given ruling authority, honor, and sovereignty.

All peoples, nations, and language groups were serving36 him.

His authority is eternal and will not pass away.37

His kingdom will not be destroyed.38

An Angel Interprets Daniel’s Vision

7:15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed,39 and the visions of my mind40 were alarming me. 7:16 I approached one of those standing nearby and asked him about the meaning41 of all this. So he spoke with me and revealed42 to me the interpretation of the vision:43 7:17 ‘These large beasts, which are four in number, represent four kings who will arise from the earth. 7:18 The holy ones44 of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will take possession of the kingdom forever and ever.’

7:19 “Then I wanted to know the meaning45 of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others. It was very dreadful, with two rows of iron teeth and bronze claws, and it devoured, crushed, and trampled anything that was left with its feet. 7:20 I also wanted to know46 the meaning of the ten horns on its head, and of that other horn which came up and before which three others fell. This was the horn that had eyes47 and a mouth speaking arrogant things, whose appearance was more formidable than the others.48 7:21 While I was watching, that horn began to wage war against the holy ones and was defeating49 them, 7:22 until the Ancient of Days arrived and judgment was rendered50 in favor of the holy ones of the Most High. Then the time came for the holy ones to take possession of the kingdom.

7:23 “This is what he told me:51

‘The fourth beast means that there will be a fourth kingdom on earth

that will differ from all the other kingdoms.

It will devour all the earth

and will trample and crush it.

7:24 The ten horns

mean that ten kings will arise from that kingdom.

Another king will arise after them,

but he will be different from the earlier ones.

He will humiliate52 three kings.

7:25 He will speak words against the Most High.

He will harass53 the holy ones of the Most High continually.

His intention54 will be to change times established by law.55

They will be delivered into his hand

For a time, times,56 and half a time.

7:26 But the court will convene,57 and his ruling authority will be removed –

destroyed and abolished forever!

7:27 Then the kingdom, authority,

and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven

will be delivered to the people of the holy ones58 of the Most High.

His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;

all authorities will serve him and obey him.’

7:28 “This is the conclusion of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and the color drained from my face.59 But I kept the matter to myself.”60

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