Daniel’s Dream of Four Beasts

7 In the first year of Belshazzar^(A) king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions^(B) passed through his mind^(C) as he was lying in bed.^(D) He wrote^(E) down the substance of his dream.

² Daniel said: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven^(F) churning up the great sea. ³ Four great beasts,^(G) each different from the others, came up out of the sea.

⁴ “The first was like a lion,^(H) and it had the wings of an eagle.^(I) I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a human being, and the mind of a human was given to it.

⁵ “And there before me was a second beast, 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. It was told, ‘Get up and eat your fill of flesh!’^(J)

⁶ “After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard.^(K) And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.

⁷ “After that, in my vision^(L) at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron^(M) teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled^(N) underfoot whatever was left.^(O) It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.^(P)

⁸ “While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little^(Q) one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being^(R) and a mouth that spoke boastfully.^(S)

⁹ “As I looked,

¹¹ “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking.^(AB) I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.^{(AC) 12} (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)

¹³ “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,^[a](AD) coming^(AE) with the clouds of heaven.^(AF) He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. ¹⁴ He was given authority,^(AG) glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him.^(AH) His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom^(AI) is one that will never be destroyed.^(AJ)

The Interpretation of the Dream

¹⁵ “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me.^{(AK) 16} I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this.

“So he told me and gave me the interpretation^(AL) of these things: ¹⁷ ‘The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. ¹⁸ But the holy people^(AM) of the Most High will receive the kingdom^(AN) and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.’^(AO)

¹⁹ “Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws—the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. ²⁰ I also wanted to know about the ten horns^(AP) on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully.^{(AQ) 21} As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them,^{(AR) 22} until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.^(AS)

²³ “He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it.^{(AT) 24} The ten horns^(AU) are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. ²⁵ He will speak against the Most High^(AV) and oppress his holy people^(AW) and try to change the set times^(AX) and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.^[b](AY)

²⁶ “‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed^(AZ) forever. ²⁷ Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms^(BA) under heaven will be handed over to the holy people^(BB) of the Most High.^(BC) His kingdom will be an everlasting^(BD) kingdom, and all rulers will worship^(BE) and obey him.’

²⁸ “This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled^(BF) by my thoughts,^(BG) and my face turned pale,^(BH) but I kept the matter to myself.”

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times^(A)

24 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. ² “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another;^(B) every one will be thrown down.”

³ As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives,^(C) the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming^(D) and of the end of the age?”^(E)

⁴ Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.^{(F) 5} For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.^{(G) 6} You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁷ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.^(H) There will be famines^(I) and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of birth pains.

⁹ “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted^(J) and put to death,^(K) and you will be hated by all nations because of me.^{(L) 10} At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, ¹¹ and many false prophets^(M) will appear and deceive many people.^{(N) 12} Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, ¹³ but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.^{(O) 14} And this gospel of the kingdom^(P) will be preached in the whole world^(Q) as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

¹⁵ “So when you see standing in the holy place^(R) ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’^[a](S) spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— ¹⁶ then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let no one on the housetop^(T) go down to take anything out of the house. ¹⁸ Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. ¹⁹ How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!^{(U) 20} Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. ²¹ For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.^(V)

²² “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect^(W) those days will be shortened. ²³ At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.^{(X) 24} For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders^(Y) to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ²⁵ See, I have told you ahead of time.

²⁶ “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. ²⁷ For as lightning^(Z) that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming^(AA) of the Son of Man.^{(AB) 28} Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.^(AC)

²⁹ “Immediately after the distress of those days

³⁰ “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth^[c] will mourn^(AE) when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven,^(AF) with power and great glory.^{[d] 31} And he will send his angels^(AG) with a loud trumpet call,^(AH) and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

³² “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. ³³ Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it^[e] is near, right at the door.^{(AI) 34} Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.^{(AJ) 35} Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.^(AK)

The Day and Hour Unknown^(AL)(AM)

³⁶ “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,^[f] but only the Father.^{(AN) 37} As it was in the days of Noah,^(AO) so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ³⁸ For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,^(AP) up to the day Noah entered the ark; ³⁹ and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.^{(AQ) 40} Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.^{(AR) 41} Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.^(AS)

⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.^{(AT) 43} But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming,^(AU) he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready,^(AV) because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

⁴⁵ “Who then is the faithful and wise servant,^(AW) whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? ⁴⁶ It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.^{(AX) 47} Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.^{(AY) 48} But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ ⁴⁹ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.^{(AZ) 50} The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. ⁵¹ He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.^(BA)

Threefold Hallelujah Over Babylon’s Fall

19 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude^(A) in heaven shouting:

³ And again they shouted:

⁴ The twenty-four elders^(J) and the four living creatures^(K) fell down^(L) and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:

⁵ Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

⁶ Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude,^(P) like the roar of rushing waters^(Q) and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts^(Y) of God’s holy people.)

⁹ Then the angel said to me,^(Z) “Write this:^(AA) Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”^(AB) And he added, “These are the true words of God.”^(AC)

¹⁰ At this I fell at his feet to worship him.^(AD) But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!^(AE) For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”^(AF)

The Heavenly Warrior Defeats the Beast

¹¹ I saw heaven standing open^(AG) and there before me was a white horse, whose rider^(AH) is called Faithful and True.^(AI) With justice he judges and wages war.^{(AJ) 12} His eyes are like blazing fire,^(AK) and on his head are many crowns.^(AL) He has a name written on him^(AM) that no one knows but he himself.^{(AN) 13} He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood,^(AO) and his name is the Word of God.^{(AP) 14} The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen,^(AQ) white^(AR) and clean. ¹⁵ Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword^(AS) with which to strike down^(AT) the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”^[a](AU) He treads the winepress^(AV) of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. ¹⁶ On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:^(AW)

¹⁷ And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds^(AY) flying in midair,^(AZ) “Come,^(BA) gather together for the great supper of God,^{(BB) 18} so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people,^(BC) free and slave,^(BD) great and small.”^(BE)

¹⁹ Then I saw the beast^(BF) and the kings of the earth^(BG) and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse^(BH) and his army. ²⁰ But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet^(BI) who had performed the signs^(BJ) on its behalf.^(BK) With these signs he had deluded^(BL) those who had received the mark of the beast^(BM) and worshiped its image.^(BN) The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake^(BO) of burning sulfur.^{(BP) 21} The rest were killed with the sword^(BQ) coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse,^(BR) and all the birds^(BS) gorged themselves on their flesh.

The Thousand Years

20 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven,^(BT) having the key^(BU) to the Abyss^(BV) and holding in his hand a great chain. ² He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan,^(BW) and bound him for a thousand years.^{(BX) 3} He threw him into the Abyss,^(BY) and locked and sealed^(BZ) it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations^(CA) anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

⁴ I saw thrones^(CB) on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge.^(CC) And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded^(CD) because of their testimony about Jesus^(CE) and because of the word of God.^(CF) They^[b] had not worshiped the beast^(CG) or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.^(CH) They came to life and reigned^(CI) with Christ a thousand years. ⁵ (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.^{(CJ) 6} Blessed^(CK) and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death^(CL) has no power over them, but they will be priests^(CM) of God and of Christ and will reign with him^(CN) for a thousand years.

The Judgment of Satan

⁷ When the thousand years are over,^(CO) Satan will be released from his prison ⁸ and will go out to deceive the nations^(CP) in the four corners of the earth^(CQ)—Gog and Magog^(CR)—and to gather them for battle.^(CS) In number they are like the sand on the seashore.^{(CT) 9} They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded^(CU) the camp of God’s people, the city he loves.^(CV) But fire came down from heaven^(CW) and devoured them. ¹⁰ And the devil, who deceived them,^(CX) was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur,^(CY) where the beast^(CZ) and the false prophet^(DA) had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.^(DB)

The Judgment of the Dead

¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne^(DC) and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence,^(DD) and there was no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, great and small,^(DE) standing before the throne, and books were opened.^(DF) Another book was opened, which is the book of life.^(DG) The dead were judged^(DH) according to what they had done^(DI) as recorded in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades^(DJ) gave up the dead^(DK) that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.^{(DL) 14} Then death^(DM) and Hades^(DN) were thrown into the lake of fire.^(DO) The lake of fire is the second death.^{(DP) 15} Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life^(DQ) was thrown into the lake of fire.

A New Heaven and a New Earth

21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”^[c](DR) for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away,^(DS) and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City,^(DT) the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,^(DU) prepared as a bride^(DV) beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.^(DW) They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.^{(DX) 4} ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes.^(DY) There will be no more death’^[d](DZ) or mourning or crying or pain,^(EA) for the old order of things has passed away.”^(EB)

⁵ He who was seated on the throne^(EC) said, “I am making everything new!”^(ED) Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”^(EE)

⁶ He said to me: “It is done.^(EF) I am the Alpha and the Omega,^(EG) the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost^(EH) from the spring of the water of life.^{(EI) 7} Those who are victorious^(EJ) will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.^{(EK) 8} But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars^(EL)—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.^(EM) This is the second death.”^(EN)

The New Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb

⁹ One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues^(EO) came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride,^(EP) the wife of the Lamb.” ¹⁰ And he carried me away^(EQ) in the Spirit^(ER) to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.^{(ES) 11} It shone with the glory of God,^(ET) and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper,^(EU) clear as crystal.^{(EV) 12} It had a great, high wall with twelve gates,^(EW) and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.^{(EX) 13} There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. ¹⁴ The wall of the city had twelve foundations,^(EY) and on them were the names of the twelve apostles^(EZ) of the Lamb.

¹⁵ The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod^(FA) of gold to measure the city, its gates^(FB) and its walls. ¹⁶ The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia^[e] in length, and as wide and high as it is long. ¹⁷ The angel measured the wall using human^(FC) measurement, and it was 144 cubits^[f] thick.^{[g] 18} The wall was made of jasper,^(FD) and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.^{(FE) 19} The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.^(FF) The first foundation was jasper,^(FG) the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, ²⁰ the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby,^(FH) the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.^{[h] 21} The twelve gates^(FI) were twelve pearls,^(FJ) each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.^(FK)

²² I did not see a temple^(FL) in the city, because the Lord God Almighty^(FM) and the Lamb^(FN) are its temple. ²³ The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God^(FO) gives it light,^(FP) and the Lamb^(FQ) is its lamp. ²⁴ The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.^{(FR) 25} On no day will its gates^(FS) ever be shut,^(FT) for there will be no night there.^{(FU) 26} The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.^{(FV) 27} Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful,^(FW) but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.^(FX)

Eden Restored

22 Then the angel showed me the river^(FY) of the water of life,^(FZ) as clear as crystal,^(GA) flowing^(GB) from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life,^(GC) bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.^{(GD) 3} No longer will there be any curse.^(GE) The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.^{(GF) 4} They will see his face,^(GG) and his name will be on their foreheads.^{(GH) 5} There will be no more night.^(GI) They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.^(GJ) And they will reign for ever and ever.^(GK)

John and the Angel

⁶ The angel said to me,^(GL) “These words are trustworthy and true.^(GM) The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets,^(GN) sent his angel^(GO) to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

⁷ “Look, I am coming soon!^(GP) Blessed^(GQ) is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”^(GR)

⁸ I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things.^(GS) And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet^(GT) of the angel who had been showing them to me. ⁹ But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll.^(GU) Worship God!”^(GV)

¹⁰ Then he told me, “Do not seal up^(GW) the words of the prophecy of this scroll,^(GX) because the time is near.^{(GY) 11} Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”^(GZ)

Epilogue: Invitation and Warning

¹² “Look, I am coming soon!^(HA) My reward is with me,^(HB) and I will give to each person according to what they have done.^{(HC) 13} I am the Alpha and the Omega,^(HD) the First and the Last,^(HE) the Beginning and the End.^(HF)

¹⁴ “Blessed are those who wash their robes,^(HG) that they may have the right to the tree of life^(HH) and may go through the gates^(HI) into the city.^{(HJ) 15} Outside^(HK) are the dogs,^(HL) those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

¹⁶ “I, Jesus,^(HM) have sent my angel^(HN) to give you^[i] this testimony for the churches.^(HO) I am the Root^(HP) and the Offspring of David,^(HQ) and the bright Morning Star.”^(HR)

¹⁷ The Spirit^(HS) and the bride^(HT) say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.^(HU)

¹⁸ I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll:^(HV) If anyone adds anything to them,^(HW) God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.^{(HX) 19} And if anyone takes words away^(HY) from this scroll of prophecy,^(HZ) God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life^(IA) and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

²⁰ He who testifies to these things^(IB) says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”^(IC)

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.^(ID)

²¹ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people.^(IE) Amen.