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The Vision of the Four Beasts

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw a (A)dream and visions in his head as he lay on his bed; then he (B)wrote the dream down and said the [a]following summary of the matter. Daniel answered and said, “I was (C)looking in my vision by night, and behold, the (D)four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great (E)beasts were coming up from the sea, different from one another. The first was (F)like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man; and a heart of a man was given to it. And behold, another beast, a second one in the likeness of a bear. And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to it, ‘Arise, devour much meat!’ After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, (G)like a leopard, which had on its [b]back four wings of a bird; the beast also had (H)four heads, and [c]dominion was given to it. After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a (I)fourth beast, fearsome and terrifying and extraordinarily strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had (J)ten horns. While I was contemplating the horns, behold, (K)another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, [d]this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and (L)a mouth speaking great boasts.

The Ancient of Days

“I kept looking
Until (M)thrones were set up,
And the Ancient of Days was seated;
His (N)clothing was like white snow
And the (O)hair of His head like pure wool.
His (P)throne was [e]ablaze with fire,
Its (Q)wheels were a burning fire.
10 A river of (R)fire was flowing
And coming out from before Him;
(S)Thousands upon thousands were attending Him,
And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him;
The (T)court sat,
And (U)the books were opened.

11 Then I kept looking because of the sound of the great boastful words which the horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was killed, and its body was destroyed and given to the (V)burning [f]fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their [g]dominion was taken away, but an extension of life was given to them for an appointed season of time.

The Son of Man

13 “I kept looking in the night visions,
And behold, with the clouds of heaven
One like a (W)Son of Man was coming,
And He came up to the Ancient of Days
And came near before Him.
14 And to Him was given [h](X)dominion,
Glory, and (Y)a kingdom,
(Z)That all the peoples, nations, and men of every tongue
Might serve Him.
(AA)His [i]dominion is an everlasting [j]dominion
Which will not be taken away;
(AB)And His kingdom is one
Which will not be destroyed.

The Vision Interpreted

15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed [k]within me, and the (AC)visions of my head kept (AD)alarming me. 16 I came near to one of those who were (AE)standing by and began seeking out from him the [l]exact meaning of all this. So he (AF)said it to me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth. 18 But the [m](AG)saints of the Highest One will (AH)receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, [n]for all ages to come.’

19 “Then I desired to know the [o]exact meaning of the (AI)fourth beast, which was different from all [p]the others, extraordinarily fearsome, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet, 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn which came up and before which three of them fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth speaking great boasts and [q]which was larger in appearance than its associates. 21 I kept looking, and that horn was (AJ)waging war with the saints and overcoming them 22 until the Ancient of Days came and (AK)judgment was given in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the season arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom.

23 “Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. 24 As for the (AL)ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will make low three kings. 25 He will (AM)speak words against the (AN)Most High and (AO)wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make (AP)changes in seasons and in law; and [r]they will be given into his hand for a [s](AQ)time, [t]times, and half a [u]time. 26 But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be (AR)taken away, [v]annihilated and destroyed [w]forever. 27 Then the [x](AS)reign, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an (AT)everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will (AU)serve and obey Him.’

28 [y]At this point the matter of this revelation ended. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were (AV)greatly alarming me, and the [z]splendor of my face changed, but I (AW)kept the matter in my heart.”

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 7:1 Or beginning
  2. Daniel 7:6 Or sides
  3. Daniel 7:6 Or powerful reign; or in Heb powerful rule
  4. Daniel 7:8 Lit in this horn were eyes
  5. Daniel 7:9 Lit flames of fire
  6. Daniel 7:11 Lit of the fire
  7. Daniel 7:12 Or powerful reign; or in Heb powerful rule
  8. Daniel 7:14 Or powerful reign; or in Heb powerful rule
  9. Daniel 7:14 Or powerful reign; or in Heb powerful rule
  10. Daniel 7:14 Or powerful reign; or in Heb powerful rule
  11. Daniel 7:15 Lit in the midst of its sheath
  12. Daniel 7:16 Lit truth concerning
  13. Daniel 7:18 Lit holy ones, so in ch
  14. Daniel 7:18 Lit and unto the age of the ages
  15. Daniel 7:19 Lit truth concerning
  16. Daniel 7:19 Lit of them
  17. Daniel 7:20 Lit its appearance was larger
  18. Daniel 7:25 The saints
  19. Daniel 7:25 Year(s)
  20. Daniel 7:25 Year(s)
  21. Daniel 7:25 Year(s)
  22. Daniel 7:26 Lit to annihilate and to destroy
  23. Daniel 7:26 Lit to the end
  24. Daniel 7:27 Or kingdom
  25. Daniel 7:28 Lit To here the end of the word
  26. Daniel 7:28 Lit brightness was changing upon me

Daniel’s Vision about Four Animals

In Belshazzar’s first year as king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream. He saw a vision while he was asleep. He wrote down the main parts of the dream.

In my visions at night I, Daniel, saw the four winds of heaven stirring up the Mediterranean Sea. Four large animals, each one different from the others, came out of the sea.

The first animal was like a lion, but it had wings like an eagle. I watched until its wings were plucked off and it was lifted off the ground. It was made to stand on two feet like a human and was given a human mind.

I saw a second animal. It looked like a bear. It was raised on one side and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, “Get up, and eat as much meat as you want.”

After this, I saw another animal. It looked like a leopard. On its back it had four wings, like the wings of a bird. The animal also had four heads. It was given power to rule.

After this, I saw a fourth animal in my vision during the night. It was terrifying, dreadful, extraordinarily strong, and had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed its victims and trampled whatever was left. It acted differently from all the other animals that I had seen before. It had ten horns. While I was thinking about the horns, another horn, a little horn, came up among them. It uprooted three of the other horns. This horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that spoke impressive things.

I watched until thrones were set up
    and the Ancient One, who has lived for endless years, sat down.
        His clothes were as white as snow
            and the hair on his head was like pure wool.
        His throne was fiery flames,
            and its wheels were burning fire.
10 A river of fire flowed.
    It came from him.
        Thousands and thousands served him.
        Ten thousand times ten thousand were stationed in front of him.
    The court convened,
    and the books were opened.

11 I continued to watch because of the impressive words that the horn was speaking. I watched until the animal was killed. Its body was destroyed and put into a raging fire. 12 The power of the rest of the animals was taken away, but they were allowed to live for a period of time.

13 In my visions during the night, I saw among the clouds in heaven someone like the Bar-Enash.[a] He came to the Ancient One, who has lived for endless years, and was presented to him. 14 He was given power, honor, and a kingdom. People from every province, nation, and language were to serve him. His power is an eternal power that will not be taken away. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

15 I, Daniel, was deeply troubled, and my visions frightened me. 16 I went to someone who was standing there and asked him to tell me the truth about all this. So he told me what all this meant. 17 He said, “These four large animals are four kingdoms that will rise to power on the earth. 18 But the holy people of the Elyonin will take possession of the kingdom and keep it forever and ever.”

19 Then I wanted to know the truth about the fourth animal, which was so different from all the others. It was very terrifying and had iron teeth and bronze claws. It devoured and crushed its victims, and trampled whatever was left. 20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that had come up and made three of the horns fall out. That horn had eyes and a mouth that spoke impressive things. It appeared to be bigger than the others. 21 I saw that horn making war against the holy people and defeating them. 22 It did this until the Ancient One, who has lived for endless years, came and judged in favor of the holy people of the Elyonin. The time came when the holy people took possession of the kingdom.

23 He said, “The fourth animal will be the fourth of these kingdoms on earth. It will be different from all other kingdoms. It will devour, trample, and crush the whole world. 24 The ten horns are ten kings that will rise to power from that kingdom. Another king will rise to power after them. He will be different from the kings who came before him, and he will humble three kings. 25 He will speak against the Elyonin, oppress the holy people of the Illah-ah, and plan to change the appointed times and laws. The holy people will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half of a time. 26 But judgment will be handed down, his power will be taken away, and he will be completely and permanently destroyed. 27 The kingdom, along with the power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven, will be given to the holy people of the Elyonin. Their kingdom is eternal. All other powers will serve and obey them.”

28 Here is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was terrified by my thoughts, and I turned pale. I kept this to myself.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 7:13 Or “like a human.”

但以理夢見四獸

巴比倫王伯沙撒元年,但以理在床上做了一個夢,腦中出現了異象,便把夢記錄下來,講述其中的大意。 但以理說:「我在夜間的異象中看見天風四面吹來,攪動大海。 接著,四隻巨獸從海中上來,各有不同的形狀。 第一隻獸像獅子,但有鷹的翅膀。我觀看時,見牠的翅膀被拔掉。牠被扶起來,像人一樣雙腳站在地上,並被賦予人的頭腦。 第二隻獸像熊,用兩隻後腿站立,牙齒間叼著三根肋骨,有聲音對牠說,『起來,多吞吃肉吧!』

「此後,我繼續觀看,見還有一隻獸像豹,背上有四個如鳥翼般的翅膀。這獸有四個頭,並被賦予權柄。 此後,我在夜間的異象中看見第四隻獸,恐怖可怕,極其強壯,用大鐵牙吞吃、咬碎獵物,用腳踐踏所剩的。這獸與前三隻獸不同,牠有十個角。 我觀看這些角時,見其中長出一個小角,先前的角中有三個被連根拔出,讓它取而代之。這小角有人的眼睛和說狂言的口。

「我看見寶座已設立,
上面坐著亙古長存者,
祂的衣服潔白如雪,
頭髮如純淨的羊毛。
祂的寶座是火焰,
寶座的輪子是烈火。
10 從祂面前流出火河,
事奉祂的有千千,
侍立在祂面前的有萬萬。
祂坐下要審判,
案卷已經展開。

11 「我繼續觀看,見那獸被殺,身體被毀並被扔進火中,因為牠的小角口出狂言。 12 至於其餘的獸,牠們的權柄都被奪去,但獲准再存活一段時間。

13 「我在夜間的異象中看見一位像人子的,駕著天雲而來,到亙古長存者那裡,被引到祂面前。 14 他得到權柄、榮耀和國度,各族、各邦、各語種的人都要事奉他。他的統治直到永遠、沒有窮盡,他的國度永不滅亡。

解釋異象

15 「我但以理心中不安,腦中出現的異象令我恐懼, 16 便走近一位侍立一旁的,問他這些事的意思。他就向我解釋這些事的意思,說, 17 『這四隻巨獸是指四個將要在世上興起的國。 18 但至高者的聖民必承受國度,並永永遠遠擁有國度。』

19 「那時,我想知道關於第四獸的事,牠與其餘三獸不同,極其可怕,有鐵牙銅爪,吞吃、咬碎獵物,用腳踐踏所剩的。 20 我也想知道有關牠頭上的十角及後來長出的小角的事。這小角取代了三角,它有眼和說狂言的口,比其他的角更強大。 21 我看見這小角與聖民爭戰,並佔了上風。 22 後來亙古長存的至高者來為祂的聖民伸冤。聖民擁有國度的時候到了。

23 「那位侍立一旁的說,『第四隻獸是指世上將興起的第四個國,與其他各國不同,牠將吞吃、踐踏、咬碎天下。 24 十角是指這國中將興起十個王,後來又興起一王,與先前的王不同,他將制伏三個王。 25 他必褻瀆至高者,迫害至高者的聖民,試圖改變節期和律法。聖民將被交在他手中三年半。 26 然而,審判者將坐下來審判,奪去並永遠廢除他的權柄。 27 那時,國度、權柄和天下萬國的尊榮必賜給至高者的聖民。祂的國度直到永遠,一切掌權者都要事奉祂,順服祂。』

28 「這就是我的夢。我但以理心中十分害怕,臉色蒼白,但我沒有把這事告訴別人。」

Daniel’s Dream of Four Beasts

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.

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. Four great beasts,(G) each different from the others, came up out of the sea.

“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.

“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)

“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.

“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)

“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)

“As I looked,

“thrones were set in place,
    and the Ancient of Days(T) took his seat.(U)
His clothing was as white as snow;(V)
    the hair of his head was white like wool.(W)
His throne was flaming with fire,
    and its wheels(X) were all ablaze.
10 A river of fire(Y) was flowing,
    coming out from before him.(Z)
Thousands upon thousands attended him;
    ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated,
    and the books(AA) were opened.

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.”

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 7:13 The Aramaic phrase bar enash means human being. The phrase son of man is retained here because of its use in the New Testament as a title of Jesus, probably based largely on this verse.
  2. Daniel 7:25 Or for a year, two years and half a year

[a]In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions in his head as he was lying upon his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the gist of the matter.

Daniel said, I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of the heavens [political and social agitations] were stirring up the great sea [the nations of the world].

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

The first [the Babylonian empire under Nebuchadnezzar] was like a lion and had eagle’s wings. I looked till the wings of it were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand upon two feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.(A)

And behold another beast, a second one [the Medo-Persian empire], was like a bear, and it raised up itself on one side [or one dominion] and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, Arise, devour much flesh.

After this I looked, and behold, another [the Grecian empire of Alexander the Great], like a leopard which had four wings of a bird on its back. The beast had also four heads [Alexander’s generals, his successors], and dominion was given to it.(B)

After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast [the Roman empire]—terrible, powerful and dreadful, and exceedingly strong. And it had great iron teeth; it devoured and crushed and trampled what was left with its feet. And it was different from all the beasts that came before it, and it had ten horns [symbolizing ten kings].(C)

I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, 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.

I kept looking until thrones were placed [for the assessors with the Judge], and the Ancient of Days [God, the eternal Father] took His seat, Whose garment was white as snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was like the fiery flame; its wheels were burning fire.(D)

10 A stream of fire came forth from before Him; a thousand thousands ministered to Him and ten thousand times ten thousand rose up and stood before Him; the Judge was seated [the court was in session] and the books were opened.

11 I looked then because of the sound of the great words which the horn was speaking. I watched until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire.

12 And as for the rest of the beasts, their power of dominion was taken away; yet their lives were prolonged [for the duration of their lives was fixed] for a season and a time.

13 I saw in the night visions, and behold, [b]on the clouds of the heavens came One like a Son of man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him.

14 And there was given Him [the Messiah] dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom is one which shall not be destroyed.(E)

15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved and anxious within me, and the visions of my head alarmed and agitated me.

16 I came near to one of those who stood there and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things.

17 These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth.

18 But the saints of the Most High [God] shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.(F)

19 Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast—which was different from all the others, exceedingly terrible and shocking, whose teeth were of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke and crushed, and trampled what was left with its feet—

20 And about the ten horns [representing kings] that were on its head, and the other horn which came up later and before which three of [the horns] fell, the horn which had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things and which looked greater than the others.

21 As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them(G)

22 Until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High [God], and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.

23 Thus [the angel] said, The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms and shall devour the whole earth, tread it down, and break it in pieces and crush it.

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

25 And he shall speak words against the Most High [God] and shall wear out the saints of the Most High and think to change the time [of sacred feasts and holy days] and the law; and the saints shall be given into his hand for a time, two times, and half a time [three and one-half years].(H)

26 But the judgment shall be set [by the court of the Most High], and they shall take away his dominion to consume it [gradually] and to destroy it [suddenly] in the end.

27 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heavens shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions shall serve and obey Him.

28 Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my [waking] thoughts troubled and alarmed me much and my cheerfulness of countenance was changed in me; but I kept the matter [of the interpreting angel’s information] in my heart and mind.

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 7:1 This chapter, in its subject matter as well as its position in the central part of the book, is to the book of Daniel what the eighth chapter of Romans is to that epistle. Next to the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah (and perhaps the ninth chapter also), we have here the most precious and prominent portion of the sure word of prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah. The chapter is worthy of the most careful prayer and study. It is referred to directly or indirectly by Christ and His apostles perhaps more than other portions of the Old Testament of similar extent. It appears to have been regarded by the Old Testament saints in the centuries preceding the Messiah’s first advent as preeminently the “word of prophecy” (Homiletical Commentary).
  2. Daniel 7:13 Notice that the four beasts of this seventh chapter of Daniel symbolize the same world kingdoms that were pictured by the images in Dan. 2, and the ten horns of the last beast correspond to the ten toes of the legs of iron (Dan. 2:41-42). Much of both prophecies has been fulfilled, and at this writing “the blessed hope” (Tit. 2:13) of the ages is also showing every evidence of nearing realization. Both visions portray the end of Gentile world power. View the events of the present in the light of these disclosures, and they fall into focus and make sense. The individual child of God is challenged as never before in the world’s history to let go of the trivial and the transient, and to yield himself unreservedly to Him Who is coming back to fulfill the longings of every true believer—forever and ever!