1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
21 I beheld, and the same 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 the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
The seventh chapter of the Book of Daniel, found in the Old Testament of the King James Version (KJV) Holy Bible, is a profound chapter that presents a series of visions given to Daniel. This chapter is particularly significant in biblical prophecy and is often referred to as "apocalyptic literature". The chapter is filled with symbolic language and imagery, providing a glimpse into the future, revealing God's plan for the world and His sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms.
The chapter begins with Daniel recounting a dream and visions he had during the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign. He saw four great beasts rise out of the sea, each different from the other. The first beast was like a lion with eagle's wings, the second resembled a bear, the third had the appearance of a leopard with four wings and four heads, and the fourth beast was dreadful, terrifying, and exceedingly strong with iron teeth and ten horns.
These four beasts are interpreted as four kingdoms that will arise from the earth. The lion with eagle's wings symbolises the Babylonian empire, known for its majesty and speed of conquest. The bear represents the Medo-Persian empire, characterised by its strength and ferocity. The four-headed leopard stands for the Greek empire, known for its swiftness and dominion over the world, under Alexander the Great. The dreadful fourth beast, unlike the others, is not compared to any known animal, symbolising the Roman empire, known for its crushing power and ten kings symbolised by the ten horns.
In the vision, Daniel saw a "little horn" coming up among the ten horns on the fourth beast, which had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully. This little horn is often interpreted as the Antichrist, who will rise in the last days, overthrowing three of the ten kings, and will blaspheme against the Most High, persecuting His saints.
In the midst of these terrifying visions, Daniel saw the "Ancient of Days" seated on a fiery throne, symbolising God's eternal existence and His ultimate authority over the world. The 'Ancient of Days' is a term used to describe God in His eternal nature, emphasizing His sovereignty and judgement over the nations.
Daniel then saw "one like a son of man" coming with the clouds of heaven, who was presented before the 'Ancient of Days.' The 'son of man' was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. This figure is interpreted as the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who will establish an everlasting kingdom.
Daniel, deeply troubled by these visions, sought their meanings. An angelic being interpreted the visions for him, revealing that the four beasts represented four kings or kingdoms that would rise and fall. The saints of the Most High, however, would receive the kingdom and possess it forever.
This chapter carries significant theological themes, including God's sovereignty, the rise and fall of earthly kingdoms, the final judgement, and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. It presents a prophetic timeline of world history, providing hope and assurance that despite the turmoil and upheavals of earthly kingdoms, God's ultimate plan will prevail, and His kingdom will be established forever.
The chapter also affirms the Messianic prophecy. The "son of man" is a clear reference to Jesus Christ, who in the New Testament identifies Himself with this title. The vision of the 'son of man' receiving an everlasting kingdom from the 'Ancient of Days' aligns with the New Testament teachings of Christ's second coming and His reign in the eternal kingdom.
The visions of Daniel chapter 7, while filled with symbolic and apocalyptic language, carry a timeless message for believers today. They remind us of God's ultimate control over history and the future. Despite the rise and fall of earthly powers, God's kingdom will be established and will endure forever.
The chapter encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing that God's plans will ultimately prevail, regardless of the circumstances. It provides assurance of God's justice, reminding us that those who oppose God and persecute His people will face judgement. Moreover, it offers hope in the promise of the Messiah's eternal kingdom, a kingdom characterized by righteousness and peace.
In conclusion, the seventh chapter of the Book of Daniel is a profound and prophetic scripture that offers valuable insights into God's sovereignty, His control over the course of history, and His ultimate plan for an everlasting kingdom. It serves as a reminder for believers today to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing that God's plans will ultimately prevail, and His kingdom will endure forever.
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