[:en]SCRIPTURE: DANIEL 7
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14)
“The the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the MOst High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him,” (Daniel 7:27)
DANIEL’S DREAM OF FOUR BEASTS (vs. 1-14)
Daniel had a dream of 4 winds of heaven churning up the great sea. Four great beasts came up from out of the sea as follows:
- First beast looked like a lion, with wings of an eagle having two feet like a man with and a heart of a man. (v. 4)
- Second beast looked like a bear with three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told to get up and eat his fill of flesh. (v. 5)
- Third beasts looked like a leopard. Its back had four wings like a bird. It had four heads and it was given authority to rule (v. 6)
- Fourth beast was very terrifying, frightening and full of power. It had large iron teeth with ten horns that crushed and trampled and devoured its victims. (v. 7)
Then, another little horn came up which uprooted three of the first horns. It had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully. Then, he saw the Ancient of Days took the seat of throne. He wore a white clothing, having white hair like wool and his throne flaming with fire. The horn was speaking boastful words and the beast was slain. As he looked, he saw a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven who was given authority, glory, and sovereign power. All peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is everlasting.
THE INTERPRETATION OF THE DREAM (vs. 15-28)
The 4 beasts are 4 kingdoms that will rise from the earth. But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will posses it forever.
“The fourth beast is the fourth kingdom that will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. The ten horns are 10 kings who will come from this kingdom. After them, another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time (vs. 23-25) But his power will be taken away. He will be completely destroyed forever. The sovereignty power and greatness of the kingdom under the whole heavens will be handed over to the saints. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom and all rulers will worship and obey him.
The lion (v. 4) is Babylon, the head of gold. The bear (v. 5) is Media-Persia, the arms and chest of silver. The leopard (v. 6) is Greece, the thigh of brass. The dreadful beast (v. 7) is Rome, the iron teeth. The little horn (v. 8) represents Anti-Christ and his kingdom with the toes of iron and clay. The Ancient of Days on the throne (vs. 4-14) parallels the smiting stone. The “Saints” are believers during the end times before Christ returns to set up His kingdom. They are engaged in a war (v. 21) and suffer persecution (v. 25) but they will receive the kingdom (v. 18) and reign with Christ (v. 27)[:]