Introduction
After the chapters about Daniel’s career, the remaining chapters detail his own prophetic visions. This vision of beasts has similarities to the prophecy in Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 2.
Questions
1. What does Daniel say he saw in his vision by night?
v 2 and 3 Daniel spoke and said, “I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke out on the great sea. 3 Four great animals came up from the sea, different from one another.
2. What is told Daniel about the interpretation of the things?
v 16 to 18 ... “So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. ‘These great animals, which are four, are four kings, who will arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’
3. What finally happens to the kingdoms under the whole sky?
v 27 The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions will serve and obey him.’
Summary Points
- v 1 to 8 Daniel has a vision of four beasts, the first three being partly recognisable from the natural world and the fourth completely unlike any known creature
- v 9 to 14 Daniel sees a vision of the coming kingdom of God, similar to that in chapter 2 v 44
- v 15 to 28 Daniel is told that the four beasts represent Babylon and the three following kingdoms. The fourth kingdom will oppose God and mistreat his servants. Eventually God will set up his kingdom in place of these kingdoms. Daniel is troubled and mystified by what he sees