Vision of the Four Beasts
Four Beasts Out of the Sea
First Beast
- like a lion
- wings of an eagle
- wings torn off
- lifted up from the ground
- made to stand on two feet like a man
- given the mind of a man
Second Beast
- like a bear
- raised up on one side
- three ribs between its teeth
- told ‘Get up and gorge yourself on flesh’
Third Beast
- like a leopard
- 4 wings on its back
- 4 heads
- given authority to rule
Fourth Beast
- terrifying — dreadful
- extremely strong
- large iron teeth
- bronze claws (verse 19)
- iron teeth and bronze claws are reminiscent of Nebuchadnezzar’s statueStatue-of-Metals
- Babylon = gold
- Medo-Persia = silver
- Greek = bronze
- Rome = iron
- iron mixed with clay
- iron teeth and bronze claws are reminiscent of Nebuchadnezzar’s statueStatue-of-Metals
- devoured and crushed
- trampled residue underfoot
- 10 horns10-horns
- little hornLittle-Horn
- uproots 3 horns
- eyes of a man
- mouth
- speaking arrogant words
- Added from verse 19 and following
- appearance more imposing than the others
- waged war against the saints and prevailed
- UNTIL
- Ancient of Days arrived
- pronounced judgment
- in favor of the saints of the Most High
- AND
- the time came for them (saints) to possess the kingdom
- pronounced judgment
- Ancient of Days arrived
- little hornLittle-Horn
Interpretation
-
Four Beasts are four kings (kingdoms?)
- will arise from the earth
- in the dream they came out of the sea, so this indicates the sea represents the (Gentile ?) nations of the earth?
- Saints of the Most High
- receive the kingdom
- and possess it forever
- yes, forever and ever
- will arise from the earth
-
Fourth Beast is a fourth kingdom
- will appear on the earth
- different from all the other kingdoms
- will devour the whole earth
- trample it down
- crush it
-
10 horns are 10 kings
- will rise from this 4th Beast kingdom
- after these 10 kings
- another king
- different from the earlier ones
- will arise
- and subdue three kings
- will speak out against the Most High
- will oppress the saints of the Most High
- intending to change the appointed times and laws
- saints given into his hand
- for a time, times, and half a time
- another king
Vision of the Ancient of Days
Ancient of Days and Thrones
- thrones set in place
- Ancient of Days takes His seat
- clothing white as snow
- hair like pure wool
- throne flaming with fire
- throne’s wheels ablaze
Little Horn, Beast Slain and Remaining Beasts
-
Little Horn
- speaking arrogant words
-
Beast slain
- body destroyed
- thrown into blazing fire
-
Remaining Beasts
- dominion removed
- granted an extension of life
- for a season and a time
Interpretation
- Court will convene
- his (little horn) dominion taken away
- and completely destroyed FOREVER
Vision of the Son of Man
- One like the Son of Man
- coming with the clouds of heaven
- See …
- Matthew 24:30
- Matthew 26:64
- Mark 13:26
- Mark 14:62
- Luke 21:27
- Revelation 1:13
- Revelation 14:14
- See …
- approaches Ancient of Days
- led into His presence
- given
- glory
- dominion
- an everlasting dominion
- will not pass away
- kingship
- that all peoples of the world should serve Him
- will never be destroyed
- coming with the clouds of heaven
Interpretation
-
Saints of the Most High
- given the
- sovereignty
- dominion
- greatness of
- the kingdoms under all heaven
- given the
-
One like the Son of Man
- kingdom will be everlasting
- ALL rulers will serve and obey Him