In the third year of King Belshazzar’s reign, a vision of future events filled Daniel’s thoughts. Though not a new experience, each vision brought a new weight of importance to his mind. This happened in the luxurious palace of Shushan in the Elam province, near the banks of the tranquil river Ulai.

Looking into the distance, a majestic ram with two mighty horns appeared in Daniel’s sight. One horn was notably more prominent than the other, a late bloomer, showing its prowess after its swiftly growing counterpart. The ram’s power was immense, overwhelming the west, north, and south with a show of supremacy that no beast could contest.

As Daniel pondered this mighty display, an unexpected event unfolded. A he-goat emerged from the west, darting across the earth so fast that it seemed to defy gravity. This he-goat was marked by a conspicuous horn centered between its eyes. With a burst of intense fury, the goat charged toward the ram, the collision shaking the earth.

Consumed by anger, the he-goat from the west charged at the ram, breaking its two horns and overpowering it completely. The ram faltered; its once mighty horns now lay broken and useless at its side. No creature could rescue the ram from its downfall. The goat, having vanquished his opponent, stood victorious, seemingly untouchable.

However, at the height of his power, the goat’s notable horn snapped. In its place, sprouted four new horns reaching to the four winds of heaven. A smaller horn emerged from one of the four, growing more prominent as it extended towards the south, east, and the glorious land.

The small horn extended its tyranny even against the celestial beings, the host of heaven. It would disrupt the peaceful continuance of offerings and defile the sanctuary. The truth would be crushed underfoot as the horn pursued its pleasure, increasing in power and prosperity.

Troubled by the harshness of the vision, Daniel sought an explanation. Amongst his confusion and distress, he heard a convo between two holy beings. The he-goat, the ram, the horns, and their complex interactions – would they go on forever? A reply came: after two thousand three hundred evenings and mornings, the sanctuary would be cleansed.

Suddenly, a figure appeared before Daniel. A voice called from the banks of Ulai, summoning the angel Gabriel to make Daniel understand the vision. Gabriel proceeded to Daniel’s side, causing him to fall trembling upon his face.

“Fear not,” Gabriel told Daniel, “I am here to make you understand what will happen in the future.” Gabriel then revealed the true nature of his vision. The ram represented the kings of Media and Persia, the he-goat symbolized Greece, and its notable horn was that country’s first king.

Gabriel explained further that the four notable horns represented four kingdoms arising, but they would not be as powerful as the first. At their weakest moment, a fiercely intense king, skilled in manipulation and causing chaos, would rise. Though mighty in power, he will not gain it by his own efforts.

This king would cause much devastation, even to the holy people. But in a surprising twist, he was destined to fall, not by human hands but by an unseen force.

Gabriel confirmed the truth of Daniel’s vision but advised him to seal the vision, for it relates to the distant future. Overwhelmed, Daniel fainted, and for days he was ill. He then resumed his duties to the king, captivated by the vision, yet no one around him understood its significance.