**The Vision of the Four Beasts**
In the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign over Babylon, Daniel, a man greatly beloved by God, lay upon his bed, his mind troubled by the visions that passed before his eyes in the night. As he closed his eyes to sleep, the heavens seemed to open, and the Spirit of God carried him into a realm beyond time, where the mysteries of the future unfolded before him.
### **The Four Winds and the Great Sea**
Daniel beheld a mighty tempest stirring upon the face of the earth. The four winds of heaven clashed upon the great sea, churning its waters into a furious chaos. From the depths of this raging abyss, four monstrous beasts emerged, each unlike the other, each more terrifying than the last.
### **The First Beast: The Lion with Eagle’s Wings**
The first beast that arose was like a lion, majestic and fearsome, its golden mane glistening in the dim light. Yet as Daniel watched, he saw that it had the wings of an eagle, outstretched as if ready to soar above the earth. But then, a divine hand intervened—the wings were plucked away, and the beast was lifted from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man. And to Daniel’s astonishment, the heart of the lion was changed, and it was given the mind of a man.
### **The Second Beast: The Bear Raised on One Side**
Then came the second beast, resembling a great bear, massive and powerful. It raised itself up on one side, as if ready to lunge forward in conquest. Between its teeth, Daniel saw three ribs, the remnants of its devoured prey. And a voice thundered, saying, *”Arise, devour much flesh!”* And the bear lumbered forward, its hunger insatiable.
### **The Third Beast: The Leopard with Four Wings and Four Heads**
Before Daniel could ponder the meaning of the bear, a third beast appeared, swift and deadly like a leopard. Yet this creature was unlike any natural beast—upon its back were four wings, like those of a bird, giving it unnatural speed. And most horrifying of all, it bore four heads, each gazing in a different direction, as if surveying all the earth. Dominion was given to it, and it moved with terrifying purpose.
### **The Fourth Beast: The Dreadful and Terrible Monster**
But the fourth beast was unlike anything Daniel had ever seen—a horror beyond description. It was dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong, with great iron teeth that crushed and devoured all in its path. It trampled the remnants of its victims beneath its feet, and it was different from all the beasts before it. And as Daniel watched in terror, he saw ten horns sprout from its head, symbols of kings and kingdoms yet to come.
Then, as he observed the horns, another, smaller horn arose among them, uprooting three of the others. This horn had eyes like a man and a mouth that spoke great boasts, uttering proud words against the Most High.
### **The Ancient of Days and the Eternal Kingdom**
As Daniel trembled at the sight of these beasts, the vision shifted. Thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire. A river of fire flowed from before Him, and thousands upon thousands ministered to Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.
The fourth beast, with its boastful horn, was slain, its body destroyed and cast into the blazing fire. As for the other beasts, their dominion was taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season.
Then, in the midst of the vision, Daniel saw one like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. And to Him was given dominion, glory, and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom shall never be destroyed.
### **The Interpretation of the Vision**
Terrified by what he had seen, Daniel sought understanding. Then one of the heavenly attendants came near and explained the vision:
*”These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess it forever and ever.”*
Daniel pressed further, and the interpreter revealed more: The fourth beast would be a fourth kingdom, different from all others, devouring the whole earth. The ten horns were ten kings, and the little horn would rise after them, speaking pompous words and wearing out the saints of the Most High—until the time came when the Ancient of Days would execute judgment, and the saints would inherit the everlasting kingdom.
### **Daniel’s Response**
The vision ended, but Daniel’s heart remained troubled. His face grew pale, and he kept the matter in his mind, pondering the mysteries of the kingdoms to come. Yet even in his fear, he trusted in the God of heaven, knowing that though empires rise and fall, the Lord’s kingdom shall stand forever.
And so, with awe and reverence, Daniel recorded the vision, sealing its words for generations yet unborn, that they too might know—the Most High rules over the kingdoms of men, and He will give dominion to whom He chooses.
**The End.**
