Daniel 7 Four Beasts
Daniel shares his first dream of four beasts. The dream frightens him and he needs an interpretation. God gives at least part of it to him.
We have come to an area where I am MOST UNQUALLIFIED to give answers or understanding. I’m not going to even attempt to interpret any more than what Daniel shares with us. I’m simply going to tell his story of receiving the dream and seeking meaning.
This event takes place in the first year of Belshazzar’s reign, so we are going backwards in time again. I will weave it in where it belongs later on. Let’s join Daniel on this disturbing night and see where the Spirit takes us today.
♥ ♦ ♥
Daniel us used to God speaking to him through dreams. One of the most memorable times the Lord did this was when He sent Nebuchadnezzar the dream of the statue. Nebuchadnezzar wouldn’t tell anyone what he saw in his dream, but God revealed it to Daniel in his own dream; and the interpretation.
Tonight, Daniel isn’t searching for any answers or interpretations. He is having a peaceful evening. He isn’t even being called on to serve Babylon. Since Belshazzar became king, Daniel’s hours in the throne room have disappeared. Daniel isn’t sorry to be pushed into the background. He likes it here. He has more time to focus on other things.
This night starts like so many others. Daniel readies for bed by washing his face, cleaning his teeth, washing his feet, removing his outer garments, and climbing in his bed. It is a warm night so Daniel leaves the window open.
As soon as Daniel’s head hits the pillow, he is out. His breath is rhythmic and deep. Soft snores are the only sound heard in his room, for a while.
The deeper Daniel sinks into sleep, the more open his mind becomes. The first sensation he registers is the wind whipping about. It is stirring the water and a creature emerges from the water. Daniel watches as a lion like figure emerges. On its back are wings like an egal. Just after emerging from the water, the wings are plucked from the lion’s body and it is made to stand up on its hind feet, like a man. As he watches, the lion/man turns toward him and he can see intelligence in his eyes. Not the intelligence of an animal, but like that of a man.
While Daniel contemplates this creature, a second one emerges from the water. This one looks like a bear and he has three ribs in his mouth. One side of it is taller than the other, so it walks with a strange tilt to its body. After it stands on dry land, a voice from heaven calls out to it. “Arise, devour much flesh” (Daniel 7:5b). Daniel watches as it walks off to begin fulfilling the command given to it.
As this second beast departs, another rises from the water. It has the body shape of a leopard, but it has four wings on its back and four heads. This beast was given dominion and authority over all it surveyed.
The waters begin to froth and swirl as a fourth beast begins to rise from it. From the moment Daniel first sees it, his heart KNOWS that it is evil; it is terrifying, dreadful and exceedingly strong. It is different from all the previous beasts. It goes into action right away. It has teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, which it uses to devour and break things. Once it has broken all that is around it, it stomps what remains into dust. On its head are ten horns. As Daniel is noticing the horns, a smaller horn erupts from its head and forces three of the original horns out by their roots. This horn is unlike any of the other horns, for it has eyes like a man’s and a mouth that won’t shut up. It is speaking against the Lord God almighty! It is also making war with the saints and is winning; for a time.
After this beast has had time to do its damage, the most amazing thing happens! Thrones are placed before me. It is made of fire with wheels that also burn with fire. Once it is set the Ancient of Days takes His seat. His clothes are as white as new fallen snow and the hair on His head is thick and curly like sheep’s wool. Fire comes from him. It is not a consuming fire, but a purifying one.
Gathered around Him are “thousand thousands” serving Him and “ten thousand times ten thousand” sitting in judgment. The Books are open, waiting for Him to pronounce judgment concerning what is written within.
The sound of the horn speaking draws Daniel’s attention. Not because of its volume, but because of its words. They are vile and the LAST words the horn speaks. The beast is KILLED before Daniel’s eyes and its body is consumed with fire. It lives no more.
The other three beasts reenter the picture. Their dominion and authority are stripped from them, but their lives are spared; for a season and a time.
Daniel’s attention is once again diverted as he sees one moving on the clouds of Heaven who looks like the Son of Man. He moves forward until He is standing before the Ancient of days. He bows and then the Ancient of Days gives Him glory and the authority and dominion to reign. He is given a kingdom where ALL people of earth will serve Him. His authority will NEVER end!
“This is AMAZING” thinks Daniel as he continues to watch this scene played out in front of him. But his mind doesn’t stop there. His spirit longs to hear the meaning behind the dream. Daniel walks over to one who is serving the Lord and asks for clarification.
“What does all this mean” Daniel asks as he sweeps his arm across all that is before him.
“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 the kingdom forever, forever and ever” (Daniel 7:17-28).
Daniel nods. Then he begins to wonder about the fourth beast. He KNOWS that it is different from the rest, and his spirit aches to know why, so Daniel asks the one he is speaking with.
“As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces. As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him” (Daniel 7:23-27).
Daniel is overjoyed with this answer! Not the part about the beast wreaking havoc, but about GOD winning in the end. Daniel wakes up after the final words with the angel. This dream is SO important that he jumps out of bed and hurries to his writing desk. There rest quill, ink, and parchment.
Daniel carefully transcribes his dream into his journal. He leaves nothing out. From the form individual forms of the beasts to the partial explanation of the vision. He revisits this book frequently and ponders its meaning. Daniel knows that he doesn’t have all the pieces, but what he does have brings fear to his mind, for a time. Each time he meditates on this vision and the fear threatens to overwhelm him, he turns his mind to the Ancient of Days and His dispatching of the foul beast. For now, that is enough.
(to be continued)
I have no explanation as to who, what, when or even where the four beasts represent. I hold fast to the same portion that Daniel did. The part where He wins! And the part where the Son of Man has a kingdom without end. I know that there are people who claim to know the meaning of the dream, but I’m not one of them. I also don’t know if it is possible for us to know the fullness of it BEFORE it comes to pass. 20/20 hindsight and 20/200 foresight! (For those who don’t know, 20/200 is legally blind.)
Father God, I trust YOU to bring me the knowledge I need, when I need it. I also trust You to show me how to use that knowledge when, where, and how You direct me. I’m looking forward to the days of Jesus’ kingdom here on earth.
I don’t know if I should be thanking You or wondering why, when my curiosity doesn’t stretch into the prophetic area. I suppose that means that this is not what I’m called to dig into; just the story telling. Questions of what was happening when… and such. Keep me searching Holy Spirit for the answers You have called me to seek out. And bring to me trustworthy people to help me understand the portions that I don’t.
