1 In the first year of the reign of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions in his mind as he was sleeping. When he woke up, he wrote down the dream. This is how the narrative began:
2 Daniel said, "I saw the following in my vision: the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea,
3 and four great beasts, each one different from the other, came out of the sea.
4 The first was like a lion with eagle's wings. As I looked at it, its wings were torn off. It was lifted up from the ground, stood up on its feet like a man, and was given a human heart.
5 The second was a beast like a bear; it was raised up on one side and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told: Go and devour much flesh.
6 I went on looking and saw another beast like a leopard with four wings on its back; it had four heads and dominion was given to it.
7 I continued seeing my visions of the night and saw a terrible fourth beast. It was fearful and extraordinarily strong; it had great iron teeth; it ate, tore into pieces, and crushed underfoot whatever remained. It was different from the previous beasts and had ten horns.
8 I was looking at the horns, when another small horn sprang among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots to make way for the new. It had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that uttered insolent words.
9 I looked and saw the following: Some thrones were set in place and One of Great Age took his seat. His robe was white as snow, his hair white as washed wool. His throne was flames of fire with wheels of blazing fire.
10 A river of fire sprang forth and flowed before him. Thousands upon thousands served him and a countless multitude stood before him. Those in the tribunal took their seats and opened the book.
11 But as I remembered the haughty words of the horn with human eyes and mouth which I had seen before, this animal was killed before my eyes, and its body destroyed and cast into the fire.
12 Dominion was taken from the other animals, though they were allowed to stay alive for a time, until the fixed time.
13 I continued watching the nocturnal vision: One like a son of man came on the clouds of heaven. He faced the One of Great Age and was brought into his presence.
14 Dominion, honor and kingship were given him, and all the peoples and nations of every language served him. His dominion is eternal and shall never pass away; his kingdom will never be destroyed.
15 I, Daniel, was deeply troubled, since these visions terrified me.
16 I approached one of those who were standing there, and asked him to tell me what all this meant. He answered me and gave me the interpretation of these things:
17 'These four beasts are four kings who will rise from the earth.
18 But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom to possess it eternally, forever and ever.'
19 Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, different from the others, extraordinarily terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws, that ate, tore into pieces and crushed underfoot whatever remained.
20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns it had on its head, and about the other horn which had sprung up, and the three first horns that fell, and about this horn with eyes and a mouth that spoke with arrogance, and that looked greater than the other horns.
21 As I looked, this horn waged war against the holy ones and was subduing them
22 until the One of Great Age came to do justice for the holy ones of the Most High, and the time came for the holy ones to take possession of the kingdom.
23 Then I was told: 'The fourth animal shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, different from all the kingdoms. It will devour the earth, crush it and destroy it.
24 The ten horns are ten kings who shall rise from this kingdom. Another one will rise up after them and destroy three kings.
25 This king shall insult the Most High and persecute the holy ones of the Most High. He shall try to change the feasts and the laws. The holy ones shall be handed over to his power for a time, two times, and half a time.
26 But judgment will come and dominion will be taken from him; he shall be destroyed and utterly wiped out.
27 The kingship, dominion and leadership of all the kingdoms of the world shall be given to the people of the holy ones of God Most High: his kingdom will be without end. All the kingdoms shall serve him and be subject to him.'
28 Here ends the narrative. I, Daniel, was greatly disturbed in my thoughts, I grew pale and I kept these things in my heart."
Versículos relacionados com Daniel, 7:
Chapter 7 of the book of Daniel is one of the most enigmatic of the Bible and describes a vision that the prophet had about four animals representing four different kingdoms that follow themselves in the history of the world. Then Daniel sees a throne and the elder of days, who judges the kingdoms of the earth and gives the eternal rule to the Son of man. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in this chapter:
Daniel 2:44: "And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will establish a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people; he will scrutinize and consume all these kingdoms, but he himself will remain forever." This verse speaks of the prophecy of the eternal kingdom of God, which is established at the end of time and replaces all earthly kingdoms. It is a message similar to that that Daniel receives in the view of chapter 7.
Matthew 24:36: "As for day and time no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." This verse speaks of uncertainty about the time of Christ's return and the end of time. It is a message that relates to the idea that the final judgment and the inauguration of God's eternal kingdom are events that will happen at an unexpected moment.
Revelation 20:12: "I saw the dead, big and small, standing before the throne, and the books were opened. Another book was opened, the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done, according to the that was recorded in the books. " This verse speaks of the final judgment, which is one of the images present in the view of Daniel's chapter 7. It is a time when all people are judged for their actions and eternal destiny is decided.
1 Corinthians 15:52: "At a moment, in an open and close eye, to the sound of the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will resurrect incorruptible, and we will be transformed." This verse speaks of the transformation that will happen in believers at the time of Christ's return. It is a message similar to that that Daniel receives in vision, when he sees the Son of man receiving eternal rule and reigning over all peoples.
Matthew 25:31-32: "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all angels with Him shall be based on his throne in heavenly glory. All nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate one from others like the pastor separates the sheep from the goats. " This verse speaks of the return of Christ and the final judgment, which are central themes in Daniel's view. It is a time when nations are gathered and judged according to their actions, and eternal destiny is decided.
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