1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions that passed through his head as he lay in bed. He wrote the dream down, and this is how the narrative began:
2 Daniel said, 'I have been seeing visions in the night. I saw that the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea;
3 four great beasts emerged from the sea, each different from the others.
4 The first was like a lion with eagle's wings and, as I looked, its wings were torn off, and it was lifted off the ground and set standing on its feet like a human; and it was given a human heart.
5 And there before me was a second beast, like a bear, rearing up on one side, with three ribs in its mouth, between its teeth. "Up!" came the command. "Eat quantities of flesh!"
6 After this I looked; and there before me was another beast, like a leopard, and with four bird's wings on its flanks; it had four heads and was granted authority.
7 Next, in the visions of the night, I saw another vision: there before me was a fourth beast, fearful, terrifying, very strong; it had great iron teeth, and it ate its victims, crushed them, and trampled their remains underfoot. It was different from the previous beasts and had ten horns.
8 'While I was looking at these horns, I saw another horn sprouting among them, a little one; three of the original horns were pulled out by the roots to make way for it; and in this horn I saw eyes like human eyes, and a mouth full of boasting.
9 While I was watching, thrones were set in place and one most venerable took his seat. His robe was white as snow, the hair of his head as pure as wool. His throne was a blaze of flames, its wheels were a burning fire.
10 A stream of fire poured out, issuing from his presence. A thousand thousand waited on him, ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was in session and the books lay open.
11 'I went on watching: then, because of the noise made by the boastings of the horn, as I watched, the beast was put to death, and its body destroyed and committed to the flames.
12 The other beasts were deprived of their empire, but received a lease of life for a season and a time.
13 I was gazing into the visions of the night, when I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven, as it were a son of man. He came to the One most venerable and was led into his presence.
14 On him was conferred rule, honour and kingship, and all peoples, nations and languages became his servants. His rule is an everlasting rule which will never pass away, and his kingship will never come to an end.
15 'I, Daniel, was deeply disturbed and the visions that passed through my head alarmed me.
16 So I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him about all this. And in reply he revealed to me what these things meant.
17 "These four great beasts are four kings who will rise up from the earth.
18 Those who receive royal power are the holy ones of the Most High, and kingship will be theirs for ever, for ever and ever."
19 Then I asked about the fourth beast, different from all the rest, very terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws; it ate its victims, crushed them, and trampled their remains underfoot;
20 and about the ten horns on its head -- and why the other horn sprouted and the three original horns fell, and why this horn had eyes and a mouth full of boasting, and why it looked more impressive than its fellows.
21 This was the horn I had watched making war on the holy ones and proving the stronger,
22 until the coming of the One most venerable who gave judgement in favour of the holy ones of the Most High, when the time came for the holy ones to assume kingship.
23 This is what he said: "The fourth beast is to be a fourth kingdom on earth, different from all other kingdoms. It will devour the whole world, trample it underfoot and crush it.
24 As for the ten horns: from this kingdom will rise ten kings, and another after them; this one will be different from the previous ones and will bring down three kings;
25 he will insult the Most High, and torment the holy ones of the Most High. He will plan to alter the seasons and the Law, and the Saints will be handed over to him for a time, two times, and half a time.
26 But the court will sit, and he will be stripped of his royal authority which will be finally destroyed and reduced to nothing.
27 And kingship and rule and the splendours of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High, whose royal power is an eternal power, whom every empire will serve and obey."
28 'Here the narrative ends. 'I, Daniel, was greatly disturbed in mind, and I grew pale; but I kept these things to myself.'
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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