Daniel saw a being surrounded in glory and crowned king so that every nation would serve him. This being would rule forever, His kingdom eternal, never to be destroyed. Daniel was terrified and couldn't explain what he had seen. He asked "one of those standing" near him what it meant and was told that the 4 beasts were the 4 earthly kingdoms, but God Most High would give His kingdom to His chosen ones. Daniel was curious about the 4th beast because it was so different from the others and he wanted to know more about its teeth, claws and horns. Then he saw the beast attack God's chosen ones and start to defeat them. Then God decided to make the beast lose. He "was told by the one standing there" that the 4th beast was a brutal and godless nation which would dominate God's people for a time until God decided otherwise. (CEV Daniel 7:16,23 - In verse 10, Daniel describes "countless thousands standing there to serve Him." I understand this to mean that Daniel is asking one of these beings to explain what he is seeing.)
Daniel had a second vision while Belshazzar was in his 3rd year as king. This vision disturbed him so much that it was several days before he could get out of bed and return to his duties. He saw a ram thrashing about and destroying everything and nothing could stop it. Then he saw a goat cause even more destruction. Daniel was trying to figure out the meaning of the vision when he heard a voice which said, "Gabriel, help him understand the vision." (CEV Daniel 8:16) So Gabriel explained that the vision was about the end of time, and it wouldn't happen for a long time and not to tell others about it.
Some years later, when Darius had become leader, Daniel was studying the writings of Jeremiah and read that Jerusalem would lie in ruins for 70 years. In his great sorrow, Daniel began mourning. Then he prayed and begged God to forgive all of them for their foolishness. While he was praying, Gabriel flew in at the time of the evening sacrifice and explained that for 70 weeks the people must suffer for their sins. There would be challenges and things would be difficult, but God was taking care of the situation.
Daniel had a vision while he was beside the Tigris River. Daniel became frightened when he saw someone dressed in a robe and gold belt. He was radiant and firey in his glory. The people who were with Daniel became so frightened that they all ran away, leaving Daniel alone. Daniel became weak and fell to the ground at the sound of his voice. The angel stood Daniel up and told him to pay attention to what God had to tell him. He had come to give Daniel another vision. (There is some angel business going on here which I find both fascinating and confusing.)
The angel's message in is four parts. The first part is about the four Persian kings and their successors. Kings attack other kings and take over. There will be kings of the north and south and they will be at war almost constantly.
Tomorrow read Daniel 11:14-end & Hosea 1-3
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