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The last 6 chapters of Daniel are prophecy and are hard to understand. Matthew Henry says: "We should enter these chapters with fear and trembling." These chapters contain 3 visions that Daniel had and their interpretation and a prayer that Daniel made for the restoration of the Jews to Jerusalem.
Chapter 7 has a vision that is a prophecy of the "end times" and the Anti-christ. Daniel saw 4 great beasts come up out of the sea. The first was like a lion with eagle's wings. As he watched, the wings were removed and it stood up like a man and a man's mind was given to it.
The second beast was like a bear. It had three ribs in its mouth and was told to rise up and devour much flesh.
The third beast was like a leopard. It had 4 wings on its back and 4 heads. The fourth beast was terrible and dreadful and very strong. It had teeth of iron and 10 horns. As he watched, another smaller horn appeared and it plucked out 3 of the other horns. The small horn had the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke great things.
As Daniel looked, he saw the "Ancient of Days" take His seat and the court of judgment came to order and the Books were opened. Millions of Angels ministered to Him and hundreds of millions of people stood before Him waiting to be judged. Then Daniel saw the fourth beast killed and handed over to be burned with fire. The other three beasts were allowed to live for a while, but their kingdoms were taken from them. Then he saw what appeared to be a Man, brought there on clouds from heaven and He approached the Ancient of Days and was presented to Him. He was given power over all the nations of the world, His power was eternal and His government would never fail.
Up to this point, Daniel had interpreted other people's dreams, but now he had a vision of his own and it disturbed him. So he approached one of those who were standing beside the Judgment Seat and asked him the meaning of the vision. He explained to Daniel the following.
The four beasts represented the four kings that will someday rule the earth. Then I asked in particular about the fourth beast that was so brutal and dreadful, the one with the 10 horns and the little horn that appeared afterwards and destroyed three of the 10 horns. He explained that the fourth beast represented the fourth world power that would rule the earth; it will be more brutal than any of the others. It will devour the world destroying everything before it. The 10 horns are 10 kings that will rise out of this empire. Then another king will arise, probably the Anti-christ, will arise who will be more brutal than the others, and will destroy three of them. He will defy the Most High God and wear down the Saints with persecution. He will try to change all laws, morals and customs. God's people will be helpless in his hands for 3 years. Then the Ancient of Days will convene His court of justice and take all power away from this vicious king. Then all power on earth shall be given to the people of God and they shall rule every nation under heaven and all rulers shall serve and obey them.
Then Daniel awoke from his dream, and his face was pale with fright, but he told no one what he had seen or heard.
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