Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, I had a dream. I was lying on my bed when visions came to me, and I wrote down the dream and summarized its contents.

I saw four great beasts rising out of the sea. Each one was different from the others. The first beast was like a lion with eagle's wings, but then its wings were plucked off, and it stood up on two feet as a man. It had been given a human heart.

Then I saw another beast, a second one, that looked like a bear. It rose up on one side and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. The command was given to arise and devour much flesh.

After this, I saw another beast, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back and four heads. Dominion was given to it.

Later, I saw another beast, even more dreadful and terrifying than the others. It had great iron teeth that devoured everything in its path. This beast had ten horns, but one horn among them emerged as a little horn, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by their roots. In this horn there were eyes like human eyes, and it spoke great boasts.

I watched until thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days sat in judgment. His garment was white as snow, with hair like pure wool. His throne was like a fiery flame, with wheels that burned with intense fire. A fiery stream issued from before him, and thousands upon thousands ministered to him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him, ready for judgment.

I saw then because of the voice of the great words spoken by the horn. I watched until the beast was slain, its body destroyed, and given to be consumed by a burning flame.

As for the other beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

Then I saw one like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven and being brought near to the Ancient of Days. And there was given him dominion, glory, and a kingdom that all people, nations, and languages would serve. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which will not pass away, and his kingdom will never be destroyed.

I, Daniel, was deeply troubled in spirit, and my body felt weighed down by the visions swirling through my mind. I asked one of those standing nearby about the meaning of these things.

"Daniel," they said to me, "these four great beasts represent four kings who will arise from the earth."

"The saints of the Most High will take possession of the kingdom and rule over it forever," they continued.

I wanted to know more about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others. It had teeth of iron and nails of brass; it devoured, crushed, and trampled everything with its feet. This beast also had ten horns on its head, and one horn emerged among them, before which three of the first horns fell. The other horn had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things.

I saw this horn make war with God's holy people until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High. Then the time arrived when the saints possessed the kingdom.

The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom on earth, unlike all other kingdoms, which will devour the entire earth, trampling it down and breaking it in pieces.

Ten kings will arise from this kingdom, followed by another king who will subdue three kings. He will speak great words against God and wear out His holy people. They will be handed over to him until a time of times and half a time.

The judgment will sit, and his dominion will be taken away to be consumed and destroyed until the end.

But then, the kingdom and dominion, along with the greatness of its rule under the entire heaven, will be given to God's holy people. Their kingdom is an eternal one, and all dominions will serve and obey Him.

As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were greatly troubled, and my face changed with grief. But I kept this matter hidden in my heart.