Scripture to Read: Daniel 7:2–14
Daniel’s vision is divided into four parts: Four beasts emerge from the sea in Daniel 7:2–3;, we have a description of the four beasts in Daniel 7:4–8; we have God the Father described as “The Ancient of Days” in Daniel 7:9–12; and finally, the vision ends with our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of Man and His establishment of His kingdom in Daniel 7:13–14. The beasts represent four different Gentile nations/kingdoms, each coming out of the sea. Often in the Bible, the sea represents the human race. In Revelation 17:1, this is the end times system of the antichrist and his city and his system, and it says, “Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters.” Revelation 17:15 tells us, “…The waters which you saw where the harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.” Remember, in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, he saw a beautiful statue, dazzling in appearance with a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, legs of iron, and feet made of iron and clay. Daniel saw four ferocious beasts (a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a terrifying beast). Daniel saw it as a terrible time because he saw it from the standpoint of the Nation of Israel, and they were the ones who would be oppressed by these four nations/kingdoms. Sometimes, God reveals bad news through His Word, but the beautiful thing about our God is that we can rest and trust in what He’s doing (Romans 8:28).
Challenge & Application
• List some things God has taught you through tests and trials, and thank Him for growing you through them.
• How do we know we can trust God with our lives and especially our future?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!