2 Daniel declared: “In my vision in the night I looked, and suddenly the four winds of heaven were churning up the great sea.

3 Then four great beasts came up out of the sea, each one different from the others:

— Daniel 7:2-3

9 As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.

10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.

11 Then I kept watching because of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued to watch, the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.

12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was removed, but they were granted an extension of life for a season and a time.

— Daniel 7:9-12

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace and mercy to you from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Daniel interpreted dreams and signs given to kings, revealing both immediate events and future happenings. God called Daniel to be His prophet, not merely the interpreter of dream. God gave Daniel visions of His own. Through Daniel, God revealed the rise and fall of empires and rulers. Daniel saw God’s good and wise plan for His people ad the vicious powers opposing them. Daniel’s dream in Daniel chapter 7 covers the vast scope of world history—from before Daniel’s day to his own time and into eternity. Like in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel’s dream revealed God’s sovereign purpose behind the progression of human history.

If we study the book of Revelation, we may recognize many details introduced by Daniel’s dream. Daniel’s prophecy begins by describing events long past to us but also reflects God’s ultimate judgment to come. In Daniel 7 as the vision continued, the scenes shifted from the stormy sea to heaven’s throne room where God, the Ancient of Days, the righteous Judge of all the earth, wears white clothing and His throne flames with the blazing fire of radiant purity. He, in all His holiness, majesty and glory, judges with complete knowledge and supreme wisdom. Hallelujah! He delivers faultless justice.