THE INTERPRETATION OF THE FOUR BEASTS

(Daniel 7:15-28)

15 I Daniel, was troubled in spirit,

And the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me.

16 I approached one of those standing there

And asked him the true meaning of all this.

So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things:

17 'The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth.

18 BUT THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH

WILL RECEIVE THE KINGDOM

AND WILL POSSES IT FOREVER--

YES, FOR EVER AND EVER.'

19 Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast,

Which was different from all the others and most terrifying,

With its iron teeth and bronze claws—

The beast that crushed and devoured its victims

And trampled underfoot what ever was left.

20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head

And about THE OTHER HORN (the Antichrist) that came up,

Before which three of them fell—

THE HORN that looked more imposing than the others

And that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully.

21 As I watched, THIS HORN (the Antichrist)

WAS WAGING WAR AGAINST THE SAINTS

AND DEFEATING THEM,

22 Until the Ancient of days came and pronounced judgment

In favor of the saints of the Most High,

AND THE TIME CAME WHEN THEY POSSESSED THE KINGDOM.

23 He gave me this explanation:

'The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth.

IT WILL BE DIFFERENT FROM ALL THE OTHER KINGDOMS

AND WILL DEVOUR THE WHOLE EARTH,

TRAMPLING IT DOWN AND CRUSHING IT.

24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom.

After them another king will arise,

Different from the earlier ones;

He (the Antichrist) will subdue three kings.

25 HE WILL SPEAK AGAINST THE MOST HIGH

AND OPPRESS HIS SAINTS

AND TRY TO CHANGE THE SET TIMES

(Of sacred feasts and holy days) and the laws.

THE SAINTS WILL BE HANDED OVER TO HIM

FOR A TIME, TIMES AND HALF A TIME.

(The Three and One-half years of The Great Tribulation).

26 BUT THE COURT WILL SIT,

AND HIS (THE ANTICHRIST'S) POWER

WILL BE TAKEN AWAY

AND COMPLETLY DESTORYED FOREVER.

27 THEN THE SOVEREIGNTY, POWER

AND GREATNESS OF THE KINGDOMS

UNDER THE WHOLE HEAVEN

WILL BE HANDEDOVER TOTHE SAINTS,

THE PEOPLE OF THE MOST HIGH.

HIS KINGDOM WILL BE AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM,

AND ALL RULERS WILL WORSHIP AND OBEY HIM.

28 THIS IS THE END OF THE MATTER.'

I Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts,

And my face turned pale,

But I kept the matter to myself.

(Daniel 7:15-28)