Daniel 7  Beginning with this chapter .. Daniel records his dreams and visions.  Mysterious and sometimes terrifying.. Daniel gives us a unique glimpse into God's plans for this world.  We are told that this first vision occurred during Belshazzar's first year. 

Daniel describes a great storm.. winds coming from all directions and stirring up the sea.  Out of this chaos comes four "great beasts".  The first is like a lion with wings.  Its wings are plucked and he stands up like a man with a "human mind". The second beast looks like a bear with three ribs in its mouth. The third one looked like a leopard.. with wings.. and with 4 heads. 

The fourth beast was the most terrifying to Daniel. It was extremely strong with iron teeth. "It devoured and crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet."  This beast had 10 horns at first, but three were pulled out and 1 large, horrible horn replaced it. This horn had eyes and a mouth full of boasts.... 

Until.. the "Ancient of Days" came and took His seat on His throne..  It was then that the trial began.. "the court sat, and the books were opened."  The first thing that He does is to judge the boastful beast, which was slain and its body destroyed and "given to the burning fire." 

It is then that Daniel is given a wonderful gift.. "I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven, One like a Son of Man was coming.. "  Daniel gets to see Jesus in His glory.. receiving "dominion, glory and a kingdom". A kingdom that "will not pass away.. which will not be destroyed". 

Daniel is also given an interpretation of his vision. These are things to come, he is told. The fourth beast will wage war with the Lord's saints.. and he will overpower them.. but the "Ancient of Days" will come and pass judgement "in favor of the saints of the Highest One.. " 

There is coming a day.. Hallelujah!.. when the books will be opened and he who wages war against the saints will be overcome forever! "Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom; and all the dominions will serve and obey Him." 

Father in heaven, You are the Ancient of Days who sits on the throne and Who judges righteously.  You will give dominion to the Blessed King and to His saints.  We look forward to  that great day, anticipating the wonder of such a glorious day!  We may not understand the visions of Daniel any better than he did.. but we are thankful for this.. that You will deliver us and  that You will bring us into Your everlasting Kingdom, because Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, did come and will come again!  Hallelujah! what a Savior.  All glory and honor belongs to You. Amen.