7. After this, I watched in the vision of the night, and behold, a fourth beast, terrible yet wondrous, and exceedingly strong; it had great iron teeth, eating yet crushing, and trampling down the remainder with his feet, but it was unlike the other beasts, which I had seen before it, and it had ten horns.
Chapter 7 of the book of Daniel is one of the most enigmatic of the Bible and describes a vision that the prophet had about four animals representing four different kingdoms that follow themselves in the history of the world. Then Daniel sees a throne and the elder of days, who judges the kingdoms of the earth and gives the eternal rule to the Son of man. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in this chapter:
Daniel 2:44: "And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will establish a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people; he will scrutinize and consume all these kingdoms, but he himself will remain forever." This verse speaks of the prophecy of the eternal kingdom of God, which is established at the end of time and replaces all earthly kingdoms. It is a message similar to that that Daniel receives in the view of chapter 7.
Matthew 24:36: "As for day and time no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." This verse speaks of uncertainty about the time of Christ's return and the end of time. It is a message that relates to the idea that the final judgment and the inauguration of God's eternal kingdom are events that will happen at an unexpected moment.
Revelation 20:12: "I saw the dead, big and small, standing before the throne, and the books were opened. Another book was opened, the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done, according to the that was recorded in the books. " This verse speaks of the final judgment, which is one of the images present in the view of Daniel's chapter 7. It is a time when all people are judged for their actions and eternal destiny is decided.
1 Corinthians 15:52: "At a moment, in an open and close eye, to the sound of the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will resurrect incorruptible, and we will be transformed." This verse speaks of the transformation that will happen in believers at the time of Christ's return. It is a message similar to that that Daniel receives in vision, when he sees the Son of man receiving eternal rule and reigning over all peoples.
Matthew 25:31-32: "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all angels with Him shall be based on his throne in heavenly glory. All nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate one from others like the pastor separates the sheep from the goats. " This verse speaks of the return of Christ and the final judgment, which are central themes in Daniel's view. It is a time when nations are gathered and judged according to their actions, and eternal destiny is decided.
“Esforce-se, mesmo se for um pouco, mas sempre…” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
