|
Rapture Generation |
|
Rapture Generation |
| *** Antichrist and the rise of his empire (timeframe 1) *** |
Index Daniel 2 Daniel 7 Daniel 8 Daniel 9 Daniel 10 Daniel 11 Daniel 12 |
| Image of
beast with horns - Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. Click
here to visit her "Revelation
Illustrated" site. Dream image from Revelation visalized by Dr.Gary G.Cohen Salem Kirban - more information click here |
Page 4 What three
nations of Daniel 7:8 will Antichrist bring under his control that will bring him
worship
Reviewing our previous study (see
Daniel 7 page 2) of Daniel 7:8 I
identified that small nation (the little horn) to be West Germany which existed from 1949-1990 A.D.. During
that window of time, West Germany with its capitol in Bonn, fulfilled the little horn of Daniel 7:8 as that nation Daniel saw that
came up/among/between the 10 horns (nations within West and
East Europe within the old Roman Empire land area - see Daniel 7 page 1, page 2).) I believe
that Antichrist was born during that window of time and that was the only time in
Germany's history he could have been born a Roman - that is - born from that nation when
it was considered part of the old Roman Empire land area. We know from Daniel 9:26 Antichrist will be from the
people that will be considered part of the Roman Empire land area (see Daniel 9
for review). We must now move on
about 'the little horn' as Daniel 7:8 moves on from the nation he will
come from to more importantly 'Antichrist the man' and what he does to bring himself to power.
Daniel
7:7,8,20
7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth
beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it
devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was
diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among
them another little horn, before
whom there were three
of the first horns plucked up by
the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes
like the eyes of man,
and a mouth speaking great things.
20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and
before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great
things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
8 before whom
there were three of the first
horns plucked up by the roots:
Daniel tells us that 3 of the 10 horns are
plucked up by the roots by that horn (verse 20) which started out as 'the little horn' of Daniel 7:8.
That horn had eyes 'like a man',
a 'mouth speaking great things'
and a look 'more stout than his fellows' is Antichrist. Symbolically then the 'little horn' is the nation that
produces the Antichrist (West Germany) but when the man arrives (West German) he is more important than the nation. However, since he came from that
nation and most likely gains rule, Daniel uses the same horn as a symbol of him
after he comes to power. This is the best symbolism available to Daniel to come as close
as possible to describing a dictator (see Daniel 7 page 2 for review).
Identifying the 3 horns (nations) of Daniel
7:8
Daniel 7:8 clearly tells us these 3 nations are 3 of the 'first' 10 horns - that is
- the 10 horns he first saw before the rise of 'the
little horn'. Therefore, if 'the
little horn' is West Germany (see
top of page) then these 3 horns are nations that existed
before 1949 when West Germany was created. They also have to be 3 nations within East and
West Europe that was part of Roman Empire land area because they are 3 of the10 horns. For
a review of who the 10 horns are again see page 2.
Below is a map of Europe before 1949. The dotted border is extent of the
Old Roman Empire land area - 4th beast of Daniel 7 that
the 10 horns came out of. The 3 horns then would have to be 3 nations within that Old
Roman Empire land area.
*
Roman Empire land area (the
first 10 horns of Daniel 7:8) before1949
 |
If these
3 nations are free nations in Europe taken over by force by aggression by another nation (like what Hitler did), this would not bring
worldwide worship that we are told Antichrist will receive when he comes to power (Rev 13:4). Neither would Daniel have said in
Daniel 7:20 the leaders of 10
horns would be his fellows (this means they hang together
based on what Antichrist has to offer).
Rev 13:4
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power
unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is
able to make war with him?
Daniel 7:20
20 And of the ten horns that were in his
head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that
had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his
fellows.
If however, these 3 nations were free nations that were taken captive by a
foreign power from outside of the old Roman Empire land area (10
horns - see map above), and were not allowed the
freedom of choice until Antichrist freed them from their aggressors when no one else
could, than this would be hailed as a victory for Antichrist among all
free nations. Could this be the
case? Daniel 7:8 says the 3
horns were plucked up by their roots.
Daniel 7:8
8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little
horn, before whom there were
three of the first
horns plucked up by the roots:
For those who do gardening, one would pluck up a plant by its
roots when transplanting to a new location. The plant itself is not destroyed, only the
elements that hold that plant are removed. The message here, is that, Antichrist does not
destroy these 3 nations but destroys the aggressors or the forces that hold them hostage.
Antichrist uses whatever force it takes to transplant these 3 nations. He does not
physically move these nations from one geographic location to another, but makes them a
part of his dominion of protection rather than the aggressors without destroying them in
the process. The next question would be - what 3 nations could possibly fulfill Daniel 7:8 and by what pwer will he do
this?
What 3 nations meet the conditions to be the 3 horns of Daniel 7:8?
Before West Germany was created in 1949 Bulgaria, Hungary, Rumania were 3 nations
of East Europe that were captive countries besides others - taken over by Russia. It was
Winston Churchill in March 5th 1946 that said an 'iron
curtain' descended and enslaving millions in East Europe.
What makes these 3 nations unique from others is they geographically located within the
Old Roman Empire land area making them 3 of the 10 horns (see map above). However, with the collapse of the Soviet Union in1991 these nations
became independent again. Will they be become captive once again in the future? Are they
the key to Daniel telling us that Russia will go hard-line again in the early part of the
21st century by taking back East Europe to rebuild the Soviet Empire? As we study the
remainder of Daniel 7 and Daniel
8, including what the prophet Habakkuk has to offer, the case is very strong that this
is exactly what is going to happen. This act will be the boldest move on Europe since post
W.W.2 ending the cold war fully. Why would Russia do this? Russia was once a world
superpower to be reckoned with until its collapse in 1991. Since then their economy and
armed forces have gone downhill and many have written off Russia as a collapsed superpower
not to rise again. But then along came Iraq and 9-11. Russia is now selling more oil than
ever to make up world market shortages, and revitalizing its military forces and nukes. It
sees the expansion of NATO a threat to its borders and EU as becoming a superpower. All
this against a backdrop of when USSR was a mighty superpower in its own right for most of
the second half of the 20th century. Today, Russia has a new leader - President Vladimir
Putin who is intent on restoring Russia to her former glory and presence, but in the
modern world of technology and business.
| In brief, Putin is a former KGB agent, a black belt in judo, a politician known for tough talk, yet a soft side, as well. Vladimir Putin is 47 years old; born October 7, 1952. He hails from St. Petersburg and is the son of a locksmith. Putin spent twenty years in the KGB as a spy, mostly in East Germany, and goes by the nickname the hawk. Putin graduated from St. Petersburg's (then Leningrad) law school in 1975. He is married and has two daughters.Putin seems to intend to return Russia to her former glory and world presence, but in the the modern world of technology and business. He, also, seems to hold in high priority the quality of life and well being of all citizens. |
What could push Russia to
make such a bold move as to take back Eastern Europe?
1: U.S. forces spread out in trouble spots
around the world allowing an opening for Russia to embark on restoring empire status.
The U.S. taking on Iraq, possibly Iran, Korea and other nations possessing
weapons of mass destruction. U.S also taking on terrorists and terrorism in, Pakistan,
Afghanistan, and other nations that harbor terrorists that hate the U.S. . These
terrorists plan to destroy U.S. interests around the world as well as infiltrate U.S. to
attack and break down it's infrastructure.
2: Expansion of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
If Russia is not a superpower anymore than why does NATO exist today. Why is the
U.S. expanding NATO to take in countries that were once part of the Russian Empire. Do you
think Russia wants to see a expanded NATO right up to its doorsteps. Especially an armed
NATO! That is exactly the path the U.S. is taking as the lead nation in NATO.
| North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance consisting of the United States, Canada, and 14
other Western countries. The 14 countries are Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the
United Kingdom. Formed in 1949, NATO was set up largely to discourage an attack by the Soviet Union on the non-Communist nations of Western Europe. After World War II ended in 1945, an intense rivalry had developed between Communist countries, led by the Soviet Union, and non-Communist nations, led by the United States. This rivalry became known as the Cold War. In 1955, the Soviet Union and Communist nations of Eastern Europe formed their own military alliance to oppose NATO. The Soviet-led alliance was called the Warsaw Pact. NATO was established not only to discourage Communist aggression but also to keep the peace among former enemies in Western Europe. In World War II, for example, Italy and Germany had fought most of the other countries that later became NATO members. In forming NATO, each member country agreed to treat an attack on any other member as an attack on itself. Militarily, the United States was--and still is--the alliance's most powerful member, in part because of its large supply of nuclear weapons. The NATO countries believed that the Soviet Union would not attack Western Europe if Soviet leaders thought such an attack would trigger war with the United States. NATO's policy is known as deterrence because it is designed to deter (discourage) an attack. NATO's purpose, however, has been less clear since the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union were dissolved in 1991. History. NATO was formed as a result of the North Atlantic Treaty, which was signed by 12 countries on April 4, 1949, in Washington, D.C. The 12 countries were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Greece and Turkey joined NATO in 1952. West Germany joined in 1955. Germany replaced West Germany as a NATO member in 1990, when West Germany and East Germany were united. Spain joined NATO in 1982. During the Cold War, NATO helped maintain peace in Europe through its policy of deterrence. But it also experienced disagreements among its members. The most troublesome involved nuclear weapons. United States officials generally insisted that NATO rely on nuclear weapons to deter a Soviet attack. Some people in NATO countries, however, opposed the use of these weapons. Also, European countries occasionally doubted that the United States would actually use nuclear weapons to defend Europe. Their doubts were based on the fact that the Soviet Union also had a powerful nuclear force. For these reasons, Britain and France built their own nuclear weapons. In 1966, France pulled its troops out of the NATO military command, though it remained a NATO member. Before France withdrew its troops, NATO's central office had been in Paris. In 1967, the organization moved its headquarters to Brussels, Belgium. NATO's biggest crisis followed the breakup of the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union in 1991. The Soviet Union broke apart into a number of independent states. Most of these states--and the Soviet Union's former allies in Eastern Europe--rejected Communism. Some people felt that without its traditional Communist enemies, NATO had lost its purpose and should disband. Some NATO leaders proposed offering membership in NATO to such former Warsaw Pact lands as Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and even Russia. Other NATO leaders thought that bringing former enemies into NATO would make the alliance meaningless. Still others worried that offering membership to former Soviet allies, but not to Russia, might lead to a dangerous conflict with Russia. In an attempt to resolve the uncertainty about NATO's future, the alliance began the Partnership for Peace program in 1994. More than 20 countries joined the program, including Russia. Most of the other countries that joined were Eastern European nations. The program provides for joint military planning and exercises with NATO members but does not involve formal NATO membership. In the mid-1990's, NATO took military action against Bosnian Serb forces to help end a civil war in the former Yugoslav republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina. NATO members had feared that the war might spread to other countries. The Bosnian Serbs were fighting the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina. NATO's action increased tension between NATO and Russia, a traditional ally of the Serbs. In late 1995, the Bosnian government and the Bosnian Serbs agreed to a peace treaty, and NATO troops began to replace United Nations troops as the peacekeeping force in Bosnia. Contributor: Gary B. Ostrower, Ph.D., Prof. of History, Alfred Univ. See also WARSAW PACT. Additional resources Kaplan, Lawrence S. The United States and NATO: The Formative Years. Univ. Pr. of Kentucky, 1984. NATO and the United States: The Enduring Alliance. Twayne, 1988. ---- end of article ---- |
3: NMD (Nation Missile
Defense)
Russia as well as China see NMD as the U.S. having a defense shield to strike down
incoming missiles giving the U.S first strike superiority. In other words we could strike
first against those that do not have a defense shield inflicting as much damage as
possible and then have a means to protect ourselves from retaliation. If Russia is going
to make a move to its former world status as a superpower and empire Russia would make its
move before U.S. successfully built its NMD and having that first strike capability.
Recently George Bush did away with the ABM treaty that the Russians warned not to do. Now
both countries are not restricted from testing new technologies in the area of armed
offense and defense.
|
|
4: EU (European Union)
What is Russia's reaction to a growing EU developing a successful
economy within its members because of joint cooperation, a common currency and the U.S. as
its greatest trading partner and protectorate because of NATO. While this is developing
Russia looks at its own economy. It gave up Eastern Europe, the Warsaw pact was abolished,
and its economy has went downhill since. Is Russia going to be still and watch both NATO
and EU continue to grow to their borders taking in former nations that once were under
them and now be economically blessed and protected from them. I say not, and Russia will
make it's move and have possible allies to stand with it such as Iraq, Iran, and possibly
China - a nation that is against America building national missle defense (NMD) to protect
itself. China shares the sames fears the Russians do that U.S. is building up a first
strike capability. Remember, Daniel saw Iraq and Iran as coming under Antichrist's
dominion (see Daniel page 2). All this is setting the stage
for Satan to produce the Antichrist to seemingly save the world. More on that in page 5 and Daniel 8.
| European Union,
sometimes called the EU, is an organization of 15 Western European countries that promotes
cooperation among its members. The members cooperate in many areas, including politics and
economics. They have achieved the most success in creating a
single economic market without internal barriers to trade and investment. The union's members are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and
the United Kingdom. Headquarters of the union are in Brussels, Belgium. The European Union has evolved from economic cooperation that began among Western European countries in the early 1950's. These countries eventually cooperated in economic affairs as members of the European Community (EC). In 1993, the EC members--which at that time included all the current EU members except Austria, Finland, and Sweden--extended their cooperation into the areas of Justice and Home Affairs and a Common Foreign and Security Policy. Justice and Home Affairs concerns cooperation in such areas as law enforcement and immigration. Through the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the nations deal with military and other foreign policy matters. The European Union was officially created when cooperation was extended to these two new areas. The three areas of cooperation are sometimes referred to as the union's three "pillars." The European Union is a major economic unit. Together, its members have more people than the United States. In addition, the total value of the goods and services produced by its members exceeds that of the goods and services produced by the United States. The combined value of the union's imports and exports is greater than that of any single country in the world. The United States is the union's main trading partner. Formation of the European Union. In 1992, representatives of the 12 EC members signed the Treaty of European Union in Maastricht, the Netherlands. This pact, also known as the Maastricht Treaty, provided for creation of the European Union. It also called for establishing an Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) by the end of the 1990's. The principal features of the EMU would be a common currency, called the Euro, and a central bank for all European Union countries. The bank would have authority to conduct the union's monetary policy. Officials use monetary policy to influence such economic factors as interest rates and the availability of money and loans. The Maastricht Treaty took effect in November 1993. But creating the EMU required that all member countries have similar inflation rates, interest rates, and other economic conditions. In the mid-1990's, it was unclear whether the members could meet these requirements. In 1994, a treaty providing for a European Economic Area (EEA) went into effect. The EEA includes the European Union and three of the four member nations of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). These three nations are Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. The treaty guarantees the free movement of capital, people, services, and nonagricultural goods between these countries and the European Union. Switzerland is the EFTA member that does not participate in the EEA. Expansion. In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the EU as full members. In 1994, the EU had also reached an agreement with Norway on terms of the country's entry. But later that year, the people of Norway voted not to join the union. Contributor: C. Randall Henning, Ph.D., Research Associate, Institute for International Economics. Additional resources Dinan, Desmond. Historical Dictionary of the European Community. Scarecrow, 1993. Durbin, Chris. The European Community. Watts, 1994. Younger readers. Kauffman, Mark A. The European Community. Stone & Quill, 1993. Owen, Richard, and Dynles, Michael. Tuttle Guide to the Single European Market. Tuttle, 1992. Roberts, Elizabeth. The New Europe: Maastricht and Beyond--Update. Watts, 1993. ---- end of article ---- |
Concluding
thoughts
With possible American forces in Iraq in alliance with other nations and NATO
expanding to include countries of East Europe once part of the Russian Empire, Russian
will not like this expansion right up to their borders for many other reasons. Before the
U.S. can fully perfect their NMD (national missile defense) Russia may go hard-line and by force brings Eastern Europe under its
dominion before NATO can arm them fully. Now all the pressure is on NATO to do that which
it was created for. It is now a big classic showdown right in the heart of Europe(right among the 10 horns of DANIEL 7:8). Will
the nations that make up NATO stand up to Russia's nuclear might and possible allies
aligned with her like Iraq and Iran and even Korea? What reaction would this bring to
Europe's dream of a United Europe not to say their economy as well as the U.S.? What kind of pressure would this put on Germany - a nation once divided by Russia now facing the stalk reality of possibly
all of Europe being brought under Russia's control. If this scenario plays out as I
believe the Bible says, it is no surprise then Satan would pick Germany to produce this
seemingly world savior - the Antichrist of Daniel 7:8 ('the little horn' - see page 2). What a classic confrontation between
Western Europe with U.S. forces stationed there in Europe as part of NATO against Russia
and its allies. Germany, speaking for Europe would be the loudest for a solution that
preserves them and Europe. The
use of nuclear might and using first strike capability will certainly be
the major threat of Russia in its need to retain superpower status and it's desire to have
a successful economy. Since Iran and Iraq are seen as part of Antichrist's Empire (see Daniel
2 and Daniel 7 page 1) it is not a surprise to see
this because they both hate the U.S. and Western Europe.
| Modern nations within old Roman Empire land area that will be united to be world's greatest and last empire under Antichrist in the last days | Gray area - full extent of Antichrist's Empire |
|
 |
With Russia having its nuclear missiles and Iraq and Iran with their
terrorism, missles of mass destruction, and germ warfare let alone their combined manpower
the U.S. is not going to be able to fulfill its role in NATO to save Europe. The risk of
nuclear, chemical, biological warfare raining down upon the cities of the U.S. as well as
their armed forces stationed in Europe will be to much to handle and NATO will not go the
distance to free Eastern Europe. Bible says this will be accomplished by Antichrist.
Back to the Daniel
7:8 and the 3 horns plucked up by their roots by the little
horn
Should Russia seek to restore its empire
status in the early part of the 21st century, other captive countries by Russia besides
Bulgaria, Rumania, and Hungary (3 horns of Daniel 7:8,20) are certainly possible but are not in
view in Daniel 7. Daniel is
strictly talking about what happens among the 10 horns (the
old Roman Empire area - see map above) and we must follow Daniel if we are to understand. The very fact that
Daniel portrays these 3 countri
es in the last days as the key to the
rise of Antichrist strongly suggests that East Europe will be taken over again by Russia
as well as other East European countries such as Poland, Chech, Slovakia , and others
which are not symbolized by the 10 horns because they are outside the old Roman Empire
Area. However, when we get to Daniel 8, Daniel shows
Antichrist's dominion growing much greater than the Roman Empire land area that Daniel 7 only shows (10 horns). This is understandable. Daniel
develops the rise and exploits of Antichrist in the last days by building on each previous
prophetic chapter,showing Antichrist's dominion growing till it is that monolithic
giant of an empire Daniel first saw in Daniel 2
that will be destroyed by the Rock of Ages - Jesus Christ when He returns.
Concluding thoughts
Besides Iraq, Iran, Korea, Middle East, terrorism and WMD (weapons of mass
destruction) dominating news in the last days, eventually East Europe will become the
battleground for the titans of power. Russia will seek to restore it's former empire
vowing not to let a U.S. led NATO expansion and the EU rule over nations it once ruled. I
would say Russia would make its move before the U.S. built a successful NMD (National Missile Defense) and while U.S.
forces are stretched all over the world fighting many fronts as listed above. The cold war
could get very hot indeed. A world crisis of gigantic magnitude could exist considering
the weapons of mass destruction, germ and chemical warfare involved and the responsibility
NATO would feel to its members. Other crisis's could be happening at the same time with
countries like Iraq, Iran and others that will eventually make up Antichrist's Empire in
the last days (see Daniel 2 - page 2). These scenario's as they
become more visible on the world stage of future history could very well fulfill the very
prophetic scriptures we are studying. This is Satan's big moment to save the world, show
his mighty power, and establish his empire under his man - the Antichrist.
In doing so Antichrist could do away with both NATO and Russian expansion leaving a united
Europe from the Atlantic to the Ural mountains to rule over. This would mean defeating
Russia and any of its allies on the battlefield. The nations of East and West Europe would
then join behind Antichrist because of his ability to make war against all odds with
promises of great economic prosperity and religious freedom for all. Antichrist will be
successful in warfare and religion because of his connection with outer space where Satan
and his angels now dwell (see Daniel 7 Page 4, Daniel 8).
They will provide the necessary air campaign for Antichrist by being actively and visibly
involved. These wars will take on a star war nature and a religious nature because
Antichrist will honor a new god and a 'God of forces' (Daniel 11:36 - 39). He will also offer the nations that join him unheralded prosperity and
a new age under the direction and blessings of the gods. These truths are developed in our
next study.
Daniel 11:36 - 39
36 And the king shall do according to his
will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak
marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be
accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any
god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew
not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge
and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the
land for gain.
Revelations 13:4
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the
beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to
make war with him?
Daniel 7 |
1 In the first
year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel
had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then
he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the
heaven strove upon the great sea.
3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were
plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a
man's heart was given to it.
5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side,
and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto
it, Arise, devour much flesh.
6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four
wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast,
dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured
and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from
all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another
little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and,
behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment
was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the
fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
10 A fiery stream issued and came forth frm before him:
thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten
thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the
judgment was set, and the books were opened.
11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words
which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was
slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their
dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds
of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a
kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an
everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be
destroyed.
15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head
troubled me.
16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked
him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the
things.
17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall
arise out of the earth.
18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for
ever, even for ever and ever.
19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which
was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his
nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the
other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a
mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints,
and prevailed against them;
22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given
to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth
kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole
earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall
rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High,
and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and
they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to
destroy it unto the end.
27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the
kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the
people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all
dominions shall serve and obey him.
28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me,
and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.