Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18

During the first year of the reign of King Belshazzar of Babylon, I, Daniel, had a dream filled with visions while I lay on my bed. So, I wrote down my dream, describing in full all that I had seen. Suddenly, in my night vision, I saw the four winds of the heavens burst forth upon the great sea. Then emerging from the tossing sea came four immense beasts, each different from the others.

As for me, Daniel, I was terrified by these night visions, and my spirit was deeply disturbed by all that I saw. I went up to one who was standing there and asked him to explain the true meaning of what I had witnessed. So he gave me the interpretation: “These four great beasts represent four empires that will rise to power over the earth. But after them, the holy ones, the most high ones, will receive the kingdom and possess it forever. Yes, forever and ever!”