Daniel - Caput 7

Daniel 7.1 Anno primo Baltassar, regis Babylonis, Daniel somnium vidit; visio autem capitis ejus in cubili suo; et somnium scribens brevi sermone comprehendit, summatimque perstringens, ait: Daniel 7.2 Videbam in visione mea nocte: et ecce quatuor venti caeli pugnabant in mari magno, Daniel 7.3 et quatuor bestiae grandes ascendebant de mari diversae inter se. Daniel 7.4 Prima quasi leaena, et alas habebat aquilae; aspiciebam donec evulsae sunt aliae ejus; et sublata est de terra, et super pedes quasi homo stetit, et cor hominis datum est ei. Daniel 7.5 Et ecce bestia alia similis urso in parte stetit; et tres ordines erant in ore ejus, et in dentibus ejus, et sic dicebant ei: Surge, comede carnes plurimas. Daniel 7.6 Post haec aspiciebam, et ecce alia quasi pardus; et alas habebat quasi avis, quatuor super se; et quatuor capita erant in bestia, et potestas data est ei. Daniel 7.7 Post haec aspiciebam in visione noctis, et ecce bestia quarta terribilis, atque mirabilis, et fortis nimis; dentes ferreos habebat magnos, comedens atque comminuens. et reliqua pedibus suis conculcans; dissimilis autem erat ceteris bestiis quas videram ante eam, et habebat cornua decem. Daniel 7.8 Considerabam cornua, et ecce cornu aliud parvulum ortum est de medio eorum; et tria de cornibus primis evulsa sunt a facie ejus; et ecce oculi, quasi oculi hominis, erant in cornu isto, et os loquens ingentia. Daniel 7.9 Aspiciebam donec throni positi sunt, et antiquus dierum sedit. Vestimentum ejus candidum quasi nix, et capilli capitis ejus quasi lana munda; thronus ejus flammae ignis, rotae ejus ignis accensus. Daniel 7.10 Fluvius igneus rapidusque egrediebatur a facie ejus; millia millium ministrabant ei, et decies millies centena millia assistebant ei. Judicium sedit, et libri aperti sunt. Daniel 7.11 Aspiciebam propter vocem sermonum grandium quos cornu illud loquebatur; et vidi quoniam interfecta esset bestia, et perisset corpus ejus, et traditum esset ad comburendum igni; Daniel 7.12 aliarum quoque bestiarum ablata esset potestas, et tempora vitae constituta essent eis risque ad tempus et tempus. Daniel 7.13 Aspiciebam ergo in visione noctis, et ecce cum nubibus caeli quasi Filius hominis veniebat, et usque ad antiquum dierum pervenit. Et in conspectu ejus obtulerunt eum; Daniel 7.14 et dedit ei potestatem, et honorem, et regnum; et omnes populi, tribus, et linguae ipsi servient: potestas ejus. potestas aeterna, quae non auferetur, et regnum ejus, quod non corrumpetur. Daniel 7.15 Horruit spiritus meus; ego Daniel territus sum in his, et visiones capitis mei conturbaverunt me. Daniel 7.16 Accessi ad unum de assistentibus, et veritatem quaerebam ab eo de omnibus his. Qui dixit mihi interpretationem sermonum, et docuit me. Daniel 7.17 Hae quatuor bestiae magnae quatuor sunt regna quae consurgent de terra. Daniel 7.18 Suscipient autem regnum sancti Dei altissimi, et obtinebunt regnum usque in saeculum, et saeculum saeculorum. Daniel 7.19 Post hoc volui diligenter discere de bestia quarta, quae erat dissimilis valde ab omnibus, et terribilis nimis: dentes et ungues ejus ferrei; comedebat, et comminuebat, et reliqua pedibus suis conculcabat; Daniel 7.20 et de cornibus decem quae habebat in capite, et de alio, quod ortum fuerat, ante quod ceciderant tria cornua; et de cornu illo, quod habebat oculos, et os loquens grandia; et majus erat ceteris. Daniel 7.21 Aspiciebam, et ecce cornu illud faciebat bellum adversus sanctos, et praevalebat eis, Daniel 7.22 donec venit antiquus dierum, et judicium dedit sanctis Excelsi; et tempus advenit, et regnum obtinuerunt sancti. Daniel 7.23 Et sic ait: Bestia quarta, regnum quartum erit in terra, quod majus erit omnibus regnis; et devorabit universam terram, et conculcabit, et comminuet eam. Daniel 7.24 Porro cornua decem ipsius regni, decem reges erunt; et alius consurget post eos, et ipse potentior erit prioribus, et tres reges humiliabit. Daniel 7.25 Et sermones contra Excelsum loquetur, et sanctos Altissimi conteret, et putabit quod possit mutare tempora, et leges; et tradentur in manu ejus usque ad tempus, et tempora, et dimidium temporis. Daniel 7.26 Et judicium sedebit, ut auferatur potentia, et conteratur, et dispereat usque in finem; Daniel 7.27 regnum autem, et potestas, et magnitudo regni, quae est subter omne caelum, detur populo sanctorum Altissimi: cujus regnum, regnum sempiternum est, et omnes reges servient ei, et obedient. Daniel 7.28 Hucusque finis verbi. Ego Daniel multum cogitationibus meis conturbabar, et facies mea mutata est in me; verbum autem in corde meo conservavi.

Daniel : Caput 7

Daniel's Vision: The Four Beasts and the Son of Man

Chapter 7 of the book of Daniel reveals a fascinating vision illustrating the four beasts representing world empires, as well as the coming of God's eternal kingdom. This prophetic revelation, essential to our understanding of the times to come, also introduces the concept of the "Son of Man" and the final divine judgment. In turbulent times, this vision offers powerful hope to the faithful.

Eschatological Themes and Biblical Passages

We invite you to consider five biblical passages that enrich our understanding of the eschatological themes present in this visionary chapter.

Revelation 13:1

"The dragon stood on the seashore. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. » This vision from Revelation presents striking parallels with those of Daniel, where the kingdoms of the world are also symbolized by beasts.

Matthew 24:30

"Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the nations of the earth will weep and see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. » In this passage, Jesus evokes Daniel's vision of the "Son of Man", applying it to his own glorious coming.

Revelation 20:4

"I saw thrones on which those who had been given authority to judge were seated. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and the word of God. » This heavenly scene echoes Daniel's vision, where the saints are called to receive the kingdom and exercise judgment.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

"Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. Before that day, the falling away will come, and then the man of sin, the son of perdition, will be revealed. » The apostle Paul seems to be alluding to Daniel's "little horn", speaking of the Antichrist whose appearance will precede the end of time.

1 Corinthians 6:2

"Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If you are to judge the world, are you not able to judge even the lesser matters?" This passage reflects Daniel's concept that the saints are given the power to judge, thus affirming their dignity and role in God's plan.

Through these reflections and these scriptures, may our faith be renewed and may we find the strength to await the eternal kingdom that God has promised to His faithful.