Study Desk

This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means. None of the wise men in my nation can tell me what it means, but you can. For the spirit of the holy gods is in you.'

"But at the end of that time I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up toward heaven and my understanding returned to me. And I gave thanks to the Most High and praised and honored Him Who lives forever. For His nation lasts forever, and His rule is for all people for all time.

Then all the king's wise men came in. But they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant.

The wise men and wonder-workers were brought in to me so that they might read this writing and tell me what it means. But they could not tell me its meaning.

Then Daniel answered the king, saying, "Keep your gifts for yourself, or give them to someone else. But I will read the writing to the king and tell him what it means.

But when his heart and spirit became proud and he acted in pride, he was taken from his throne and his greatness was taken from him.

You have honored yourself more than the Lord of heaven. The cups of His house have been brought to you. And you and your important men and all your wives have been drinking wine from them. You have praised the gods of silver, gold, brass, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see, hear or understand. But you have not honored the God Who holds your life and your ways in His hand.

Then the leaders and captains tried to find a reason to complain against Daniel about his duties over the nation. But they could not find any reason to complain or anything to blame him for, because he was faithful and honest and did not do anything wrong.

The other three animals had their power taken away, but they were allowed to live for a time.

But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the nation and keep it forever and ever.'

But the Judge will decide against him. And his ruling power will be taken away and destroyed forever.

This is the end of the special dream. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts filled me with fear and my face turned white. But I kept everything to myself."

Then I looked up and saw a ram with two horns standing by the river. The two horns were long, but one was longer than the other. And the longer one came up last.

Then the male goat became very great. But as soon as he was powerful, the large horn was broken. And four large horns came up in its place, toward the four winds of heaven.

When he came near the place where I was standing, I was afraid and fell on my face to the ground. But he said to me, "Son of man, understand that the special dream is about the time of the end."

While he was talking to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But he touched me and made me stand up.

The broken horn and the four horns that grew in its place are the four nations which will come from his nation. But they will not be as powerful.

He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will destroy much, and do well in whatever he wants done. He will destroy powerful men and the holy people.

He will do well by using his false ways and lies, and will think of himself as great. He will destroy many who are taking it easy. He will even go against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by a human hand.

The special dream of the evenings and mornings that has been given to you is true. But keep the dream secret, for it has to do with things far into the future."