Mon.’s Devo - The Four Beasts

Read: Daniel 7:1-28; 1 John 1:1-10; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 28:23-24 It was the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign in Babylon when Daniel had this dream. He saw a great storm churning over the surface of a great sea. Four huge beasts emerged out of the water. The first was like a lion with wings of an eagle. Its wings were pulled off and it was left standing on its two hind feet. It was given the mind of a human. Then second beast looked like a bear. It had three ribs in its teeth and a voice said, “Get up! Devour the flesh of many people!” The third beast looked like a leopard which four bird’s wings on its back. It had four heads and was given great authority. The fourth beast was terrifying. It devoured and crushed its victims with huge iron teeth and trampled their remains beneath its feet. It also had 10 horns. As Daniel was looking at its horns, a smaller horn appeared and replaced three of the first horns. This little horn had eyes and a mouth that boasted arrogantly. Thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. The Ancient One had white showy hair and his throne was on fire with wheels of fire. A river of fire was pouring out and millions of angels ministered to him. The court began and the books were opened. The three other beasts had their authority taken from them all the while the little boastful horn kept talking. The fourth beast was thrown into the fire. As this was going on, Daniel saw one like the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven. He was given authority over all the nations of the world. His kingdom and rule was eternal. Daniel asked one of the beings around the throne what all this meant. He explained that the four beasts were kingdoms that would arise in the earth. In the end the Most Holy would reign. Daniel asked why the fourth beast had so many horns and was so wicked and horrible. He was told that this would be the last kingdom that would rule the earth and it would be merciless. The ten horns were the ten kings who would rule that empire. Then another would arise and subdue three of them. He would defy the Lord Most High and oppress God’s people. He would try to change God’s laws and even time itself. The court will decide his fate and all his power will be taken away and he will be completely destroyed. Then the power of all the earth will be given to God’s people and the earth will worship the Lord. First John is a powerful book of the progressive Christian walk. We start our Christian walk by coming to the realization that we are sinners and need a Savior. All people sin, but Jesus came to cleanse us of our sin and bring salvation to us. As horrible as Daniel’s dreams seem, the Good News always wins in the end. Lord, may we endure until the end.