One of the most dynamic prophecies in the Bible is the vision of the prophet Daniel, as record in chapter seven. Daniel writes of seeing four amalgamated types of beasts rising out of the sea. The first was like a lion with the wings of an eagle; the second was like a bear raised up on one side with ribs in his mouth; the third was like a leopard with four heads; the fourth was some monstrous beast, very strong, with iron teeth and ten horns in his head. (See Daniel 7:1-11) Finally, the dream ends with heavenly courtroom scene until God established His final kingdom, a “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” (Daniel 7:4).
What’s it all about? Daniel is told, specifically told: “These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even for ever and ever” (Daniel 7:17).
In other words, amid the rise and fall of nations, of war, and rumors of war, amid the general turmoil and tumult of the world, ultimately, in the end, God will triumph and, in His triumph, His people will too. That is, no matter how crazy thing seem; no matter how out of control and chaotic the world is—the story will end well, will end with good beating out evil, and justice and mercy will rule.
In the last book of the Bible, near the end of the last book, we are given the promise that “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
And they lived happily ever after . . ..?
Exactly.
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