Biblical Reference:
The Vision of the Four Beasts is found in the Book of Daniel, specifically in Daniel 7:1-28. This vision is one of the key prophetic revelations in the Old Testament, providing insight into the rise and fall of earthly kingdoms and the ultimate establishment of God's eternal kingdom.

Context and Setting:
The vision occurs during the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon. Daniel, a Jewish exile serving in the Babylonian court, receives this vision in a dream. The vision is apocalyptic in nature, characterized by symbolic imagery and divine revelation concerning future events.

Description of the Vision:
In the vision, Daniel sees four great beasts emerging from the sea, each distinct from the others:

1. The First Beast:
"The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground, so that it stood on two feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it" (Daniel 7:4). This beast is often interpreted as representing the Babylonian Empire, with the lion symbolizing strength and the eagle's wings denoting swiftness. The transformation of the beast suggests a humbling or humanizing of the empire.

2. The Second Beast:
"And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. So it was told, ‘Get up, and devour much flesh!’" (Daniel 7:5). This beast is commonly associated with the Medo-Persian Empire. The bear's uneven stance may indicate the dominance of Persia over Media, and the three ribs are often seen as representing conquered territories.

3. The Third Beast:
"Next, as I watched, another beast appeared. It was like a leopard, and on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule" (Daniel 7:6). The leopard is typically linked to the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great. The four wings suggest rapid conquest, and the four heads are thought to represent the division of the empire after Alexander's death.

4. The Fourth Beast:
"After this, as I watched in my vision in the night, suddenly a fourth beast appeared, frightening and dreadful, and incredibly strong, with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and anything that was left it trampled with its feet. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns" (Daniel 7:7). This beast is often identified with the Roman Empire, known for its unparalleled power and influence. The ten horns are interpreted as ten kings or kingdoms that arise from this empire.

The Little Horn:
Among the ten horns, Daniel observes a "little horn" that emerges, uprooting three of the original horns. This horn has "eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke words of arrogance" (Daniel 7:8). This figure is frequently associated with a future antichrist figure, characterized by blasphemy and opposition to God.

The Ancient of Days and the Son of Man:
The vision shifts to a heavenly scene where the "Ancient of Days" takes His seat, signifying God's eternal authority and judgment. Books are opened, and the fourth beast is destroyed. Daniel then sees "One like a Son of Man" coming with the clouds of heaven, who is given dominion, glory, and a kingdom that will never be destroyed (Daniel 7:13-14). This figure is widely understood to represent the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who establishes God's everlasting kingdom.

Interpretation and Significance:
An angelic interpreter provides Daniel with the meaning of the vision, explaining that the four beasts represent four kingdoms that will rise from the earth. However, the saints of the Most High will ultimately receive the kingdom and possess it forever (Daniel 7:17-18). This vision underscores the transient nature of earthly powers and the certainty of God's sovereign plan, culminating in the reign of Christ and the vindication of His people.