the monster mash
"In the vision I saw during the night, suddenly the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea, from which emerged four immense beasts, each different from the others." —Daniel 7:2-3
Daniel must have been afraid to go to sleep, considering the terrifying visions he had. He witnessed hundreds of years of history represented by four monsters. The first one was like a lion standing upright and having a human mind and eagle's wings that were to be plucked (Dn 7:4). The second beast was like a bear with three tusks used to devour much flesh (Dn 7:5). The third beast was like a leopard with four wings and four heads (Dn 7:6). The last beast wasn't like anything. The "thing" had "great iron teeth" and ten horns (Dn 7:7-8). Suddenly, in the vision, a little horn with two eyes popped up on the "thing" and started to talk (Dn 7:8).
These monsters represent the Babylonians, Persians, Medes, and Seleucids. These dynasties in turn represent the monstrous atrocities and perversions of all human governments and history. By sin, we human beings have made life inhuman.
At the end of the vision, Daniel saw "One like a Son of Man" (Dn 7:13), that is, Jesus. He was fully human and victorious over the monsters. "His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, His kingship shall not be destroyed" (Dn 7:14). Accept Jesus as Lord of your life and be delivered from the inhuman slavery of the devil.
Prayer: Jesus, God-Man, thank You for conquering the dragon and his monsters (Rv 12:7-9).
Promise: "The heavens and the earth will pass away, but My words will not pass." —Lk 21:33
Praise: Jesus delivered John from an addiction to pornography.
Reference: (Help others overcome slavery to the devil by helping them through the Bible. For encouragement, order, listen to, or download our series Biblical Counseling on our CD 13A-1, CD 13A-3, CD 13B-1 or DVD 13 A and DVD 13 B on our website.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 11, 2019
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.