Bible Timeline ExplorerBible Timeline Explorer

Exile in Babylon

Daniel's vision of four beasts and the Son of Man

555 BCUssher date

Daniel 7; Mark 14:61–62; Revelation 1:13

Daniel saw four beasts rise from the sea, and then one like a son of man coming with the clouds to the Ancient of Days to receive an everlasting kingdom.

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him. Dominion was given him, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which will not pass away, and his kingdom one that will not be destroyed.”

Daniel 7:13–14 (World English Bible)
Daniel 2: the statueDaniel 7: the beastsDaniel 8Identified asHead of goldLion with eagle’swingsBabylonChest and arms ofsilverBear raised on onesideRam with two hornsMedo-PersiaBelly and thighs ofbronzeLeopard, four wings,four headsGoat, one greathorn, then fourGreeceLegs of iron, feetof iron and clayTerrifying beastwith iron teeth, tenhornsRomeA stone cut without handsbecomes a mountainOne like a son of man receivesan everlasting kingdomGod’s kingdomin ChristDaniel 2:31–45; 7:1–27; 8:1–27. Daniel 8:20–21 names Media-Persia and Greece; the other identifications are traditional.
The kingdoms in Daniel's visions and how they have traditionally been understood.

The four beasts parallel the four metals of Nebuchadnezzar's statue in Daniel 2. “Son of Man” became Jesus' favorite name for himself, and at his trial he quoted this vision directly, which the high priest called blasphemy (Mark 14:62).

Places

Babylon

Dating notes

The first year of Belshazzar (Daniel 7:1), 555 BC in Ussher.

Open on the timelineRead Daniel 7