“Earlier, during the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign in Babylon, Daniel had a dream and saw visions as he lay in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is what he saw.” Daniel 7:1
This chapter forms a bridge between the Gentile section and the Jewish section. The first expressed in the language of the land into which Israel and Judah had been exiled, brought God’s Word to the Emperors and Empires of the Gentiles. The remaining chapters are in the language of the Jews. This was to give hope to the Jews that were exiled. Daniel’s visions are similar, yet each vision gives a little more information than the previous one. The vision in chapter 7 is basically the same as the dream of Nebuchadnezzar’s in chapter 2. God gave more information in Daniel’s dream than the dream in chapter 2. Consequently, the vision that Daniel records in chapter 8 will contain even more information. This chapter forms a major outline of future events to which additional details are given later in the book of Daniel and in the New Testament, especially in the Revelation. Such a panorama of future events is of great importance as it provides a broad outline to which all other prophetic events may be related.
In Daniel 2 and 7 God encouraged His people and answered their questions by giving them an overview of the course of world history. God wanted them to know that His promises were sure and that He would keep His Word—that the promised Kingdom would eventually come to Israel. We see God’s plan in Jeremiah. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14) The prophecy should encourage us today. Knowing that God has great things for all His people.