As we revisit the book of Daniel, remember...Jesus told us to pay attention to what Daniel the prophet wrote.

Matthew 24:15
Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand). 

The prophet Daniel is given a vision of four beasts that also illustrate prophetic events concerning nations as recorded in Daniel 7. The individual beasts, the lion, the bear and the leopard represent specific nations that will be in power during the last days. The fourth beast is different from the other three. This fourth beast represents the joining together of the other three beasts and is much more powerful than the individual beasts.

The apostle John was also given a prophetic vision of a beast.

Revelation 13:1-2
And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.

This beast coming up out of the sea represents the three individual nations that have consolidated into one confederation of nations represented by the fourth beast. It is a combination of the other three beasts, the lion, the leopard and the bear. This beast in Revelation 13 is the same as the fourth beast in Daniel 7. This beast is also represented by the feet and toes in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue (Daniel 2). All three prophetic visions represent nations in the Mediterranean and Mid-east area that will unite into a dominant government alliance during the last days.  We can see the prophetic fulfillment being played out in the headlines of today.

(See the book These Last Days - Second Edition)

Daniel was given many prophetic visions. Satan did not want Daniel to know these revelations from God, even to the point of trying to prevent the angel Gabriel from delivering the message. Gabriel, however, was successful in delivering the message. (Daniel 10:12-13)

One of the most important prophetic visions of all is given to Daniel.  It is a spectacular scene as described in Daniel 7 and Revelation 20- the Great White Throne.  Imagine this.

Ten thousand times ten thousand will stand in worshipful anticipation as they encircle the radiant and glorious throne.  All holy ones will be in their proper places as they await His approach.  With eager expectation thousands upon thousands of holy angels will encircle the throne as they anticipate His entrance, calling to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."  With loud voices they will sing, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" All creatures will respond with voices singing, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"

Surely a hush will fall over the entire assembly as the Ancient of Days enters.  His glory will fill the place of His throne. Robed in majesty and splendor dressed in pure white clothing He will enter and take His seat on a throne blazing with fire.  A river of fire will flow from the center of this throne.

A trumpet call from the throne will resonate throughout the place.  The archangel will give the loud command and all people alive and dead good and bad will be changed into spirit and brought into His presence.  Heaven and earth will vanish.

A glowing cloud will emerge from the distant vacant expanse and travel ever closer to the holy throng. This glowing cloud, a multitude of holy angels, will escort Jesus as He makes His exalted entrance before the mighty throne.  He will approach the Ancient of Days and will be ushered into his presence. Jesus will announce that He is victorious over all dominion, power and authority.  He will proclaim that all enemies are defeated, including death.

In response to this declaration, the Ancient of Days, God the Father, will hand over to God, the Son, all authority glory and sovereign power as judge of all. 

Ten thousand times ten thousand will anticipate this final judgment at the Great White Throne. The court will be seated.  The books will be opened.

The first set of books that are opened will be the book of deeds.  The dead will be judged according to what they have done, both good and bad.  Believers and unbelievers will each have deeds written in each of the books and will be judged and sentenced or rewarded based on the deeds that are written in the books. Then as they each have been judged, another book will be opened, the book of life.  Those whose names are not in the book of life, the unbelievers, will be eternally condemned and will be thrown into the lake of fire.  For most they will cease to exist.  This is the second death. Others who are so sentenced will suffer punishment determined by the books of deeds.  They will spend parts of eternity there, depending upon the severity of their sins as recorded in the books of deeds. 

All believers will have eternal life.  Their names were put into the book of life before the creation of the earth. The books of deeds will determine position and rewards in the heavenly kingdom as the redeemed will live forever." (excerpt from These Last Days)

All of Daniel’s words are there for a purpose…the words concerning the judgment and even the words concerning the animals, beasts and statues. They were written to teach us. They are not there to confuse us but to encourage us and give us hope in the knowledge of these last days. (Romans 15:4)