After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
The fourth beast is Rome, though some foolishly transfer what belongs to it to the Pope or join the Turk to it. The Prophet names no animal because nothing like it existed; he compared the first three kingdoms to lion, bear, and leopard, natural things, but this fourth he calls simply a beast, signifying how prodigious and horrible the monster was.
AI summary
When deep sleep falls upon us and we are most removed from the world's distractions, God opens His mind to us. Daniel wrote his dream that he might not lose it as dreams do, and shared it with his brethren that they should not be deceived by false hopes of unbroken peace after their return, but be prepared for the oppressive monarchies yet to come.
AI summary
Commenting on Daniel 7:1-8
This is the Roman empire, which devoured and broke in pieces all kingdoms before it, reducing them to servitude and heavy tribute. Its generals and emperors were the iron teeth that crushed whatever came their way. Rome was terrible to the nations and especially to Christians through persecution, both pagan and papal.
AI summary