Daniel was deeply troubled by the dreams and did not fully understand them. Remember that God had given Daniel the gift of interpreting dreams, as he had done so for Nebuchadnezzar. Now he had received a dream and could not understand it. So he approached "one of those standing there" (v16). Zechariah too asked an angel to explain the visions he saw.
The four beasts represent four kings. These kings will rise for a time and have a degree of power for a time. They will seem to be dominant. As seen earlier, these four beasts can be identified with various kingdoms of the time, but I think they are also generally representative of human kingdoms, and finally the openly demonic kingdom. When we look around us, whatever period of history we are in, we see various kingdoms rising and falling, all claiming to be powerful in their own way.
In v14 we read that the Messiah's kingdom is everlasting. Now here we read that this everlasting kingdom will be given to God's Holy people, and we will possess it for ever and ever. Just contemplate that for a moment, what an amazing promise it is.
We will receive the kingdom. Now this has always been God's plan. In Genesis 1 we read that God told man to have dominion over the earth (Gen 1:28). In Luke 12:32 Jesus says "do not be afraid little flock, for the Father has been pleased to give the kingdom to you". Now who is it given to? The "most holy people", a people dedicated to the Lord.
We need to realise the enormity of God's plans for us!
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