Daniel 7
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
It was night. Very late, and very dark. Daniel lay in his bed. He was asleep. And while he slept, God gave him a dream.
In his dream Daniel saw the sea. A big, wild sea. The wind blew hard. Whoosh! And then, out of the water, came animals. Big, scary animals.
The first looked like a lion. But it had wings, like a bird!
The second looked like a bear. Big and strong.
The third was like a leopard. It ran fast, so fast.
And then came the fourth. That one was the scariest of all. It had big iron teeth. It stomped and broke everything. Daniel was frightened.
But then Daniel looked up. And there he saw something wonderful.
He saw a throne. A big, shining throne! And on the throne sat God. His clothes were white as snow. His hair was white as wool. All around him was fire, bright and warm.
Thousands and thousands of angels stood before him. Everyone was quiet. Everyone looked at God.
And Daniel saw: God is bigger. Bigger than the lion. Bigger than the bear. Bigger than the leopard. Bigger than that scary fourth animal. God is the greatest of all.
Then Daniel saw Someone else. Someone who looked like a man. He came in the clouds. And he walked to God. And God gave him everything: a kingdom, and glory, and power. Forever and ever.
What Does This Mean?
Daniel was scared of those animals. That is okay. They were really scary!
But then he looked at God. And then he was not so scared anymore. Because God is the King. God is the biggest.
The Common Thread
That Man in the clouds, do you know who that is? That is Jesus! Daniel saw Jesus already, long, long ago. Jesus is the King forever. Nobody is stronger than Jesus. Nobody!
For You
Sometimes you are scared too. Maybe of the dark. Or of a big dog. Or of a bad dream, just like Daniel had.
Then you may do what Daniel did. You may look up. You may say: God, you are bigger. Jesus, you are the King.
And God hears you. Always. Even at night, when it is dark. He sees you in your bed. He is with you.
You do not have to be strong all by yourself. Jesus is strong for you. He is the King forever and ever.
Talk About It
What was the scariest animal in Daniel's dream, do you think?
What do you do when you are scared? Would you like to tell Jesus?
Praying Together
Dear Lord Jesus,
You are the big King. You are bigger than everything scary. Thank you that you see me. Also at night, in my bed. I do not have to be afraid. Because you are with me.
Amen.
Questions about Daniel 7
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Daniel 7 about?
What does Daniel 7 say?
What does Daniel 7 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Daniel 7?
Why is Daniel 7 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Notice what pulled Daniel's eyes: not armies, but a mouth. "Because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke." The boasting kept going right up to the moment the beast was destroyed. Loudness is not the same as lasting. Whatever voice is shouting over your life today, it has an ending God has already set.
Daniel doesn't look away. He stares straight at the thing with iron teeth and says, in effect, tell me the truth about this. "Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal." He takes his fear to the One who knows, instead of burying it. What frightening question have you been refusing to ask God?
The judgment was set. The books were opened." Empires carve their own version of history into stone. But there is another record, kept by the Ancient of Days, and nothing is missing from it. What was done to you is written there. So is what you did in the dark, thinking no one saw. That should make you tremble, and hope.
Daniel says, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of the sky broke out on the great sea." The great sea churning, restless, chaotic. Out of that turmoil, empires would rise. Notice where Daniel receives this: in the night, in exile, far from home. God still speaks in the dark places. When the winds of your life feel like they are tearing at everything, remember, He sees the whole sea.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
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