Whatever truth there is to come, whatever its fine details, the overarching narrative dative remains that our God reigns. Daniel, facing the mounting pressure of invasion from the Medes and the Persians, and having already been exiled once, must have been emotionally distraught. He mentally understood that God was in control, and this had helped him survive and thrive under Nebedchednezzar. Yet, he had somehow fallen out of the current king’s favor and was being plagued with visions. The simplicity of the angelic interpretation would have been of profound concern for Daniel. Given the dream of the statue from his youth, he probably understood the rise and fall of kingdoms. However, the fact of a new king and kingdom that he could place his hope in was defined much more clearly in this new dream. The message was clear. There is an end to exile. There is an end to the persecution. There is an end to endless kings and kingdoms, and despots, and tyrants. God will bless his people and they will eventually rule with him. This point of hope adds a much needed context to the suffering, uncertainty and intrigue surrounding the days to come. Despite the bizarre imagery of beasts, in the end, it is a message of hope that is still relevant.