Daniel 7:15-18. After describing his vision of four great beasts doing terrible things to the world and their eventual downfall at the hands of the one who was "ancient of days," Daniel expresses his anxiety at these visions. He approaches one of the people standing before the ancient one and asks the truth of what he saw, and is told the four beasts are four great kings of the earth, but the saints will ultimately receive the kingdom and possess it forever and ever.

Yes! Mighty Kings, mighty nations, mighty oligarchs, mighty beasts will arise. We will feel helpless and hopeless as we are bent to the power of their gnashing iron teeth. There will be nowhere to turn or run - they will have dominion over the world. But if we hold fast to the truth, if we trust, God will, in due time, take away their dominion, destroy the beast with the iron teeth, and give over the kingdom to His saints, who will possess it forever.

Be patient, be strong, hope is never lost. The battle has been fought and has been won by Jesus, as Daniel saw well before the time it happened.