196 CHAPTER XII. Daniel's prophetical visions. IN the first year of Belshazzar's reign, Daniel had a prophetical dream. God showed him certain things in this dream, which were designed to re present future events. It was not explained to Daniel exactly what these events would be, but they were described to him by means of figures, or syniols, which were but partially explained; so that people might understand them only when the events should have taken place, and then see that a prophecy had been fulfilled. Daniel dreamed that he saw “four beasts rise out of the sea.” These beasts, he was told, represented “four empires; the Babyloiiiam, the united Median and Persian, the Grecian, and the Roman;” the last of which, it was shewn, would be conquered and divided into ten kingdoms, and another power thence arise, which is supposed to mean the dominion of the Pope of Rome. These events all happened many centuries ago, The city of Shushan was in the province of
