Shortly before the fall of Babylon, when Daniel was meditating on these prophecies and seeking God for an understanding of the times, a series of visions was given him concerning the rise and fall of kingdoms. With the first vision, as recorded in the seventh chapter of the book of Daniel, an interpretation was given; yet not all was made clear to the prophet. "My cogitations much troubled me," he wrote of his experience at the time, "and my countenance 554 changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart." Daniel 7:28.

Kort før Babylons fald grundede Daniel over disse profetier og bad Gud hjælpe ham at forstå det åremål, som var omtalt heri. Ved denne lejlighed fik han en række syner om rigernes opkomst og fald. Det første syn, som står omtalt i Daniels bogs syvende kapitel, blev fortolket, men profeten fik dog ikke forklaring på alt. "Jeg, Daniel, blev såre forfærdet over mine tanker," skrev han om sin erfaring på denne tid, "og mit ansigt skiftede farve; men jeg gemte sagen i mit hjerte." Dan. 7,28.