So, as we’ve seen, the prophecy of the great image (idol) spans prophetically significant kingdoms
from the time of Daniel right through to the end of the kingdoms of man. Another passage of similar scope is found in Daniel chapter seven, which picks up the same theme, but deals with it from a
slightly different angle.
I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.
“And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.”
(Daniel 7:2-3)
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‘Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth.
(Daniel 7:17)
This vision, like Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the Great Image in Daniel chapter 2, covers the four
prophetically significant world empires that would arise out of “the great sea” of mankind. Of
particular importance is that it provides the vital connection between these prophecies in Daniel,
and the prophecies of the final beast in Revelation. It also focuses in on the “different” and
“exceedingly dreadful” beast that has teeth of iron and nails of bronze (v19).
The first three empires in the prophecy are in this passage given the characteristics of animals.
Babylon is like a lion with eagle’s wings, but its wings are plucked off and it is made to stand on its feet and a man’s heart is given to it. (Commentators believe the reference to being “given a man’s
heart” relates to Daniel chapter four which is the testimony of king Nebuchadnezzar who clearly
came to be a believer in the Most High God.) The passage goes on to characterize the Persian Empire as being like a bear, and the Grecian Empire like a Leopard with four wings on its back and four
heads. The Leopard with four wings may speak of the remarkable speed of its conquest, while the
four heads almost undoubtedly predict it being split into four regions, each with its own king, which occurred after Alexander’s death.
Lastly a fourth beast arises:
“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the other beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.
(Daniel 7:7)
…I watched until the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.
(Daniel 7:11)
Daniel is greatly troubled by this vision and seeks to know the truth about the fourth beast that was different from all the others (7:19). The beginning of the answer is:
‘The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces.’
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(Daniel 7:23)
Drawing on what we know of the four kingdoms laid out in Daniel chapter 2, the fourth beast is
clearly the Roman Empire and would appear to have two phases, the second of which is yet to come
into being. While the Roman Empire of Jesus’ day may fulfill aspects of the prophecy of the fourth
beast in Daniel chapter 7, a number of the verses appear to be primarily about the second phase,
the latter (end times) form of the Roman Empire. For instance, the fact that it is destroyed and its dominion taken away (7:26) and that it is replaced by God’s everlasting kingdom (7:27), suggest
application to the second phase (the final world empire) since the Roman Empire was never judged
and replaced in this manner.
Mysteriously, in Daniel’s vision the final empire is different from all the others. What makes it
different? Unlike the other kingdoms, which have natural animal characteristics, this beast is to have
“teeth of iron and nails of bronze” and will devour the whole earth. It is not of the natural order of beasts created by God. Not a bear nor a lion but something strange and possibly machine-like. While nowhere does the bible clearly predict the technological age, this passage may strongly hint at it.
Daniel was greatly disturbed by the fourth beast as though he didn’t understand what he was seeing.
Its metallic form could have other explanations, but given where we find ourselves today it seems
very likely that it does speak of a key characteristic of the final kingdom; that it comes to pass during a mechanized hi-tech age.
The important link between Daniel 7 and the beast spoken of in Revelation is that in both cases the term is used to describe an empire rising up. Also, in both cases the beasts have ten horns. Both are ultimately judged and destroyed by God who then establishes his own government over the earth. In
all respects they must surely be seen as one and the same kingdom. Taking this as the case, let’s now look more at the horns. Twice in chapter seven we read of ten horns, three of which are uprooted
and replaced by a little horn that speaks great and blasphemous things. In both instances the rise of this little horn brings final judgment. Now, in the final part of chapter 7 these things are dealt with a third time, this time with greater clarity and plainness than before.
The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; he shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.
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But the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever. Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole
heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
(Daniel 7:24-27)
It seems this final kingdom has a multiplicity of leaders. Ten kings appear to reign at the same time since the little horn displaces three (whereas a normal leadership succession would make it
impossible to displace more than one). There appears to be a phase change even within this last
form of the kingdom since the power of the ten shifts to the one leader who displaces three in verse 24 (seen in more detail in the two beasts of Revelation 13). We also see here that the one who arises will speak against God and persecute the saints for time, times and a half of time6. And again this passage repeats that at this time his dominion will be taken away and God’s kingdom established.
So you can see from what we’ve covered that Daniel chapters 2 and 7 together really form the hub
of prophecy in terms of the progression of the kingdoms of man. They outline a series of kingdoms
culminating in a final world kingdom and the Antichrist, but clearly also show us that this final
kingdom will be divinely overthrown and replaced with the kingdom of God. In presenting this
significant mega-theme Daniel chapters 2 and 7 set much of the context into which other prophetic
revelations fit.
And as we read it, and see the fulfillments in past empires, it also invites us to reflect on the present.
We are living in an age of increasing “Globalization”. Will this globalization ultimately give rise to a new world empire? If so, what world conditions would be needed to bring a new Empire into
existence?
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SHADOWS OF ANTICHRIST