Daniel 7: The Four Beastly Kingdoms - The Earthly Scene

Bible Study Series: Daniel, Babylon and the End Times

Daniel Chapter 7 Lesson: The Four Beastly Kingdoms - The Earthly Scene 

by I Gordon

Thank God for the visions and dreams given in the book of Daniel! Only God can declare the end from the beginning and that is what He has done in this wonderful book. You will probably know that the book of Daniel consists of both history and prophecy. You could say it has history past and history future! Chapters 1-6, which we have already looked at, were largely historical and chronological. Chapters 7-12 are prophetic. And while it was all in the future when shown to Daniel, some of these prophecies have been fulfilled, with many others still to come. These later chapters consist of four prophetic dreams/visions given to Daniel but it is this first one, here in chapter 7, that provides the foundation and basis for the subsequent revelation. So this is an important chapter to understand if we are to grasp the rest of this book. So don't drift off... don't think about lunch (just yet), as tempting as that may be!

In Daniel chapter 7 we are presented with an amazing God given vision of all the kingdoms that would dominate planet earth from the time of the Babylonian exile onwards. Every major player is revealed right up until the time that the mystery of God is finally revealed and Jesus' kingdom is set up. Daniel chapter 7 has four main sections with:

1. The vision of the beasts (Dan 7:1-8)
2. The vision of the Ancient of Days in heaven upon His throne (Dan 7:9-12)
3. The vision of the One 'like a Son of Man' coming upon the clouds (Dan 7:13-14)
4. The interpretation of the visions (Dan 7:15-28)

You could also divide it into the earthly and heavenly scenes. In other words, it is an interesting chapter because we get to see what man is doing on earth as well as God's response in Heaven! So this study will revolve around the earthly scene and the heavenly scene will be next time. This is kind of the bad news with the good news next time. In other words, first the brussels sprouts, then the apple crumble! I should also say that the recipe for this study lesson is 9 parts Bible prophecy and one part speculation. Hope you're ok with that! So in this one we'll explore:

• The vision of the beasts - why 'beasts' and what do they stand for?
• The focus on the last beast - why did Daniel want to know specifically about this last beast with iron claws and 10 horns?
• The little horn - Who or what is this 'little horn' that arises and takes control?
• We'll close with some brief applications from such a chapter as this

Mmm... Four mighty fine looking beasts! 

Dan 7:1-7 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream. (2) Daniel said: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. (3) Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea. (4) The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it. (5) And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, 'Get up and eat your fill of flesh!' (6) After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule. (7) After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast--terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left...

You will note first of all that this vision given to Daniel occurred in the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon. In terms of the chronology of Daniel, this chapter has moved back 14 years¹ from Daniel's lovely encounter with the lions of chapter 6. Daniel is given a prophetic dream that consists of four beasts arising out of the sea. Now, if you know your prophecy and you know your types, then you will also know that the "sea" or "waters" are used prophetically in the Bible to speak of the gentile nations (see Isa 17:12-13, Rev 17:1,15). So this vision is of four kingdoms (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece & Rome) that would arise from, and dominate, the Gentile nations. But there is also a literal interpretation as well as a symbolic meaning surrounding this 'sea'. You will note that it specifically speaks of the 'great sea' which would be a pointer to the Mediterranean Sea for all of these kingdoms will arise from the areas surrounding that sea. Now, if you're saying 'I think I've seen these nations before' then you would be correct. The same four kingdoms were presented to us in Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel Chapter 2 but in a different form. While Daniel chapter 2 portrayed these kingdoms as part of a great statue of a man, chapter 7 presents these same nations as 'beasts'. Lets explore each of these beasts along with the link to Daniel chapter 2:

1. The lion with eagles wings

• ''The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it." 
• Corresponds with the head of gold from Daniel 2
• Babylonian empire (606-538 BC)
• Babylon was known for its use of gold, its strength (the image of the lion) and the swiftness of its conquests (emphasized by the depiction of eagles wings) until its wings were torn off and the heart of a man was given to it. This emphasizes Nebuchadnezzar's conversion from the proud ruler to humble servant of the living God as shown in Daniel 4.

2. The bear raised up on one side

• "And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear.  It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, 'Get up and eat your fill of flesh!'"
• Corresponds with the silver chest and arms from Daniel 2
• Medes and Persian empire (538-331 BC)
• The Medo-Persian empire was known for its use of silver and is seen as a bear in chapter 7 for its power, but in a slower lumbering movement². In Daniel's vision it was lifted up on one side because the Persians were more powerful than the Medes. The three ribs in its mouth speak of the three great conquests this empire undertook in defeating Babylon, Lydia and Egypt.

3. The leopard with four wings and four heads

• "After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule."
• Corresponds with the thighs of bronze in Daniel 2
• Greek empire (331-168 BC)
• The next beast was the Greek empire. The vision speaks of a leopard with four wings emphasizing the swiftness of its exploits. By the age of 28 Alexander the Great had conquered the civilized world! Commentators have pointed out that there is nothing in the history of the world that was equal to the swiftness of his conquests. But this beast also had four heads which speaks of the split in this kingdom between four generals after the death of Alexander.

4. The powerful beast with iron teeth

• "After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was  a fourth beast - terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left."
• Corresponds with the legs of iron from Daniel 2
• Roman empire (168 BC - 476 AD)
• The last beast, the Roman empire, is pictured as a powerful beast with iron teeth. The Roman empire was known for its use of iron and the iron represented their immense strength. History records the Roman Empire as ruthless and violent. 

Back in the 2000's I went to Rome and visited (like everyone else in Rome, who is not from Rome) the Coliseum. And yes, if you have seen the movie Gladiator then you've got an idea of what went on there! Our tour guide told us that in the afternoons they would fight African animals against European animals. At night it was gladiators versus animals or slaves or, unfortunately, sometimes gladiators  or animals versus Christians! Even today it is fair to say that place has some atmosphere! Well this empire, in its different stages, is focused on specifically as the rest of the chapter unfolds.

The Roman Empire: The fourth beast comes in two stages

Dan 7:7-8 'After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast - terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left.  It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.' (8) While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully.

Now, Daniel focuses most of his attention on the fourth beast. It is said to be terrifying and very powerful. You may remember from chapter 2 that the legs of iron represented the Roman Empire, but there was also a final stage - the ten toes on the statue's feet! Well, we see the exact same thing here in chapter 7. While the Roman Empire officially ended in 476 AD, the Bible clearly shows that there will be a revival of the Roman Empire in the last days... but in a different form. Just as a reminder, here is how the Roman empire was portrayed in Daniel 2:

• The two legs of iron picturing the east and western aspects to the Roman empire.
• The two legs go into the 10 toes in Daniel 2, which are part iron and part clay, represent the final form of this Roman empire, seen here in Daniel 7 with this fourth beast having 10 horns.  
• This ten division stage of the Roman Empire is also pictured in the book of Revelation, again represented by ten horns:

Rev 17:3, 12-13 'I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns...  The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 

Both Revelation and Daniel (Dan 7:24) tell us that the horns on the beast represent kings that will come. Now note how Revelation says that these ten kings (over the revived Roman Empire) will give their authority to another. This corresponds exactly with the Daniel passage above that states that a 'little horn' will come up among the other ten and will take control. This 'little horn' is the coming Antichrist.

Now verses 9-14 give a vision of the heavenly scene while this is going on down on Earth and that will be the subject of our next study. So for now, let's have a look at the interpretation of this incredible vision that Daniel is given.

Daniel zeroes in on the fourth beast...

Dan 7:15-22 I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me. (16) I approached one of those standing there and asked him the true meaning of all this. "So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things: (17) 'The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth. (18) But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever--yes, for ever and ever.' (19) Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws--the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. (20) I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell--the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully. (21) As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, (22) until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.

Clearly, we shouldn't take these things lightly for the vision that Daniel saw greatly alarmed him. In fact it totally freaked him out and Daniel wasn't one to be scared easily! So it is fair to say that what Daniel saw was pretty full on! But having been alarmed and perplexed by this fourth beast, Daniel asks about this last kingdom. Specifically, he wants to know about the 10 horns and the 11^th horn that was even more imposing and frightening. This last 'horn' was one that waged war against the saints and was winning... until a judicial decree came from the Ancient of Days (God the Father) that stops the events of earth in its tracks! So who are these saints that the 11th horn persecutes?

The interpretation revealed (plus a little speculation) 

Dan 7:23-25 He gave me this explanation: 'The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. (24) The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. (25) He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time. 

This passage is important for it gives us more clues concerning this fourth beast. We read above that this last kingdom will be different from the others and will devour the whole earth. Out of this kingdom will come 10 kings and finally a last king will arise that will overpower the saints of God. So we can see that the fourth Kingdom comes in different phases. All of the different kingdoms, including the different phases of the fourth kingdom, can be seen in the following taken from Arnold Fruchtenbaum's book 'The footsteps of the Messiah'.

It is interesting that the Bible says that this fourth kingdom will devour the whole earth. Dr Arnold Fructenbaum points out that this was never fulfilled in the Roman empire of 2000 years ago and its fulfilment will be seen in the last days before Jesus' return. Not that we should be surprised at this for world leaders often speak of a global or one world government. Here are a few quotes:

Albert Einstein (In the aftermath of World War II, 1945): "Mankind’s desire for peace can be realized only by the creation of a world government."
David Rockefeller (Speech at a Bilderberg Meeting, 1991): "We are on the verge of a global transformation. All we need is the right major crisis, and the nations will accept a one-world government."
Pope Benedict XVI ("Caritas in Veritate," 2009): "In the face of the unrelenting growth of global interdependence, there is an urgent need for a true world political authority."
Barack Obama (UN General Assembly speech, 2016): "Global governance must embrace the values of shared responsibility and collective action for the greater good of humanity."
Pope Francis (Message for World Day of Peace, 2019): "Global governance must ensure peace and eliminate the structures of injustice that divide the nations and peoples of the earth."
Klaus Schwab (From his book COVID-19: The Great Reset, 2020) "The pandemic has underscored the need for global governance to manage interconnected crises and ensure a coordinated response."
Antonio Guterres (UN General Assembly, 2021):  "Global governance must be strengthened to address the interconnected challenges of our time."  

And yes, as mentioned above, all that is needed is just the right 'crisis' to bring it in! The rapture may very well be that right global crisis they are looking and hoping for! I hope so!

Concerning the 10 kings, it is interesting that the Club of Rome⁴ divided the world up into 10 regions in a 1973 report as seen in the image here. As mentioned, after the 10 division stage , we read that 'another king' will arise. This king will hate God, hate God's people and will radically change the laws to bring about a global persecution of God's people. This ruler is the Antichrist and his rule will last for a "time, times, and half a time" - that is, a year, two years plus 1/2 a year... or 3 1/2 years. There are several other passages that confirm this length of time for his rule (see Daniel 9:27, 12:11, Rev 12:6). But as Elon Musk stated at a World Government summit in Dubai, Feb 15 2023:

"I think we should be a little bit concerned about actually becoming too much of a single world government. If we are too much of a single civilization, then the whole thing may collapse."

Well, it will be united under 10 Kings and then under one man and yes, the whole thing will collapse... thankfully... due to the coming of Jesus!

Conclusion

So the chapter shows that the Antichrist will arise at the time of the fourth beast (the revised Roman Empire still to come in the last days), once ten kings rule, and his will be a global dictatorship. But this terrifying last worldly kingdom ruled by the antichrist will come to an end quite quickly. For while we have been looking at what mankind and Satan is plotting and planning for the Earth, there is a whole different plan being hatched in heaven and the schemes of the coming world leader will be dramatically interrupted by the King of kings and the Lord of lords! But more on that next time! 

Personal Application

So as we close, think about what take-aways there are from a chapter such as this. For it should be a reminder and an encouragement in the following areas:

• To persevere in our faith - for God has not promised easy times in the last days
• To trust in God's sovereignty - for we see in this chapter, and especially in the next study, that our Lord is sovereign and ruler over all! 
• To live with eternal perspective - for the kingdoms of this world have a short defined shelf life!
• To anticipate the return of Jesus - for the events in the world are lining up with the signs and prophecies given of the last days in God's word!
• To have hope in the future - for we know that God has amazing plans to make all things right!

We live in exciting times and God is in control of all that occurs. We'll see this next time as we explore the heavenly scene pictured in this chapter. 

God bless! 

FOOTNOTES