Daniel`s Vision.
Although Daniel had this vision in the time of the previous king, Belshazzar, it does complete this section of the book of Daniel relating to the Nations. Thus this vision is presented after the narrative of Daniel`s life so far.
God had revealed the times of the Gentiles ruling from Babylon to the final Gentile Government in our day. Now, Daniel is given the view of the great powers leading up to this final Gentile rulership when God will judge it and bring in His own rulership through restored Israel.
Daniel saw in a vision the four winds/spirits of heaven stirring up the Great Sea, (Mediterranean). Then four great beasts arose, one at a time. The last beast trampled the first three till eventually it was destroyed by God. The other beasts were given an extension of life.
God gives the interpretation of the dream. The four beasts are four kingdoms or Federations that come up one at a time and have power and authority at the same time. They are all in the same time-slot when God would deal with the Gentile system of government.
`The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth.` (Dan.7: 23)
THE GREAT BEASTSThe four beastly powers are described with distinguishing details.
- A Lion with Eagle`s wings.
- A ferocious Bear with 3 ribs in its mouth.
- A winged Leopard with four heads.
- A terrifying beast.
When we look at the Federations that have great power and authority in our world today, and then look at the emblems they are well known for, we can see who each of these `beasts` represent.
A Lion with Eagle`s wings - Great Britain & America. Great Britain was the first great power to arise in contemporary times. America came from there and `broke off` and became independent.
A ferocious Bear with 3 ribs in its mouth - Russia. Russia came from the Soviet Union, which was the second great power to arise, after WW1. It devoured country after country into a great Federation.
A winged Leopard with four heads - The European Union. This Union began after WW2 with 4 leaders/heads of countries.
A terrifying beast - Islam. This great power has yet to come to its full potential.