There has been a lot of commentary on the current global events as they are unfolding in Europe and other parts of the world. Many predictions of another World War, the revealing of the Anti-Christ, and the end of days. It can be hard to really distinguish between what is true and what is not. Still, many are taking this opportunity to “prophesy” in the name of the Lord things as they interpret them or in their own understanding, see them unfolding in the coming future.
For several months now I have been led to Daniel 7 as it pertains to the current events. There is a vision Daniel had involving 4 great beasts. Here is the account of Daniel’s vision recorded for us in Daniel 7:1-8.
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and related the following summary of it. Daniel said, “I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts were coming up from the sea, different from one another. The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man; a human mind also was given to it. And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear. And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to it, ‘Arise, devour much meat!’ After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts.
Let me preface this article by stating up front that what I am about to share is my interpretation and understanding of this vision as it pertains to the present time and circumstances. With that said, I do believe that this interpretation is led by the Holy Spirit, but I encourage every reader to take what I share and keep it before the Lord in prayer.
There are a few things about biblical prophecy that we must understand before taking to interpreting or assigning a prophecy to a particular global and/or national event. First, understand that prophecy is meant to bring awareness to future events and their purposes according to God’s will. The scripture says that God does nothing without first disclosing it to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). It must be understood that God will use images that are spiritual and symbolic but are uniquely associated with physical people, places, and things. This is done so that the knowledge of what God is doing is clear to those who have eyes of understanding and discernment according to the Holy Spirit. God will also use numbers to give clear identification to His dispensations of events and affairs according to His will.
Now, a few things about this prophecy that are not up for interpretation. The four beasts are four kingdoms, rulers, or empires set on the world stage. These kingdoms are given authority to carry out certain purposes and events on the geopolitical landscape that serve to reshape things globally. The fourth beast revealed is in fact the Anti-Christ or son of perdition. This is revealed in the interpretation given to Daniel in Daniel 7:15-28.
Concerning the other 3 beasts, their identity is given to interpretation. However, there are a few things that stand out giving possible clues to who they are on the global stage and history. Let us look at these three beasts separately.
Verse 4: The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man; a human mind also was given to it.
As we look at this particular beast a few things we should note. First, it was like a lion. This is significant because a lion is considered king of the beasts. So this beast was or had a superior position to the other beasts, but as Daniel observed, it was weakened to that of a mere man. It also had the wings of an eagle, but once again Daniel observed these wings being plucked so it no longer carried the status it once had as one who dominated. I understand this beast to represent the United States. For a season of time it has been given dominance in the earth as a Super Power (Lion) and our national symbol is that of an eagle (eagle wings). Yet what Daniel sees in his vision is this kingdom (United States) reduced to weakness and no longer having influence or even status among the other beasts.
How this outcome unfolds in detail of events and time is not clear. But what I believe is clear is that the United States as we have known it will one day, sooner than later, cease to exist. This will be a hard pill for many to swallow who have it embedded in their minds the United States is God’s chosen nation for the world.
Verse 5: And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear. And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to it, ‘Arise, devour much meat!’
These are the things we should note about this beast and the details Daniel saw in his vision. It resembles a bear. I believe this is a symbolic image representing Russia. It is common knowledge that Russia’s national symbol is that of a bear. The three ribs in its mouth I believe are 3 nations Russia attempts to reclaim through much carnage that once was part of Russia. If you go back to the scripture, we find God used a rib from Adam to create Eve. This means Eve came from Adam and was a part of him. So I believe there are 3 nations (3 ribs) that came from Russia (the bear) and the bear is given authority to devour them.
Verse 6: After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.
This beast still remains a mystery to me, so I hesitate to expound on it much. However, here is what I do see about this beast and what kingdom I think it represents. The leopard is second only to the lion among the fiercest cats. And this beast was also given the wings of a bird which are symbolic of dominance. Taking these factors into account, I believe this beast represents China, who is quickly becoming the dominating world power on the earth today. China (leopard) will not carry the same superior status that the United States once carried but it will be given dominance and influence on the world stage for a season before the fourth and final beast appears.
Again, I want to emphasize that these points as they relate to the beasts and their identities are my interpretation. I, however, have confidence that this interpretation of Daniel’s vision is one provided by the Holy Spirit of God. That said, let me encourage all readers to keep these matters and what I’ve shared before the Lord in prayer. It is critically important that we understand the times we are in and our role in all things pertaining to God’s word and His will being done on earth as in heaven. Our role is to remain vigilant in prayer for all the saints and all nations. And to go into all nations preaching the gospel of God in Christ, baptizing those who receive Him and teaching them to observe His commands. It is our duty to remain in allegiance to the Kingdom of God of which we are heirs in Christ; not to any of kingdoms of this age or world. For all the kingdoms of this world will be shaken and come under the judgment of God but as for His Kingdom it will not be shaken. It is unshakable and therefore those who possess His Kingdom shall not be shaken.