Four Beasts
A companion dream is found in Daniel 7 that both confirms the
interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s and provides us with more information and
insight. This time the dream that Daniel interprets is his own, one envisioning
four beasts that represent kings and their kingdoms (v. 17). Each one rose out
of the sea that is the peoples of the world (vv. 2–3; cf. Rev 17:15). The first
beast, representing Babylon, was a lion with eagle wings that were later
plucked. Then, it was made to stand on two feet and given the mind of a man (v.
4). Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon were compared to a lion and an eagle in several
other passages (e.g., Jer 4:7; Ezek 13:3). Nebuchadnezzar was greatly humbled,
followed by his mind being returned to him (Dan 4:28–37). The second beast, representing
Medo- Persia, was a devouring bear on its side with three ribs in its mouth (v.
5). The Persians defeated the three considerable powers of Lydia, Babylon, and
Egypt. The third beast, representing the Greek Empire, was a four-headed
leopard with four bird-like wings (v. 6). After Alexander the Great died, the
empire was divided among his four generals in Asia Minor, Egypt, Macedonia, and
Syria (cf. Dan 8:8). The first three kingdoms came to pass, matching their
detailed descriptions. The same, then, should be expected from the forth.
The forth beast had iron teeth; it was terrifying and extraordinarily
strong. This beast represents Rome, extending into her latter form of being
mixed with other peoples (cf. Dan 2:41–43). The remainder of the previous
kingdoms were devoured, crushed, and trampled. This final beast has ten horns
and is specifically said to be different from all those before (v. 7; Rev
13:1), and that it will conquer the entire earth (v. 23). The ten horns are ten
kings that will arise out of this final kingdom (Rev 17:12). One of them is
distinct from the others and will subdue three of them (vv. 8, 24). This horn
has the eyes of a man and a mouth that is used to utter boasts and to speak
against the Most High God (vv. 8, 25). This evil king will wear down the saints
and attempt to alter to the times and the law. Control over both will be handed
over to him for a period of three and one-half years (v. 25). This wicked ruler
is referred to as the man of lawlessness by Paul (2 Thess 2:3–9), and the
coming Antichrist and the beast rising from the abyss by John (1 John 2:18; Rev
11:7). In directly referencing Daniel, Jesus warned of the abomination of
desolation that the Antichrist will bring (Matt 24:15; cf. Dan 9:27; 12:11; 2
Thess 2:4). The Messiah further warned of a great tribulation, a time worse
than any other in history, that will then take place (Matt 24:21; cf. Jer
30:7). The Antichrist is the personification and head over man’s kingdom going
to sinful extremes in its twilight.
He and his dominion will be annihilated and taken away forever (v.
26). It is at this time that the sovereignty of all of man’s kingdoms under the
heavens will be transferred to the people of the saints of the Most High for
them to possess forever (vv. 18, 27; cf. Rev 11:15). It is explicitly written
that their reign will be upon the earth (Rev 5:10). This could hardly be
understood as being fulfilled at present. The saints are not reigning over the
world when they are being beheaded, tortured, mocked, and minimalized by the
world. Once begun, the Kingdom of God will be everlasting, with all the power
structures on earth serving him (v. 27). Though the dominion of the kingdoms of
man will be taken away, their peoples will still be permitted to survive for a
season (v. 12; cf. Zech 14:16). This informs us that once the Kingdom of God
begins there will be a period of time where those who do not fully trust in the
Messiah will still be living on the earth. Therefore, there must be an
intermediary period between the end of the kingdoms of man and the beginning of
the sin-free Eternal State. The Millennium is that intermediary age. (Matthew
Bryce Ervin, One Thousand Years with Jesus: The Coming Messianic Kingdom [Eugene,
Oreg.: Resource Publications, 2017], 24-26)
