When looking at the identification of the four beasts in
chapter 7 of Daniel there are a few different things that have to be talked
about concerning this passage. The four beasts are related to as Babylon (the
lion), Medo-Persia (the bear), Greece (the leopard), and Rome (the fourth
beast).[1]
After reading the text book it is really easy to understand why they would be
seen as these four kingdoms. Daniel alluded to these four places earlier in
chapter 2. The Babylonian Empire used the lion to represent itself, Medo-Persian
Empire and its conquest of Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt represents the "bear
with three ribs in its mouth", Greece was broken into four principle
sections which would have been representative of the leopard with four heads,
and finally Rome which was more powerful than the others and had a longer
dominion.
The other way that this could be looked at is its
relationship to the book of Revelation. If you look forward to Daniel 7 verses
15 thru 28 you see the interpretation of these visions. Specifically in verses
20 thru 22 there is definitely a relationship between this vision in Daniel and
what is to come in Revelation. Daniel says the he wanted to know more about the
10 horns on the beasts head and the additional horn that came up. This
additional horn subdued the other 3 beasts before it.
The
fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the
other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it.
The 10 horns are the 10 kings who will rise from this kingdom. Another,
different from the previous ones, will rise after them and subdue three kings.
He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most
High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones
will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. (Daniel 7:23-25)
Now take a look at what the book of Revelation has to say
about the beast and its purpose.
The
10 horns you saw are the 10 kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they
will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. These have one
purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. These will make
war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because He is Lord of
lords and King of kings. (Revelation 17:12-14)
The Son of Man mentioned in Daniel 7:13 is none other than
the Messiah. The Ancient of Days refers to God and His eternal nature. As you
read through this passage once again, you are reminded of the Sons power as He
destroys the beast in the burning fire.
Only
one person may properly be identified as the "son of man", and that
person is Jesus Christ as the New Testament apostles and Christ himself confirmed.[2]
When you relate the "One like the Son of Man" to
the Messiah and compare what is happening the this vision to what happens in
Revelation, once again events line up.
Then
I saw the beast, the king of the earth, and their armies gathered together to
wage war against the rider on the horse and against His army. But the beast was
taken prisoner, and along with him the false prophet, who had performed the
signs in his presence. He deceived those who accepted the mark of the beast and
those who worshiped his image with these signs. Both of them were thrown alive
into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. (Revelation 19:19-20)
Finally we have the vision of the ram and the goat. You can
look at this as the classic battle of good versus evil. You have the ram that
is running all around the area, who could not be stood up against and was doing
whatever he wanted. Enter the goat, who enter without ever touching the ground
that stands up to the ram, and conquers him. Hence the battle between God and
Satan.
[1]
Couch, Mal. "Daniel, Eschatology of." In The Popular Encyclopedia of
Bible Prophecy, edited by Tim Lahaye and Ed Hindson, 66-70. Eugene: Harvest
House Publishers, 1995.
[2]
Miller, Stephen. The New American Commentary: Daniel. Tennessee: B&H
Publishing Group, 1994.
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