We are left with one
conclusion: the four
horses of
Revelation 6:1-8 represent the same end-time governments that the
four animals of
Daniel 7:1-7 symbolize, because both sets of animals are
introduced by the same four mighty angels, or the "four winds of heaven". With
that in mind, let's begin to study the vision Daniel received about the four
end-time powers, which may well descend in order of their tolerance of God's
people.
Lion With Eagle's Wings
8. According to
Daniel 7:4,
the first animal creature that Daniel saw, described as the noblest of beasts
and birds, might represent what county (or countries) today?
The Lion could represent the
stalwart Great Britain, who is closely connected historically and strategically
to the world's mightiest power with eagle's wings, the United States. Prophecy
may be illustrating this dominant alliance between the two countries, or
specifically the United States of America.
9. What happens
to the Eagle wings of the Lion?
The wings will be plucked
off, and the Lion will be lifted from the ground. This may foretell America's
collapse as the primary world power. The sudden downfall may occur by military
defeat, natural disasters, moral, economic and social deterioration, or
unexpected national tragedies.
10. Daniel 7:4
says that after the wings are torn off, what happens?
The Lion is lifted from the
ground so that it stands on two feet like a man, and the heart of a man is given
to it.
In research of prophecy we
cannot overlook critical details that might seem on the surface to be
insignificant. Many commentators have thought the symbolism of prophecy was too
mysterious to offer relevant applications, but in our study we will attempt to
explain the unexplainable by comparing Daniel, Revelation and other crucial
predictions in the Word of God. Our endeavor is to provide reasonable and
thoughtful exposition.
Daniel saw the wings being
torn off the Lion, then the Lion is made to stand up on two human feet and a
man's heart is given
it. This is by design. Prophecy declares, "Take notice!"--"Look for the human
element, an end-time personality," that will rise to power from the United
Kingdom or America. He could be some famous individual, or a totally mysterious
personality. We don't know yet. However, we know that when an animal or animal
parts take on human qualities, Bible prophecy is introducing an individual of
prominence, because Daniel introduces Antichrist in similar fashion (Daniel
7:8): as the little horn that acquires human eyes and man's mouth.
In both cases, animals (or
animal parts) take on human characteristics. Daniel is describing the two evil
rulers as found in the prophecies of
Revelation 13--the False Prophet and Antichrist. Daniel's prophecy is
pointing out that the False Prophet will emerge from the United States or the
United Kingdom.
The first animal that Daniel
sees in vision is the Lion with Eagle's Wings. In
Revelation 6:1-2, the first animal John views after the sealed scroll
(of Daniel) is broken is the White Horse with a rider who has a bow of strength
and crown of dominion.
He goes forth conquering.
This certainly is true of the American/British alliance--the notable military
powers and police force of the world. Now we will consider the second animal
that Daniel saw in vision.
Bear With Three Ribs
The second animal, the Bear,
is inferior but next in formidable beasts, and is introduced in
Daniel 7:5.
11. How is this
creature described?
The Bear 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 [human] flesh!"
The Bear was raised up on
one side denoting either an injured animal moving lopsided, unstable and
unbalanced, or a mad fighting Bear rearing up to strike. Symbolized in the Bear
is a national power to be reckoned with in our modern world--the Russian
Federation.
Daniel saw three ribs in the
Bear's mouth, just as the shepherd recovers pieces of a victim from the lion's
mouth in Amos 3:12.
An optional translation is "tusks"--signifying three horn-like shapes
representative of countries; therefore, the Old Soviet Union may indeed destroy
three nations and devour much "human" flesh.
This would seem to indicate
a massive calculated attack, for the Bear would abruptly destroy three
countries. In Lesson 5 we will closely example why the devastation will likely
occur among the 10 voting members of the Western Europe Union military alliance.
12. In Revelation 6:3-4
we find John's counterpart. What is the horse's color and what does the rider
do?
The red horse and rider are
given power to take peace from the earth. He is given a great sword. Russia's
great sword could level hundreds or thousands of cities and villages and
leave behind unimaginable death and suffering. World peace would be forever
shattered.
For decades during the Cold
War, the Soviets were believed to be a threat to global peace. Since her
economic fall and opened borders, many politicians have proclaimed a post-Cold
War peace. However, Russia may be a greater threat today than before the fall of
Communism. She is divided and suffering from internal strife, and her nuclear
arsenal may already be in hostile hands.
The Bible points to the
Russian Federation as the instigator of end-time tragedy. The Bear will strike
out as a powerful grizzly strikes its prey and will "uproot" (Daniel
7:8) three countries. Out of this upheaval prophecy warns the little
horn Antichrist will begin to rule with great authority.
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