“Father, I don’t know if I’m right or wrong but I feel like history is about to do a repeat.” So I wrote in my journal on June 27, 2020 just before I continued my ongoing study of Daniel.
Please note that this is an opinion piece and the opinions I present are within your right to refute, ridicule or accept.
Something led me to look up the characteristics of each of the beasts Daniel saw in Chapter 7. It wasn’t difficult to see that the animals personified the kings they represented. This made me in awe of God. He is so detailed and absolutely perfect.
Babylon
The beast/king/kingdom (these terms will be used interchangeably as I write) of Babylon is represented by a lion with wings of an eagle. I see the lion representing fierceness and dominion while the eagle is a nod to swiftness, speed and perhaps, a soaring to great heights. I found the combo of an earth-bound animal with an air species interesting, especially since only the wings of the eagle are granted to the lion. We see no mention of the eagle’s famed sight here.
Eventually, the wings of this beast is plucked (to me, an indication that an element of its dominion was removed). Then it is lifted up from the earth (an elevation without the benefit of wings; an action by an outside, superior, supernatural force), made to stand upon the feet as a man and a man’s heart was given it. So the beast remained a lion outwardly but experienced an inner transformation. To me, giving the lion a man’s heart is actually a promotion, taking it from a lower life form (animal), to a higher life form (man). The heart = mind/knowledge/thinking/moral character.
Medes and Persia – The Bear
I googled the personality of bears. Not only are they quite friendly, they avoid humans as much as possible, are protective of their young and only lash out when cornered or surprised. They’re also naturally curious, habituate to humans and have a lot of human qualities.
If I’m on target with my opinion, it makes sense why a bear was chosen to represent the Kings of Medes and Persia.
- Both Darius and Cyrus had a great affinity for Daniel. Of all the kings he served, they were the most amenable, humble and well, “human.” Nebuchadnezzar often flared up with pride and temper while Darius cared about Daniel’s welfare when he was set to go into the lion’s den, laboring all day to free him and worrying all night about him. Cyrus was chosen by God to initiate the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.
- Bears only lash out when cornered or surprised. Darius did not appreciate being backed into a corner by his officials and as soon as Daniel got out of that lion’s den, in they went, they and their families.
- I also find it interesting that the bear was the only beast of the four that received an instruction. “Arise and devour much flesh” said the unknown speakers in Daniel 7:5. In my research, I learned that bears are omnivores, with 70% of their diet consisting of something other than meat. If meat-eating is unnatural to the bear, it makes sense, again, why the beast had to be given the the instruction to kill.
Greece
Greece is depicted as a leopard with 4 wings and 4 heads. It doesn’t say what kind of fowl the four wings came from but I see incredible speed. I don’t know the meaning of the 4’s here. The part that stands out to me in Daniel 7:6 is, “And dominion was given to it.” Dominion is to have power or bear rule. Although I’m not sure why Greece received this honor, we see the conquest of Alexander the Great (AtG) as proof of that dominion.
My opinion: Although we’re prophetically in the feet of iron and clay, I feel like culturally, we’re at the near-end of the bronze (Grecian) age and moving rapidly into the legs of iron – Rome. Why do I believe that?
Well, AtG, after he conquered foreign lands, he would allow the conquered peoples to retain their culture and language… as long as they accepted Grecian rule. AtG would also plant Greeks in these lands, sometimes forcing intermarriage so that Grecian culture could be co-opted and spread. This “tolerance” was a stroke of genius in my opinion. Rome adopted this method of rule, along with much of Greek culture… except when it came to Christians. (But more on that later). Grecian influence in the spheres of language, politics, science, art and educational systems remain til today. We see this “tolerance” of different cultures and religions today, especially in the West. America, for one, is known as a “melting pot.”
The biggest question on my heart regarding the fall of Greek civilization and the rise of the Roman empire was why God stopped selecting leaders after AtG. I say this because everything about the Roman empire feels demonic, down to the beast representing it. It’s like God stepped aside and let the devil have his way for the purpose of destiny.
Back to the speed of the leopard with four wings. Again, I firmly believe that we are culturally at the end of Greece (tolerance) but headed rapidly into Rome (tyranny). I believe that this is a time of speed. I believe that even as knowledge increases, so is God rapidly establishing things for the church. I believe that this is a time to take much ground and do so quickly for God. I believe this quarantine was allowed by God for individual believers to step into rapid spiritual growth and/or solidification of faith/other things. I believe that God is raising up many for the purpose of the dominion of the saints for the end time. This establishment will be visible in every area from religion to the marketplace. God will move on all areas of influence. There will be a return to holiness and divine order and alignment. Or, there will be the establishment of this holiness as an opposing force to combat the gross darkness in the world posturing as truth.
This is not to say that there won’t be martyrs— in fact, I believe we have stepped into the age of martyrdom in the West. But there are many prophets hidden in caves, if you will. History says that AtG inspired loyalty and was highly influential. I believe that God has the same portion for His children, for His glory. I believe that the kingdom of darkness is preparing to move us into the age of tyranny under a new face and new name. Then the sorrows will truly begin. Then it will get worse as we descend into the feet of iron and clay and this is why this verse disturbs me every time I read it: Daniel 2:43. “And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.”
[Please continue onto part 2]