STUDY
OF THE
DRAGON
AND THE BEAST
(CONTINUED)
Daniel
Seven
Intro:
The
opening words of this chapter takes us back to the first
year of Belshazzar's reign. This chapter must have been
62 years after Nebuchadnezzar had his dream of the "Golden Headed Image."
The scene of
this vision was on the shore of the "Great Sea". This is
an important statement for in the Bible the term "Great
Sea" stands for the Mediterranean Sea. To note further
the "sea" in the scriptures is a type of nations (Rev.
17:15; Isa. 17:12,13).
All
commentators agree that the beast of (Dan. 7) relates to
and is associated with the image of (Dan. 2). The only
difficulty that is presented is: In what order do they
relate? Most line up the lion with Babylon and then go
straight down in a chronological order. The problem then
is, which one do you leave out? For there are only four
beasts in (Dan. 7), but five parts to the image in (Dan.
2).
We need to
keep in mind that (Dan. 7) takes place at the conclusion
of the Babylonian Empire and the visions are future in
consideration (Dan. 7:17). Therefore, the proper order
would be to align the lion with Persia and then start
downward. There seems to be a double application given to
each one of the beasts that would extend into the church
age notice the vision is seen by night, which is a
picture of the church age.
I. The Lion
(Persia-England) (7:4)
A lion
with wings in England is called a "griffin."
It appears
on England's coat of arms. (Richard the
Lionhearted)
-There have
been only two decrees from kings in history for the Jews
to return to Palestine-once in 536 B.C. by Cyrus of
Persia and in 1918 A.D. by England (Balfour Declaration).
(See Eze. 38:13)
-The lion
was very impressive and powerful, but lost its power
(wings were plucked).
II. The Bear
Greece (Russia)
-Russian
alphabet in Greek. Official church in Russia is still "Greek" Orthodox.
-Both
countries are characterized by promoting an atheistic
philosophy.
-The three
ribs would picture the crushing of three
countries.
III. The
Leopard (Rome-United States)
If
this is the case, the U.S. would be an extension of Rome.
Now let me see-was it the St. Mary that dis covered
America? A leopard is an integrated animal. His basic
color is yellow-brown (Shem), his belly is white
(Japheth), and his spots black (Ham).
-Because the
body has four heads It would appear to have four
additional appendages to the main body. Two states have
been added to the main body (however, they are separate).
-can we look for two more? That would total 52 or 4X 13?
Notice the leopard has wings of a fowl (chicken
perhaps?). Korea, Vietnam, Pueblo Incident, to name a
few!
IV. The
Beast
-This
beast seems to be a combination of all the above (Rev.
13:1,2; Hos. 13:7). This last beast will then be an
integrated power, move In dominion like a bear, and speak
English. The ten horns parallel the ten toes of (Dan. 2)
and the horns of (Rev. 17:10-12).
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