Daniel’s Dream

Daniel’s dream—the nations depicted as animals (Daniel 7)

Daniel himself was given a remarkable dream which also foretold the succession of world empires from his time through to the setting up of the Kingdom of God on earth. The dream and its interpretation are given in Daniel 7. In this dream the four succeeding world empires were portrayed as different animals. We are not left to wonder what the animals represented as Daniel asked and was given the answer. “These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever” (Daniel 7:17–18). The broad interpretation tells once again of the four world empires which will finally be replaced by the Kingdom of God. The saints are those faithful servants of God, either alive at the coming of Jesus Christ or raised from the dead, who are made immortal by him. Their role will be to reign with him in the Kingdom of God.

The four animals mentioned were

1. The Lion—representing the Babylonian Empire

2. The Bear—representing the Medo-Persian Empire

3. The Leopard—representing the Grecian Empire

4. The dreadful and terrible Fourth Beast—representing the Roman Empire

Each animal has distinguishing aspects that Bible students for well over 1500 years have identified as these four world empires. An example of this can be seen with the Leopard which had four heads and four wings. History records that after Alexander the Great died the Grecian Empire was divided into four, each division being given to one of his generals. This answers to the four heads and four wings. Under God’s inspiration, Daniel predicted this about 300 years before it happened.

The Fourth Beast

A logical question that may come to mind is: “If the Roman Empire was broken up around 400 AD, where do we find details of the events from then till now?” God has in fact revealed them very clearly.

You will notice that the Beast had ten horns. Daniel asked what these meant and was told, “The ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise” (Daniel 7:24). Here we are again introduced to the breaking up of the Roman Empire into various kingdoms, which is exactly what history records in Europe. We saw this in the details of Daniel 2.

Then Daniel saw “another little horn” spring up among the ten horns and become pre-eminent. This horn had “eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things” (v8). Again we are given clues to identify this horn which developed out of the Roman Beast. It was a power that “made war with the saints [the faithful followers of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ], and prevailed against them”(v21), persecuting any who refused to accept its authority and teaching. This horn represents a religious system claiming authority to make religious decrees. However its decrees oppose the truth of God’s word. We read: “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws” (v25). History well records the development of this apostate Christian religion that has wielded enormous political and religious power, particularly in the territory of the old Roman Empire. Greater detail of this false Christian religion that developed is found in subsequent prophecies in 2 Thessalonians 2 and Revelation 13–19.

So God revealed to Daniel a broad sweep of the major political and religious developments down through the ages to this present time in which we live. Once again, history confirms this amazing prophecy.

The Kingdom of God

“Thy kingdom Come”—the Kingdom Will Come

Daniel concluded this prophecy also with the promise that God will intervene in world affairs and set up His Kingdom here on earth.

We read:

• “the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever” (v18)

• “the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom” (v22)

• “the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him” (v27)

Thus in these two prophecies (Daniel 2 and 7) Daniel has clearly foretold that every political system and false religious system will be swept away when Jesus Christ comes to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. As we consider the past 6000 years of dismal suffering and heartache under man’s rule, how thankful we are that God is in control and will soon send Jesus Christ to rule this world in righteousness (Acts 17:31).

Adapted from “The Exploring the Bible Course” by David Evans