The Book of Daniel in the Old Testament contains a vision described in chapter 7 that features four beasts emerging from the sea. These mysterious creatures have been the subject of much analysis and speculation over the centuries as Bible scholars have attempted to interpret their meaning and significance.
Here is a summary of what Daniel 7 reveals about the four beasts:
The First Beast – A Lion with Eagle’s Wings
Daniel sees the first beast rise up out of the sea, having the appearance of a lion but with eagle’s wings. As Daniel watched, the beast’s wings were plucked off and it was lifted up off the ground and made to stand like a man. The beast was also given a human mind or heart (Daniel 7:4).
This beast is often interpreted as representing the Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar, which was known for its strength and speed in conquering other nations. The plucking of the eagle’s wings and giving of a man’s heart represents Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling experience of living like an animal for seven years (see Daniel 4). Afterward, his kingdom was restored.
The Second Beast – A Bear-Like Creature
The second beast looked like a bear, but it was raised up on one side and had three ribs between its teeth. It is told to devour much flesh (Daniel 7:5).
This beast is commonly understood to depict the Medo-Persian Empire which conquered the Babylonian Empire. The three ribs may represent major conquests of the Persians – Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt. The command to devour much flesh signifies the Persians subjugating many peoples.
The Third Beast – A Four-Headed Leopard
The third beast was different from the previous two, looking like a leopard but having four heads and four wings. Daniel said it had authority to rule (Daniel 7:6).
This beast is typically identified as representing the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great, known for its speed and prowess. The four heads represent the division of Alexander’s empire among his four generals following his death. The four wings may symbolize the Greek’s swift conquest under Alexander.
The Fourth Beast – An Unidentified Terrifying Creature
The fourth beast is the most alarming and different from the previous three. Daniel struggled to describe it, saying it was dreadful, terrifying, and extremely strong with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed its victims, stamping the remainder with its feet. It also had ten horns (Daniel 7:7).
This beast is widely understood to describe the Roman Empire, known for its ruthless power and iron strength in subduing nations. The ten horns are typically interpreted as representing ten kings or kingdoms that would arise out of the Roman Empire.
Later in the vision, Daniel sees a “little horn” arise and pluck out three of the ten horns. This little horn is often identified as the Antichrist who will gain power from some of the fragmented kingdoms of the old Roman Empire (Daniel 7:8).
Common Themes and Interpretations
There are a few common ideas that emerge from analyses of the four beasts in Daniel 7:
- They represent four great gentile empires that would dominate Israel and the world – Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.
- They portray these empires as savage, brutal powers that would persecute God’s people.
- They show God’s sovereignty over earthly kingdoms – he allows them to rise but also fall.
- The beasts demonstrate the limitations and temporary nature of man-made kingdoms versus God’s eternal kingdom.
The exact identifications are debated, but many scholars agree the overall message is that human kingdoms come and go, but God’s kingdom will ultimately triumph. The vision highlights boastful human rulers who oppose God but will be judged and have their dominion taken away.
The fourth beast is particularly focused on, emphasizing the Roman Empire as a ruthless persecutor of the Jews and Christians. But God promises that the saints will eventually possess His everlasting kingdom instead of these temporary earthly ones (Daniel 7:17-18, 27).
While the vision features strange mythic beasts, they represent the sober historical reality that Israel often found itself under the sway of mighty pagan empires opposed to God’s ways. But no matter how powerful or dreadful, these human kingdoms are temporary and inferior to God’s kingdom which will destroy them.
The four beasts serve as a reminder that earthly powers rise and fall, so God’s people should set their hope fully on His kingdom rather than human rulers or institutions. The vision gives comfort that those persecuted by worldly powers will ultimately triumph with God.
Key Points About the Four Beasts in Daniel 7
- They emerge from a turbulent sea, symbolizing the chaotic fallen world (Daniel 7:2-3).
- They represent a succession of dominant Gentile empires who would persecute God’s people Israel.
- They demonstrate human kingdoms’ savagery and God’s sovereignty over them.
- The fourth beast is especially focused on as a representation of Rome’s fierce power.
- The little horn is likely a prophetic reference to the Antichrist’s later rise (Daniel 7:8).
- God promises that His kingdom will vanquish the beasts’ kingdoms and rule forever.
- The vision comforts the suffering by showing evil empires will fall and saints will ultimately triumph with God.
The Contrast Between Human and God’s Kingdoms
A major theme of the vision of the four beasts is to contrast the nature of God’s kingdom versus human kingdoms:
- Human kingdoms – temporary, deeply flawed, brutal, boastful, selfishly motivated.
- God’s kingdom – eternal, perfect, just, humble, motivated by love.
The beasts represent how most human rulers gain power through violence, oppression, and self-exaltation. Their kingdoms easily become agents of evil rather than good. By contrast, God’s kingdom operates by love, justice, and humility instead of proud domination. His kingdom will replace the failed human attempts at government.
This explains why God allows the beasts’ reigns – to demonstrate the deficiencies and imperfections of all human systems so that people will long for God’s kingdom instead. The vision offers hope that God will bring His perfect kingdom to the earth and destroy the corrupt human kingdoms.
Detailed Breakdown of Each Beast
Beast #1 – The Winged Lion (Daniel 7:4)
This beast has:
- Appearance of a lion – representing Babylon’s fierce strength
- Eagle’s wings – likely depicting Babylon’s speed in conquest under Nebuchadnezzar
- Wings plucked – symbolic of Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling in Daniel 4
- Human mind – Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity restored after discipline from God
Key points:
- Represents Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian Empire
- Dominant world power in Daniel’s day
- Strength and speed in conquering nations
- Humbled and made sane again by God’s judgment
Beast #2 – The Lopsided Bear (Daniel 7:5)
This beast has:
- Bear-like figure – depicting Medo-Persia’s ferocious strength
- Raised up on one side – Persia emerged as the dominant part of the empire
- Three ribs in mouth – likely representing major Persian conquests
- Told to devour much flesh – signifying Persian subjugation of many peoples
Key points:
- Represents the Medo-Persian Empire
- Strong and fierce in its conquests
- Conquered mighty kingdoms like Babylon
- Subjugated many peoples under its rule
Beast #3 – The Four-Headed Leopard (Daniel 7:6)
This beast has:
- Appearance of a leopard – likely representing the Greek Empire’s swiftness.
- Four heads – symbolizing the division of Alexander’s empire into four parts after his death.
- Four wings – probably depicting the rapid conquest under Alexander the Great
- Given authority to rule – points to its dominance
Key points:
- Represents the Greek Empire
- Known for speed and prowess through Alexander’s conquests
- Divided into four parts ruled by Alexander’s generals after his death
- Maintained dominance despite fragmentation after Alexander
Beast #4 – The Ten-Horned Terror (Daniel 7:7)
This beast has:
- An appearance so dreadful and terrible that Daniel cannot fully describe it.
- Large iron teeth, crushing and devouring victims.
- Ten horns – represents kings/kingdoms that arise out of fourth empire.
- Little horn that uproots three horns – likely symbolic of the Antichrist.
Key points:
- Undoubtedly represents the Roman Empire
- Known for dreadful military power and utterly crushing enemies
- Will splinter into pieces represented by the 10 horns
- The little horn represents the Antichrist who will gain power over part of the old Roman Empire
The Son of Man Figure
In addition to the four beasts, Daniel 7 features another important prophetic figure – the “Son of Man” (Daniel 7:13-14). After the beasts arise, Daniel sees heaven open up and the Son of Man brought before the “Ancient of Days” – God himself. The Son of Man is given authority, glory, and sovereign power over all peoples.
Most biblical scholars agree the Son of Man represents the Messiah – Jesus Christ. The passage depicts His ascension to the right hand of God the Father where He was given supreme authority over all earthly rulers and dominions.
The four beasts exercise their temporary power on earth, but ultimately Jesus is the one with everlasting dominion over all nations. His kingdom will destroy and replace the fallen kingdoms of this world. So this vision offers hope and reassurance – despite present troubles and persecution, Jesus will have the final victory.
Conclusion
The mysterious vision of the four beasts in Daniel 7 provides a sweeping prophetic picture of the Gentile powers that would dominate the world and oppress God’s people. But God shows He is sovereign over the beasts and will bring their kingdoms to an end.
The ultimate hope and comfort comes from the Son of Man – Jesus the Messiah – who defeats the beasts and receives God’s eternal kingdom. No matter how chaotic and troubled the world becomes, believers can trust that God’s kingdom will prevail under Jesus’ reign.
The message for every generation experiencing hardship and persecution is to remain faithful, knowing that the beasts’ reigns are temporary but Christ’s kingdom is indestructible. God will fulfill His promise that His saints will possess that everlasting kingdom forever.
