I know I have to speed up the posting. I am truly sorry about that, but as time rolls on it will get better and if you follow I know you wont be disappointed.
Today I am looking at THE FOUR GENTILE KINGDOMS IN SYMBOLS OF RAVENOUS BEASTS. Read Daniel Chapter 7
This posting looks at the vision of the prophet Daniel in 7th chapter of the book of Daniel. Where saw four beast, the lion, the bear, the Leopard and the non-descript beast with the ten horns. This vision was given to the prophet a number of years after he had interpreted Nebuchadnezzars vision in Daniel chapter 2 (see post on A Kings Dream)
[four] Here we have the beginning of the vision in symbols. The interpretation is given in Daniel 7:17-27. The vision concerns the same kingdoms as symbolized by the great image in Daniel 2, with some additional facts. In Daniel 2 Nebuchadnezzar is shown the Gentile world kingdoms from his day to the second coming of Christ. They are pictured there, from man's standpoint, as a great and beautiful metallic image. In Daniel 7 God shows Daniel the same kingdoms from God's standpoint as ferocious wild wild beasts (Daniel 7:17).
c [winds] Winds in symbolic passages denote wars, strife, and judgments from God (Daniel 7:1-3; Daniel 8:7-13 with Jeremiah 25:32-33; Rev. 7:1-3).
d [great sea] Seas in symbolic passages represent peoples (Daniel 7:17; Rev. 13:1; Rev. 17:1,15).
[beasts] Beasts in symbolic passages represent kingdoms (Daniel 7:17,23-24; Daniel 8:20-23; Rev. 17:8-11) and their rulers (Rev. 11:7; Rev. 13:18; Rev. 17:8).
Now it is clear that the Head of Gold is Babylon. Since Daniel clearly tells Nebuchadazzars that he is that head of Gold in Daniel 2:38. In this later vision of Daniel in chapter 7 the Lion with eagles wings represents King Nebuchadnezzar in his lofty exalted condition before he was humbled and brought down to know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men. Daniel 4th chapter. It was 17 years after this vision was given to Daniel that Nebuchadnezzar lost his mind, and lived among the beasts of the field for seven years. In other words the events of Daniel 7 occured before the events of Daniel 4.
After this experience he was humble, Read Daniel 4:36, 37, calling attention to Chapter 7:4 where the wings were plucked from the lion which represented king Nebuchadnezzar, and he was made to stand upon his feeet as a man and a man's heart was given to him. (look out for and up coming post on Daniel 4 on Nebuchadnezzar Second Dream)
It was King Nebuchadnezzar who with his armies destroyed the great temple of Solomon at Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah, since which time, there has been nonation of Israel until it's "Miraculous Rebirth" May 1948.
[bear] This is a fitting symbol of Medo-Persia because of their cruelty, thirst after blood, robberies, and love of spoil (Isaiah 13:16-18; Jeremiah 51:48-56). A large species of bear is found in the mountains of Media.
b [one side] This symbolizes the strength of the Persians compared to the Medes. It is the same thought as the higher horn of the ram in Daniel 8:3—Cyrus the Persian who was greater than Darius the Mede (Daniel 5:31) and who came up last (2 Chron. 36:20-23; Ezra 1:1-8; Ezra 3:7; Ezra 4:5; Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1). This kingdom is mentioned in Daniel 5:24-31; in Daniel 6:1-28; in Daniel 7:5,17; in Daniel 8:1-4,20; in Daniel 10:1-20; in Daniel 11:1-2; Isaiah 13:17-22; Isaiah 21:2; 2 Kings 17:6; 2 Kings 18:11; Esther 1:1-9:3.
c [three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it] This symbolizes the conquest of Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt by the Medes and Persians. The bear devoured "much flesh."
Now we come t o the third breast the leopard, representing the third empire that ruled the world viz. Alexander the great. This beast is of the cat family very quick and alert in it's movements. Then having wings made it exceedingly rapid in its conquests. Alexander conquered the world at the age of 32, and did the work in a very short time. It fits his movement and his work most perfectly.
Note the four heads on this beast. Then go to your history books or google it, you will see when Alexander died his empire was divided among his four generals. Lysimachus, Seleucu Nicator, Ptolemy and Cassander.
The next beast we see is the fourth beast. There was no beast in all creation which the Father could use in representing this fourth and last empire. It is therefore it is just called "A great and terrible beast strong exceedingly, and it had great iron teeth."
This represents the same period as the iron legs of the Gentile image in Chapter 2 of Daniel (note the reference to this beast teeth being of iron.)
Making this fourth last beast the Roman empire.
EUROPE- 476 AD TO PRESENT 10 HORNS
Wait a minute now, that's not all on this fourth beast. There's is the matter of the Ten horns, oh and that little horn too. I am going to conclude this post with extract from the book Daniel and Revelation by A.N Dugger, printed at Jerusalem, Israel, by the Mount Zion Reporter Press in the 1960's
"The Fourth Beast
Daniel was more particularly concerned about the fourth beast, and said, "Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast. . . and of the other which came up before whom three fell, even of the horn which had eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. Thus he said, the fourth beast is the fourth kingdom upon the earth . . . and he shall devour the whole earth and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise, and another shall arise after them [The little horn the Papacy], and he shall be diverse from the first and shall subdue three kings. He shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws, and they shall be given into his hands until a TIME AND TIMES AND DIVIDING OF TIME," (Daniel 7:19-25).The fourth kingdom was ROME for the angel said to Daniel "The fourth beast is the fourth kingdom to rule the earth," and this was Rome. This fact is made known in every history and encyclopedia of which there are many in libraries all over the land. This fourth beast represents Rome. Between the years A.D. 351 and 476, Rome had conquered and ruled the entire known world. Then true to the voice of the prophet the empire was divided into ten divisions, much of which remains until this day; Anglo-Saxon (England), Burgundians (Switzerland), Franks (France), Visogoths (Spain), Lombards (Italy), Allemani (Germany). Then there were the Suevi,Vandals, Ostrogoths, and Heruli.
The Period of the Little Horn
The scriptures forecast other developments that were to follow the division of the Roman empire into the above ten kingdoms. The angel said, "And another (horn) shall arise after them, and he shall be diverse from the first and shall subdue three kings" (verse 24).The career of the beast under this little horn leadership was to "wear out the saints of the Most High," and institute religious laws contrary to the customs and practices of the people of God. It was to be a religious hierarchy exercising both political and religious dominion. Just such a power did arise at that very period, and it is spoken of in all histories as "The Rise of The Papacy." Church and state were united, making indeed a dangerous union, and it was to think to change laws, also times, and was to subdue three of these ten kings. Its identity is known by the fact that Rome, beginning the Papal period, plucked up the kingdom of the Heruli, Vandals and Ostrogoths, which work was accomplished before the year 538 A.D., when the last of the three, the Ostrogoth kingdom, was plucked up.This period was to continue for "a Time, Times and the dividing of Time." A "Time" anciently was one year of 360 days. "Times" was always two years or 720 days, and a half a Time, would be half of 360 or 180. Adding these together we have 1,260 days. This was the period for the church, (the saints), to be under the dominion of this persecuting power.The scripture and history both show us that the ancient year had just 360 days.Now as we go over to the book of Revelation, we also find that Israel and the church, represented by the woman of chapter 12, was to be overpowered and persecuted by the beast. for the same period of time, and mentioned in the same language. Rev. 12:6, 14. In verse 6, this period is represented in clear terms, and said to be a thousand two hundred and three score (60) days, exactly 1260.History confirms this again with startling precision, when as a result of Napoleon's military expeditions, Rome was captured the year 1798 and church and state separated, with the pope banished on an island in the Mediterranean Sea. As the prophets have told us to take "each day for a year," this event of 1798 occurred exactly 1260 years after church and state were united the year 538 with the plucking up of the last of the three kings of Rome.The Old Family Bible, Bucks Theological Dictionary, Britannica Encyclopedia (old edition), and many older reliable authorities tell of the long period or persecution upon those who would not yield to the doctrine and to the authority of Rome. During this period, the Roman hierarchy not only persecuted the dissenters but also reached after the Jews. When Queen Isabella of Spain appointed the priest Torquemada as chief inquisitor in the year 1483, it marked the beginning of the tragic experience of Spanish Jews resulting in their expulsion in the year 1492.
Tampering With the Decalogue
"He shall think to change times and laws [in Chaldaic and in Hebrew, 'the Law']," Daniel 7:25. No other power fits into this prophetic picture. In order to make room for the adoration of images, the Roman church has virtually eliminated the second commandment which forbids such idolatrous worship. The time for the celebration of the Passover (Easter) was changed at the council of Nice 321 A.D. and placed on a fixed Sunday. Before this it was always celebrated at the same time as the Jews, viz., on the 14th of the first New Moon (month) of the spring equinox, the month of Abib.But the most daring challenge of God's authority consists in her attempt to change the Holy Sabbath from the 7th to the 1st day of the week. It was this power, the Papacy, that substituted the observance of Sunday The relic of SUN WORSHIP for the divinely ordained Seventh-day Sabbath, that everlasting memorial of creation. The Roman church willingly admits the responsibility or the change, which indeed fulfills this marvelous prophecy given by the prophet Daniel, that the Beast under the little horn, would think to change laws.It was not the practice of the early apostolic church to meet on the first day of the week as is erroneously claimed today by millions of people, many of whom are innocently deceived, in taking hearsay for facts which cannot be proven from the scriptures. Since Israel has now come back as a nation, there is one place in the world where the true Sabbath is observed. Buses and trains stop running on the Sabbath here, and all business is closed. The Holy Spirit calls this day the Sabbath 55 times in the New Testament while the first day of the week is only spoken of eight times, and only called "The First Day of The Week," and nothing more. Not once is it mentioned as a sacred or holy day and not even as a customary meeting day of the apostles.
The Beast Under the Little Horn Fulfilled This Prophecy
The message of our day is, "If any man worship the Beast and his image, the SAME SHALL DRINK OF THE WINE OF THE WRATH OF GOD."The wrath of God mentioned here is the "Seven Last Plagues." See Revelation 15:1, and 16:1. Hence this last message, "The Third Message," (Rev. 14:9) is a warning to the world of the approach of these plagues, those who will be affected and those who will escape.The religious denominations not giving out this warning message will surely receive of these plagues, and be counted as beast worshippers.The apostle Paul says, "The one to whom you yield yourself a servant to obey, his servant you are whom you obey," Romans 6:16. Beware, dear reader, of BEAST WORSHIP. This is a message for these last days. Many of our forefathers did not know what is now coming to light and they will be judged accordingly. Thousands of pure hearted loving persons have observed Sunday, believing it was the Sabbath of the Commandment, and they will not be lost. They did not live in the days of the "Closing Message." They will not be condemned for what they did not, and could not know, but it is quite a different matter with us, who have been permitted to live in this age when "knowledge has been increased" - in the time of the end. (Dan. 12:4-10). Those whom the Father has ordained to be saved, He has given this message, and He will help them by the presence of His Holy Spirit to walk in the light, and also be a light to others.The Armageddon beast is this same beast under the little horn career, after its "deadly wound has been healed," (Rev. 13:3), which was inflicted upon the Roman Empire when she was dismembered, and church and state separated under the wars of Napoleon. We are living in the time when the wound has been healed and the spiritual power of Rome is again witnessed and felt.The prophet Daniel predicted that this power would presume to tamper with God's immutable law, the Ten Commandments. We quote from "The Convert's Catechism of Catholic Doctrine," by Rev. Peter Geiermann, p. 50, second edition, which work received the "apostolic blessing" of Pope Pius X, January 25. 1910:
Ques. - "Which is the Sabbath day?"
Ans. - "Saturday is the Sabbath day."
Ques. - "Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday?"
Ans. - "We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church, in the Council of Laodicea (A.D. 1364), transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday."We quote from another Catholic source:
Ques. - "Have you any other way of proving the Catholic Church has the power to institute festivals of precept?"
Ans. - "Had she not such power she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her - she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday the first day of the week for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority." "
A Doctrinal Catechism," by Rev. Stephen Keenan, approved by the Most Rev. John Hughes, D.D.
We will cite one more testimony from a Roman Catholic source, namely, a letter from Cardinal Gibbons, to Mr. John A. Ashley, of Rock Hall, Md.:
"Cardinal's Residence,
"John R. Ashley, Esq.
"Dear Sir:
In answer to your first question, directed by the cardinal to reply to your letter, I will say:
"Who changed the Sabbath?"
Ans - "The Holy Catholic Church."
"Are Protestants following the Bible or the Holy Catholic Church in keeping Sunday?
"Ans. - "The Protestants are following the custom introduced by the Holy Catholic Church."
"The Protestants do contradict themselves by keeping Sunday, and at the same time profess to be guided by the Bible only."
"I am, Faithfully yours, Fr. Thomes, Chancellor.
"To sum up our investigation: The inspired prophet foretold many centuries in advance that a religious power would attempt to change the Decalogue. We found that such an attempt was made by the Papacy. We also learned that the Catholic Church confesses that she has instituted this change and that this substitution is contrary to the Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testaments. Thus, by the combined testimony of the Scriptures, of history, and of the Catholics themselves, we have ascertained that it was the papacy who presumed to make a breach in the immutable law of God. How could the prophet Daniel so accurately describe this power centuries before its actual rise, unless he received divine illumination?
Conclusion Of Chapter 7
We go back now to verse 9, where the events are pre-announced that would happen at the end of the 1,260 years allotted to the Papal Horn. It reads: "I beheld UNTIL the thrones were cast down and the Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool. His throne was like the fiery flame. . . . The judgment was set and the books were opened."Note that on the previous pages this 1,260-year period that the "Little Horn" was to do its work ended the year 1798. Then following this, "Daniel BEHELD UNTIL the thrones were cast down." This clearly suggests a period of time following 1798 when: "Thrones would be cast down."This is exactly what has happened. During World Wars One and Two, about all of the thrones of Europe were cast down, and these nations are now ruled by dictators, etc. The King of Egypt has also been dethroned and truly this pre-announcement of our day has been most wonderfully fulfilled.Now we pass on to verses 26 to 28 where Daniel repeats the closing events of this age that follow this "beholding period" for the thrones to be cast down. He says concerning the Little Horn, "Judgment shall sit and they shall take away his dominion to consume and destroy it to the end."This also marvelously agrees with other prophecies concerning this same power just before the Messiah returns in His kingdom.Here is the next and final event which is very near: "And the Kingdom of dominion and greatness of the Kingdom UNDER THE WHOLE HEAVEN (not up in heaven) shall be given to the saints of the Most High."Note again verses 13 and 14: "1 saw in the night vision and behold one like the SON OF MAN came to the ANCIENT OF DAYS [the Creator] . . . and there was given Him dominion and glory, and a kingdom that all people, nations and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."Our beloved Messiah is here called the "Son of God," Who is soon to come with all His mighty angels in great power and glory to deliver Israel, to resurrect the righteous dead, and to give this everlasting Kingdom to "the little flock" - Luke 12:32 - Israel, all who have been adopted into the family of Abraham though Christ. Also many from the Gentiles. See Galatians 3:26 to 29: "If you are Christ's then are you Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promises." These will be left among the living and changed to never dying creatures at His coming. - I Thess. 4:16, 17; I Corinthians 15:51 to 53; Rev. 11:15, etc."
There is More yet to come stay tuned. Thank for reading, feel free to leave a comment.
God Bless
The Soldier of Truth
