READ: Dan. 7:1-8: … a lion … a bear … a leopard … ten horns …
From chapter 7 onward, the prophetic visions continue. Before, in chapter 2 it was Nebuchadnezzar’s dream being interpreted; now Daniel himself receives visions that align with that dream. It is now the first year of Belshazzar, whose name means “Bel (a god) protects the king.” Under his reign, the Babylonian empire will later fall (chapter 5).
Once again, the God of heaven reveals what He is doing on earth to reach His ultimate goal: the coming of His Son, the preservation of His church, and the fulfillment of all things.
Daniel writes down what he sees. The stormy waves of the sea symbolize ominous developments among the nations. Daniel sees monstrous beasts rising from the sea. Together they represent the world empires throughout history.
First, he sees a lion with eagle’s wings: a strong empire spreading rapidly—Babylon. But this expansion is halted. The empire, which thought itself untouchable and divine, is eventually given a vulnerable human heart (v.4).
Then comes a beast resembling a ravenous bear: the Medo-Persian empire, urged to devour even more. Next comes a leopard: the Greek empire under Alexander the Great, spreading swiftly (wings), later ruled by his four successors (four heads).
Finally, Daniel sees a dreadful, terrifying beast, unusually strong. He is shaken by its sight. This beast displays a merciless, destructive power. It has ten horns (ten kings), and then an eleventh horn arises, before which three others fall. This horn has human eyes and speaks arrogantly.
The resemblance to Nebuchadnezzar’s statue is striking. But what is the Lord showing His church here? What does the eleventh horn mean? Is there reason to panic—or not?
Why do these powers appear as monsters?
Sing: Ps. 2:1