Photo credit: US Fish and Wildlife Service
Daniel 7: The Leopard is Upon Us!
A new look at Daniel 7
Daniel 7:6
By Craig C. White
Commonly interpreted as describing ancient world empires, Daniel 7 has been sorely misunderstood. It is high time to properly interpret Daniel’s end time vision, since it is unfolding today. Understanding Daniel 7 provides a startling perspective of our position in the end times timeline. It describes the events that lead up to the coming trial of Israel and the wrath of God on all the Earth. The final gentile world empire is forming. Daniel 7 tells us how.
Daniel 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
Some say that Daniel 7 is describing the ancient world empires of Babylon, Media-Persia and Greece. I think that Daniel 7 is describing modern kingdoms!
Belshazzar was Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, and was the last king in Babylon of the Babylonian empire. He was co-regent of the Babylonian empire with his father Nabonidus who ruled in Tayma (Tema in NW Saudi Arabia). So any prophecy that was given to Daniel at that point in time regarding the extent of the Babylonian empire, was not prophecy but it was history. Later on of course Daniel did tell Belshazzar of the demise of the Babylonian empire by reading “the writing on the wall” in Daniel chapter 5.
Daniel 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
“The four winds of heaven” are describing spiritual forces that influence geo-political events among the nations. Each “wind” has influence over specific geographic regions. “The four winds of heaven” blow from the four corners of the world. Israel is somewhat in the center. The winds blow from their corners to influence regions but do not necessarily represent one particular nation. They influence their corresponding geo-political quadrants. “The four winds of heaven” correspond to the four furthest corners of the ancient world empires. They blow to consolidate regional powers under one government, and then to consolidate world powers under one government. The ultimate goal is to reconstitute the territories of the ancient World Empires. In Daniel 7 they influence England in the Northwest, Russia in the Northeast, and India in the Southeast. Today the Southwest wind is blowing upon the Middle East and northern Africa. The South West wind is stirring up the Middle East to unite together, in order to rage against God and Israel! This sounds like the beginnings of the battle of Gog and Magog. Read my commentary titled “Magog Made Easy!“. The four winds of heaven are employed elsewhere in Daniel.
Daniel 8:8 “Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven”.
The verse above describes the breakup of Alexander the Greats, Grecian Kingdom. “The four winds of heaven” are four directions (NW, SW, NE, and SE) toward “the four winds of heaven” in which the Greek Kingdom divided. This is further explained in Daniel 11:4.
The great sea in Daniel 7:2 is the multitude of nations over all the Earth. This similitude is used frequently elsewhere in Bible prophecy.
Note: Sometimes in Bible prophecy “the great sea” refers to the Mediterranean Sea, especially when geographically referencing Israel.
Daniel 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
Ask yourself, do these Beasts exist at the same time? We will see that these beasts come up one at a time, but continue together. As a matter of fact the first three beasts outlive the fourth beast!
Daniel 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.
It is commonly thought that the beast “like a lion” represents the Babylonian empire. While the Babylonian symbol was in fact a lion, it was never represented by a lion with eagle’s wings. The nation whose symbol is in fact a lion with eagle’s wings is England. Before you dismiss this interpretation please note that this is the view put forth by Sir Robert Anderson in his book “The Coming Prince” (still available). Written around 1900, it is one of the most exhaustive works ever written on Daniel’s seventieth week and the coming Antichrist. The wings on these beasts probably represent colonies (or adjunct nations) of the main beasts. While England had many colonies, I believe that the eagle’s wings depict the United States of America. First, we all know that the symbol of the USA is the eagle. Second, the wings were plucked off in the American Revolution. I believe that this beast isn’t depicting England in its full empire, but it is depicting England’s role in the creation of the final beast (the last gentile world empire). Therefore, I believe that the United States of America plays a supporting role in creating the final beast. We are already playing that role! Take a moment to remember America’s position on the Middle East rebellions. In every instance we are supporting the rebels, usually swiftly and without debate!
The fact that it was made to stand like a man, and that a man’s heart was given to it suggests that a particular man will play a significant role in the end time prophecy. This may also suggest that the beast’s once great empire is diminished to the place of only having a voice in world affairs.
Daniel 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
The nation that is obviously symbolized by a bear is Russia. For the last one hundred years prophecy scholars have identified the bear in Daniel 7 as Russia. I think the three ribs are yet to come. But let me alert you! We are already seeing signs of them! They are in (or among) the teeth like a bit. They exist together at the same time. They speak to the bear all at once. They are either Russian political or military leaders. I think the bear is devouring (or eating) territory. I think the Russian bear is raised up along its southwestern border to bring back under its authority (and ultimately into the fold of a revived World Empire) the following countries: Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan all north of the Caucasus Mountains; also Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova all west of the Ural Mountains. Most people will tell you that the Roman Empire didn’t extend into Russia, but the best scholarship says that it reached as far as the western slopes of the Ural Mountains. In 2008 Russia tested its ability to take back the former Soviet territory of Georgia.
Countries that the Russian bear will devour!
The nations that Russia is likely to conquer are the nations that were part of the ancient Roman Empire and also former Soviet Union territories but not part of the European Union or Middle East. Remember, the goal is to reconstitute the territories of the ancient World Empires.
Remember the four winds of heaven are blowing to consolidate regional powers. The goal is to reconstitute an ancient World Empire, so Russia will probably overtake nations that once belonged to the Roman Empire. All of the above listed nations were part of the ancient Roman Empire, and are all situated along Russia’s southwestern border (see map above). I want to stress that this is my inclination! Daniel’s prophecy doesn’t spell out these countries by name.
Note: By the way, I don’t see Russia in Ezekiel 38 (Gog and Magog). That view came about by transcribing “chief” (or the Hebrew “rosh”) to mean Russia. Rosh means first or primary. Transposing Hebrew words into English phonetic equivalents is not proper interpretive technique. Gog is the land of modern Turkey and Magog is its leader or at least its chief founder. Please read my commentary titled “Magog Made Easy!”
Do not worry! The Russian wars are among the wars that must happen near the end. Jesus explained this in the Gospels.
Mat 24:6-7 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Luk 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
Daniel 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
Current world events regarding this verse compelled me to write this commentary. I believe the leopard is upon us. According to our interpretation, these beasts are nations or empires. Currently no nations on earth are symbolized by the leopard. However, a new world entity is about to be created that could be symbolized by the leopard. US president Barack Obama is spearheading an effort to form a confederacy of four nations: Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan (please note that the leopard has four heads). There are several reasons for doing this, not the least of which is that Turkmenistan wants to build the world’s largest natural gas pipeline to the Arabian Sea. The beginnings of this confederacy already exists. It is called TAPI (Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India). This confederacy centers around The Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline. Leopards are common throughout this region. These nations identify with leopards. They have named mountain ranges and former leaders after them.
If you will remember that former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf was served an arrest warrant for in the Benazir Bhutto assassination. Musharraf fled Pakistan and was exile in London and Dubai. He was never tried. He is now back in Pakistan. Well former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has gleefully expressed his desire to have US president Barrack Obama as their “Supreme Leader”. It is interesting to note that the Pakistani leadership is in the market for a “Supreme Leader”; considering this is a newly created position. Keep a look out to see if this central Asian confederacy is clearly and openly represented by a leopard. The formation of this leopard would be a confirmation of this interpretation, and a present time fulfillment of God’s sure word. It would also be a major milestone in the end time timeline. It is high time to awake and watch.
The leopard in Daniel 7:6 has four wings, which probably refer to four adjunct nations. There are three small nations embedded among the land mass of India. They are Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. You can add one more; south of India you have the small island nation of Sri Lanka, or on the mainland the nation of Burma.
“Dominion was given to it”. My guess is that a place will be given the leopard in world politics.
Let me make a note at this time. England (the lion with eagles’ wings), Russia (the bear) and south central Asia (the leopard) are the furthest extents of the Ancient Roman Empire. The last two are yet to be included in the European Union. I believe that these three beasts will become confederate with the EU and Middle East to form the fourth and final beast.
I wrote my commentary titled “The Leopard is Upon Us!” way back in 2011. Since then the identity of the four primary nations of the leopard in Daniel 7:6 has become more apparent. In November 2014 then Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan announced his plans to form a new Islamic Union. I think that the first four nations to be included in this Union will be Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. These are the same four nations that Revelation 9:13-16 identifies as being located along the Euphrates River. During the first half of the seven year Tribulation period these four nations along with four other secondary nations (or perhaps four Terrorist organizations) will conquer most of the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Central Asia. Please read my commentary titled World War III.
Rev 9:13-16 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
Now President Erdogan has made his intentions of forming a Turkish ruled revived Ottoman Empire with him a it’s Sultan very clear! The first nation to fall to Erdogan and to the Turkish Army will be Syria. After Damascus is destroyed and Syria is conquered then Erdogan will install Muslim Brotherhood leadership there! Then the leopard (or Islamic Union) will be formed.
In Daniel chapter 8 the ancient world empires of Media-Persia and Greece are represented by the ram, and goat. Both of these animals were in fact symbols of these empires. If the beasts in Daniel 7 refer to ancient world empires, then why are the symbolic animals different? A bear and a leopard are different than a ram and a goat aren’t they?! God uses animals to describe kingdoms or empires in Daniel. The ram and goat were actually the national symbols of Media-Persia and Greece. If we assign Persia and Greece to the bear and the leopard in Daniel 7 the symbolism breaks down. We should look for kingdoms who actually use these symbols; the Lion with eagles wings, the bear, and the leopard!
Photo credit: Leonard Raven-Hill [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Here is a “Punch” magazine cartoon from 13 December 1911 depicting England as a lion, Russia as a bear, and Central Asia as a cat.
Daniel 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
Everybody agrees about the identity of the fourth beast. It represents the last gentile world empire. It exists during “the Great Tribulation”. This beast is the same end time empire as described in Daniel 2:40-44, 7:20-24, and Revelation 12:3, 13:1-2, & chapter 17. According to Revelation 13 the fourth beast is an amalgam of the first three beasts.
Rev 13:1-2 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Revelation 13:1-2 indicates that the beasts exist together at the same time because parts of the fourth beast are made of the first three beasts. If so, then they do not represent ancient world empires. By interpretation the English lion speaks for the one world government. The Russian bear may provide military power with its stomping feet!
Horns commonly represent kings in Bible prophecy. The ten horns in Daniel 7:7 represent ten kings. This is explained in Daniel 7:24 and Revelation 17:12. The ten kings that are over the fourth beast in Daniel 7:7 & 24 are different than the four kings that are over the four beasts of Daniel 7:17. There are ten kings over the fourth beast, but there is only one king over each of the four beasts.
Many prophecy students are looking for a ten division European Union to fulfill the ten horn prophecy. I think that a ten leader world council is more likely.
Daniel 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Again, horns commonly represent kings in Bible prophecy. The “little horn” is a secondary leader, for instance a prince, vice-president, or governor. The term “little horn” is applied to Antiochus Epiphanies in Daniel 8:9. “Antiochus Epiphanies” was the son of “Antiochus the Great” the king of the Seleucid dynasty (1/4 of the Grecian empire, headquartered in Syria). Antiochus Epiphanies was initially a prince in the Seleucid dynasty until he manipulated his way onto the throne. This “little horn” will evidently take away or usurp the authority of three of the first ten kings. This “little horn” has a “mouth speaking great things”. He blasphemes God, “showing himself that he is God” (Daniel 11:36-37). This little horn is obviously the “Antichrist” (1 John 2:18). By the way, the Antichrist will do many of the same things that Antiochus Epiphanies did.
Daniel 7:9-11 I beheld till 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, and his wheels as burning fire. 10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. 11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
In the verses above, Jesus returns to the earth in fury at the end of the great tribulation. He dismantles the New World Order and tosses the Antichrist into the “lake of fire”. The Antichrist will be the first resident of the “lake of fire”, along with the “false prophet”.
Daniel 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
The first three beasts, that is: the lion with eagle’s wings, the bear, and the leopard lives were prolonged for a season and time. A season and time is an idiom meaning approximately one year and three months. The first three beasts survive for one year and three months after the fourth beast is destroyed. This verse cannot apply to ancient world empires. They did not exist at the same time. One world empire defeated the previous world empire. The rest of the beasts, that is: the lion with eagle’s wings, the bear, and the leopard outlive the fourth beast. The fourth beast is the last gentile world empire or the New World Order. It exists during the end times. It is in power just before Jesus returns in fury to judge the nations that are against Israel. Therefore the first three beasts also exist during the end times. The four beasts in Daniel 7 exist before and during the tribulation period. The fourth beast is destroyed at Jesus’ coming.
Daniel 7:13-14 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 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.
In the verses above, Jesus receives his everlasting earthly kingdom from God the father. Amen, Halleluiah!
Daniel 7:15-17 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. 17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
In Daniel 7:17 our attention is drawn to the four kings not the four kingdoms. Listen up folks! The four kings will be instrumental in creating the fourth beast! These persons will be easily identifiable in their positions over each of the four beasts and their efforts to create a one world government. Today Tony Blair the former Prime Minister of England is playing a major role in the effort to form a one world government. Prince Charles of England is also looked to among the one world government movement. He happens to be the head figure in all the Masonic Order, which unites the entire world. In Russia Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President Medvedev (Russian meaning “bear”) are prime candidates for involvement in creating the one world government. If US President Barrack Obama becomes “Supreme Leader” of the leopard then put him on the list as well. The fourth king rules over the forth beast; he is the Antichrist “the man of perdition”. Remember, the fourth beast arises after the third. The fourth beast reigns only a short time.
Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
So when we see the leopard we are only a step away from the final gentile world empire and the great tribulation.
Daniel 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
Thank God that after these wicked men have their day, then the righteous will triumph. I’m looking forward to that everlasting kingdom.
The Saints consist of believers in Christ Jesus: including Old Testament Hebrews and proselytes (resurrected after the great tribulation), New Testament Christians (resurrected and raptured before the tribulation), tribulation martyrs (a multitude from every nation), and post tribulation Hebrews (a national turning to Jesus). I hope and pray that you are part of this group.
Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Daniel 7:19-21 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; 20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. 21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Just a reminder; the fourth beast is the final gentile world government. The statement, whose look was more stout than his fellows doesn’t mean that the little horn (the anti-Christ) is a bodybuilder or that he is overweight. Daniel is telling us that it was evident to him by the appearance of the little horn that he is master or chief or head over the ten kings. The saints mentioned here refer to the nation of Israel (See Daniel 7:25 and notes).
Daniel 7:22-25 Until 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. 23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. 25 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: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
Let’s remember that God gave this prophecy to Daniel and it directly concerns the nation of Israel. The antichrist will sorely oppress the Jews and try to change the Old Testament laws of worship and sacrifice.
In Daniel 7:25 above, the phrase “a time and times and the dividing of time” is an idiom meaning three and a half years. This period of time is considered to be the second part of the Great Tribulation. “The Great Tribulation” is also expressed as The time of Jacob’s trouble.
Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.
It is also known as the “Seventieth week of God’s indignation toward Israel” (Daniel 9:24). It is also the day of God’s wrath on all nations!
Jeremiah 30:11 For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet I will not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.
Daniel 7:26-28 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. 27 And 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. 28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
If Daniel 7 refers to ancient world empires then it contributes no further information than is already expressed elsewhere in the book of Daniel. Read Daniel 7 carefully. Consider unfolding world events. Consider the nations that are represented by the lion with eagle’s wings, the bear, and soon the leopard. Watch as prophecy that troubled Daniel unfolds before our eyes. Know that God’s word is sure.
Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
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