Daniel 7 – The first 3 beasts outlive the 4th!
The 4 beasts of Daniel 7 exist during the end times.
By Craig C. White
There are several reasons why I think that the beasts in Daniel chapter 7 represent end time kingdoms. One of the most glaring arguments is found in Dan 7:12.
Dan 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 as most teach. The ancient world empires did not all exist at the same time. Each 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 or kingdom. The fourth beast is the next world empire. It exists during the end times. It is in power just before Jesus returns in fury to judge the nations that have gathered against Israel. Therefore the first three beasts also exist during the end times. The first three beasts in Daniel’s prophecy exist before, during, and after the Tribulation period. The fourth beast is destroyed at Jesus’ coming.
The four beasts in Daniel 7 are not ancient world empires. The four beasts are kingdoms that exist before Jesus’ second coming! The first three beasts (or Unions) combine together to form the next world empire. They are all recognizable now! The European Union, The new Russian Union (Yes there is already a new Russian Union), and a coming Middle East Islamic Union will combine to form the next world empire. Don’t wait around to watch the next world empire form because that will probably happen during the seven year long Tribulation period. If you are still around to see the formation of the next world empire then that means that you are in BIG trouble! However we all can see the Russian Union growing today and a new Islamic Union (or leopard) spearheaded by TURKEY on the horizon!
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.
High Time to Awake 
Craig, this is really a difficult chapter.
The three beasts “before” the fourth could refer to chronology or proximity. However, the amalgamation of all four beasts into one in Revelation 13 for “forty-two months” leads to one of two conclusions. Either a) these 3 empires ally with the kingdom of the Antichrist for 15 months (the season and the time) before they are consumed at the mid-point of the 70th week of Daniel, or b) the “season and a time” are not a literal time period, and in Aramaic refer to a prescribed duration.
I think the latter is most likely, given that the fourth beast is described as being destroyed at the Second Coming of Christ and being given over the burning flame. If the three other beasts were empires at the end of this age, and if they survived 15 months beyond the destruction of the fourth beast, then we have Jesus waiting over a year to divide the sheep and goat nations during the Millennial reign.
I also connect the seven heads and 10 horns in this chapter with the 7 heads and 10 horns in Revelation 13 and 17. I think their representations are the same. The kingdom of John’s day, in Revelation 17, is the sixth head of the beast. If we go back to Daniel 7, the first head corresponds to the lion, the second head corresponds to the bear, and heads three, four, five and six align with the leopard. Ergo, I put Rome with the leopard as the final head of the Hellenic Empire. And I think it’s interesting that the Macedonian, Seleucid, Ptolemaic and Roman kingdoms could never change their spots.
I see the fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, as the Islamic caliphate. That is the head wounded unto death, that comes back to life in Revelation 13. And, as the beast of Revelation takes it seat and authority from the dragon, and since Satan’s seat is at Pergamos, I agree that Turkey is the chief aggressor spear-heading this effort.
Anyway, just some thoughts about Daniel 7 and Revelation 13/17. Love your website. Keep up the good work.
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Daniel chapter 7 is simpler than we think. Daniel describes four end time beasts or kingdoms. The first three beasts are not World Empires. They are Unions. Three Unions will combine to form the next world empire. The European Union, the new Russian Union, and a new Middle Eastern Union will combine to form the next World Empire. The next world empire is the fourth beast in Daniel chapter 7. The next world empire is being identified simply as “the beast” in Daniel 7:11 below.
Daniel 7:11 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.12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
When Jesus returns he will destroy the World Empire but the three Unions will continue for a little while.
Read my commentary titled The Leopard is Upon Us! https://hightimetoawake.com/the-leopard-is-upon-us/
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