Join us as we navigate the complexities of biblical prophecies through the lens of Daniel, interpreted and challenged by modern perspectives. Could these ancient symbols suggest current global superpowers? We explore historical and current events as potential fulfillments of prophetic scriptures, posing questions about their significance in today’s world. Alongside biblical insights from Ezekiel and Daniel, uncover what these ancient texts can tell us about the future that lies ahead.
it doesn’t say the bear was destroyed at all. It indicates it continues in the time of the end. And in Daniel’s prophecy in chapter 11, and also in Ezekiel 38 and 39, we have the presence of the great northern power very active in the time of the end. And I read in Ezekiel 38, verse 5, three nations that are with this invasion of the Ethiopia, Sudan, Ethiopia, possibly more, and Libya, the three nations that just happened to vote for Iraq in the Persian Gulf crisis.
SPEAKER 1 :
Thank you.
SPEAKER 01 :
Lions and bears and leopards, oh my, Russians, Arabs, world powers on the move. This is Hope for Today with Bible teacher and author, David Hawking. And on today’s broadcast, we’re diving into day two of our study in Daniel chapter seven called Vision of the Four Beasts. Daniel’s vision isn’t some fairy tale. It’s a raw, prophetic look at rising empires, global shaking, and the unfolding plan of God. The imagery is intense, the meaning very deep, and the message crystal clear. Earthly kingdoms fall, but God’s kingdom stands forever. Well, stay right here. Our study in Daniel 7 continues in just a moment. So if you’d like to download individual messages from our current radio series in Daniel, including today’s message, well, you can do that at davidhawking.org. Every message is available for just $3. And a typical message covers two to three days of teaching time on the program. And it’s instantly accessible, easy to share, and perfect for going back to review or digging deeper on your own time. head over to davidhawking.org and get yours, the messages in our current radio series in Daniel, just $3 each on MP3. Let’s get back to Daniel chapter 7 now, and here’s David with day two of Vision of the Four Beasts.
SPEAKER 04 :
I want to begin by talking about the empires of world history that are represented by these four beasts. And let’s take number one and break it down as much as we possibly can. And while we do that, let me say that I have taken the information of Bible commentators and history regarding these matters. And by the way, history is rather thorough. But I’ve taken these matters and I tried to line them up under various views. And I’ve discovered that there’s a lot of variation. But if you went to Dallas Seminary, all those guys line up in one view. every last one of them, all those who follow the teaching of Lewis Sperry Schaeffer, John Walvoord, Dwight Pentecost, and many like them, and they’re wonderful men. They all hold that these four beasts are referring to Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. But you will also find many good Bible teachers, especially previous to the existence of Dallas Seminary and other seminaries like them who have majored in prophetic studies, who believe quite the contrary. I personally have one problem that I want to share with you to begin with. Please notice verse 12 carefully. And frankly, I have to tell you that this verse continues to bother me as I attempt to find interpretations of these prophetic visions. It says, Now, verse 11 just said, I watched till the beast was slain, evidently the fourth beast, upon which were the ten horns, out of which comes the little horn, who’s the one speaking pompous words, going to verse 11. I watched till the beast was slain, its body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As for the rest of the beasts, well, wait a minute. If that’s Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece, then they’re already gone. What would be the point of the remark? As for the rest of the beast, they had their dominion taken away. Well, perhaps that refers to what happened in the past. Yet look at the next statement. Yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. So apparently, we’ve got a problem here if we look at it in history. Trying to be specific with this is going to be difficult. But I’m going to give you some of the major views, and frankly, I’m not going to try to be dogmatic on these things. But I think that we don’t come to some clear understanding until we get to the fourth beast, until we get to the ten horns, and we compare it with the book of Revelation. Up until that time, it’s a little confusing. For instance, why would Daniel have a vision that’s exactly like the great image of Nebuchadnezzar’s in Daniel 2, when it has been several years after the death of Nebuchadnezzar? I don’t understand it. It doesn’t make sense. Are these four beasts really Babylon, Medo, Persia, Greece? Well, let me tell you why folks believe that. First of all, we’re told the first beast was like a lion. It was like a lion, but it had eagle’s wings. So right away, I’m a little bit disturbed about the picture of the lion. It’s a little bit different than what is normally describing the nation of Babylon. Now, back to Daniel again, chapter 7. I recognize that it may well be Babylon. I recognize that as a distinct possibility. But as I said, verse 12 still troubles me a little bit. We’re told, for instance, in verse 4, that it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. Now that’s very strange. How in the world do we describe it? If its wings were plucked off… which verse 4 says, it means that something happened to it to lose the speed at which it was conquering. It couldn’t travel as rapidly. And then it says it’s lifted up from the earth as though the beast no longer has a dominating influence. And it sort of turns into a man and a man’s heart was given to it. Now, what’s the point of that? Well, one possible point is that it’s referring to the defeat of the empire and that all it will become is just a voice speaking. All it will become is a political voice in the world saying what it wants to say, but lost its past glory. That would explain verse 12, that the lives were prolonged for a season and a time, that it existed for the time as a great power and a great nation, but its wings were plucked, and all of a sudden it was lifted up from the earth and no longer has the effect it once did, and it winds up being nothing more than a man speaking and acting like he has power when in fact he does not anymore. Thank you. You might be interested to know that there are many, many Bible commentators and teachers, including the great Sir Robert Anderson, who wrote the greatest work on Daniel, former inspector of Scotland Yard, who in fact wrote the greatest study of the 70 weeks of Daniel in Daniel chapter 9 that exists in the world today, that all of us still read. A man who was a tremendous historical person, who knew history like I believe no one in this century has come close to, Sir Robert Anderson said, This can only refer to one thing, and that’s England. I don’t see that in the modern commentaries that deal with the typical Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece interpretation. But I think it’s understandable. England has always been characterized by the lion, and much in its past with a lion in eagle’s wings. And with swiftness, they in fact did have a great colonial empire of which who knows, Australia, Canada, and the United States may well be a part of the prophecy. And when it was plucked up, it does wind up being nothing more than somebody speaking eloquently, frequently in the United Nations and elsewhere. But England was once a great power, and moved with quickness and swiftness. But the wings were plucked, and now winds up being nothing more than a voice speaking, but has very little power. But we did see England exercise some of its power in the Persian Gulf, didn’t we? And our hats go off to them. But certainly not a world empire as it once was. Is everybody interested that we go on? That one alone I thought would get your interest. Number two, we’re told in verse 5 that suddenly another beast, the second like a bear. And many historians point out that that would refer to the suddenness with which the Medo-Persian Empire took Babylon. As we know, it’s recorded back in chapter 5, it fell in one night. And they literally blocked up the Euphrates so the river that flowed through Babylon wasn’t as high as it once was. And they went under that moat and got into the city and into the banquet hall before they knew what had happened and literally took the city in one night. It fell in 539 B.C. So they say that’s what it means, suddenly. Another beast, a second, was like a bear. They say the bear refers to the Medo-Persian Empire. Folks, I have never seen this in all of history. I have never seen the bear being utilized in history of Persia. I just read it in the books like you did and assumed it. But I have that questioning mind. Amen? You go to school, you hear stuff, and you start asking questions. How come Persia herself never referred to itself as a bear? How come we never see that in history? But we all know in history there is a nation who refers itself as a bear. What is it? It is Russia. And the commentators before this century all held unanimously that it was Russia. even before, can you believe it, even before the Bolshevik Revolution, even before the growth of communism and its devastation of the nations of the world and the millions of people who have been assassinated and murdered under the banner of the great Russian bear. It’s very interesting. Now, this kingdom certainly has an unusual characteristic. Verse 5 says it’s raised up on one side. And some say, well, that refers to Persia being greater than Media. That’s just a guess. It says it has three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said, thus to it arise, devour much flesh. So what are the three ribs? If you’re back to the Medo-Persia view, here are the three ribs. The three kingdoms are Lydia, remember Caresis who invented coin money, the wealthy king Caresis, everything he touched turned to gold. Lydia, Babylonia, and Egypt under Cambyses was all conquered by the Medo-Persian Empire. So they say those are the three ribs. You know, it’s almost like if we ever found a fourth one, it would foul us up. Is everybody with me? I want you to think. I want you to think. Did Medo-Persia conquer more provinces than Lydia, Babylonia, and Egypt? And the answer is absolutely. So, are the three ribs Lydia, Babylonia, and Egypt? It’s all guesswork and we don’t know. Absolute guesswork. But what is Daniel talking about over and over again in his prophetic visions? He says the time of the end, and he always describes it before the coming of the great messianic kingdom on earth. It was only back in Daniel chapter 2 that he looked at history from Babylon on for purposes that were in the historical section. But starting with chapter 7, he tells us these are visions that God has given to him in the night. He wrote them down. He didn’t understand them. Is it possible that that the bear refers to Russia. And isn’t it interesting that it doesn’t describe initially the destruction of Russia, does it? And isn’t it interesting in verse 12 once again, but for the rest of the beast they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. Is it not also interesting that that according to the Bible, Russia, in the time of the end, will invade the Middle East. If you will turn, please, to Ezekiel chapter 38 and 39. Some of you are probably saying right now, are you sure, David? Absolutely not. But I’ll tell you one thing. Because of certain details, and you know me, I’m a bear for details. Pardon the illustration of the bear. But because of the details, I cannot sit here and tell you what is lock, stock, and barrel, a standard view, when it doesn’t match with what the Bible says. And I don’t know what I’m saying is right or not. All I’m saying is, I believe these visions, like Daniel said, apply to the time of the end and before the coming of the Messiah to set up his kingdom. So they’re more likely referring to something other than three kingdoms that fell long before Rome was ever in existence. There’s something wrong here. but traditional interpretation. And it doesn’t say the bear was destroyed at all. It indicates it continues in the time of the end. And in Daniel’s prophecy in chapter 11, and also in Ezekiel 38 and 39, we have the presence of the great northern power very active in the time of the end. And I read in Ezekiel 38, verse 5, three nations that are with Israel This invasion of the Russian prince. Persia, Iran, Ethiopia, Sudan, Ethiopia, possibly more, and Libya, which is put in ancient times, Libya. They’re with them. All of them with shield and helmet. But then it adds Gomer and all his troops and house of Togomor from the far north. Many people are with you. But the three that are identified as being with the Russian bear are written right there. The three nations that just happened to vote for Iraq in the Persian Gulf crisis. These prophecies are referring not to ancient time, but to something that’s happening right before the kingdom of the Messiah is set up. And the illustration of the bear, anybody in history can tell you, has been a longstanding, historically longstanding picture of the great northern power we know as Russia or the Soviet Union of today. Well, let’s go back to Daniel again and confuse ourselves even more. Well, you don’t want to miss one of these prophecies. There’s no telling any of these messages how we’re going to come out. Somebody said to me before, well, do you ever think you’ll teach that we get into the tribulation? I’d like to put it another way. If by teaching on prophecy I continue so long that it takes me into the tribulation, I will definitely change my view. You have my word on that. But let’s take a look at the third beast. Verse 6, after this I looked and there was another like a leopard. Now why does everybody think that’s Greece? There’s not one single indication in history that the leopard applies to Greece. Why do they refer it to Greece? Because they see the leopard as a fast animal. So because of Alexander the Great, they moved rapidly and conquered a lot. And also it says… It had four wings of a bird on its back. And because we know that Alexander the Great’s empire was divided in a fourfold way among his generals, by the way, several years after he died, but they finally got together and settled on it. And we have Cassander, who took Macedonia. We have Lysimachus, who took Thrace and Asia Minor. We have Seleucus, who took Syria and Persia. and we have Ptolemy, who took Egypt. And so they say that’s what happened. A four-winged leopard, they say, can move faster than a two-winged lion, back in verse 4. So the point is that the leopard moved more rapidly than Babylon did, and that is true in history in terms of time. Why, in two years, Alexander the Great defeated the whole previous Persian empire, in two years. So is that Medo-Persia that existed before them, and is the leopard with four wings now the breakup of Alexander the Great’s empire? Well, I’ve got a problem with that. Look at verse 6, the last phrase. What does it say? The beast also had four heads. And most of the commentators kind of sweep this all together. The four wings, the four heads, and on they go. But wait a minute. It says the beast also had four heads, as if there’s an additional thought. The heads of the beast certainly represent empires, as it is in the book of Revelation, where we find a beast with seven heads, and on the seventh one we’ve got ten horns. And if they represent empires or kingdoms, then why do they not represent this here? Is it not possible to see that? So who in the world might… be this third beast. Now, some of you are waiting with abated breath. What is he going to say now? I’d like to give you some possibilities. Is it not possible? that this leopard who comes to power in the midst of the continuance of the lion and the bear nation, though not what it perhaps once was, though the bear was never said to collapse, is it not possible that this is something different than what we may have ever thought before? For instance, is it not possible that this refers to some sort of Arab alliance of the end time? Is it not a possibility? Could not the result of handling the difficult Mideast problems result in some sort of an Arab empire with four mighty, powerful nations all looking at the issue of domination and power? Is that not a possibility? And again, come to verse 12, their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. Is it not a possibility? We simply don’t know.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, that’s David Hawking, and this is Hope for Today. David will be back in just a moment or so to bring our time in God’s Word to a close today, so stay tuned. Right now, his son Matt’s with me, and we’re going to share a powerful study resource with you. Matt, what do we have?
SPEAKER 02 :
I enjoy a good drama, a story about real life faith that’s tested and boldly, courageously stands firm to the glory of God. And Daniel is just such a book. Amen. It’s one of my favorites. And not only does it convey a dynamic and encouraging testimony, it also gives prophetic insight to history and the future.
SPEAKER 01 :
It does indeed. And Matt, it makes the case that God is at work. He keeps his word and he will preserve and protect his saints all the way to the wonders of eternity with him.
SPEAKER 02 :
Amen. Well, our featured resource for April is the complete set of 17 messages in our Daniel radio series, covering several weeks on the radio for just $30 on MP3 and $50 on audio CDs.
SPEAKER 01 :
We also want to mention your dad’s book on Daniel. It’s titled Daniel, Prophecies of the Last Days. Daniel spent a rather tense night in the lion’s den, didn’t he? And the book of Daniel has been in the critics’ den ever since. But in defiance of the critics’ doubts, this book of the Bible is so clearly predictive and accurate, absolutely accurate in its prophecies.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, time and again, many of Daniel’s prophetic visions have been fulfilled in stunning and complete detail. Absolutely. This gives us confidence for his God-given vision still to be fulfilled, perhaps in our lifetime. Yeah.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, get your copy of Daniel, Prophecies of the Last Days by David Hawking from Hope for Today. Dynamite pages, an engaging read, and the cost is just $20.
SPEAKER 02 :
You know, this book will build your joy and faith. It will. And your purchase will help us continue the radio and online ministry of Hope for Today.
SPEAKER 01 :
A purchase or a donation makes you a vital member of this ministry team. Please prayerfully consider joining the team. Now, if you’d like to let us know how we can pray for you, we invite you to reach out. Our address is Hope for Today, Box 3927, Tustin, California, 92781. And Tustin is spelled T-U-S-T-I-N, and that’s in the U.S. Or in Canada, write to Hope for Today, Box 15011, RPO, Seven Oaks, Abbotsford, B.C., V2S, H, P1. And we count it a privilege to pray for you. Once again, here’s David.
SPEAKER 03 :
Thanks for listening today. We’re in chapter 7 of Daniel, and my, what a vision of these four beasts. The fourth one we haven’t said much about yet, but we did on the broadcast. I believe that’s referring to Rome. It was called dreadful, terrible, exceedingly strong, and it had huge iron teeth, according to Daniel, that said devours the whole earth. And there was a confederacy that made it up of 10 horns, and that is really crucial. And what we have here is is the empires of world history setting up the entrance of a little horn. Now, his coming is mentioned in verse 8, and we need to understand that what the little horn is all about is the Antichrist himself. And it’s a really interesting verse. It says, 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. Well, that’s the Antichrist, all right. Plan to be with us for our next broadcast. We’re going to continue this study and focus on that little horn. Are you looking for a way to be used of the Lord? Well, I know one way, and that’s to support Hope for Today. It’s just reaching thousands of people. Your prayers and your contributions make it possible for us to bring you these programs, as well as air them all over the world via radio and internet television. The Lord works through listeners just like you to make it happen. Giving is easy. Head over to our website, davidhawking.org, and you can donate right there, and it’s secure. Or you can call us at 1-800-75-BIBLE. Or if you’re in Canada, it’s 1-888-75-BIBLE. And thanks in advance.
SPEAKER 01 :
Friend, if like David said, you’d like to donate today, this will really help us to keep teaching God’s Word without compromise. Every gift you give, large or small, goes directly to keeping this program on the air, to funding our global streaming. providing free resources for new believers and reaching people who are desperate for the truth of God’s Word. God’s Word powerfully changes lives, doesn’t it? And as a ministry, we don’t have corporate backers or big church budgets behind us. We rely on the generosity of listeners just like you. So if God is putting this ministry, Hope for Today, on your heart, visit davidhawking.org and click on the Donate button. That’s davidhawking.org. Or call us at 800-75-BIBLE in the U.S. or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. Bible by the Numbers, 24253. Well, in our next broadcast, don’t miss day three of our message in Daniel chapter seven, Vision of the Four Beasts. It’s another powerful look at God’s plan for the nations and for the future. And do invite a friend to listen along with you as we bring you the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible right here on Hope for Today. Hope for Today
Join us as we navigate the complexities of biblical prophecies through the lens of Daniel, interpreted and challenged by modern perspectives. Could these ancient symbols suggest current global superpowers? We explore historical and current events as potential fulfillments of prophetic scriptures, posing questions about their significance in today’s world. Alongside biblical insights from Ezekiel and Daniel, uncover what these ancient texts can tell us about the future that lies ahead.
