July 20: A FOURTH BEAST: INDESCRIBABLY DREADFUL

“After this, I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful, and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.” Daniel 7:7

The Holy Spirit of God allowed Daniel to behold the earthly entity that would overpower Greece. Unlike the animals that had aptly symbolized Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece, Daniel was at a loss for words as he sought for a symbolic representation of the fourth beast. No animal found in nature would suffice. Instead, Daniel selected three adjectives, two physical features, three activities, and a general statement that it was different from all the beasts that were before it (more on this below). Daniel’s prophetic view projected forward, and his descriptive words would—down through the ages—help his fellow believers to make sense of what was happening in the course of time.

With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, along with recorded secular and Biblical history, we can know without a doubt that this fourth entity is Rome. Both a city and an empire, it also later manifested as a church. This indescribable beast had huge iron teeth. This brings to mind the fourth section of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue: legs of iron (2:33). Iron is even stronger and harder than bronze; also less costly. Utilizing the abundance of iron, the ever-growing Roman war machine was well-equipped. The Roman Republic had begun rampaging through the western side of the Old World, and by 168BC had violently dismantled the Macedonian monarchy. Many historians consider this the year of official dominance; and the rampage continued eastward, where divided Greece crumbled under the iron weight of Rome. The processes of annexation and absorption of territories highlighted Rome in the eyes of the world as the dominant world power by 30BC. The activities described as devouring and breaking in pieces are painfully accurate.

The action of trampling the residue with its feet is a fitting description of Roman policy. Those in conquered areas who were not killed were either used or sold as slaves. The greatness of Rome’s power to destroy far surpassed the previous three kingdoms that had ruled the world. This trampling the residue with its feet was to become a continued characteristic, both in the days that Jesus walked the earth and in the time of the struggling, fledgling church. Even more dreadful and terrible, it would usurp the identity of the church for itself. As for the ten horns, Rome, as an empire, would fall in 476AD and be carved up from within into ten smaller kingdoms who would be controlled for a lengthy but limited time by the medieval Roman church. The Roman entity was indeed a city, an empire, and a church. Thus, it was different from all the beasts that were before it.

Those who are yielded to Christ need not be made fearful by prophetic revelations. The Lord sees what will happen and tells us about it, so that we can know and make wise decisions. Praise Him for His transparency! (see Amos 3:7)

“Remember the former things of old, for I am God and there is no other; I am God and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure.’” Isaiah 46:9-10