July 26: THE FOURTH BEAST/THE LITTLE HORN

“Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet;” Daniel 7:19

The initial introduction of the fourth beast had been very disturbing. Daniel was astonished by it and wanted more insight into this different and exceedingly dreadful entity that would devour, break in pieces, and trample. And we find a new and significant detail along with the other characteristics: nails of bronze. This mention is an indicator that the preceding empire, symbolized by bronze, has a lingering influence in the life of the fourth beast. Specifically, this would be a blend of Greek philosophy and Egyptian mysticism. Alexander the Great, raised on Greek philosophy (Aristotle was his teacher), also nurtured a fascination with the Egyptians’ preoccupation with death and the occult, the afterlife and the idea of the immortal soul. He established the city of Alexandria in Egypt, for the explicit purpose of building libraries to house the writings of Greek philosophy and Egyptian occultism. They grew into influential centers of learning that still have a worldwide impact today. In Daniel’s dream, this influence is represented by nails of bronze because of its ongoing damage to the gospel message. The massive, sprawling empire that followed Greece was undoubtedly Rome.

“and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.” (v.20)

Remember that the other horn which came up from littleness was among (v.8) the original ten. A horn is symbolic of power, and it was communicated to Daniel that this little horn steadily succeeded in gaining power. The spirit of antichrist was at work within the Roman system to oppose the message and the Messenger of salvation.

“I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.” (vv.21-22)

The year that Rome destroyed the last vestige of Greek political dominance was 168BC. These two verses illustrate that the little horn, which began to manifest at that time, will maintain its presence until the second coming of Christ. This power was working to destroy Christ and Christianity from the outside. Its tentacles also reached to the ‘inside’ to mislead Jewish leaders regarding the law of God, the identity of Christ, and the establishment of His kingdom.

Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 1 John 2:18