Ok and that's fine. Below I am going to cut / paste a discussion from my commentary on Daniel for verses 7:2-6 and ask that you might read it and consider the thoughts within it. We can discuss if you would like or let me know your thoughts before and or if we move on to the next few verses. I have to send this to you in two separate posts since it is too long to be sent here in one posting.
Part 1
Daniel 7:2-6
2Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. 3And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. 4The 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. 5And 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. 6After 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.
In Daniel's dream sequence, four winds stir up the sea. In scripture, winds often symbolize conflict, war, or turmoil, while the sea represents Gentile peoples or nations. Consequently, God is revealing to Daniel that from the first beast through the fourth beast, there will be no peace on earth. In verses 2–7, Daniel sees four beasts coming out of the sea (the Gentile nations). The four kingdoms are no longer depicted as distinct parts of a man, constructed and distinguished by four different types of metal. Instead, they are symbolized as separate wild animals that can easily be identified on the earth (with the exception of the fourth beast, which cannot be likened to any known animal). This reveals that each kingdom is unique and separate, with no "bleeding" of actors or events between them – no different than the four distinct metals in Chapter 2.
The first three beasts in Daniel's vision are a lion, a bear, and a leopard. The fourth and final beast is a horrible, almost indescribable creature with iron teeth. This contrasts sharply with the symbols in Chapter 2, which show how man views the world from the outside, believing his success comes from his own strength. In Chapter 2, the focus is on physical, worldly material things, political and military structures, and hierarchies—all tangible and produced through human faculties. The beasts in Chapter 7, however, represent the internal characteristics and inherent nature of these kingdoms, providing a deeper and more symbolic depiction of their true essence.
The use of animals in Chapter 7 serves to illustrate how God perceives the inner nature of humanity. It highlights mankind's lack of compassion and concern for others, as well as their failure to seek God in all matters. The depiction of man's spirit or soul as no better than that of an animal suggests a primal, selfish nature focused solely on satisfying carnal desires. Although Chapter 7 will follow the same guidelines and constraints established in Chapter 2, there will be a departure relative to the fourth beast or kingdom.
In this chapter, greater emphasis and weight will be given to the fourth kingdom, and the language will show a serious shift from the physical to the spiritual. Consequently, our interpretations must follow the same path.
In Daniel's vision, the first kingdom is symbolized by a lion, representing Babylon, particularly during Nebuchadnezzar's reign. This choice of symbol aligns with Babylon's prominence and power during that era. The addition of eagle's wings further emphasizes the regal nature of the kingdom, likening it to the king of all birds. These symbols find resonance in Babylon's historical conquests, as Nebuchadnezzar extended his empire by subduing numerous kingdoms and nations. However, the imagery of the eagle's wings being plucked from the lion foreshadows Nebuchadnezzar's period of insanity, during which he would be humbled by divine intervention.
In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the second kingdom is represented by the chest and arms of silver, but in Daniel’s vision, it is depicted as a bear favoring one side and having three ribs in its mouth. The bear symbolizes great strength and the ability to overpower its prey. The favoring of one side is commonly understood to represent the combination of the Medes and Persian kingdoms, with the Persian Empire being the dominant force. Isaiah 45:1 predicts the conquest of Babylon by the Medes-Persians. Many believe the three ribs symbolize the three major kingdoms conquered by the Medes-Persians, and this interpretation is widely accepted. However, the verse also mentions that these three ribs are held in the bear's mouth and between its teeth, and then the bear is commanded to arise and devour much flesh. This detail suggests that there may be more to this interpretation, potentially indicating ongoing conquests and the voracious nature of this empire.
Focusing on the order of these comments, it can be interpreted as follows: The bear, representing the Mede-Persian kingdom, conquered three major kingdoms at the time: Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt. The Medes-Persians were known for their ability to overpower and take control of their enemies, but unlike the earlier Assyrian Empire, they did not practice widespread destruction of cities, agriculture, and populations. Instead, the Medes-Persians did not completely consume or obliterate the "bones" or all traces of the conquered kingdoms, indicating a more strategic and less destructive approach to their conquests.
In the case of Babylon, there was no massacre of the Babylonians or destruction of the famous city. Instead, the Medes and Persians retained control of these kingdoms with a firm grip—symbolized by the bear's teeth. The conquered peoples were well aware that any disobedience could result in swift and severe punishment. Therefore, the command to "Arise and devour much flesh" might seem unnecessary. This statement could be interpreted as highlighting the difference between the Medes-Persians and their later Persian successors.
While the former conquered and maintained control through strategic dominance, the later Persians, especially under Xerxes, exhibited an insatiable desire to conquer more territories. Darius, Cyrus, and the Medes-Persians were chosen by God to fulfill a specific mission within His plan of salvation. The mission of the Medes-Persians was to allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem, not to devour or consume them. They were held firmly but safely by the powerful "bear arms" of the Medes-Persians. After the Jews' return, the later Persian kingdoms, under different leadership, would have the freedom to conquer and devour without restriction. This distinction serves as a reminder that God is always in control and that He specifically set apart the Medes-Persians, ruled by Darius and Cyrus, from the subsequent Persian kingdoms.
The last phrase "arise and devour much flesh" may hold additional significance. God could be conveying that the mission He assigned to each kingdom has been fulfilled and that a subsequent event, not a mission-related one, will occur before that kingdom transitions to the next. This phrase marks the end of the second kingdom, and hints at the insatiable conquests that would follow. This pattern is also evident at the end of the third kingdom, ensuring that even after Alexander the Great completes his divinely appointed mission and passes away, the third kingdom continues for some time. God has not only chosen these four kingdoms but has also specifically selected key figures within each to fulfill roles in His plan of salvation. Importantly, there is no overlap of actors or events between the kingdoms. Each kingdom remains distinct, and God's plan accounts for ongoing activities within their respective borders.
