Insights In Prophecy

Transcription

1 FOUR WORLD MILITARY POWERS OF THE APPOINTED TIMES-- PART I Read Learn How The Creatures of Prophecy Foretold of Modern Nations Discover If America Is Found In Bible Prophecy The characters and events which Daniel saw in vision are repeated in the book of Revelation in sometimes similar but often different symbolism. For example, the topics in Daniel 7 are closely connected to events in Revelation chapters 4 to 6. Revelation 4 and 5 give account of proceedings in the heavenly Temple (just as we'll find later in Daniel 7), while chapter 6 offers John's first description of earthly events which will occur at the end of time as seen in the first few verses of Daniel 7. In Revelation 6 the Lamb (Christ) opened the first seal of the closed book and one of the four living creatures summoned the White Horse which galloped onto the world scene. Another living creature introduced the Red Horse; the third a Black Horse, and the fourth living creature called forth the Pale Horse. Our study will show that the four horses of Revelation are John's counterpart to the four animal creatures of Daniel 7, all of which are end-time governments. Before we attempt to understand what or who is represented in the four animals of Daniel 7, we should consider the Biblical references to the four horses. Revelation gathers much of its symbolism from the Old Testament and the book of Zechariah also contains fourteen chapters filled with end-time predictions. There we find the four colored horses, representative of military power, later discovered in Revelation 6 which John used to illustrate world forces on earth. Four Colored Horses 1. According to Zechariah 6:2-5, what are the four colors of the four horses? 2. Zechariah asked, "What are these, my lord?" The angel replied, "These are the four of heaven, going out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole world." In both the NIV and KJV translations of the Bible, the reference margins give the alternate reading "winds". In other words, the "four winds" are four heavenly intelligences who stand beside God in a holy alliance. 3. Ezekiel said the same four living creatures he saw with chariot-like wheels were extremely loud (3:13). What did the prophet associate with the noise? Correspondingly, the prophet Isaiah (6:2) also saw the four creatures in the heavenly Temple, but he called them four "seraphs," or four angels, each with six wings. He described them as having four heads and they could travel in any direction without turning around. As they rise in flight, their massive wings stir the air of heaven with awesome force creating great winds. -1-

2 4. Revelation 4:6-8 describes the same four-headed angelic creatures. What are their most identifiable characteristics? John later describes these four creatures. He writes (Revelation 7:1-3), "I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." Near the end of time God's 144,000 will be sealed for protection before the world's great militaries marshal their forces for the last great battle. The four powerful angels symbolize heaven's control over earth's governments and armies. 5. How do we know that God Almighty is in control of earthly powers (Daniel 2:21)? God removes leaders and sets up leaders that His plan will eventually be accomplished. 6. What does the sea and water represent in Bible prophecy (Isaiah 17:12-13; Jeremiah 6:23; Revelation 17:15? The various nations and peoples of the world are portrayed. Therefore, Daniel recognizes that the four powers will emerge out of populated regions of the world. The "great sea" is stirred to bring about four powerful end-time governmental beasts. 7. What are the four living creatures who have power over land and sea called (Daniel 7:2-3)? The Bible depicts the four powerful living creatures with four heads and six massive wings... surrounding the throne and ready at a moment's notice to follow God's commands. The Father bids them to stir up the political powers of the earth in Daniel 7:2. In similar fashion, when the four horses of Revelation 6 are introduced we find the same four living creatures calling forth horse and rider into view. We are left with one conclusion: the four horses of Revelation 6:1-8 represent the same end-time governments that the four animals of Daniel 7:1-7 symbolize because both sets of animals are introduced by the same four mighty angels, or the "four winds of heaven". With that in mind, let's begin to study the vision Daniel received about the four end-time powers, which may well descend in order of their tolerance of God's people. Lion With Eagle's Wings 8. According to Daniel 7:4, the first animal creature that Daniel saw, described as the noblest of beasts and birds, might represent what county (or countries) today? The Lion could represent the stalwart Great Britain, that is closely connected historically and strategically to the world's mightiest power with eagle's wings, the United States. Prophecy may be illustrating this dominant alliance between the two countries, or specifically the United States of America. -2-

3 9. What happens to the Eagle wings of the Lion? The wings will be plucked off, and the Lion will be lifted from the ground. This may foretell America's collapse as the primary world power. Her sudden downfall may occur by military defeat, natural disasters, financial collapse, and social disorder. All of these woes will come upon America due to her spiritual and moral decline these last 60 years. 10. Daniel 7:4 says that after the wings are torn off, what happens? The Lion is lifted from the ground so that it stands on two feet like a man, and the heart of a man is given to it. In the research of prophecy we cannot overlook critical details that might seem on the surface to be insignificant. Many commentators have thought the symbolism of prophecy too mysterious to offer relevant applications, but in our study we will attempt to explain the unexplainable by comparing Daniel, Revelation and other crucial predictions in the Word of God. Our endeavor is to provide reasonable and thoughtful considerations. Daniel saw the wings being torn off the Lion, then the Lion is made to stand up on two human feet and a man's heart is given it. This is by design. Prophecy declares "take notice!"--"look for the human element, an end-time personality" that will rise to power from the United Kingdom or America. He could be some famous individual, or a totally mysterious personality. We don't know yet. However, we know that when an animal or animal parts take on human qualities, the Hebrew prophecy is introducing an individual of prominence because Daniel introduces the little horn (Antichrist) in similar fashion (Daniel 7:8) the horn that acquires human eyes and man's mouth. In both cases (Daniel 7:4, 8), animals (or animal parts) take on human characteristics. Daniel is describing the two evil rulers as found in the prophecies of Revelation 13--the False Prophet and Beast. Thus, Daniel's prophecy is pointing out in subtle terms the False Prophet will emerge from the United States or the United Kingdom. As we have studied, the first animal that Daniel sees in vision is the Lion with Eagle's Wings. In Revelation 6:1-2, the first animal John views after the first of the seven sealed scroll (the scroll of Daniel) is broken is the White Horse with a rider who has a bow of strength and crown of dominion. He goes forth conquering. This certainly is true of the American/British alliance--the notable military powers and police force of the world. Now we will consider the second animal that Daniel saw in vision. Bear With Three Ribs Daniel 7:5 introduces the second animal, the Bear, which is inferior to the first, but next in the list of formidable beasts. 11. How is this creature described? The Bear was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, "Get up and eat your fill of [human] flesh!" -3-

4 The Bear was raised up on one side denoting either an injured animal moving lopsided, unstable and unbalanced, or a mad fighting Bear rearing up to strike. Symbolized in the Bear is a national power to be reckoned with in our modern world--the Russian Federation. Daniel saw three ribs in the Bear's mouth, just as the shepherd recovers pieces of a victim from the lion's mouth in Amos 3:12. An optional Hebrew translation is "tusks"--signifying three horn-like shapes representative of countries, as noted online: Bertholdt understands this of fangs or tusks - or fangs crooked or bent like ribs, p Therefore, the Old Soviet Union may indeed destroy three nations and devour much "human" flesh. This would seem to indicate a massive calculated attack, for the Bear will rise up in attack mode to abruptly destroy three countries. In Lesson 5 we will closely example why the devastation will likely occur among the 10 voting Member-States of the Western Europe Union military alliance, just recently desolved. 12. In Revelation 6:3-4 we find John's counterpart. What is the horse's color and what does the rider do? The red horse and rider are given power to take peace from the earth. He is given a great sword. Russia's great sword could level thousands of structures in a moment of time, and leave behind unimaginable death and suffering. World peace would be forever shattered. For decades during the Cold War, the Soviets were believed to be a threat to global peace. Since her economic fall and opened borders, many politicians have proclaimed a post-cold War peace. However, Russia may be a greater threat today than before the fall of Communism. She is divided and suffering from internal strife, and her nuclear arsenal may already be in hostile hands. The Bible points to the Russian Federation as the instigator of end-time tragedy. The Bear will strike out as a powerful grizzly strikes its prey and will "uproot" (Daniel 7:8) three countries. Out of this upheaval prophecy warns the little horn (Antichrist) will rise up with boastful mouth and traveling feet, and begin to rule with great authority. In Summary... Daniel has acquainted us with two animal creatures that represent end-time powers in our world: the British/American Lion With Eagle's Wings, and the Soviet Bear. Of particular concern is the prediction that the Bear will rise up and devour much human flesh. Many scoffers say the world is just like it always has been from the beginning (2 Peter 3:3-4). People are pursuing everyday lives with eating, drinking and wedding celebrations, engaged in careers and climbing the ladder of success, but suddenly indescribable catastrophe will strike with a sickening jolt. From that day forward, survival will be the primary concern of nearly every man, woman and child on Planet Earth. Knowing prophecy will provide the avenue for our spiritual survival at a time when demonic powers will be released to deceive and destroy. Could the Russians cause such unspeakable brutality? The Bible registers a resounding, "YES!" Not only does the Bear have such strength, but Heaven warns she will lash out with one powerful swipe of her paw. Weapons of mass destruction have been held in check for decades, but Satan will release his buried weapons of genocide and the world will never be the same again. -4-

5 When nuclear weapons mushroom, the world will hold its breath in fear. Could this be the end? Could the whole planet go up in smoke? At that moment Satan will unleash his wave of deception. Having provoked war and unspeakable human suffering he will then supplied the miraculous, almost celestial, solution--the counterfeit savior of all mankind. Through deceptions and phenomenon in the heavens and around the globe, Satan will employ demonic apparitions (ghost-like representations) such as the Virgin Mary to stop the slaughter and propose world peace. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 warns, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light, therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works," (KJV). The boastful little horn will be introduced and the road will be paved--the road of illusion that will seduce nearly the whole world into taking the mark of the beast. Many religious leaders will succumb to the craftiness of Satan, while disregarding the plain Word of God, "Thus saith the Lord." Mankind's destiny will be sealed forever; they will go into destruction without God, their Creator and King, who is about to reign. -5-