First, my article was not intended to be a treatise on all the beasts mentioned in Daniel. It was only meant to deal with the rise of Islam and possible developments concerning the destruction of the three horns (nations) mentioned in Daniel 7.
However, I can understand the concern of the brother who prepared the critique who obviously feels that the other beasts should be considered if the context of the Daniel’s fourth beast is to be understood. It may be helpful, therefore, if I explain where I am coming from.
There are three basic premises underlying my thoughts on the rise of Islam, and the matter of the three horns which I have suggested are part of the rise of Islam:
- a) I believe that Revelation is primarily a view of the future, not an historic view of world events, and particularly concerns events in Israel and the Middle-East.
- This view may have the immediate effect of “turning off” the brother in question, as it was the view of Bro. Thomas and many other Bible commentators of his time, and also today, that Revelation should be seen in an historic context.
- Nonetheless, it is my view that Revelation can be viewed from a future perspective, not solely an historic one. There are scriptural reasons for this, and I would be happy to present them further if necessary.
- b) I believe all prophecy about the latter days is Israel/Jerusalem centered.
- c) The visions of Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel and the beast of Revelation are all descriptions of the powers which have persecuted and oppressed Israel over the centuries (3,500 years).
The base scriptural passage about these persecuting powers is found in Revelation:
“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is to ascend from the bottomless pit and go to perdition; and the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will marvel to behold the beast, because it was and is not and is to come. This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain only a little while. As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to perdition” (Rev 17:8-11,RSV).
It is suggested that the seven kings mentioned here are the seven powers that have persecuted Israel since their time in Egypt: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, Islam.
The beast that was and is not (the eighth) belongs to Islam (the seventh), and is likely to be the long awaited Mahdi of the Islamic world. When Nebuchadnezzar had his dream, two of those powers had already passed — Egypt and Assyria, so the vision commences with Babylon.
Similarly, Daniel’s vision of chapter 7 (the four beasts) was given right at the end of the Babylonian oppression, and just before Babylon was taken over by the Medo Persians. Therefore, the first beast is Medo-Persia, not Babylon:
Lion — Medo-Persia
Bear — Greece
Leopard — Rome
4th beast — Islam
The Roman Empire was the oppressing power when John wrote Revelation (as instructed by Jesus). Thus, John wrote that “five kings have fallen” (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece), “one is” (Rome), “and the other has not yet come” (Islam).
The woman who sits on the beast
There is little doubt that the woman is the Roman Catholic Church, or the Roman Catholic Church and Europe acting together. It is not inconceivable that The Roman Catholic Church will work with Islam. In fact, the Church has already set up a dialogue with Islam to see how they can best work together.
Revelation 17:16 tells us that the beast will destroy the woman. (i.e. Islam will destroy the Roman Catholic Church and perhaps Europe as well). This suggests that Islam will use the Roman Catholic Church in achieving its aim of dominant rule in Europe, and when it no longer needs the church, it will destroy it.
Judgments on the nations
If the futurist approach to Revelation is correct, then the judgements on the nations described in Revelation 8, 9 and 16 will be carried out by Jesus immediately on his return.
The beast is future: For the beast to make war on the Lamb, the beast (Islam) has to be in existence when Jesus returns.
Closing comment
I appreciate that the views expressed above (albeit briefly) are not our traditional views on prophetic interpretation of latter day events. However, I believe them to be soundly based on scripture. My views on Revelation are contained in a book available online at bibleprophecy.bigpondhosting.com/rev/index
Whatever interpretive view we take on latter day events, it does not diminish or change our strongly held fundamental belief in the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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