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A Study Of The Prophetic Visions Of DanielLesson Nine-Chapter 7 – The Vision Of The Four Beasts – Part One
Daniel 7:16-17 - I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. [17] These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth
As we have stated before the prophetical visions of Daniel concern world events from his day to the second coming of Christ and the eternal kingdom of the God of Heaven. These visions are all interpreted by God to the prophet and are plainly recorded so there can be no misunderstanding as to any detail.
Each vision in the book that bears Daniel’s name is given is such a fashion that we as the reader are given new light on each preceding vision. In the second chapter, which we have thoroughly discussed, we saw 4 main kingdoms that have played a role in Israel’s past and also two that will play a role in her future. There are actually three kingdoms that are still to play a major role but the vision of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue only dealt with two. The one that is not mentioned yet in this proceeding prophetic vision is actually the Kingdom of Antichrist itself – the EIGHTH KINGDOM that will be Revised Grecia.
In this lesson we turn our attention to Daniel’s second prophetic vision – the vision of the four beasts recorded in the seventh chapter.
In Dan. 2 God shows the Gentile world kingdoms to Nebuchadnezzar from the human standpoint, as a great and beautiful metallic image. In Dan. 7 God shows Daniel the same kingdoms from the standpoint of ferocious wild beasts. The beasts are symbols of kingdoms as is clearly stated in Dan. 7:17. "These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth."
To state again a key principle of studying Bible prophecy, all Scriptural language is to be taken literally when it is at all possible, or unless there is some clearly stated reason that the language is not to be taken literally. Even all the figurative language is to be interpreted by that which is literal. That the language in the visions of Dan. 7 and 8 are symbolic is clear from the fact that both of these chapters are interpreted for us in detail by an angel from Heaven.
Man's interpretation is no more necessary than it is in understanding Dan. 2 concerning the metals of the image. All anyone has to do is to accept God's own interpretation and every symbol in these chapters will be clear. Winds in symbolic passages denote wars, strife, and judgments from God (Jer. 25:32-33; Rev. 7:1-3 with 8:7-13; Dan.7:1-3). Seas represent peoples (Rev. 17:15). Beasts represent kingdoms and rulers (Dan. 7:17, 23-24; 8:20-23; Rev. 13:1-18; 17:8-17). Heads represent kingdoms (Dan. 7:6; 8:20-23; Rev. 17:8-17), and horns represent kings or rulers of kingdoms (Dan. 7:23-24; Rev. 17:12-17). The vision itself is recorded in Dan. 7:1-14 and the interpretation is given in Dan. 7:15-28.
Daniel 7:1-14 - The first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. [2] Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. [3] And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. [4] The 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. [5] And 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. [6] After 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. [7] After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. [8] I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. [9] I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. [10] A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. [11] I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. [12] As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. [13] I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. [14] And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. Let’s look at the vision and break it down by each beast first then we will deal with each verse in detail. The vision is simply given to Daniel and stated without discussion. The four beasts shown to him were a LION, a BEAR, a HE-GOAT, and a beast we will call a NON-DESCRIPT beast because it was so terrible in appearance Daniel was left speechless.
THE LION (Dan. 7:4, 12, 17)
Daniel 7:4 The 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.
Daniel 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
Daniel 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
The lion symbolizes Babylon, the same as the head of gold on the image of Dan. 2:38-46. This is clear from the fact that the four beasts symbolize four kingdoms from Daniel's day on to the eternal Kingdom of God (Dan. 7:17-25).
Daniel 7:17-25 - These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. [18] But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. [19] Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; [20] And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. [21] I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; [22] Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. [23] Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. [24] And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. [25] And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
The vision was seen during the reign of Belshazzar, king of Babylon, and the first beast would naturally represent this kingdom that was in existence when Daniel saw the vision, just as this was true of the first kingdom represented by the metals of the image in Dan. 2:38-46. The wings on the lion symbolize the swiftness of the conquests of the Chaldeans as stated in Hab. 1:6-8; Ezek. 17:1-24.
Habakkuk 1:6-8 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs. [7] They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves. [8] Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that haste to eat.
Ezekiel 17:1-4 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel; [3] And say, Thus saith the Lord God; A great eagle with great wings, long winged, full of feathers, which had divers colors, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar: [4] He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffic; he set it in a city of merchants.
These wings were plucked and the lion stood on its feet as a man, which represents that Babylon no longer was strong as a lion that could rush upon its prey like an eagle and devour it. A man's heart—weak and faint—took the place of a lion's strength. Such was the case of Babylon at the end when she was given over to wealth and luxury as seen in Dan. 5. Babylon is also pictured as a lion in Jer. 4:7; 50:17, 43, 44. Since the first beast represents Babylon, the other three naturally represent Mede-Persia, Greece, and Rome that succeeded Babylon.
THE BEAR (Dan. 7:5, 12, 17)
Daniel 7:5 And 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.
Daniel 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
Daniel 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
The bear symbolizes Mede-Persia the same as the silver in the image of Dan. 2. It raised itself up on one side representing the greater military strength and influence of the Persians. The three ribs in its mouth represent the Mede-Persian conquests of Lydia, Babylonia, and Egypt. This kingdom of Mede-Persia is mentioned in Dan. 5:24-31; 6:1-28; 7:5, 17; 8:1-4,20; 10:1-20; 11:1-2; Isa. 13:17-22; 21:2; 2 Kings 17: 6; 18: 11; Esther 2:6.
The changing of dominating world empires is seen in Daniel chapter 5.
THE LEOPARD (Dan. 7:6, 12, 17)
Daniel 7:6 After 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.
Daniel 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
Daniel 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
The leopard symbolizes Grecia the same as the brass in the image of Dan. 2. It had four wings of a fowl representing the swiftness of the conquests of Alexander, therein being similar to the lion above. It also had four heads that represent the four divisions of the empire after the death of Alexander, as we shall see later on in this lesson. This kingdom is mentioned in Dan. 2:32, 35, 39, 45; 7:6, 17; 8:5-25; 10:20; 11:3-45; Zech. 8:13.
THE NON-DESCRIPT BEAST (Dan. 7:7-8, 17-27)
Daniel 7:7-8 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. [8] I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Daniel 7:17-27 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. [18] But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. [19] Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; [20] And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. [21] I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; [22] Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. [23] Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. [24] And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. [25] And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. [26] But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. [27] And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
This beast symbolizes Rome the same as the iron in the image of Dan. 2. It had great iron teeth and was very strong for it broke in pieces all the beasts that were before it. It had ten horns and later on another little horn, making eleven altogether (Dan. 7:23-24). This little horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and spake very great things (Dan. 7:8, 19-24). The beast itself symbolizes the old Roman Empire (Dan 7:7-8, 23-24; Rom. 11:48). The ten horns and the "little horn" symbolize different truths as seen below.
(5) THE TEN HORNS (Dan. 7:8, 20, 24)
Daniel 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Daniel 7:20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
Daniel 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
The ten horns symbolize ten kingdoms out of the territory of the Old Roman Empire that shall arise in the last days and be in existence at the time of the second coming of Christ. The ten horns will make the fifth kingdom dealt with in this chapter. They correspond to the ten toes on the image of Dan. 2 and the ten horns on the beast and dragon in Rev. 12:3; 13:1-4; 17:8-17, for they all exist at the same time and are destroyed the same way and by the same person.
Rev. 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Rev. 13:1-4 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. [2] And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. [3] And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. [4] And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
Rev. 17:8-17 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. [9] And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. [10] And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. [11] And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. [12] And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. [13] These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. [14] These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. [15] And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. [16] And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. [17] For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
According to the above Scriptures there will be ten kingdoms formed inside the old Roman Empire instead of one empire. Some teach that the Roman Empire will be revived as one vast empire ruled by the Antichrist. We can call these ten kingdoms the Revised Roman Empire for it will be the present twenty-three states inside the Roman Empire territory brought down to ten kingdoms ruled by ten kings.
Then and then only can the Antichrist come, as we shall see in the next point. That these ten kingdoms are yet in the future is proved in Rev. 17:12-17. In this passage the ten kings fight against Christ at His second advent, so they must be latter day kings instead of ten barbarous tribes that overran the Roman Empire in the third, fourth, and fifth centuries, as some teach.
The Little Horn (Dan. 7:8, 20-27)
Daniel 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Daniel 7:20-27 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. [21] I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; [22] Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. [23] Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. [24] And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. [25] And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. [26] But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. [27] And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
Dan. 7:24 states that, "The ten horns out of this kingdom [the fourth, Rome] are ten kings that shall arise: and ANOTHER shall arise AFTER them; and he shall be diverse from the first [the ten], and he shall subdue three kings [of the ten]." This will give him four of the ten kings. The other six of the ten will agree to give their power to this "little horn" and he will form the eighth kingdom of Rev. 17:8-17.
It is clear that this "little horn" arises "AFTER" the ten horns and not "BEFORE" them and that he does not have a thing to do with causing the rise of the ten. He does not revise the Roman Empire and is not on the scene of action until after the ten kingdoms are fully formed. These facts preclude then any discussion the Antichrist is already ruling over the earth. The sensational writings of men that some historical man will be the future Antichrist is unscriptural, and cause much confusion.
The ten horns are the last form of the old Roman Empire and are within the same territory. They were first seen on the beast before Daniel saw the "little hornet come up out of the ten. Daniel said, "As I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn" (Dan. 7:8). This "little horn" is yet in the future and is the same as the "beast" in Rev. 13 as proved in the following:
A. Both are conquerors (Dan. 7:8, 20-24; Rev. 6:1-2). B. Both speak blasphemies (Dan. 7:8,20-26; Rev. 13:5). C. Both prevail against saints (Dan. 7:21-25; Rev. 13:7). D. Both control the ten horns (Dan. 7:20-25; Rev. 13:1; 17:12-14). E. Both change the times and laws (Dan. 7:11,21-27; Rev. 13:17). F. Both are slain and given to the burning flame by the same person and at the same time (Dan. 2:44-45; 7:9-11, 18, 25-27; Rev. 19:11-21). G. Both reign over the ten horns "until the Ancient of days came . . . and the saints possessed the kingdom" (Dan. 2:44-45; 7:8-11, 18, 21-22, 25-27; Rev. 17: 12-14; 19:11-21). H. Both are destroyed at the second coming of Christ (Dan. 2:44-45; 7:9-14; Rev. 19:11-21). I. Both continue for the same length of time (Dan. 7:25; Rev. 11:2-3; 12:6, 14- 13:5- 19:11-21). J. Immediately following both, the Kingdom of Heaven is set up (Dan. 2:44-45; 9-14, 21-27; Luke 1:32-35; Isa. 9:6-7; Rev. 19:11-21-20:1-6). K. Both come out of the ten kingdoms and subdue three others (Dan. 7:7-8, 23-24; 8:8-9, 20-24- Rev. 6:1-2; 13:1-5; 17:12-17). L. Both rise "after" the ten horns (Dan. 7:7-8, 23-24; 8:23; Rev. 13:1-7; 17:12-17). M. Both are kings of fierce countenance (Dan. 7:8-25; 8:23; Rev. 13:1-18; 17:12-17, 2 Thess. 2:8-12). N. Both cause craft to prosper (Dan. 7:8, 20-26; 8:25; 2 Thess. 2:4-12; Rev. 13:1-18). O. Both exalt themselves (Dan. 7:8, 20-26; 8:25; 2 Thess. 2:4-12; Rev. 13: 1-18). P. Both fight against Christ at His coming (Dan. 7:20-25; 8:25; Rev. 17:12-17; 19:11-21; 2 Thess. 2:8-12). Q. Both shall be destroyed "without hand" (Dan. 2:44,45; 7:9-11, 22-27; 8:25; Rev. 19:11-21; 2 Thess. 2:8-12). R. Both do according to their own will for the same length of time (Dan. 7:25; 8:24; 11:36; 2 Thess. 2:8-12; Rev. 13:5-7). S. Both will be alive at the second coming of Christ (Dan. 7:11, 8:22-25; 9:27 11:40-45; 2 Thess. 2:8-12; Rev. 19:19-21). T. Both will cause the great tribulation (Dan. 7:21-27; 8:23-25; 9:27; 11:40-45; 12:1,7; Matt. 24:15-31; 2 Thess. 2:1-12; Rev. 7:14; 13:1-18; 14:9-11; 15:2-4; 20:4-6). U. Both will do away with the Jewish sacrifices in Jerusalem (Dan. 7:25; 8:24; 9:27; 11:35-45; 12:7; Matt. 24:15). V. Both will reign from the Jewish temple in Jerusalem (Dan. 8:9-14; 9:27; 11:45; 12:7- 2 Thess. 2:4; Rev. 11:1-2; 13:1-18). W. Both will disregard the God of their fathers (Dan. 7:11; 19:25; 8:22-25; 9:27; 11:38-39; John 5:43). X. Both will honor Satan and get their power from him (Dan. 8:24; 11:35-45; 2 Thess. 2:8-12; Rev. 13:1-4).
The Rise Of The Antichrist
After the ten kingdoms are formed and they exist for a short time (Rev. 17:8-12), then the Antichrist will arise out of one of the ten kingdoms. That is, he will come from one of the eastern four of the ten, and he will start another war. He shall subdue three of the ten in his rise to power over the ten (Dan. 7:23-24; 8:8-9, 21-23).
To restate something very important we said in an earlier lesson – this is one of the reasons that the fall of Communism in 1989 was an “explosion” in Bible prophecy. Without the fall of Communism and the loosing of many of these countries that will form these 10 kingdoms there would have very possibly had been the need for a tri-continent war against the former Soviet Union. God didn’t allow a shot to be fired but just replaced the principality of Communism with what we believe to be the Prince of Grecia as seen in Revelation 17:8. It is THIS principality that has been in existence over the Middle East for the last 15 years almost shifting focus off Russia and now on the very region we see from scripture where the Antichrist will spring.
He will make a seven years covenant with the new nation of Israel and break it in the middle of the seven years and start another war (Dan. 9:27; 11:36-45). It takes him three and one half years to get power over these three kingdoms that he subdues. By that time the countries of the north and east unite to make war on the nations inside the Roman Empire. In these circumstances the other six of the ten kingdoms he does not overthrow will give their kingdoms to him and make him their leader against these countries of the north and east (Dan. 11:40-45). God puts it into the hearts of the ten to give their kingdoms to the Antichrist and to help him in these new wars (Rev. 17:12-17).
The Antichrist becomes the victor over these countries in the last three and one half years of this age and becomes the chief ruler of Russia, Germany, and more than like China, India and Pakistan. He then gathers these newly conquered countries against the Jews and seeks to stop Christ from setting up His kingdom on earth by coming against Jerusalem for one final battle. That battle is Armageddon.
Thus Antichrist rises after the ten kingdoms are formed and in the first three and one half years of Daniel's Seventieth Week he revives the Grecian Empire by getting power over the four original divisions of the Grecian Empire. Then the other six of the ten kingdoms making up the Revised Roman Empire will submit to him without a struggle so as to unite against Germany, Russia, and other countries of the north and east during the last three and one half years of this age.
The Revised Roman Empire will exist as ten separate kingdoms for a short time before Antichrist comes. When he does come he gets power over these ten kingdoms and he then forms the eighth kingdom of Rev. 17:8-17. It is this eighth kingdom that will be under one ruler, the Antichrist. This eighth one under Antichrist will succeed the seventh kingdom made up of the ten kingdoms. Thus there are two world empires yet in the future, the Revised Roman and the Revived Grecian.
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