Page 185 - Daniel

Illustration of what the first beast in Daniel 7 might have looked like in Daniel’s dream.

In spite of the power indicated in this symbolism, Daniel saw the beast

become man-like. This is most commonly interpreted as the symbolic
representation of Nebuchadnezzar’s experience in chapter 4 when he
was humbled before God and made to realize that, even though he was a
great ruler, he was only a man. His lion-like character, or royal power,
was his only at God’s pleasure. The symbolism is accurate and
corresponds to the historical facts.

Although Daniel did not dwell on the fall of Babylon, described in
detail in chapter 5, the decline of Babylon and the rise of the Medo-
Persian Empire were implied. Other prophets spoke at length on the fall

of Babylon. Following the reference to the tower of Babel in Genesis 11,
there is no biblical mention of Babylon until the prophets Isaiah,
Jeremiah, and Ezekiel discuss Babylon’s future. Isaiah describes the fall
of Babylon as similar to that of Sodom and Gomorrah (Isa. 13:1–22; cf.
Rev. 17), with particular mention of the Medes in verses 17–19. Two
other extended prophecies about Babylon are found in Isaiah 21 and 47.

Jeremiah, who witnessed the capture of Jerusalem by the Babylonians,
refers to Babylon throughout his prophecy, of which the most important
sections are 25:11–14; 29:10; and 50:1–51:62. The last two long

chapters of Jeremiah are devoted entirely to Babylon. Ezekiel, himself a
captive, is occupied with Babylon (Ezek. 17:12–24) and, like Jeremiah,
predicts Babylon’s conquest of Egypt (Ezek. 29:18–20; 30:10–25; 32:1–
32).

THE SECOND BEAST: MEDO-PERSIA (7:5)