Last month we looked at the first three beasts and saw how they represented the first three kingdoms: Babylon, Medio-Persia, Greece. This month we are going to look in Daniel 7 at the fourth kingdom. This beast was "terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong" and had great iron teeth". It would be safe to say that this was a kingdom that was going to be very powerful and would cause great fear in their enemies. The iron teeth would lead us to believe it was Rome for the Roman empire relied heavily on iron for its strength. Even today people think of the "iron legions" of the Roman empire, as we thought about back in Daniel 2

Later on in the chapter, Daniel asks for more information about this kingdom. If we go back to our study in Daniel 2 we read of a fifth kingdom, which is iron mixed with clay. In reality it is a continuation of the fourth kingdom allied to another. We also have to remember that in the Old Testament prophecies, the church is never seen, it is almost bracketed out, as the prophecies focus on God's dealing with the nation of Israel, which end with their crucifying Christ and restart at the beginning of the seven year tribulation, we will see more of this as we look at other Scriptures over the coming months, for starters consider Ephesians 3v6-9. So as far as Daniel is concerned, the church age, that we are currently living in, is a complete mystery.

The phrase ten horns is also used in Revelation 12 when talking about Satan and Revelation 13, 17 when talking about the beast, again we will, God willing, look at these chapters more in coming months. So we see that this fourth kingdom, which is different to the others, represents the Roman empire, back when Christ first came, and also in a coming day, once the church age has ended. We also have this phrase time, times, and half a time. in verse 25. It is commonly considered that when used in this sense "a time" represents a year. This would slot in with Revelation 13v5 which talks about forty and two months. In both Daniel 6 and Revelation 13 we read of how this kingdom/beast speaking against God and His Saints. However, rejoice for in Daniel 2, verses 13-14 and verses 26-27 we read that after these three and a half years, the kingdom will be judged and taken away, then God will set up His Kingdom which He shall rule forever.

If you have any comments or questions about this article then please e-mail me at a.wood@assemblyyouth.net

Spending time in the Scriptures Zepheniah	Next month: second and third kingdoms.	Wilderness years Census
	Dare to be a Daniel
	Last month: Prophecy of the kingdoms 2.

All quotes are from the English Standard version of the Bible unless otherwise specified.