Daniel 7: First Beast from the Sea = Early Islamic Conquests

Let us now turn our attention to Daniel chapter 7, which I interpret as a description of two very similar, yet very different eschatological “beasts” or “horns,” differentiated by the terms “from the sea” and “from the earth.” This chapter starts by describing four beasts that arise from the sea (v. 3), and then it says that these same four also arise from the earth (v. 17). Let us study the symbolisms. Daniel 7:4-7 describes the four beasts from the sea as a lion with eagle’s wings who turned into a man, a bear with three ribs in its mouth, a leopard with four wings, and a fourth more terrifying beast with ten horns. The angel did not specify which kings or countries are represented by the first three beasts, though they evidently refer to Babylon, Media/Persia, and Greece based on other similar visions given to the prophet Daniel (Dan. 2:37-44; 8:20-21; 11:1-4). The fourth beast that was “terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong…different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns” (Dan. 7:7, 19) clearly describes Rome. On the other hand, in Revelation 13:2 we see three of the four animals mentioned in Daniel 7, but as a single “beast rising out of the sea.” Nevertheless, they are mentioned in opposite order, and it states that the source of its power is a dragon. “And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.” We must remember that in apocalyptic literature, sometimes the details of the symbolism can be insignificant and distracting, and so we must focus mainly on the broader message.

The angel emphasized to Daniel that there will be “another horn” that comes up after the ten horns of the fourth beast, before whom three of the earlier horns would fall. This “little horn” is “different” from the previous ones, but it becomes greater than the rest.

“I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things” (Dan. 7:8). “…that seemed greater than its companions” (Dan. 7:20). “As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom [Rome] ten kings shall arise, and another shall rise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and he shall put down three kings” (v. 24).

Thus, we see that both parallel sets of four beasts in Daniel 7 (from the sea vs. from the earth) refer to the Babylonian, Media/Persian, Greek, and Roman empires. In both cases, a later beast or horn comes out of the ten horns of the fourth beast that will destroy three previous ones. This horn will have eyes like a man and speak great and horrible things. After analyzing and praying for many years regarding this later horn that comes up among the ten horns of Rome after three previous horns had been “plucked up,” I have concluded that it refers to a government more powerful than Rome. Even though we can see that there is not much difference in the beasts from the sea and from the earth, the message could refer to a different historical timing in their appearance. Both sets of beasts seem to look exactly the same, but their finality is different: The beast or horn that arises “from the sea” is killed, yet its companions are preserved for a future time (v. 12), while the second one that comes “from the earth” extends to the latter days (for “a time, times, and half a time”) and then is totally destroyed forever (v. 25-26). Both sets of beasts in Daniel 7 have their equivalent in the book of Revelation chapter 13, though Revelation only speaks of a single beast that arises from the sea (verses 1-10) and a single beast that arises from the earth (verses 11-18). In Revelation, the first one clearly suffers a mortal wound while the second one is “resurrected” from the first, but will ultimately be destroyed.

Let us focus on this other horn that will appear after three previous kings have been put down (v. 24), will speak great and blasphemous things against God, and will become greater than all the others. We can see how Islam has appeared after three great empires. I believe that it refers to how Islam would follow the original pagan Roman Empire, Constantine’s Christian Roman Empire, and the Christian Byzantine Empire. This beast will persecute the saints and “wear them out” during a long extension of time (what some may term as 3½ years, but definitely not limited to that literal time). According to Dan. 7:25, it will create a new Calendar and Law, and God will allow it to inflict the saints with terrible suffering: “And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times and half of time” (Dan. 7:25).

Nevertheless, at some point in time, this different horn of the fourth beast will be killed and lose its dominion (“burned with fire”), though the beasts that had joined it will come back to life (or “their lives” will be “prolonged”) for a later “season and a time.” I have concluded that the horn that comes “from the sea” seems to be related to Islamic leaders in our past.

“I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time” (Dan. 7:11-12).

In contrast, the horn that comes “from the earth” refers to a government still in our future. The text seems to describe a total destruction of this horn that proceeded from the fourth beast “from the earth”: “But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end” (Dan. 7:26). This last one will not receive any extension of life, but go to total destruction, as described in Rev. 17:8, which “was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction.”

Since I want to distinguish between the two types of horns that appeared among the ten horns of the fourth beast (Dan. 7:3, 11-12, 24-25 vs. Dan. 7:17, 26), from here on I will refer to the first one that appears as the eschatological First Beast from the Sea, and the horn that arises the second time as the eschatological Second Beast from the Earth. This is in close relationship to the texts in Revelation chapters 13 and 17. I understand that the First one that existed (“was”) will be temporarily conquered (“is not”). I also believe that we are presently in that temporary time of the First Beast’s loss of dominion.

I interpret that the First Beast from the Sea represents the early Islamic socio-political system of Islam, plus the Muslim Ottoman Empire (Turkey) and other Caliphates and Sultanates that once prevailed over most of the world, but more importantly over the Middle East and the land of Israel. When the Ottoman Empire disintegrated after World War I and was divided into various new Muslim nations, the expansion of Islam became temporarily contained. It is now only powerful in their previously majority-ruled nations, since the Christian West managed to stop its expansion in the 20^th century. Nevertheless, Islam still persecutes and kills God’s people in those Muslim dominated lands, both Jews and Christians. Daniel 7:21 clarifies that the First Beast from the Sea would continue prevailing against the saints in those countries until the Resurrection/Rapture of God’s people.

The Second one is the same one as the First, but arises again at a later time (“is about to rise”), and will be finally consumed (“destroyed to the end”.) This Islamic government, the Second Beast from the Earth, will reappear in full power in the form of a global Caliphate, virtually controlling the entire world, after which:

“…the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom” (Dan. 7:22).

The term “judgment…for the saints” above in Daniel 7:22 implies “reward,” which is why it indirectly refers to the resurrection of the saints when the Ancient of Days (Messiah) appears in the clouds. Then it implies the destruction of the Antichrist, after which the saints will come with the Messiah for possessing the kingdom. Daniel 12:1 clearly describes Israel’s resurrection (along with all the believers in Jesus or Yeshua), all those whose names are in the Book of Life:

“And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book” (Dan. 12:1).

All those who have died will “awaken” (v. 2), and those living will be “delivered.” The Hebrew word malat implies a “leaping out,” which represents a “taking out” and a “releasing.” But this will only occur once their power has been totally shattered (Dan. 12:7). Is that “time of trouble” described in Daniel 12:1 what we have already experienced as the “Great Tribulation,” and which is now in our past? Is “that time” what we are now experiencing as the last “tribulation of those days,” and soon we will be delivered?

After a short heavenly “betrothal feast” (Rev. 19:7-9; Song of Sol. 2:4-11), we will all return with the Messiah so that we can participate in His Kingdom. Daniel 7:27 says that “the kingdom” will be given to the saints, and then immediately it describes the everlasting Kingdom of God at the end of the Messianic era:

“And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him” (Dan. 7:27).

Revelation chapters 20 and 21 differentiate between the Messianic Kingdom and the everlasting one. The surviving unbelievers will rise for their judgment and eternal condemnation after the Messianic Millennium, and God’s people will continue straight into the eternal Kingdom of the Father with the new heavens and new earth (Isa. 65:17; 66:22). All these pieces of the puzzle will be discussed separately later.