Chapter 20- General Observations and Conclusions

IN the seventh chapter of Daniel we have one of the most remarkable prophecies of the Bible. It presents a chain of prophecy covering the principal kingdoms of the world for nearly 2,000 years. Babylon, Media, and Persia, Grecia, Rome, and the ten kingdoms into which the latter was divided, were presented to the prophet under the symbols of four great monsters coming up out of the sea. A lion with eagle’s wings, a bear with three ribs in its mouth, a leopard with four heads, and a terrible nondescript beast with ten horns, great iron teeth, and a ferocity unprecedented. This last was presented under two phases, corresponding to the two diverse appearances in which Rome presented itself to the world, Rome ruled by the Caesars as a heathen power, and Rome ruled by the popes as a professedly Christian power. The latter form was to continue until the fires of the judgment day should utterly destroy it.ChSa 166.4

We have not space to enter into a lengthy exposition of this chapter. Suffice it to say that in our application of these symbols mentioned we agree with the best Protestant expositors; and indeed, we could not give an intelligent exposition of the chapter without taking their positions.ChSa 166.5