We do well to learn some ancient history. History is vital, but also prophecy. Arguably the Beast power formed after the War when United Nations formed with a security council including superpowers as its permanent members. Three are now still prominent superpowers and their standing in UN unites them, despite war rhetoric giving appearances they are serious rivals. Two other members are still nuclear powers along with the other three, but not superpowers. The three are most like Revelation’s description of the Beast: Lion mouth and bear feet providing voice and stability to the rapidly advancing leopard. Daniel throws more light on their characteristics by comparison with the hegemonic Babylon, diplomatic Persian and fast-moving Greek empires of ancient world, but now all three characteristics combined. As things progress, folk should not be fooled into thinking they are only rivals and opponents. They have one single heartbeat, and it is Rome’s evil legacy that drives them forward. That is what prophecy tells us, with understanding of it helped by knowledge of ancient history.
