In the seventh chapter of the Book of Daniel, the prophet dreams of four distinct beasts, each representing a powerful world empire in the prophetic timeline of history. The first is a lion with eagle’s wings, symbolizing the majesty and dominion of Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar. This lion, later seen with its wings plucked, represents both grandeur and a sudden, humbling fall. Nebuchadnezzar himself is described in the prophetic books of Jeremiah and Daniel as a lion—a creature of fierce authority and psychological dominance.
The second beast is a bear, raised up on one side and holding three ribs in its mouth. This figure is widely understood to represent the Medo-Persian Empire, particularly under the rule of Cyrus the Great. The bear’s unbalanced stance suggests Persia’s dominance over Media, while the image of the ribs implies conquest and a relentless hunger for expansion. Unlike the lion’s commanding presence, the bear is slow-moving but powerfully crushing—symbolizing an empire built on strategic endurance and overwhelming force.
Next comes a leopard with four wings and four heads, a clear allusion to the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great. The leopard’s wings highlight the speed of Alexander’s conquests, as he rapidly expanded his domain from Greece to the edges of India. The four heads are typically interpreted as the four divisions of his empire following his death, when his generals split the kingdom among themselves. This beast embodies agility, strategic brilliance, and the enduring cultural influence that outlasted Alexander’s short but meteoric life.
The fourth beast is unlike the others—terrifying, powerful, and with iron teeth. Traditionally identified with the Roman Empire, it is also seen by many as a prophetic symbol of a future, final empire that surpasses all its predecessors in cruelty and control. This fourth beast defies direct comparison with any natural animal, which emphasizes its uniqueness and ferocity. It represents not only military strength but also a totalitarian system of dominance, one that breaks and devours everything in its path.
In the Book of Revelation, the vision shifts to a single beast rising from the sea—an amalgam that combines the features of the first three beasts from Daniel’s dream. It is described as having the mouth of a lion, the feet of a bear, and the body of a leopard. This creature is not a new empire in the traditional sense, but rather a composite—a hybrid of previous powers, combining Babylon’s psychological control, Persia’s enduring might, and Greece’s agile conquest. It reflects a concentrated form of global authority, incorporating the strengths and tactics of history’s most influential empires.
There are two main ways to interpret the modern fulfillment of this vision. On one hand, the beast may emerge through a literal reawakening of the ancient regions that hosted these empires. In this view, Iran would stand in for Persia, Iraq for Babylon, and perhaps Greece or the broader Balkan region for ancient Greece. These territories still carry the historical and cultural weight of their ancient legacies, and some may yet rise again as players in an unfolding global drama.
On the other hand, the more compelling and timely interpretation may focus on current superpowers that embody the characteristics of those ancient empires. In today’s world, the leopard’s speed and precision bring China to mind, with its rapid technological and economic ascendance. The lion’s voice and commanding presence align with the United States, long the dominant force in media, ideology, and military projection. The bear’s stoic power and traditionalism are best reflected in Russia, with its emphasis on sovereignty, diplomacy, and cultural conservatism.
What makes this vision even more provocative is the suggestion that these three powers—each symbolically embodying a beast from Daniel—could eventually merge or align. The United States, especially under its present leadership, has shown signs of warming toward Russia. Meanwhile, China and Russia already enjoy a strategic partnership. As U.S. global hegemony gradually gives way to a multipolar world, there may come a moment when the U.S. reconsiders its alliances and chooses to rebuild ties with Russia out of mutual interest. If such a convergence were to occur, it could mark the emergence of a new kind of global empire—not centered in one nation, but united in purpose and influence. This would mirror the composite beast of Revelation: not just a government, but an overarching order forged from the perfected traits of all that came before.
Stephen D Green with AI, April 2025
