Fast-moving events in this past year, events that have changed the map of the world, have surprised many people. The greatest changes are in Eastern Europe, but Asia, Africa and other parts of the world are also altered. With the Berlin Wall removed and Communism's control by force greatly relaxed, national and ethnic groups are asserting their "rights" and forming seemingly democratic governments.
Surely these things that are taking place are foreshadows of future events of which much is prophetically revealed in the Bible.
In the visions given to Daniel in Daniel chapter 7, he saw four great beasts come up out of the sea. In verse 2 the four winds of heaven strove upon the great sea. The sea is typical of peoples and nations. The winds are various disturbing influences ordered of God in His over-ruling and in judgment, in order to accomplish His purposes in the government of the earth. The source of the winds was heaven. The sea typifies the masses of the people in a state of agitation or even chaotic confusion.
The four beasts are clearly identified as being the four great Gentile powers-that is, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. They sprang up successively as universal empires at a time of revolutionary agitation. They are portrayed as beasts to show their moral features. Not acknowledging God, they are characterized by selfishness, earthly power, gain and cruelty.
The fourth beast is the Roman. He is spoken of as fierce and powerful, tearing and devouring and treading down what he could not devour. Also he is directly antagonistic to God. Rome was in power when Christ was born, took part in His rejection through Pilate and hereafter it will join with Antichrist when he comes. Concise, comprehensive facts are stated about this beast (power) in Rev. 17:8. "The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is [or shall be present].”
We have seen that the agitated, confused condition of the masses of peoples gave rise to the four great Gentile powers. Just such conditions will, in a soon-coming day, give rise to the revived Roman Empire.
This past year has revealed upheavals of governments and that by the masses of the people. The Chinese revolt of the people was severely put down by armed force. In contrast, the uprisings of the common people overthrew their governments throughout much of Eastern Europe.
The Gentile powers originally received their power from God (Dan. 2). Christ, as He stood before Pilate, owned that power was from God saying, "Thou couldest have no power at all against Me, except it were given thee from above." John 19:11. At that time judgment was on one side and perfect righteousness on the other. When Christ comes again, judgment will return to righteousness (Psa. 94). At the end, the head of the revived Roman Empire, the beast, receives his power from the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil and Satan. (Rev. 13:2 and 20:2.)
The turmoil and mass movements of many peoples seem to point the believer toward two things that develop after we are caught up from the earth, before the coming judgments fall upon this world: Internal pressure of the people in the western world and external pressure from the eastern world will surely be used to bring into existence the revived Roman power.
This can and will easily develop quickly as has been demonstrated visibly in the rapid changes in Eastern Europe this past year. "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen." 2 Peter 3:17,18.
Ed.