Daniel 7:4 – Fall of Babylon the great

In the book of Daniel, there is a dream where Daniel, the protagonist, sees four beasts emerging from the chaotic seas. Later, he was told that these four beasts represent four kings that rise from the earth.

The first beast is described as like a lion with the wings of an eagle. As Daniel continued to look at the first beast, he saw its wings being torn off. Finally, the beast was made to stand on the ground and given a human mind. This first beast corresponds with the head of gold that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream in Daniel 2. Daniel told him that it represented him and his kingdom. We can conclude that the colossal image of mixed material and the four beasts Daniel saw in his night vision have vital similarities.

 

The description of the first beast reminds us of Nebuchadnezzar’s account in Daniel 4. Nebuchadnezzar became proud and arrogant at the height of his reign, claiming personal credit for his success. God responded to his boast, and he was made to live like a beast in the field. He was “driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds' claws.” Only after seven years did his sanity return, and he could think soberly.

 

This first beast, a proud and seemingly invincible kingdom, represents Babylon and its king. At the zenith of its power, Babylon was a force to be reckoned with, ruthless and unconquerable. Yet, as history unfolded, its strength waned, and it was eventually overtaken and conquered. This stark contrast between Babylon's initial might and its eventual downfall serves as a sobering reminder of the fleeting nature of earthly power.

 

The four beasts, each succeeding the other in sequence, hold a profound message. The first beast, representing Babylon, was a testament to her grandeur, echoed in the golden head of the colossal statue and the lion. However, with each new ruler, Babylon's glory began to wane, a stark reminder of the transience of earthly power. This narrative underscores the timeless truth that all governments without God’s guidance are destined to crumble. Babylon, the first, serves as a poignant example of this.