3.2.10. Bear Beast

“And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’ ” (Dan. Dan. 7:5). This beast appears to correspond to the chest and arms of silver in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan. Dan. 2:32, Dan. 2:39). “Taken as a while, the prophecy of the second beast accurately portrays the characteristics and history of the Medo-Persian Empire which, although beginning in Daniel’s day, continued for over 200 years until the time of Alexander the Great, 336 B.C.”¹ The kingdom represented by the bear beast follows upon the overthrow of the lion beast: Medo-Persia overthrew Babylon ^[#9-#10]. The bear beast is the fourth of seven kingdoms which oppressed God’s people through history. Dominion is taken from this beast, but its life is prolonged “for a season and a time” (Dan. Dan. 7:12). This is reflected in the contribution of its attributes to the final Beast who is the eighth head ^[#9-#16] (Rev. Rev. 13:2+). See Symbols of Kingdoms.

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Notes

¹ John F. Walvoord, Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation (Chicago, IL: Moody Bible Institute, 1971), Dan. 7:5.