Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts
After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. Dan. 7:6
like a leopard... A leopard is a fit symbol of the Grecian Empire founded by Alexander the Great. The leopard is known for its swiftness. This, together with the four wings of a fowl, symbolizes the swiftness of Alexander’s conquests. Previously, the two wings of the lion symbolized swiftness, but here the four wings symbolize double swiftness of Alexander over Nebuchadnezzar’s conquests. None of the conquests of other beasts equaled those of Alexander. The four heads symbolize the four divisions of the Grecian Empire after the death of Alexander, as do the four horns of Dan. 8:8, 8:22-23. Heads always symbolize kingdoms (Dan. 8:20-23; Rev. 17:9-11). This kingdom is mentioned in Dan. 2:32, 2:35, 2:39, 2:45; 7:6, 7:17; 8:5-25; 10:20; 11:3-45; Zec. 8:13.
The leopard depicts Greece. Though naturally a swift animal, this leopard had four wings in addition to its native agility. Most people believe this is Alexander the Great spoken of here. This speaks of the lighting speed with which Alexander the Great (336-323 B.C.), conquered the ancient world. The number four heads represents the four generals who divided up Alexander’s kingdom after his death at the age of 33. They ruled Macedonia, Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt.
The third beast Daniel saw was like a leopard, an animal noted for its swiftness (Hab. 1:8), cunning, and agility (Jer. 5:6; Hos. 13:7). This beast had four wings like… a bird, stressing a swiftness beyond its natural capacity. An additional feature of this beast is that it had four heads. Also authority to rule was given it. The kingdom that conquered Medo-Persia was Greece, which did so with great speed, conquering the entire empire between 334 and 330 b.c. A few years after Alexander died his kingdom was divided into four parts (cf. Dan. 8:8, 8:22).
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