THE WINDS OF WAR

“In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream with visions in his mind as he was lying in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and here is the summary of his account. Daniel said, ‘In my vision at night I was watching, and suddenly the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea. Four huge beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.’” (Daniel 7:1-3 HCSB)

In 1971, Herman Wouk’s novel, “The Winds of War” was published. It is historical fiction, taking real events and people, along with some fictional characters, woven together masterfully to tell of the events leading up to World War II. Later, it was made into a highly acclaimed and hugely successful television mini-series.

It seems the winds of war are blowing again—and this time for World War III. These are the very winds which Daniel describes in chapter seven of his prophecy.

This all rises from THE DREAM he had.

“In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream with visions in his mind as he was lying in his bed. He wrote down the dream, and here is the summary of his account.” (Dan.7:1)

It is a dream which gives us a view of heaven and earth—of kingdoms in conflict.

The dream gives us the eternal perspective of THE SOVEREIGNTY OF HEAVEN.

“Daniel said, ‘In my vision at night I was watching, and suddenly the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea.’” (Dan.7:2)

As the winds of war begin to blow, we need to be reminded that it is the Creator who unleashes them and directs them. To that point, consider this quote from Haddon Robinson:

“It was Napoleon Bonaparte who, early in his life, said, ‘God is on the side of the biggest artillery.’ Years later, when he was exiled on an island, he reversed his opinion, and conceded, ‘Man proposes, but God disposes.’”

In the maelstrom of human events, never forget that God is on the throne and moving things to the inexorable conclusion of His purposes. Rulers rise to power, kingdoms come—and those same kingdoms crumble into the dust of history. Conflict stirs and battles ebb and flow, but ultimately a sovereign God is on His eternal throne bending all things according to His will, overruling the human rulers.

Even the forces of hell when let loose are channeled to the fulfillment of God’s plan. That is what we see in this verse. The winds of war that blow are demonic powers. Consider Revelation 7:1-3,

“After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, restraining the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel, who had the seal of the living God rise up from the east. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were empowered to harm the earth and the sea: ‘Don't harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we seal the slaves of our God on their foreheads.’”

Satan has been permitted to function as, “the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now working in the disobedient.” (Eph.2:2b) But, the angels of the Lord are seen to restrain the winds and will only allow the Devil to work in accord with God’s time and will.

The dream also gives us the earthly perspective of THE SEA OF HUMANITY.

“Four huge beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.” (Dan.7:3)

The sea depicts the restless nature of sinful humanity, continually in turmoil as a storm-tossed ocean, waves whipped by the winds. The tides bring the ebb and flow of nations, rising in power and crashing down, only for another wave to roll in. It is a fitting picture of human history.

“’But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waters churn up mire and muck. There is no peace for the wicked,’ says my God.” (Isa.57:20-21)

In Daniel’s prophecy, there are four world empires which are presented. The revelation this dream brought will be followed by the explanation that Daniel sought.

So from THE DREAM we move to examine THE DETAILS.

“As for me, Daniel, my spirit was deeply distressed within me, and the visions in my mind terrified me. I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him the true meaning of all this. So he let me know the interpretation of these things: 'These huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will rise from the earth.

But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever.'” (Dan.7:15-18)

This corresponds to Nebuchadnezzar’s vision recorded in the second chapter of Daniel. You will recall it is of a great statue that is made of four different metals, diminishing in value from gold to silver, then bronze to iron and the feet of iron mixed with clay, even as the metals are increasing in strength until the feet which are smashed by a Rock hurtling from heaven, bringing down and supplanting all other kingdoms. These are four world empires and seen from man’s viewpoint are glorious and powerful. But, all will be brought down by the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ, when He brings in the Kingdom of Heaven to reign over the world.
Daniel’s dream presents the Divine viewpoint which sees beyond the external pomp and power to the nature of man’s rule—bestial and fierce in its wickedness.

There is THE FIRST WORLD EMPIRE: BABYLON.

“The first was like a lion but had eagle's wings. I continued watching until its wings were torn off. It was lifted up from the ground, set on its feet like a man, and given a human mind.” (Dan.7:4)

This image was well-known in the ancient world and has been unearthed by archaeologists—the lion with wings was the popular representation of Babylon. The great king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, is alluded to here. His experience of being judged for his arrogance is recalled, where for seven years he was like a beast, until God lifted him up and restored his sanity (see Daniel 4).

THE SECOND WORLD EMPIRE: MEDO-PERSIA replaced Babylon.

“Suddenly, another beast appeared, a second one, that looked like a bear. It was raised up on one side, with three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, 'Get up! Gorge yourself on flesh.'” (Dan.7:5)

The bear—a large, lumbering brute—accurately depicts the battle tactics of Persian warfare. They used mass waves of soldiers to overwhelm their enemy. When Iran (the descendents of the Medes and Persians) waged war with Iraq in 1980-1988, they employed the same strategy—and sending their soldiers into the teeth of modern weaponry saw the sands soaked with blood. But, it was much more effective in ancient times.

Note that the bear had three ribs. That is, the Babylonians being conquered were assimilated into the kingdom of the Medes and Persians—three peoples blended together in this second empire. Each successive empire becomes an amalgamation of those preceding it.

THE THIRD WORLD EMPIRE: GREECE next came to dominance.

“While I was watching, another beast appeared. It was like a leopard with four wings of a bird on its back. It had four heads and was given authority to rule.” (Dan.7:6)

The leopard is known for its speed—and this is an accurate depiction of the “blitzkrieg” methods of military tactics which Alexander the Great employed. The scope of his conquest of the known world is only dwarfed by the speed with which it happened. Alexander died as a young man before being able to enjoy the spoils of his success. The four wings of the leopard symbolize his four generals who divided up his kingdom after Alexander’s death.

THE FOURTH WORLD EMPIRE: ROME would be the final human empire.

"While I was watching in the night visions, a fourth beast appeared, frightening and dreadful, and incredibly strong, with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and it trampled with its feet whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had 10 horns.

While I was considering the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. There were eyes in this horn like a man's, and it had a mouth that spoke arrogantly.” (Dan.7:7-8)

Daniel is so overwhelmed by this image, that he seeks more understanding.

“Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one different from all the others, extremely terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws, devouring, crushing, and trampling with its feet whatever was left. [I also wanted to know] about the 10 horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three fell-the horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly, and that was more visible than the others. As I was watching, this horn waged war against the holy ones and was prevailing over them until the Ancient of Days arrived and a judgment was given in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, for the time had come, and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom.

This is what he said: 'The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it. The 10 horns are 10 kings who will rise from this kingdom. Another, different from the previous ones, will rise after them and subdue three kings. He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away, to be completely destroyed forever.” (Dan.7:19-26)

The legions of Rome trampled the nations under their iron-soled boots. Historians have documented the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. But, Rome was not destroyed—only divided. This empire will be reconstituted in the last days—a United States of Europe, if you will. Ten horns (symbols of power) represent ten nations that form an alliance. This kingdom is described in Revelation 13:1-2:

“And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. He had 10 horns and seven heads. On his horns were 10 diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. The beast I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like a bear's, and his mouth was like a lion's mouth. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.”

The “little horn” is the Antichrist, the Beast, the Man of Sin—he is Satan’s surrogate and dictator of this regime. Following the rapture of the church, he will be revealed and will awe the world (see 2 Thess.2). For three and one-half years, he will portray himself as the messianic savior of Israel—pledging their protection and enforcing a peace in the Middle East. During this time, the Jews will have a rebuilt temple and reinstituted religious ritual. But, then the Antichrist goes into the temple and demands to be worshipped. He attacks Israel and initiates a holocaust where during the last three and one half years of his reign of terror, he seeks the genocide of the Jews. All this climaxes with Christ’s return to cast down the Beast into the bottomless pit and Jesus inaugurates 1,000 years of peace on earth.

This brings us to THE FINAL WORLD EMPIRE: THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

“As I kept watching, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat.
His clothing was white like snow, and the hair of His head like whitest wool. His throne was flaming fire; its wheels were blazing fire.

A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands served Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their authority to rule was removed, but an extension of life was granted to them for a certain period of time.

I continued watching in the night visions,

and I saw One like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before Him.

He was given authority to rule, and glory, and a kingdom; so that those of every people,
nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.” (Dan.7:9-14)

“The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.'” (Dan.7:27)

Verses nine and ten correspond to John’s vision in Revelation four and five. Chapters six through nineteen unfold the seven years of tribulation during which the Antichrist will hold sway over the earth. At the end of chapter nineteen of Revelation, and the following chapters, is a description of the return of Christ, overthrow of Antichrist, the opening of the books and judgment, with the Millennial reign of Christ which gives way to the eternal state in the creation of new heavens and a new earth. This is what Daniel summarizes in 7:11-14, 27.

THE DREAM and ITS DETAILS lead to THE DISTRESS Daniel felt.

“This is the end of the interpretation. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts terrified me greatly, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself." (Dan.7:28)

He was doubtless distressed because of THE SINS OF THE PERISHING.

As a godly and compassionate man he would find no joy in this judgment. God finds no pleasure in the death of the wicked, and neither would Daniel. But, he was nonetheless disturbed over the rebellious nature of man and refusal to honor God. The brutality and bloodshed that have marked the march of armies was disheartening.

We anticipate the end with the same mix of emotions. While we are thankful that righteousness will be vindicated and Christ exalted, the horror of the judgments that accompany that should distress us.

Are we burdened for those who are lost? Are we warning them?

Daniel’s distress would have also been linked to THE SUFFERING OF HIS PEOPLE.

He understood that the Jews were going to face a slaughter. He had a vision of a man that would almost make Hitler seem an amateur compared to Antichrist’s assault on Israel.

We look today at the Middle East. A fire has been kindled. The winds of war may soon whip it into an inferno that will engulf the globe.

How should we respond?

“But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that [day] the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, [it is clear] what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God. The heavens will be on fire and be dissolved because of it, and the elements will melt with the heat.

But based on His promise, we wait for the new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell.” (2 Peter 3:10-13)

Be prepared!