| Prophecies |
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| The interpretations discussed on this page are our own interpretations. We are not Bible Scholars, nor do we insist that we "know it all." We believe that God intentionally designed things so that we would be dependent on each other to discover the true and accurate interpretations, to understand and be prepared for the events that will take place. If you would like to discuss any of this information, share your own interpretations, ask questions, or just simply share a comment, you can go to... Groups (TimeFastApproaching), SupremeMystery Blog, or Contact Us. Whatever interpretation you believe, the most important thing is, there is nothing wrong with hoping for the best, but be prepared for the worst. |
The Four Beasts
Daniel 7:4-12 describes 4 beasts, which are four countries/kingdoms.
I cannot tell you why I have always believed that Jesus coming back would be in my lifetime; why I have such a persistent interest in understanding the prophecies; why finding
answers to questions is so difficult; or why the interpretation given to the four beasts of Daniel has never seemed right to me. (Although, since I have been reading/studying more
intently, I can say that I believe that the predominately accepted interpretation of the four beasts even less, because of verse 7:12, "As for the rest of the beasts, they had their
dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time." Plus, they predominately accepted interpretation does not address the various details described for
each beast.)
I have looked up many, many things, and read information and interpretations from various sources and view points. I came across some information on Persia (Iran) one day, and
it was showing pictures/reliefs and other art from the Persian empire. Some of the creatures depicted reminded me of some descriptions in the Bible. At that point I realized that
the symbolism in Daniel, Revelation (and the rest) would have made more sense to them, because symbolism was so much more common place then, although they still would
not have understood the full magnitude of the visions. Since many things today do not symbolize the same things as back then, I have researched a lot of things in as old of
books/sources as I can find.
Beast 1: "The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off: and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man,and a
man's heart was given to it." ===== I believe this is America. It's "connection" to God is being removed. Because, our country is so deeply rooted in God & the Bible, that America's
foundation has to be completely uprooted, the government remade to match other countries, and it's people made to conform to the world's view. (tidbit: you know when the
Anti-Christ shows up - nothing of God will be tolerated.)
Beast 2: "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!'" ===== This describes a bear waking up from hibernation. This is a country that is strong, known for brutality and being cruel, but that has been quiet (not really
hearing much from it, almost seeming to be doing nothing). The ribs are 3 countries that have been "taken in" by the stronger country. The strong country will, after having been
"quiet" will be encouraged to once again begin being brutal and cruel. -- This may be Russia, who has been working with Iran, N Korea, and Venezuela. (I don't consider Russia as
a possibility because its symbol is a bear - California's symbol is a bear too. I think it's possibly Russia, because of it's size, strength, history, associations, and that it does seem
to have been relatively "quiet" since the '80s when the Wall came down and ended the Cold War.)
Beast 3: "After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it." =====
I'm not sure about this one, but I can't seem to move passed this being the European Union. The reason I think the EU, is for one, "and dominion was given to it," and two, the
number 4 symbolizes "the orderly arrangement of what is separate..." The EU is an orderly arrangement of separate countries and the countries have given the EU dominion over
them.
Beast 4: "After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth: it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and
trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns..." ===== I'm not sure about all of this one either, but this one is the
United Nations. Since the UN came into existence, it has been gradually taking over in the name of the peace and conservation. The UN is striving for a one-world government,
one-world religion, one-world currency, with required conformity of every person (which will be enforced by constant monitoring and tracking). The UN is responsible for many
atrocities around the world, and is a whole lot closer to achieving their goal than people realize, because there is so little reporting on the UN. (tidbit: think about this - how little do
you know about what our government does and works on? There is quite a bit of reporting on our government, and there is still so much that we don't know about what they do! And
since they don't read even read it, or not all of it, they don't even know what all they do - and they're there. So, just imagine how much there is that we don't know about the UN, since
there is almost no reporting on it!!!)
Daniel 7:4-12 describes 4 beasts, which are four countries/kingdoms.
I cannot tell you why I have always believed that Jesus coming back would be in my lifetime; why I have such a persistent interest in understanding the prophecies; why finding
answers to questions is so difficult; or why the interpretation given to the four beasts of Daniel has never seemed right to me. (Although, since I have been reading/studying more
intently, I can say that I believe that the predominately accepted interpretation of the four beasts even less, because of verse 7:12, "As for the rest of the beasts, they had their
dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time." Plus, they predominately accepted interpretation does not address the various details described for
each beast.)
I have looked up many, many things, and read information and interpretations from various sources and view points. I came across some information on Persia (Iran) one day, and
it was showing pictures/reliefs and other art from the Persian empire. Some of the creatures depicted reminded me of some descriptions in the Bible. At that point I realized that
the symbolism in Daniel, Revelation (and the rest) would have made more sense to them, because symbolism was so much more common place then, although they still would
not have understood the full magnitude of the visions. Since many things today do not symbolize the same things as back then, I have researched a lot of things in as old of
books/sources as I can find.
Beast 1: "The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off: and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man,and a
man's heart was given to it." ===== I believe this is America. It's "connection" to God is being removed. Because, our country is so deeply rooted in God & the Bible, that America's
foundation has to be completely uprooted, the government remade to match other countries, and it's people made to conform to the world's view. (tidbit: you know when the
Anti-Christ shows up - nothing of God will be tolerated.)
Beast 2: "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!'" ===== This describes a bear waking up from hibernation. This is a country that is strong, known for brutality and being cruel, but that has been quiet (not really
hearing much from it, almost seeming to be doing nothing). The ribs are 3 countries that have been "taken in" by the stronger country. The strong country will, after having been
"quiet" will be encouraged to once again begin being brutal and cruel. -- This may be Russia, who has been working with Iran, N Korea, and Venezuela. (I don't consider Russia as
a possibility because its symbol is a bear - California's symbol is a bear too. I think it's possibly Russia, because of it's size, strength, history, associations, and that it does seem
to have been relatively "quiet" since the '80s when the Wall came down and ended the Cold War.)
Beast 3: "After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it." =====
I'm not sure about this one, but I can't seem to move passed this being the European Union. The reason I think the EU, is for one, "and dominion was given to it," and two, the
number 4 symbolizes "the orderly arrangement of what is separate..." The EU is an orderly arrangement of separate countries and the countries have given the EU dominion over
them.
Beast 4: "After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth: it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and
trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns..." ===== I'm not sure about all of this one either, but this one is the
United Nations. Since the UN came into existence, it has been gradually taking over in the name of the peace and conservation. The UN is striving for a one-world government,
one-world religion, one-world currency, with required conformity of every person (which will be enforced by constant monitoring and tracking). The UN is responsible for many
atrocities around the world, and is a whole lot closer to achieving their goal than people realize, because there is so little reporting on the UN. (tidbit: think about this - how little do
you know about what our government does and works on? There is quite a bit of reporting on our government, and there is still so much that we don't know about what they do! And
since they don't read even read it, or not all of it, they don't even know what all they do - and they're there. So, just imagine how much there is that we don't know about the UN, since
there is almost no reporting on it!!!)
Daniel - The Ram & He-goat
This vision of Daniel, is a vision that was explained by an angel. The
ram with the two horns, is the kings of Media & Persia (which is
modern day Iran - and at their widest expanse covered to land in
Lebanon), and the he-goat is the king of Greece. The ram became
great & did as he pleased, until the he-goat attacked.
There is debate as to whether these events have taken place, and
when. I believe that this has NOT taken place yet. The reason I believe
it, is because of Daniel 8:5, "... suddenly a male goat came from the
west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the
ground..." The ability to cover the earth without touching the ground has
only come into existence within the last century. So, my belief is that,
this conflict is what will "spark-off" many of the events of the Tribulation -
not the battle of Armageddon. (For one, the battle of Armageddon is
described in Revelation in Chapter 16:16, between bowls 6 & 7; and
Jesus said in Luke 21:20, "when you see Jerusalem surrounded by
armies, you will know that its desolation is near." - He did not say
armies at Meggido.)
========================================================
Also, about Iran's Uranium Enrichment program, and the pursuit of
nuclear power (and/or weapons). Zechariah 14:12-15 describes the
plague that will come on the people that fought against Jerusalem.
"Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, their eyes shall
dissolve in their sockets, and their tongues shall dissolve in their
mouths..." Then read the descriptions of the people/after-math in Japan
after the two atomic bombs.
The point is, that I believe that some type of nuclear/atomic fall-out
and/or attack will be the result of Iran's persistence in uranium
enrichment and pursuing to "remove Israel from the map." (And another
tidbit to think about - if you read 14:2, and look at Jerusalem, Jerusalem
is already split in half.)
This vision of Daniel, is a vision that was explained by an angel. The
ram with the two horns, is the kings of Media & Persia (which is
modern day Iran - and at their widest expanse covered to land in
Lebanon), and the he-goat is the king of Greece. The ram became
great & did as he pleased, until the he-goat attacked.
There is debate as to whether these events have taken place, and
when. I believe that this has NOT taken place yet. The reason I believe
it, is because of Daniel 8:5, "... suddenly a male goat came from the
west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the
ground..." The ability to cover the earth without touching the ground has
only come into existence within the last century. So, my belief is that,
this conflict is what will "spark-off" many of the events of the Tribulation -
not the battle of Armageddon. (For one, the battle of Armageddon is
described in Revelation in Chapter 16:16, between bowls 6 & 7; and
Jesus said in Luke 21:20, "when you see Jerusalem surrounded by
armies, you will know that its desolation is near." - He did not say
armies at Meggido.)
========================================================
Also, about Iran's Uranium Enrichment program, and the pursuit of
nuclear power (and/or weapons). Zechariah 14:12-15 describes the
plague that will come on the people that fought against Jerusalem.
"Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, their eyes shall
dissolve in their sockets, and their tongues shall dissolve in their
mouths..." Then read the descriptions of the people/after-math in Japan
after the two atomic bombs.
The point is, that I believe that some type of nuclear/atomic fall-out
and/or attack will be the result of Iran's persistence in uranium
enrichment and pursuing to "remove Israel from the map." (And another
tidbit to think about - if you read 14:2, and look at Jerusalem, Jerusalem
is already split in half.)
The "End Times" Prophecy Interpretations
There is much debate on all of the details of the "end times," including the time frame. You can find
many interpretations on all of it. I have, and do, read about the various interpretations and materials
from other people. But, when I read & study what is in the Bible, I pray and ask God to help me
understand what HE says it means, and I read/study verses, chapters, and sections repeatedly over
time. In this, there are many details that I not only question about interpretations, but also I believe
that there are details that have been misinterpreted by many.
I have tried multiple times to ask questions, and most often I get told "I am not a Bible scholar." So I
have tried multiple times to contact various "experts," and most often the response I get is, "Read my
book(s)" or "follow my sermon series."
Over time, we will share many of the questions/interpretations, we get from reading in the Bible; as
well as explain the reasoning behind the question/interpretation.
Some examples of questions are...Why do they pull things in Revelation out of order? The battle of
Armageddon is described in Revelation chapter 16 (verse 16), which is between the 6th and 7th
bowls. So why do they say the battle of Armageddon is what sparks off the events of Tribulation?
Also, Why do they say that the Rapture will take place at the beginning of a 7 year period which will be
tribulation? The description of the Son of Man returning in the clouds and "reaping the good" is in
Revelation chapter 14 (verses 14-16), which is between the trumpets and the bowls. So why do they
say that Rapture will take place first? In Matthew, Mark, and Luke where they include Jesus giving the
Signs of the End, He describes the Abomination of Desolation before He says anything about
anyone disappearing. Also, Jesus said several times that "an evil & wicked generation would seek a
sign and none would be given them," and to me millions of people & all small children & babies
disappearing is a pretty big sign! Jesus said that the only sign that would be given them is the Sign
of Jonah, which Jesus explains in Matthew 12 (verse 40), is His death and Resurrection! Also, the
seven years? I get in Daniel chapter 9 (verse 27), where they get the 7 year peace pact that will fall
apart after 3 1/2 years, as well as other verses in Daniel and in Revelation that describe a 3 1/2 year
period. But where do they get that ALL of the events of the Tribulation will take place within that 7
years? Why do they take the explanation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the statue that describes five
kingdoms, and try to make that fit Daniel's vision of the 4 beasts? Besides that the interpretation they
give for the 4 beasts does NOT address the details described for each beast. If you read any of the
places where the interpretations are given, there are explanations for the details as well as the "big
picture."
We have many more questions, and we have not found answers to these or any of the others in any
material we've read. So, we decided that we should share these in the Blog and allow people to
respond, and perhaps get people to looking at things more closely, and actually thinking about what
is coming, and what their part may be in all of it. I see nothing at all wrong with hoping for the best,
but I do believe that people need to be prepared for the worst. (Something to think about on that - the
interpretation that Rapture would take place before-hand originated in the late 1800s /// the
interpretation that Rapture would take place later during Tribulation is dated back to (a believed)
disciple of John. (The point is, that whether this person was an actual disciple of John or not, this
interpretation dates back that far.)
The most important thing is be careful who/what you believe & who/what you trust - on any subject -
and never forget that God Always Knows What He Is Doing!
There is much debate on all of the details of the "end times," including the time frame. You can find
many interpretations on all of it. I have, and do, read about the various interpretations and materials
from other people. But, when I read & study what is in the Bible, I pray and ask God to help me
understand what HE says it means, and I read/study verses, chapters, and sections repeatedly over
time. In this, there are many details that I not only question about interpretations, but also I believe
that there are details that have been misinterpreted by many.
I have tried multiple times to ask questions, and most often I get told "I am not a Bible scholar." So I
have tried multiple times to contact various "experts," and most often the response I get is, "Read my
book(s)" or "follow my sermon series."
Over time, we will share many of the questions/interpretations, we get from reading in the Bible; as
well as explain the reasoning behind the question/interpretation.
Some examples of questions are...Why do they pull things in Revelation out of order? The battle of
Armageddon is described in Revelation chapter 16 (verse 16), which is between the 6th and 7th
bowls. So why do they say the battle of Armageddon is what sparks off the events of Tribulation?
Also, Why do they say that the Rapture will take place at the beginning of a 7 year period which will be
tribulation? The description of the Son of Man returning in the clouds and "reaping the good" is in
Revelation chapter 14 (verses 14-16), which is between the trumpets and the bowls. So why do they
say that Rapture will take place first? In Matthew, Mark, and Luke where they include Jesus giving the
Signs of the End, He describes the Abomination of Desolation before He says anything about
anyone disappearing. Also, Jesus said several times that "an evil & wicked generation would seek a
sign and none would be given them," and to me millions of people & all small children & babies
disappearing is a pretty big sign! Jesus said that the only sign that would be given them is the Sign
of Jonah, which Jesus explains in Matthew 12 (verse 40), is His death and Resurrection! Also, the
seven years? I get in Daniel chapter 9 (verse 27), where they get the 7 year peace pact that will fall
apart after 3 1/2 years, as well as other verses in Daniel and in Revelation that describe a 3 1/2 year
period. But where do they get that ALL of the events of the Tribulation will take place within that 7
years? Why do they take the explanation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the statue that describes five
kingdoms, and try to make that fit Daniel's vision of the 4 beasts? Besides that the interpretation they
give for the 4 beasts does NOT address the details described for each beast. If you read any of the
places where the interpretations are given, there are explanations for the details as well as the "big
picture."
We have many more questions, and we have not found answers to these or any of the others in any
material we've read. So, we decided that we should share these in the Blog and allow people to
respond, and perhaps get people to looking at things more closely, and actually thinking about what
is coming, and what their part may be in all of it. I see nothing at all wrong with hoping for the best,
but I do believe that people need to be prepared for the worst. (Something to think about on that - the
interpretation that Rapture would take place before-hand originated in the late 1800s /// the
interpretation that Rapture would take place later during Tribulation is dated back to (a believed)
disciple of John. (The point is, that whether this person was an actual disciple of John or not, this
interpretation dates back that far.)
The most important thing is be careful who/what you believe & who/what you trust - on any subject -
and never forget that God Always Knows What He Is Doing!
| Lion: Christianity (Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Rev 5:5) valor, strength Eagle's Wings: assoc. w/ prayer ascending to God assoc. w/ ascension of Christ freedom of the spirit role of heavenly messenger w/ prayer rising to God and grace descending to man Heart: source of knowledge source of the will, morals, values, and beliefs |
|
| Bear: king of beasts (in many northern countries & in Europe) resurrection (after hibernation) attribute of man that is cruel, crude brutality warfare enormous strength Ribs: wife or helpmate |
(possibly Russia could be working with the countries it is to help develop nuclear power/weapons, so that strategically, they're in a better position to respond if America were to retaliate against their fighting/conquering.) |
| Leopard: courage, valor, swiftness, might, great watcher, stealth cruelty, untamed instincts, ferocity, fraud, lust, ferocity one who strikes an unexpected blow Bird Wings: symbolic of storms (Bird: symbol of soul -good or bad / thoughts of flights of fancy) Four: the orderly arrangement of what is separate. it is a symbol of order in space, and by analogy of every other well-ordered structure |
(share thoughts / suggestions in the group Time Fast Approaching on the Groups page.) |
| Iron: denotes power, durability, and inflexibility Bronze: Claws: Ten: return to unity (related to 4) symbolizes totality of the universe...since it raises all things to unity |
|
| From what I have found, and researched (older symbolism and also from actual characteristics of the animals), this is what I think... |
| Tidbit: "Mystery, Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots and the Abominations of the Earth." -Rev 17:5 Babylon: [symbolizes] luxury-loving city of great wealth; hence any city regarded as a seat of luxury and vice; also a place of exile, idolatry, persecution, tyranny, usurpation. |
| Click here to look symbolism / characteristics of the Anti-Christ, and a possible explanation of the meaning of the beasts from the Sea & Land. |
| Tidbits are just something to think about - kind of like a "thought for the day." |
| To the best of our knowledge this is a complete listing of Reference sources for the information included on this page, but because the information was compiled separately (and some time ago) from where the information was jotted down while being researched this may not be a complete list of sources, or may include additional sources. |
| History of Coins and Symbols in Ancient Israel, Wirgen and Mandel A Dictionary of Symbols, Cirlot Dictionary of Symbolism, Hans Biedermann translated by James Hulbert Dictionary of Mythology, Folklore and Symbols, Gertrude Jobes Wikipedia.com |