World Powers (Part I)

We have already established that the beasts in Daniel 7 represent nations and governments. But what type of nations are these? How much territory did they cover? Were these small provinces in the Middle East or did their influence extend beyond those borders?
Well we have already established that Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar became a mighty empire. In fact, in the vision of Daniel 2 Babylon is represented as the head of gold. The privileges that accompany such an honor are recorded in Daniel 2, "the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all." (v. 37,38). History shows us that during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon extended its influence into territories that had never before been under Babylonian rule. Between 606-536 B.C. Babylon had extended its borders to include parts of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey. This of course included the captivity of Israel and the Jewish people. Is it any wonder that Scripture gives such a prestigious and global description of Babylon? This empire was by no means a small isolated province. Furthermore, Daniel 7 describes it as a lion with wings to show how quickly and fiercely it subdued the nations around it. However, a change occurred in this nation. Scripture describes this change; "the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given it" (Daniel 7:4). This change shows that Babylon would not be invincible as it had thought. It was a human institution founded on a pagan belief system. It had been brought up by the province of God but it would not stand forever. Babylon’s religious and civil foundations would last only until God’s plans were fulfilled for His people. After a determined time the world would see that Babylon was no more invincible than mortal man despite its religious philosophies and pantheon of gods. How accurate an account we find in Scripture as to the state and condition of Babylon at its fall. Drunk with its own ambition and vainglory, it was conquered over night.
Babylon was succeeded by the Medo-Persian Empire. In prophecy it is represented by the silver in Daniel 2 and the bear in Daniel 7. The Medo-Persian Empire covered more territory than Babylon. Its borders extended throughout Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, reaching as far east as India and even into Afghanistan. Why was it considered only as valuable as silver and only as ferocious as a humpback bear? The value assigned to the Persian Empire represents its spiritual foundation as revealed by the God of Scripture. Under its most notable ruler, Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon came to know the power of the true God through the enlightenment provided by His servant Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar came to accept his position as one that was still subservient to God. His faith was as gold refined through the fire. Under Cyrus, Daniel was still permitted to exercise his faith but his influence would not go as far as it had under Babylon. Persia would not attain the same magnificence, wealth, brilliance, and spiritual enlightenment of its predecessor.
The bear being raised higher on one side represents the two nationalities that made up the empire: the Medes and the Persians. The two horns of the ram in Daniel 8 attest to the same fact. Of the two the Persians were the most powerful hence they were raised to higher prominence and had greater influence. The three ribs are likely to represent those nations that suffered the greatest oppression under the Persian rule: Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt. By the conquest of these provinces the Persian empire would have the confidence to dominate and subjugate other nations. The empire would last for 207 years.