Question:
When Daniel discussed the fourth beast, he was referring to the Roman Empire, which existed from around 30 BC to AD 476, and not beyond that. However, it’s important to note that the eastern portion of the Roman Empire lasted until AD 1453. Therefore, you are missing a lot of history that needs to be considered.
Answer:
Our inquirer mentioned the “fourth beast” that “Daniel discussed,” and therefore, we are assuming they are referring to his first vision recorded in Daniel chapter seven.
While history holds significant value, we must prioritize Holy Scripture and allow the Lord to highlight His intentions. In Daniel 7:7-8, we read:
“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.”
It is essential to note that the prophetic account of the fourth beast focuses on the “ten horns” and the “little horn,” to which the prophet Daniel directed his attention. The historical events associated with the western division of Imperial Pagan Rome are central to this narrative, marking the entry of Papal Rome into the prophetic framework, and are key to understanding and teaching the vision correctly.
They are correct in their assertion that the eastern division of Imperial Pagan Rome concluded in AD 1453, a period addressed in Revelation 9. That said, we are not “missing a lot of history,” at least not when teaching Daniel 7 in the way it was revealed by the Spirit and faithfully documented by the prophet (v. 1).
