Realization of Prophetic Visions

By Philip Mark Ames

THE TERRIBLE FOURTH BEAST

Daniel's prophetic vision of the lion, the bear, and the leopard has been precisely fulfilled in history by the three great religious kings: 1. Catholicism, 2. Mohammedanism, and 3. Protestantism. But, Daniel saw also a fourth beast, for which he can find no name. He says that it is different from all the others. If does not resemble any of God's own creatures. He goes on to describe this strange fourth beast as being dreadful and terrible, and exceedingly strong. it has large teeth of iron and claws of brass. Further, he notes that it has ten horns. What is this beast? Daniel also wanted to know. So God's angel gave him this explanation:

"The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be different from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces."

So, then, what great religious kingdom or ideological ism has arisen since the rise of Catholicism, Mohammedanism, and Protestantism? The answer may surprise you, but it is the only authentic identification of the great and evil fourth beast which Daniel saw rising out of the vast, emotionally troubled sea of human thought. Events of the twentieth century prove the fourth beast to be Communism. In this century, Communism has arisen as a dreadful and terrible religion. Atheistic, indeed, yet Communism is as much a religion or faith as any other The book, The Nature of Communism, by Robert V. Daniel's, Chapter 9, "Communism as a Faith", explores the many aspects which show Communism to he in actuality a religion. It would be excellent reading for any who desire an accurate perspective of that great and terrible faith.

Daniel saw this fourth beast as having great iron teeth. These clearly represent Communism's heavy industry with which it feeds itself. True, the industrial revolution has affected the whole world, including the domains of the other three beasts, but their original growth and continued existence was not dependent on it. However, Communism has been almost totally dependent on heavy industry for its strength and growth. See the book, The Nature of Communism, pages 248, 281.

Another very prominent aspect of Communism is its military strength. This brings us to the claws of brass which Daniel saw on this beast. Just as industrialism was aptly visualized as teeth of iron, so modern military hardware is properly signified by brass toenails. For example, because of its ideal properties, brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) is used extensively in ammunition. And both copper and zinc, either combined or separately, are used in numerous other essentials of modern warfare, including electronic technology, upon which Communism depends heavily for both defensive and aggressive fighting potential,

Here again, Such was not an integral part of the battle capabilities of the other three religions as they rose to power. They did, and still would, exist without iron teeth and brass claws. Not so Communism. One further comment concerning this beast's iron teeth and brass claws; both emphasize the materialistic character of Communism, So, even in non-communist lands, the stress places on industrialism and militarism is preparing people as food for the Communist beast. Thus the iron teeth are indeed large and the brass claws are far-reaching and effective. As people become more materialistic and less spiritual minded, they are drawn closer to Communism's open arms and jaws. Remember, the angel did say that this fourth beastly kingdom would devour the whole earth.

Daniel emphasized the fact that this one was different from the other three, He could not identity it with any of God's creatures, as he could the first three beasts. This deserves some comment. All of God's creatures give glory and praise to him as their Creator. (Psalm 104) Likewise, the Catholics, Moslems, and Protestants all recognize the Creator and, in their various ways, worship God. Communism does not. It is anti-God, anti-Christ. It advocates the theory of evolution, rather than the truth of Divine creation, So it is unlike the other three religions, and unlike any of the beasts created by God. Daniel could only describe it as "dreadful and terrible."

But what of the ten horns? The angel told Daniel that out of that fourth kingdom ten kings would rise up. What is the fulfillment of this part of the vision? A brief history of Communism will reveal the answer. Communism began its ascent to power in Russia in 1917. Then for many years Russia and Communism were almost identical; the one was inseparable from the other. Together, they grew as an entity to world power. And even still, Russia (the USSR) is the body of the Communist soul or psyche. That being so, the USSR could not be said to be one of the horns of the Communist beast. Actually, at first, the Communist kingdom or beast did not have any horns, According to the angel, they were to grow sometime after the beast's initial appearance. What, exactly, would those horns or kings be?

By definition, a "king" is a sovereign ruler of a certain territory or country, or at least a figurehead of such rule. Usually in ancient times he had legislative, executive, and judicial authority, If such authority is held by an organization or group of individuals rather than by one man, then those having such authority could rightly be referred to collectively as "king". Simply stated then, a king is a legally sovereign government of a sovereign state or country. Being horns of the beast, these kings would advance the interests of the religious or ideological thought-creature which rules as their king of kings.

Historically, the first of these ten Communist governments to develop outside Russia was that of Outer Mongolia in the 1920's. But it was not recognized (except by itself and Russia) to be a sovereign state until 1946 when China officially granted it independence. Up until World War II, there existed outside of the USSR no other Communist governed country. However, Communist parties and missionaries were active in all parts of the world. Then, suddenly. with the end of World War II, the following ten Communist governments arose as the legally constituted kings of these ten sovereign states:

In the year 1945, North Vietnam and Yugoslavia; in 1946, Albania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Outer Mongolia (declared independent); in 1947, Poland; 1948, Rumania. Czechoslovakia, and North Korea. Exactly ten; no more, no less.

In case you wonder why East Germany is not in this list, the reason is that it was only an "occupied zone" directly administered by Russia until October 9, 1949, when it became governed by a Russian "puppet government" Not until 1954 did Russia grant national sovereignty to East Germany. So, no earlier than that year, if even then, Could it be called a king or be viewed as a horn of the Communist beast.

Meanwhile, another development began. Daniel describes this very important event in these words:

"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." He later describes it as being bigger than the others. What is this eleventh horn? There can be only one answer.

It is the government of the People's Republic of China. This king appeared on September 21, 1949. At first this new government seemed small and insignificant. For many years it was not even recognized officially by some important nations. It was denied membership in the United Nations. But, from that small beginning, Communist China has grown to great prominence. It is now realized that Red China is a power to be reckoned with. It has gained entrance into the United Nations; yes, even into the Security Council.

As to this horn's eyes and mouth, it is obvious that China views things for itself, not through Moscow; and it speaks for itself, its demands being respected even by the great American republic. But, what about the three horns which Daniel saw being plucked up? The angel explains: "He shall subdue three kings." At the time of this writing, this has not yet occurred. But God's word is sure; you can expect to see this part of the vision come true with precise accuracy, Three of the above-named Communist governments will fall to Red China. The most likely victims would be those bordering China, namely, North Vietnam, North Korea, and Outer Mongolia.

The rest of this prophecy is yet to be fulfilled. So the examination of its meaning is a look into the future, After telling Daniel about the three kings which were to be subdued, the angel proceeds to foretell the following events: This eleventh horn of the Communist beast will speak words against the most high God; and shall wear out the saints of the most high God; and shall think to change times and laws, these being given into its hands for "a time and times and the dividing of time." (Dan. 7:25) How long are those three and one half "times"? The answer requires a look at the original language of this prophetic vision.

Daniel wrote this seventh chapter in the Aramaic language, The Aramaic word in this phrase is "iddan", which is more properly translated "appointed time" or "season", rather than simply "time". The Aramaic word for "time" is "z'man". A season is an exact period of time, a set or appointed time. Its length is governed by the earth's orbital journey around the sun. Because of the 231/2 degree tilt of the earth's axis in relation to its orbital plane, there is an annual procession of the seasons, It takes 365 1/4 days for the earth to complete its four-season orbit of the sun. So the length of each season is just under 91 1/3 days. Therefore, 3 1/2 seasons would be just over 319 1/2 days, or 10 1/2 months.

If these are the seasons or "specific times" meant by Daniel, then we can expect that Red China will have power to change times ("zimnin", plural of "z'man") and laws for a period of ten and one half months. It remains to be learned exactly how China will accomplish this, and what times and laws will be changed and why. But Daniel does make it very plain that until the end of those 3 1/2 seasons, that same horn will be waging war on the Godly people and prevailing against them.

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