Key to the 1843 Prophetic Chart
does not in this respect accurately symbolize the aggressive character of that power; hence inspiration departs from nature and gives the lion two wings as of an eagle, to denote the rapidity of its conquests. It existed, as seen in the head of gold, from B.C. 677, to 538, one hundred and thirty-nine years.
THE BEAR
A symbol of Persia, the same as the breast and arms of the image. He raised himself up on one side. The empire was composed of the two elements, the Medes and Persians, and the Persian was the higher and leading element. It had three ribs in its mouth, supposed to denote the three provinces of Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt, which it conquered and grievously oppressed. It existed from B.C.
538, to 331, two hundred and seven years.
THE LEOPARD
Here, again, we have another symbol of Grecia, corresponding with the brazen portion of the image. This beast, unlike anything in nature, has four wings and four heads. The four heads denote the four parts into which the empire was divided on the death of Alexander, and under which it continued, till supplanted by the Roman power.
The leopard is of itself exceedingly fierce and swift, but this not being sufficient, four wings of a fowl are added, to denote the unparalleled rapidity that characterized the conquests of the Grecian empire, especially under Alexander, who is said to have conquered kingdoms, more speedily than others could have marched their armies through them. This kingdom is included between the dates B.C. 331, and 161, one hundred and seventy years.
THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAST
For the power that succeeded Grecia the prophet could find nothing in nature, which would answer as a fit symbol. A power so strong, so fierce, so ravenous and destructive, could not be represented by any known beast that this earth produces. Hence the prophet is obliged to introduce a symbol that finds no counterpart in nature - a monster with ten horns, the body of a behemoth, glaring eyes, a lion's nostrils, great iron teeth and brazen nails. This beast symbolizes the same as the iron legs of the image, opposite which it is placed, namely, Rome, the successor of Grecia. The ten horns on this beast denote the ten kings that arose out of the Roman empire, the same as the ten toes of the image.
Dan.vii (7),24. These kingdoms are enumerated by Marchiaval, Bishop Lloyd, and Dr.Hales, as follows: 1. The Huns, A.D.356. 2. The Ostrogoths, A.D.377. 3. The Visigoths, A.D.378. 4. The Franks, A.D.407. 5. The Vandals, A.D.407. 6. The Suevi, A.D.407. 7. The Burgundians, A.D.407.