FEROCIOUS AS A LION, QUICK AS AN EAGLE

What beasts Daniel beheld! Describing one, he said: "The first one was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle.  I kept on beholding until its wings were plucked out, and it was lifted up from the earth and was made to stand up on two feet just like a man, and there was given to it the heart of a man." (Daniel 7:4)  This beast pictured the same rulership as that represented by the head of gold of the immense image, the Babylonian World Power (607-539 B.C.E.).  Like a predatory  "lion," Babylon fiercely devoured nations, including God's people.  (Jeremiah 4:5-7; 50:17) As if with the wings of an eagle, this "lion" sped forward in aggressive conquest.-Lamentations 4:19; Habakkuk 1:6-8. 

In time, the unique winged lion had its wings "plucked out." Near the end of Belshazzar's rule, Babylon lost its speed of conquest and its lion like supremacy  over the nations.  It was no faster than a man on two feet. Getting "the heart of a man," it became weak. Lacking  "the heart of the lion," Babylon could no longer behave like king "among the beasts of the forest." (Compare 2 Samuel 17:10; Micah 5:8.) Another huge beast vanquished it. 

Next time: VORACIOUS AS A BEAR

From the book:  PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999