References: Daniel 7

I was raised fearing the Bear-Russia and the British Empire was the Lion. Even our two political parties present themselves as an elephant and a donkey. The same thing was true in the Ancient World, and as we open up our Bibles to Daniel 7 to begin the prophetic section of the book, we are in the midst of a hurricane at sea. Looking out through the storm, four beasts emerge in succession out of the waves. Then our eyes are directed away from the tumult at sea to a sedate but fiery scene where a throne is set up, books are open, and judgment is pronounced.