What Does The Bear With Three Ribs Represent?

Name: Amanda
Question: First, I’d like to tell you that I’ve studied your work for quite some time now and I thank you so much for your dedication to spreading God’s word. I’m blessed to have found your site.

I would like to know your opinion of the second beast mentioned in Daniel 7:5.

I once read, long ago, that this beast (a bear) represents Russia and that the 3 ribs in its mouth might represent 3 nearby countries that it will devour. What are your thoughts on this? This perspective is obviously standing out in my mind at the moment due to the conflict between Russia & Ukraine.

Answer: Amanda, thank you for the question.

You are very welcome, great to hear from long-time readers, but God gets all the glory.

Unfortunately, this theory disregards other Scriptures, including their time sequence which is critical to understand. In my mind, it’s doubtful the bear with 3 ribs represents Russia, perhaps in a future capacity, but not right now.

I will explain my rationale, and provide a general overview of the Four Beasts of Daniel, but let me lay some groundwork before we get there.

Does The Bear In Daniel Represent Russia?

As you mentioned, the bear in Daniel 7:5 is the second of Four Beasts described in this chapter, (Daniel 7:2-8, 7:16-28). So here’s the rub…

  • How could the second beast, this bear, and all its details represent Russia, but we don’t understand what the first and third beast represent, nor the details of all four?

That’s always a red flag, when we rush Scripture.

Moreover, this question always comes up when Russia is involved in a conflict. We should be careful to note, Russia was at war with Georgia back in 2008 (not taken over), they took over Crimea in 2014, and they have been at war with Ukraine twice now (2014 and 2022).

Like most world powers, Russia was also involved in Syria and Africa as well. So this all leads me to believe, the bear is Russia theory is incorrect, at least right now. My point, if Bible prophecy is truly unfolding as we believe, then it should become very obvious to learned Christians.

Be Careful With Bible Prophecy

When we deal with Bible prophecy, it can be truly difficult to understand. I believe God did that on purpose. So the reality and truth would only be revealed to His People, in its proper order, in its proper time.

As the Bible says,

“None of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand”.

Daniel 2:21

Alright, now let’s read Daniel 7:5 together.

The Bear With 3 Ribs In Daniel

Daniel 7:5
And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

Notice all of the details in this verse?

If this verse presently discussed Russia, then we should be able to identify each and every one of these details. Not only do we have a bear, but its only raised up on one side. Moreover, the three ribs between the teeth actually tell the bear, “Arise, devour much flesh”.

  • If the ribs represented conquered nations, which ones?
  • Why would the ribs encourage the bear to conquer even more?
  • What is the symbolic meaning of ribs between the teeth?
  • What is the symbolic meaning of the bear being raised only on one side?

I have read the opinions, and have some myself, including the other beasts.

Nevertheless, it just doesn’t add up. More importantly, the first and third beast cannot be explained in a meaningful way. So that tells me, we are not there yet. Otherwise, we could explain all Four Beasts and their details, certainly the first beast which rises before the bear.

However, when these verses become a reality, then we will recognize them.

I want to add, this theory is widely known, and it’s an easy guess. After all, the bear has been a symbol for Russia since the 16th century.

So, in the simplest terms Amanda, the Four Beasts represent the organizational structure of global government. I refer to this as the “Sixth Kingdom” which has its roots in Daniel 2.

So let’s go ahead and talk about that.

The Four Winds of Daniel

We are going to cover the Four Beasts of Daniel, but more importantly, align the events of the Last Days. Without alignment and completeness, we are walking in the dark. I want you to understand how critical it is for us to understand the details God placed in Scripture.

We are going into great detail, let’s begin.

Daniel 7:2-3
2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

Also: Daniel 8:8, 22

The Four Winds are critical to comprehend when we talk about the coming Tribulation.

When the Four Winds of Heaven are released, the storm of the Last Days is unleashed. When the Four Winds are released, the sealing of the Saints is complete, and the Seven Trumpets begin to sound.

We can be certain the Four Winds and Four Beasts belong to the Last Days. Daniel 7:18 tells us, “the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever”. That only occurs when Jesus returns, (Dan 7:13-14, Ps 145:13, Rev 11:15).

Now what kingdom was being discussed there?

The kingdom of the Four Beasts, their power over the earth.

The Four Beasts of Daniel

Now, we learned these Four Beasts come up from the “sea” which represents “Peoples, and multitudes, and nations,” (Revelation 17:15). The water is symbolic for the people of the earth. So these Four Beasts signifyfour kings, which shall arise out of the earth,” (Daniel 7:17).

Make note, these Four Beasts do not represent the kingdoms of Daniel 2 [1]. Those kingdoms arose one after another, in place of each other, (Daniel 2:39). While the first three Beasts of Daniel 7 arise one after another, ruling together, (Daniel 7:3-7).

However, when the Fourth Beast arises, it will “devour and break in pieces” the first three Beasts, (Daniel 7:7, 19). Then we find the “Little Horn” associated with the Fourth Beast appearing later, (Daniel 7:8, 24).

Since the Four Beasts are symbolic of four kings, no doubt kingdoms, being the organizational structure of global government, then we should be able to identify and distinguish each of them as they arise. That’s why God provided us with such precise details.

As we see these Four Beasts rise, they will symbolize a global government, a new world order if you will. Specifically, the fulfillment of the sixth kingdom when the Fourth Beast is revealed, (Daniel 2:35).

How do we know when this occurs?

We will witness specific aspects of the global order emerge. These aspects and stages will align with each of the Four Beasts, then becoming clear to us. Moreover, Daniel 7 provides us with even more details, especially concerning the Fourth Beast.

Let’s take a look.

The Fourth Beast Has Ten Horns

Turn your Bible with me to.

Daniel 7:7
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.

The Fourth Beast has Ten Horns.

Horns are symbolic of kings, (Revelation 17:12). These Ten Horns are symbolic for Ten kings, ten world leaders who “arise out of the earth”. Don’t lose sight of the fact, these Ten kings belong to the Fourth Beast.

When the Fourth Beast becomes a reality, it will “devour and break” the first three. Most likely absorbing them which brings the Scarlet Beast of Revelation 13 to mind.

So these Ten kings are a very important detail and time sequence we must look for.

What happens next?

Daniel 7:8
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.

Now we have the appearance of the Little Horn, who is none other than Satan himself, the Antichrist.

Satan will appear with his angels, claiming to be God and His Angels, (2 Thessalonians 2:4, Revelation 12:7-9, 13:5-6). Satan’s appearance is tied to the Deadly Wound, which involves three of the Ten kings, as he removes them from power as we just read.

This tells us, since the first three beasts are “devoured and brake in pieces,” and “three of the first horns plucked up by the roots”. This global government will not bring true peace, (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

This also tells us, the Ten kings we just read of are not the Ten kings from Revelation 17:12.

How can we be so certain?

  1. The Ten kings of Daniel 7:7 “arise from the earth,” and they are established before the Little Horn who “shall rise after them,” (Daniel 7:24).
  2. The Ten kings of Revelation 17:12 “receive power as kings one hour with the beast”. The Beast of Revelation 13 only reigns for one symbolic hour, the Hour of Temptation, the Tribulation.

Therefore, since three of the Ten kings from Daniel are removed from power at the beginning of this hour, they cannot be the Ten kings of Revelation who reign for the full hour.

This means, we have two sets of kings here.

  1. The Ten kings that “arise out of the earth,” (Daniel 7:17).
  2. The Ten kings who appear with Satan, (Revelation 12:7-9, 17:12).

Now, let’s take it a step further.

The Ten kings of Daniel (clay), and the Ten kings of Revelation (iron), are respectively, the clay and iron toes of Daniel 2:42.

Let’s read it together.

The Toes: Part Clay, Part Iron

Daniel 2:42
And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.

The fifth kingdom

So we have toes that are part clay and part iron.

  1. Part Clay: Symbolic of man who was created from clay, symbolic for the Ten kings of Daniel 7.
  2. Part Iron: Symbolic of strength, symbolic for the Ten angelic kings of Revelation 17.

God placed a tremendous amount of detail in Scripture concerning the Ten kings of Daniel. He did this so we could recognize them when they take power. So we understand the time sequence of prophecy.

Stick with me, we are going to dive in.

Read closely…

Daniel 2:44
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

What days and what kings?

The Last Days, even the Great Tribulation, and the clay and iron kings we just discussed.

The Great Image In Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

We just read a little about Nebuchazzar’s dream which was twofold. The dream represented kingdoms past to present that arose one after another, in place of each other.

However, the powers of these kingdoms were to be combined into one final kingdom, the sixth kingdom that would rule over the entire earth in these Last Days.

Let’s prove it.

Daniel 2:35
Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

Did you catch that?

The great image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was “broken to pieces together”.

How could that be?

Daniel 2:38-44 tells us, each of the mineral elements represented a kingdom and made up a portion of the image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The “head of gold” represented Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom of Babylon, which fell to the “arms of silver” being Medio-Persia.

Since each of these kingdoms are represented by “gold, silver, brass,” etc, and fell to the next kingdom…

  • How could they all stand together in the Last Days, if they already fell?
  • How could that be, since they all fell one after another throughout history?

The only way these kingdoms of “gold, silver, brass,” etc could be broken “together,” is if verses 35 and 44 discuss a sixth kingdom. A kingdom that combines within itself, the power and characteristics of the previous five kingdoms.

That is exactly what we are told in Revelation 17:10.

‘Five kingdoms have fallen, and one is,’ being the sixth kingdom.

Moreover, if you were paying close attention, you noticed Daniel 2:44 said, God’s Kingdom, the Stone of verse 35 will “break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms”.

All these kingdoms,” all of these elements (gold, silver, brass, etc) could only exist at once if they were combined into one (sixth kingdom) and broken together(by Jesus) in the Last Days.

So when we read Daniel 2, the elements of “gold, silver, brass,” etc each represented a kingdom throughout history, with each kingdom making up a portion of the great image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.

Yet, the great image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream will not be finished until the sixth kingdom completely comes together. Meaning, all Four Beasts have risen. Even merged together with the “seventh kingdom” that Satan brings with him, (Revelation 17:11).

This is evident, as the toes of ‘iron are mixed with miry clay.’ Being, fulfilled when the Ten angelic kings (iron kings) reign with the Ten human kings (clay kings). When the sixth and seventh kingdom is combined together, being “partly strong, and partly broken,” (Daniel 2:42-43).

Then and only then will the image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream be complete.

Then…

Daniel 2:45
Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Jesus is the Stone that destroys these kingdoms “together,” (Dan 2:34-35, 44-45, Psa 118:22, Rev 11:15, 19:14-15, see: Why Does The Euphrates River Dry Up In Revelation?).

Christ’s appearance will utterly destroy the sixth kingdom, including the seventh kingdom that Satan brings with him. This concludes the Tribulation, establishes the Millennium, and places Satan into the bottomless pit for the duration of it.

Jesus now possesses the Kingdom on earth, along with His Saints “for ever, even for ever and ever”.

This all tells us, the Four Beasts and Ten Horns are a tremendous sign that we will not miss. As you can see, we have the big picture, but we do not have all the little details.

  1. We know this for a fact as the Four Beasts of Dan 7:3 do not rise until after the Four Winds are released (future, Dan 7:2). Moreover, during the time of Daniel, Babylon and Medo-Persia had already risen, proving they are not the kingdoms being described in Dan 7:17.

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