“Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea” (Dan. 7:2). We can feel the striving of the spiritual world all around us. We don’t know what will come upon this world tomorrow but, rest assured, something will happen and we must be prepared as individuals, and we must make ready our families the best that we know how. If we don’t have our spiritual seat belts on, we will be thrown, we will be shaken. “And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it” (Dan. 7:3, 4). This passage may refer to the alliance between the United Kingdom/England (the Lion) and the United States (the Eagle), depicting a very strong, powerful, and far-reaching creature, but eventually, its wings get plucked. Something may happen to the United States very soon that seriously diminishes its military and economic capacity and England may lose its lion courage on the world stage without this most powerful ally to rely upon. As a result, it is given the heart of a man. We have been praying for a revival within the United States and, unfortunately, this may be the only way that God can get people’s attention. Our brothers and sisters overseas have relied on the saints in the United States economically for a long time, but soon they may not be able to! It is time for all of us to be faithful and to prove God like never before! Let The Church of God pay its tithes and give its offerings all over the world, and God will open the windows of heaven for the faithful!
“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” (Dan. 7:5). Are we seeing some of the fulfillment of this scripture right now with Russia (represented by the Bear) and Ukraine? Are the three ribs three countries that Russia will take over or have taken over? Many are saying that the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, won’t stop at Ukraine and that World War III has already begun—we will see. The command has been given to the Bear to devour much flesh. The prophecy will be fulfilled and we may see it happen before our eyes. The Bear is raised up on one side, reaching out with its claws for more, even when its mouth is full. It may be Russia that attacks Israel in these last days and is defeated (See Ezekiel 38:14-19.), and then comes against Christ and The Church of God at the end of the Millennial Reign, but is finally destroyed. “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog [from the north according to Ezekiel 38:15] and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them” (Rev. 20:7-9).
The gates of hell shall not EVER prevail against Christ or His Church! Praise be to God! (Next month we will discuss the great and terrible political leader to come—the Anti- Christ, or Beast.)
Robert J. Hawkins, Jr.
General World Missions Coordinator