ven of the tyrannical reign of this fourth beast
aptly portrays the history of Rome. By wars and conquests the Roman
power broke down all opposition and reduced almost every kingdom in
the then-known world to a state of dependence. She drew the spoils of
their capitals to enlarge her own proud metropolis and thus tyrannized
over all who did not quietly yield to her unquestioned obedience.

The beast considered as a beast, could signify nothing more than a
political power, and the ten horns temporal kingdoms. But in this
connection I wish to call attention to a singular fact; namely,
that, associated with the animal propensities, there are certain
characteristics drawn from human life. "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 a man, and a mouth
speaking great things" (verse 8).

[Sidenote: The marvelous horn]

A horn with the eyes and mouth of a man is a most unusual thing, and
yet it is just such a combination as we might expect when we possess
a correct understanding of the nature of symbols. These closely united
symbols drawn from two departments--human and animal life--point
us with absolute certainty to a temporal power combined with an
ecclesiastical power. The chronology of the event is fixed by the
fact that this eleventh horn came up among the ten horns, three of the
original ten being removed in order to give it room. The ten kingdoms
all arose within two centuries after 356 A.D.; therefore the facts
brought out in the symbol direct us to the period of the downfall of
Western Rome for the rise into prominence of the little horn.

In giving Daniel the interpretation of the fourth beast, the angel
also described more particularly this little horn and the nature of
its work. First Daniel said: "I would know the truth of the fourth
beast ... and of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other
which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had
eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more
stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn made war with
the saints, and prevailed against them" (verses 19-21). And the angel
explained: "The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth
... and the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall
arise: another shall rise after them; and h