The Four Ages The Four Ages- from the theological writings of Emanuel Swedenborg
The Four Beasts
The same four churches on this earth are described by four "beasts" rising up
out of the sea, in Daniel, of which it is there written:
The first was seen like a lion, but it had eagle's wings. I beheld until the wings
thereof were plucked out, and it was lifted up from the earth, and it was erect like a man
upon feet, and a man's heart was given to it. Afterwards, behold another beast, a second,
like a bear, and it raised up itself on one side; three ribs were in its mouth between the
teeth: moreover, they were saying thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. After these
things, I beheld, and, lo, another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four
wings, like birds' wings; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
After this, I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, terrible and dreadful,
and strong exceedingly, which had great iron teeth; it devoured and brake in pieces, and
trampled the residue with its feet; but it was diverse from all the beasts that were
before it, and it had ten horns. I beheld till the thrones were cast down and the Ancient
of days did sit; and the judgment was set, and the books were opened; and behold, one like
the Son of man was coming with the clouds of the heavens. And there was given Him
dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations and tongues should worship
Him: His dominion is a dominion of an age, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that
which shall not perish (Daniel 7:3-7, 9, 10, 13, 14).
By these beasts, in like manner, are meant and described those four churches, is manifest from all the particulars there, which shall be unfolded in the following pages: more especially from the last expressions there, that after those four beasts the Son of man will come, to whom shall be given dominion, and a kingdom which shall not pass away and perish; who, also, is meant by "the Stone made into a great Rock, which shall fill the whole earth," as may be seen above.
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