Are the four beasts in Daniel 7 the same Gentile empires as the metal kingdoms in the earlier vision?
Yes. Daniel 7 presents the same Gentile empires as the earlier vision, but with different symbolism. Instead of metals like gold and silver, Daniel sees four wild beasts. The context states it is the same unfolding of history, only depicted as governments represented by beasts rather than metals.
Les explains that in Daniel chapter 7, Daniel receives his own vision. He sees basically the same Gentile empires, but instead of coming down the pipe as various metals of gold and silver, he sees them as various wild beasts. It is the same unfolding of history. The sea is a symbolic term for humanity, and the four winds strive upon the mass of humanity. Les reminds his class that the word beast in Scripture simply means a government, not a seven-headed lion. So the four beasts represent the same successive Gentile governments as the metal kingdoms in the earlier vision.
What do the leopard, bear, and lion features of the Antichrist mean in Daniel's prophecy?
In Daniel's prophecy, the leopard represents Greece, the bear represents the Medes, and the lion represents the Babylonians. These features show the Antichrist's empire incorporates those same kingdoms, forming a final world government that Satan empowers and controls, with seven heads and ten horns.
What does Daniel see in animal form that matches Nebuchadnezzar's dream of metals?
Daniel sees the same unfolding of Gentile empires in animal form that Nebuchadnezzar saw in metals. Daniel sees a lion, a bear, a leopard, and then a beast that cannot be explained, which is the Roman Empire. These animal figures correspond to Nebuchadnezzar's dream of metals, including gold, silver, and brass.