In Daniel 7, what does the sea symbolize?
In Daniel 7, the sea symbolizes humanity. The four winds of heaven strive upon the great sea, which represents the mass of humanity. This sets the stage for Daniel's vision of four great beasts, which are symbolic of Gentile governments or empires.
Les teaches that the sea is a symbolic term for humanity. He points out that the four winds of heaven—east, west, north, and south—strive upon the great sea, which means they are striving upon the mass of humanity, even though at Daniel's time there were not that many people. This sets up Daniel's vision of four great beasts, which Les explains are symbolic of Gentile empires or governments. He reminds his class not to let the word 'beast' conjure up a seven-headed lion, because in Scripture the term simply means a government.
Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
More Questions
In Daniel 7, what are the four winds doing to the great sea?
In Daniel's vision, the four winds are striving upon the mass of humanity, and this was true even though Daniel's day had fewer people.