What are the four winds doing in Daniel 7:2?
In Daniel 7:2, the four winds of heaven—east, west, north, and south—are striving upon the great sea. The sea is a symbolic term for humanity, so the four winds are contending upon the mass of humanity in Daniel's night vision.
Les explains that Daniel chapter 7 presents Daniel's own vision of the same Gentile empires, but seen as wild beasts instead of metals. In verse 1, Daniel had a dream and visions in the first year of Belshazzar. He saw in his vision by night the four winds of heaven—east, west, north, and south—striving upon the great sea. Les notes that the sea is a symbolic term for humanity, so the four winds are just striving upon the mass of humanity, even though at Daniel's time there weren't that many. Then verse 3 introduces four great beasts, which Les clarifies are simply governments.
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
What does the 'great sea' in Daniel 7 represent?
In Daniel 7, the 'sea' is a symbolic term for humanity, not a literal body of water.