Scripture References
Daniel 7:1-9 - Daniel's vision of four beasts.
Daniel 7:4
The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.
Explanation:
Daniel's vision in Daniel 7 describes four beasts - a lion with eagle's wings, a bear, a leopard with four heads, and a beast described as "dreadful and terrible". We know from Daniel 7:17 and Daniel 7:23 that these beasts represent kings and kingdoms.
According to Daniel 7:9-12, these kingdoms will exist at the time of the return of Jesus Christ to establish His 1000 year reign of peace. We are rapidly approaching that day.
Consider the lion with eagle's wings. Great Britain's official animal symbol is the lion. Some of Britain's flags have had the image of the lion. It is common to see Britain referred to as a lion in news articles and political cartoons. The entry for "lion" in Webster's Third New International Dictionary states that the lion is the symbol of Great Britain.
Now consider the eagle's wings. Take a look at the reverse side of the United States' one-dollar bill. On the great seal of the United States you will find the image of an eagle. It is common knowledge that the eagle is the national bird of the United States and that its image is repeatedly used in the news media to represent the United States.
Interestingly, in Daniel's vision, we see the eagle's wings coming out of the lion. Here we have a clear depiction of the United States growing out of her mother country, Great Britain.
God in his foreknowledge and wisdom saw the nations that would exist at the time of His return. In His love, He gave Daniel a vision so that we might have understanding in these last days and prepare ourselves for His soon return!