There is an apparent parallel between Revelation Chapter 13 and Daniel Chapter 7.
The Daniel verses are gathered and presented here with Chapter Four of the Book of Revelation where we are discussing the descriptions of the Beasts.
Daniel had a vision and a dream. Many of the prophecies in the Bible are archetypes and consequently each of us apply them to our own situation and experiences.
Note:
See Revelation Chapter 12: V.3 for the link to "horns" and "heads". In "Some Answered Questions" p. 79 'Abdu'l-Baha describes the horns as leaders and heads of countries.
[7:2] Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
V.2 He talks about "four winds of heaven strove upon the great sea" This is about a prophecy of future times, which is now our time, of four strong countries, of the "great sea", most of these countries have had great opportunities, great gifts from God and great leaders in the past, and a promise of great leaders in the future.
[7:3] And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
V.3 Daniel saw four great beasts come up from the sea. The beasts are representative of four powers or countries and their spheres of influence. These four powers are very different from each other and in many ways antagonistic towards one another.
The Four Powers in the end time are:
[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.
V.4 In this verse Daniel describes the first beast (political power). Its character was like a lion, (often a symbol for England) which is strong, forceful, bold and fierce. The eagle's wings identifies this jointly with the U.S.A. and the wings will be plucked indicates their separation, and then the UK being separate stood on its own and unified somewhat with the EU.
[7:5] And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
V.5 The second power or country is described as a bear, one that tears meat apart, and is strong. The bear is a symbol of Russia and its sphere of influence which was the USSR. The historical violence and conflict that has happened in this sphere is well known.
[7:6] After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
V. 6 The third beast, a leopard, is a symbol of China which does indeed have on its back four separate wings and heads. (Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Taiwan are the four that we hear about today.)
[7:7] After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
V. 7 The Fourth Beast (Political Power) to rock the world in the "End Times" is the Middle East. The world stands in awe at how dreadful and terrible the Islamic State is. It breaks all the states before it. The Sunni coalition has ten states - Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Morocco, Sudan, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, all who are joined against the Shiite front led by Iran.
[7:8] I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
V.8 The little horn that came up among the coalition of Sunni Islamic countries was the Islamic State which itself arose from the Sunni branch of Islam. While the coalition is battling Shiite Iran and its proteges, the little Islamic horn is attacking Sunni countries internally. Which three of the first horns will be plucked out remains to be seen, but there are several candidates.
As an archetype this beast can certainly be seen as representative of the variety and fluidity of political interactions taking place today. A longer view of history will solidify the symbolism in the minds of humanity.
[7:9] I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
V. 9 There is no question but that we live in a time of dramatic change. Not just technological change but also social and spiritual change in which the old systems and thrones are being cast down. This verse in describing the "Ancient of Days" is referring to Baha'u'llah, often called Ancient of Days as He brings the same message of spirituality as did former Messengers of God to all mankind. His Being is a garment of purity. His hair did coincidentally turn white while he was a young man in a prison dungeon. His throne being like a fiery flame and His wheels like burning fire, describes His Teachings.
[7:10] A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
V. 10 In His writings He talks about the burning fire as not only one of chastisement, but also it is a flame of love for those that follow His teachings. His teachings for justice, love and obedience to the Laws of God will encircle the world, bringing peace and understanding to all mankind. The changes in the world are very great, and changing rapidly as we watch the old ways disappearing and new ways taking place.
It was impossible to understand these things fifty years ago, even five years ago, when I was writing on The Book of Revelation. They just don't have meaning until they occur. It is for this reason that the purpose of prophecy is not for us to understand in detail about what is to occur - but in retrospect for us to see its accuracy so that we will have confidence in Scripture for the guidance of our lives.