Rev. Tom Lovorn, Th.D.
Q. Does the Bible say the Russian Bear and American Eagle will fight at Armageddon? Todd Jenkins, Goochland, VA
A. No, those two creatures are not even in the same Testament, nor do they necessarily represent Russia or America.
I think you are asking about the bear mentioned in Old Testament prophecy in Daniel 7:5. The bear Daniel saw in a vision rising out of the sea represented the ancient Medes and Persians joining forces to defeat Babylon. The bear was reared up on one side to indicate that Persia would be the stronger nation, eventually absorbing the Medes into one empire. The three ribs in its mouth were the three nations they would defeat in their rise to world power: Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt. That vision has already been fulfilled, as history records. Therefore, that bear does not represent Russia in the end times.
There are two eagles referenced in Ezekiel 17 representing the kings of Babylon and Egypt. Those prophecies were also fulfilled in the past. The eagle you mention is probably the one in New Testament prophecy yet to be fulfilled in society’s last years, as we know them. This eagle is not even described as a bird and certainly not mentioned to be connected with America. Revelation 12:14 simply says the woman, representing believing Israel, will be given wings of a great eagle to fly to a place in the wilderness to escape the wrath of the Antichrist.
Some Bible students suggest those “wings of a great eagle” may represent America air-lifting our ally Israel to safety, possibly in Petra. But, that is only a theory. America is not mentioned specifically in the last days except perhaps included in the island nations of the world.
The final battle called Armageddon will happen in the Valley of Jezreel in Israel when Jesus Christ returns to set up his Millennial Kingdom. The Antichrist and those nations who side with him will be annihilated by a word from their Creator (Revelation 16:16; 19:19-21). Only the saved will enter that time of paradise (Matthew 25:34).
•The Rev. Dr. Tom Lovorn is pastor of God’s Storehouse Baptist Church in Richmond and he writes a weekly question and answer column for The Progress-Index. Columns are real questions from readers around the world. “Dr. Tom”, a Petersburg resident, is a long-time columnist with The Progress-Index and a former pastor in the Petersburg community.
FAQs
The Eagle symbolizes power and prestige. It protects the spirit and the body, representing health and wholeness of being. It signifies the person who rises above the petty details of daily life to take in the big picture. The bear denotes strength and health.
What does the Bible say about the eagle? ›
Revelation 12:14 simply says the woman, representing believing Israel, will be given wings of a great eagle to fly to a place in the wilderness to escape the wrath of the Antichrist.
What country is the eagle in the Bible? ›
In Exodus 19:4 and Deuteronomy 32:11 the eagle represents God and his loving care towards Israel. In both descriptions we read about God bringing his people out of Egypt and into Canaan as if on the wings of an eagle.
Does Big Bear have eagles? ›
According to Friends of Big Bear Valley, the eagles' nest has been in active use since the fall of 2013. The surrounding area is annually closed to the public to protect the eagles. In 2012, the first bald eagle chick (at least the first in recorded history) hatched in the Big Bear Valley.
What does an eagle symbolize spiritually? ›
The eagle represents not only power and vision, but also the balance between heaven and earth. By raising its wings to the heavens while keeping a keen eye on the ground, it encourages you to balance your need for freedom with your earthly responsibilities.
What does a bear symbolize spiritually? ›
Bears hold significant spiritual meanings in many cultures, symbolizing courage, strength, protection, and maternal love. They are revered for their powerful and nurturing traits, representing spiritual power, harmony in nature, and intuition.
What does the bear symbolize in the Bible? ›
The bear is used as a metaphor for the activity of both the wicked and of God. In the former use it denotes the wicked as essentially bestial—cruel, insensitive, self-seeking, and without a spiritual consciousness (Prov 28:15; cf. other passages where the wicked are described as bestial: Ps 22:12ff.; Dan 7:1–8).
Is the eagle a symbol of Jesus? ›
In Christian art, the eagle often represents the resurrection of Christ because the sight of an eagle rising in flight is a powerful one.
What God is represented by an eagle? ›
Zeus made the eagle his most prominent and sacred symbol.
Will a bear eat a bald eagle? ›
Living on a carnivorous diet of meat and fish, despite the fact they are not typically hunted by other animals, there are situations where eagles can find themselves in danger. Unattended eaglets and weaker adult eagles can find themselves in danger from predators including bears, wolves, lions, alligators, and ravens.
Male and female bald eagles mate for life, only finding a new mate if theirs dies, and lay from one to three eggs a year. Juvenile bald eagles are dark brown with white mottling, and don't develop their iconic white head and tail until they are four to five years old.
What did the bears get from the eagles? ›
The Bears obtained a fourth-round selection from the Eagles by trading down from No. 9 to 10 in the first round of the 2023 draft to choose right tackle Darnell Wright, who started all 17 games as a rookie. The Bears traded their fifth-round pick to the Bills March 4 in exchange for offensive lineman Ryan Bates.
What does bear you on eagles wings mean? ›
In all three of these scriptural passages, the figure of speech — being "borne on eagles' wings" — conveys the idea of a loving Father lifting His children far beyond their inherent capacity, sustaining them through tribulation, magnifying their best efforts and endowing them with power to attain what He desires for ...
What does the symbol of the bear mean? ›
In many indigenous cultures, bears are revered as powerful and sacred beings. They are often associated with qualities such as strength, courage, protection, and wisdom. Bears are seen as symbols of fertility and abundance, representing the cycles of life and the connection between humans and the natural world.
What does the symbol of the Eagle represent? ›
The eagle with its keen eyes symbolized courage, strength and immortality, but is also considered “king of the skies” and messenger of the highest Gods. In ancient Rome, the eagle, or aquila, was the standard of a Roman legion.
