For some strange reason I recently got to reading the vision of the three headed eagle in the “hidden book” of 2 Esdras and given the recent huge rise in earthquakes and the uprising of people world wide noticed the following:
Therefore when there shall be seen earthquakes and uproars of the people in the world: Then shalt thou well understand (4 Esdras 9:3-4)
Then shalt thou well understand what? Perhaps Esdras’ dream of the three headed eagle in chapter 11 that goes like this. A nation was to arise represented by an eagle with three heads and 12 wings (or feathers in some translations), that would rule over the earth. The three heads and wings (or feathers) each represent different rulers of this powerful nation. Each of the wings take turns in an orderly manner one after another to rule, while the heads are sleeping.
The prophecy picks up the story after the nation has been in danger of collapse near the middle of its existance. The rule of the second wing after that time was to be twice as long and greater than any other. When the 12 had taken their turns to rule, 6 smaller contrary wings began to rule. The first one ruled, then the second but only for half the length of time of the first contrary wing. After that the next two (3 & 4) were planning to rule jointly when the first big head awoke and ripped these two wings off with its beak. This head ruled over the entire world. When he had passed away the other two heads awoke and took turns in ruling. By this stage the eagle is rebuked by God and his kingdom is devastated. Finally the last two contrary feathered wings then rule over what is left until the eagle is completely burned up.
What does it mean? Esdras tells us that this three headed eagle is the fourth kingdom of Daniel which most scholars believe refers to Rome and many have tried to match the wings and heads with the various roman emperors but it does not quite fit. The eagle is the emblem of the USA as it was that of the Roman Empire. So if we realise that the American Empire is the prophetic counterpart to the Roman Empire [see this page on Daniel's vision] we start to see how it all fits. There are many parallels between the three heads of this eagle and the three rulers of Daniel’s fourth kingdom described in Dan 11:16-30 (Click here to see its ancient and modern-day fulfillment).
The wings take turns in an orderly manner to rule, which the emperors by the most part never did, but the presidents do, serving one or two four year terms. There has only ever been one president that has ruled longer than all the others being F.D.Roosevelt who served 4 terms from 1933-1945 (passed away at the start of his fourth term). The USA had begun to emerged as a world economic power after WW1 and by 1929 dominated the world economy. Hence Roosevelt was the 2nd wing of this world dominating empire, its dominace would first be economic and then military. Counting the remaining 10 wings/presidents we find that Clinton was the last one before the first two contrary wings. We expect there to be significant changes in the style and manner of government in the presidencies of the contrary wings and this is confirmed by history. We note that the first president after Clinton held office for two terms and so according to the dream his successor will only hold office for one term. After that is over and before the next inauguration, another (represented by the first head) that will not be elected into office as those before him will take over the government. Under this leader the US empire will dominate the world like never before. Two others will succeed him. The nation will then be devastated by acts of God. Finally two more elected presidents will preside over the final days of the US.
Is this interpretation correct? We will know sometime between 6 Nov 2012 and 20 Jan 2013, but if it is, you better hold onto your seat belt, because there is a whole lot more to the story that I’m keeping to myself for now. You can read the text of the prophecy for yourself here or here.
Update… Here is a little more of the three headed eagle prophecy…
Three headed Eagle Prophecy
