Reading Revelation in Context: John's Apocalypse and Second Temple Judaism

by Zondervan,

The Lion Who Challenges Rome. The sixth vision, the “eagle vision,” suggests some parallels with Revelation 5. The vision itself (4 Ezra 11) describes a great eagle (a frequent symbol for the Roman Empire), with twelve wings and three heads (symbolizing Roman rulers), arising from the sea. This eagle subjugates the entire world without opposition. As the vision unfolds, various wings gain power but eventually disappear. Finally, the smaller two of the three heads conspire to form a joint rule, but are temporarily defeated by the largest head. When this third head disappears, the smaller heads regain power, but the right head eventually devours the left one. Toward the vision’s end, a voice like a man is heard, but Ezra sees a creature like a lion who rebukes the eagle for its oppression, deceit, and terrorizing. The lion links the eagle to the four beasts that have gone before (4 Ezra 12:11), an allusion to Daniel (e.g., Dan 7:7). After the lion speaks, the eagle’s remaining wings disappear, and the body of the eagle is burned up. In 4 Ezra 12, the vision is explained to Ezra. Of particular relevance is 12:31–36: