Page 167 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

DANIEL

control of history (Da. 2:20-22). Things will work out divided (from two legs to the ten toes). This represents
just as He promised in the covenants and through the the gradual division of the Roman Empire into the
earlier prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah. The book eastern and western portions, and its division into the
of Daniel says it is not all over for Israel. The Gentiles European powers. (4) It’s existence extends until
are having their day in the purposes of God, but a Christ’s return (Da. 2:43-44). The 10 toes represent the
brighter day is ahead. God’s plan rolls on. 10 divisions which will exist during the days of the
DANIEL 2:31-45. An overall outline of the times of Antichrist. The same picture is given in Da. 7:7. Here
the Gentiles. the 10 divisions are represented by the 10 horns of the
The five kingdoms that shall have worldwide reign. (1) fourth beast. Da. 7:24 explains that these 10 horns are
The head of gold was Babylon of Daniel’s day. (2) The 10 kings who will be ruling when the Antichrist arises to
breast and arms of silver was the Medo-Persian empire power. Re. 13:1-5 gives the same picture. The beast
(Da. 5:28). (3) The belly and thighs of brass was the represents the Antichrist. The 10 horns represent the 10
Greek empire (Da. 8:20-22). (4) The legs of iron was divisions of his kingdom (Re. 17:12, 13).
the Roman Empire. The two legs depict the division of The difference between the first four kingdoms and the
the Roman Empire into east and west. The feet of iron last. (1) The last is God’s kingdom; the first are man’s (v.
mixed with clay symbolize the revived Roman Empire of 44). (2) The last destroys the first four violently,
the last days. In God’s mind it is a continuation of the suddenly, supernaturally (v. 34,35). This will occur
Roman Empire of Christ’s day, since prophecy does not when Christ returns. (3) The last is eternal; the first are
see the present church age. (5) The stone cut out temporal (v. 44). After Christ returns and destroys the
without hands is the Messianic kingdom which will be Gentile kingdoms they will never regain power.
established at Christ’s return. How do we know the last kingdom is yet future? (1)
General observations regarding the image of Da. 2. (1) Ungodly Gentile powers still rule over the world today.
The image represents the Gentile empires from man’s (2) The last kingdom has not yet been established by
viewpoint—awesome, beautiful, valuable; whereas the force. (3) All nations and people are not presently
beasts of Da. 7 represent the Gentile empires from God’s serving Christ (Da. 7:13-14). (4) God’s saints do not
viewpoint—vicious, destructive, evil. (2) There are only presently rule the earth (Da. 7:17-18). (5) The little
four world empires from the day of Babylon until horn of Da. 7-11 has not yet arisen. Jesus connected this
Christ’s return. The fourth, the Roman empire, extends “man of sin” with the tribulation period which is to
until the days of Antichrist. In God’s eyes, that kingdom come upon the whole world just prior to Christ’s return
still exists, and it will be revived to power when (Mt. 24:15-21).
Antichrist arises (Re. 17:8). (3) The fourth empire will DANIEL 7. The Antichrist revealed; the final Gentile
not be revived until the day of Antichrist. The European ruler.
nations will remain divided until they give their power The five kingdoms. The beasts of Da. 7 represent the
over to the man of sin (Re. 17:12, 13; Da. 7:23-25). same kingdoms as the image of Da. 2. In Da. 7 we see
Many have attempted to reunite the Roman Empire— the Gentile kingdoms as God sees them—vicious and
Charlemagne, Napoleon, Hitler, and Mussolini—but no wicked. History gives us the identity of these kingdoms.
one will be successful until Antichrist arises. (4) The (1) The lion represents Babylon of Daniel’s day (Je.
empires decrease in quality, but increase in power. This 50:17; Hab. 1:8). (2) The bear represents the Medo-
is represented by the change from gold to iron. Gold is Persian empire which conquered Babylon. (3) The
more valuable than iron, but iron is much stronger. The leopard represents Greece. The leopard’s wings depict
Babylonian Empire of Nebuchadnezzar’s day was the speed with which Alexander conquered. The four
superior to the others in that it enjoyed a centralized heads represent the division of the Greek Empire
authority. Nebuchadnezzar exercised complete following Alexander’s death. (4) The Terrible beast
dominion, whereas the subsequent kingdoms have represents Rome. The 10 horns symbolize the 10 kings
decentralized governments. On the other hand, the of the last days in the revived Roman Empire who will
Roman kingdom was stronger militarily than the be ruled over by the Antichrist (Da. 7:8,23-25). (5) The
Babylonian kingdom and exercised authority over much Son of Man foreviews the Messianic kingdom (Da.
more territory. 7:27).
Characteristics of the fourth empire. (1) It receives the The Little Horn. The emphasis of the vision concerns
greatest attention by Daniel (Da. 2:40-43). (2) It begins the final kingdom and the powerful king who shall rule
as the strongest kingdom but gradually weakens in at the last (Da. 7:15-25). The characteristics of this final
power (iron, to iron mixed with clay). This was exactly Gentile ruler are given: (1) He will arise out of and rule
what happened with the Roman Empire. (3) From two over the revived Roman Empire (Da. 7:23, 24). (2) He
major centers of power, the kingdom becomes greatly will come to power through deception and violence (Da.

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