Page 89 - Daniel

with the second advent of Christ, allows literal fulfillment of the
symbolism involved in the destruction of the image.

In concluding his interpretation, Daniel reaffirmed the certainty of the
dream’s fulfillment, stating again that its interpretation came from God.
The dream assures the ultimate rule of God over the earth, not only in
the millennial kingdom, but also in the continued display of God’s
sovereignty in the new heaven and new earth.

Before we complete the exposition of this chapter, it is instructive to
note the interpretation of this vision by the first-century A.D. Jewish
historian Josephus, which helps us understand how Jews in Christ’s day
would have understood Daniel’s prophecy. Josephus’s interpretation is

thus:

The head of gold (2:36–38). “The head of gold denotes thee
[Nebuchadnezzar], and the kings of Babylon that have been before
thee.” (Antiquities 10.10.4)

Daniel clearly identified Nebuchadnezzar as the head of gold.
Josephus included the idea that the head denoted more than just
one king; it indicated a succession of kings that formed the
Babylonian Empire.

The chest and arms of silver (2:39a). “But the two hands and arms
signify this, that your government shall be dissolved by two kings.”
(Antiquities 10.10.4)

Josephus didn’t identify the two kings here, but later he stated
that the kingdom of Babylon was divided “among the Medes and
Persians.”

The legs of bronze (2:39b). “But another king that shall come from
the west, armed with bronze, shall destroy that government.”

(Antiquities 10.10.4)
Josephus added the fact that the ruler of this third kingdom will
“come from the west” to destroy the Medes and Persians. Later he
identified the “Greeks” as the nation that would defeat the Persians.