Daniel Understood

Next Part The Woman of Revelation 17:1-18

Just as Enoch understood that the kingdom of God was a literal government that would one day rule over real people and real nations on earth, so did the prophet Daniel. He held no illusion that the kingdom was merely some kind of “sentimental fluff” or “warm feeling” set up in the “hearts of men.” Through a series of dreams and visions (Dan 1:17), God used him to explain much special understanding about how and when His kingdom would come to earth.

All that Daniel was shown was to be “closed up and sealed till the time of the end” (Dan 12:9). We are NOW in the time of the end—and there are many proofs of this. (Read our booklet Are These the Last Days? to understand more about how Daniel’s prophecy was written to be understood IN OUR TIME.) His message is for us, today! Daniel reported big—TREMENDOUS!—news that will affect you in your lifetime! We will see that Daniel also understood and spoke the same gospel that Christ preached—and it is critical that we understand what he said.

Daniel recognized that he was simply a mouthpiece through whom GOD was revealing His Master Plan. In chapter two, he was speaking to the Chaldean (Babylonian) King Nebuchadnezzar about matters that had come to the king in a dream. Nebuchadnezzar was the king of a vast empire that he had ruled approximately six hundred years prior to the time of Christ.

The king’s court magicians were not able to reveal what God could reveal through His prophet Daniel. It was God’s purpose to reveal, through that worldly human king, that there is an Almighty living God who rules the entire universe and all kings, governments and nations on earth are ultimately subject to Him. The humanly-wise King Nebuchadnezzar had no knowledge beyond the existence of other human kings and their many false gods. It was the true God’s intention to reveal the existence of HIS government and that it rules the entire universe. He also intended to make plain His SUPREME PURPOSE of bringing that government to the earth “in the latter days.”

Take time to carefully read Daniel 2:28-44. This astonishing and detailed prophecy reveals many things about God’s intention to restore His government to earth—including the time sequence in which this will happen.

The first several verses describe the image of a giant man. Dan 2:32-33 state, “This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.”

This is obviously an image of a man, but one that is constructed of four distinct parts. Dan 2:34-35 then describe a supernatural “stone that smote the image [and] became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” Note that Dan 2:34 states that this stone “was cut out without hands,” because God, not men, had formed it.

The “stone” shattered the image and replaced it, going on to eventually encompass all nations—“the whole earth.” This can only be a description of the GOVERNMENT OF GOD coming to earth. Daniel is merely announcing the same message of the gospel of the kingdom that Christ preached.

You do not need to believe me, because this is precisely what your Bible states. No one needs to interpret this series of verses for you.

Just notice Dan 2:37. It plainly states, “You, O king, are a king of kings: for the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.” Dan 2:38 clarifies, “You are this head of gold.” We must always let the Bible interpret the Bible.

Dan 2:39-40 go on to describe three successive kingdoms that would follow the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon. This is amazing knowledge that almost no one understands today.

These verses show an historic succession of WORLD EMPIRES depicted by different metals of which the giant image (statue) was made. These were literal kingdoms: (1) The Chaldean-Babylonian Empire of gold, (2) the Medo-Persian Empire of silver, (3) the Greco-Macedonian Empire of brass, and (4) the Roman Empire, made of iron mixed with clay in its final appearance. The message from history is that these four kingdoms (empires) ruled, and the fourth kingdom will once more rule and influence the world until the kingdom of God is established on earth.

God expressly reveals to us now that He is the One who establishes and removes—and establishes and removes, again and again—earthly governments (kingdoms).

Defining a Kingdom

Many ask, “But exactly what is the Bible definition of a kingdom?” Preachers and theologians have tried to spiritualize away the meaning, because they have not carefully examined God's definition.

This is found at the end of Dan 2:39, which refers to these kingdoms “which shall bear rule over all the earth.” This cannot be a reference to a nebulous idea about a kingdom in the “hearts of men.” There is also no way to make this definition fit any particular church or churches. It speaks of rulership by governments with authority over literal nations on earth—and over literal people. Will you let someone tell you otherwise or will you believe the Bible definition of a kingdom? Remember, these kingdoms “bear rule over all the earth”!

Take note of two important aspects of the towering metallic image described here. First, the metal decreases in VALUE as we descend from the head to the legs and feet of the image. This means that the quality of each succeeding kingdom/empire is less in value than the one preceding it. Second, the metal increases in STRENGTH as we descend the statue’s body. In other words, the power and scope of each succeeding kingdom/empire is greater than the one preceding it.

Finally, notice that the two legs of iron represent a kingdom that is divided. The Roman Empire was indeed divided, with capitals at both Rome and Constantinople. The toes of the feet are part of iron and part of clay. Iron does not and cannot mix with clay, so this is a picture of final instability. When the feet break apart, the entire man will collapse. Careful study must be made of three chapters in order to fully understand the succession of these four kingdoms and to see more clearly that the ten toes are actually ten separate kings who temporarily unite in the last days.

Compare Revelation 13:1-18 and 17:1-18 with Daniel 7:1-28. Together, they present a sobering and powerful prophecy about latter-day events—events that will affect you and me in our lifetime! Revelation 17:8 describes a “beast” that ascends out of a “bottomless pit” and is ridden by a “woman.” Rev 17:12 shows that this beast involves TEN KINGS who shall receive power and unite under a charismatic leader who will take the role of the “beast.” This will be the seventh, and last, short-lived resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire—arising RIGHT NOW in the heart of Europe.

A United States of Europe is coming and lies just ahead of us. It is vital that you understand what these prophecies mean! (Read our extensive booklet Who or What Is the Beast of Revelation?)

Something incredible happens “in the days of these kings” (the ten toes, which depict the ten last kings of Revelation 17:12). Christ’s arrival removes all doubt about exactly WHAT the kingdom of God is. Also, God tells us WHEN it will arrive—“in the days of these kings.” Daniel 2:44 states, “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people [God will never allow people to seize control], but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”

That’s right! God—not men—will establish the final and greatest world-ruling empire of all time. And He tells us that He will never allow the opinions of men to intervene and disrupt it, for it will “stand forever.” This promise is SURE. It will happen—whether men believe it or not!