Defining a Kingdom

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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” (Dan. 2:39). 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 great 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 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 last ten 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 13:1-13 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. It is vital that you understand what these prophecies mean!

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 forever.”

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 or efforts 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!

The Woman of Revelation 17:1-18

Comparing Daniel 7:1-28 with Revelation 13:1-18 and 17:1-18 reveals there are seven revivals of the Holy Roman Empire. Six have come and gone—and one remains that is now forming! It will last for about 3 1/2 years, during the terrible period that the Bible calls the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:21-22) and the time of “Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:1-7). It is after this last resurrection that the kingdom of God will be established.

It is crucial to understand another important connection to the seven revivals (or resurrections) of the Roman system. Revelation 17:1-18 describes each revival as having “a woman sit[ting] upon [the] scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns” (Rev. 17:3). The seven heads are seven separate revivals, with a ten-horn final revival composed of ten kings.

Of the woman, Rev 17:5-6 state that “… upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus” (Rev. 17:5-6). Rev 17:1 calls her a “great whore that sits upon many waters,” with Rev 17:15 explaining that the “waters” are many “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.”

This is a graphic description of a very large and powerful Gentile church that is a modern-day descendant of the ancient system of Babylon. She is a “mother” of many “harlot” daughter churches. These daughters came out of her in protest because they disagreed with some few of her abominations. Understand. This is not a small church, but rather a “great” church ruling many “peoples” and “nations.” Revelation 17:2 speaks of her “fornication” with the “kings of the earth.” And Rev 17:18 speaks of the woman as “that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.”

This is a very different woman than the one of Revelation 12:1-17, who is to marry Jesus Christ (Rev. 19:7; Matt. 25:1-10; Eph. 5:23) at His Return. This chapter describes the true Church of God that the powerful Gentile church has persecuted for 2,000 years (Rev. 12:6). God will destroy this great whore and her harlot daughters by turning the beast she rides against her (Rev. 17:16). But first she must “ride” the final resurrection of the Holy Roman (Babylonian system) Empire!

There is not much time left until this last revival appears—it is forming even now!—with the wonderful kingdom of God to appear soon after. All the governments of men—including that of every large and small country on Earth today—will be smashed and replaced by God’s coming SUPER GOVERNMENT.

We saw that Jesus Christ was born to be a King—to rule all nations of the earth forever with the help of other spirit-composed kings. Notice again: “And out of His [Christ’s] mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron.… and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev. 19:15-16).

Soon, Revelation 11:15 will come to pass, and the whole world will see it: “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15). Just as there is no doubt that countries today represent real, literal, physical kingdoms (nations with governments), there can be no doubt, from this verse, that God’s coming government is also real and literal, ruling over actual nations on Earth.

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