Daniel's Prophecy For Today, Part 1

Daniel's Prophecy for Today

(By Brotherhood of Jesus, San Diego, CA)
prologue
All of Scripture is given by Divine inspiration for our instruction and training into conformity with God's will (II Tim. 3:16-17); therefore, the presentation in the Book of Daniel is much more than a recounting of history. It is accurate history, in spite of the concept of many that it contains improbable history; but its more important purpose is to reveal the frame in which God has chosen to exercise His control in this day as He did in Daniel's, for He is the same yesterday, today, and always. The acting out of these living dramas on the stage of history was accomplished for our benefit (I Pet. 1:12-13), although most of the actors did not realize what was being accomplished through them for future generations.

The Times of the nations

DANIEL 2

This revelation of God was first given the king of Babylon as a servant of God (Jer. 25:9), although he was neither an Israelite, nor even a faithful servant. The dream was about things that would come to pass, about the events at the end of the ages and about the developments that would lead up to these events (Dan. 2:28-29). The literal period of the dream's application extends from Nebuchadnezzar's time (:38) in continuity through the time of Christ's Second Coming, and into His victory over the powers of the world systems, when He will establish a great Kingdom which will cover all the earth and which will never be destroyed (:44). The whole image pictures the development and consummation of the ages of man's accomplishment in building his own world into our unstable society of "clay and iron." Being outside of God's counsel, it is a society which is to be crushed into worthless "chaff” and utterly blown away (:35). When this crushing is completed, only Christians, or predominately Christians, will remain alive on earth (Isa. 13:9, Acts 3:23). They then become the "seed" for repopulating the nations on earth during the millennial Kingdom Age.

In the interpretation of the dream given to Daniel, the Babylonian empire was identified as the uppermost or first part (the best part) of the image, that which began the fulfillment of the time sequencing of the world empires pictured. From other portions of the Book of Daniel and from history, we know that the silver empire following the Babylonian rule was that of Medo-Persia (Dan. 8:20); then came the Grecian empire (Dan. 8:21). The fourth empire was that of Rome, which was contemporary with Christ's first coming, but which was to extend through its heirs (two legs) into the end of our age, and be characterized by the symbolism of iron and clay mingled. Only at the end of the age in which we live today will this fourth empire be overcome and disappear.

The fourth empire is not pictured here as going out of existence and then reappearing at some later date, neither as being succeeded by any other world empire subsequent to the days when Rome was the military master of the world around the Mediterranean. Historically and prophetically, the Roman Empire of "iron" has been extended into our time through the Holy Roman Empire and its "daughters," covering a far greater portion of the earth than formerly. True, its character of military accomplishment has in some measure been replaced by other attributes so far, but nonetheless the same fourth empire is shown as being carried on, even though we see it today in a somewhat different form.

Each of the historical four empires was said to rule over the "whole" earth. This was true in the sense that each dominated in the known world, although there were man) peoples not under its direct control. Likewise at the end of our age, when the fourth empire is again dominant in the world of today, there will be many peoples or nations not an integral part of the "iron" empire. Nevertheless, in our time all the peoples will be affected by the dominance of the "iron" empire, for the iron is mixed with the clay — mixed in with the seed of men — and the "clay" will know of the presence of the "iron," even if there is an unwillingness to capitulate or submit to the philosophy and governmental pattern of the "iron" empire.

The image sequence is concluded by picturing the feet of the "iron" empire as the consummating phase of its existence. It is still the "iron" empire, and within its dominion are pictured ten toes (rulers and nations), five on one leg and five on the other leg. As pictured by the image, the pagan Roman Empire divided about 44 B.C. Later the Holy Roman Empire also became divided, in effect extending the "iron legs" of the image as western and eastern portions, though both legs are still the same fourth empire of "iron." The area of the world under the influence of the two legs of the image was thus expanded far beyond that controlled by military Rome.
Later, through the expansion efforts of the Holy Roman Empire, the area controlled by the fourth empire of "iron" extended even farther out through Church-State alliances. It is from those portions of the world which have come under the influence and extended domination of the "iron" empire that the five rulers in nations of the western leg extension and the five rulers in nations of the eastern leg extension will soon emerge and become recognized as the ten toes. These nations are not all Christian, but at some time have been under the influence of those in the "iron empire." "10" is the number of the Gentiles, which will include both formerly nominally Christian nations and Moslem nations, for Moslem nations, too, have and will again come under the influence and domination of the eastern leg. (Moscow was, at one time, called the "Third Rome.")

However, the end-of-the-age manifestation of the "iron" empire will not be limited to a ten-nation confederation. In the Book of Revelation this same "iron" empire is described as a "sea-beast" empire in the end-time (Rev. 13:1-3) which basically has seven heads (rulers and nations) and also ten horns (rulers and their nations). There is also a "land-beast" empire, which is secretly subordinate to the iron or sea-beast empire and which contains, among other nations, the same seven heads and ten horns (Rev. 13:11-12, 17:3, 11-13). It is in the time of both the seven heads and ten horns that the power and authority of Jesus Christ (Dan. 2:45, Mk. 12:10, I Pet. 2:4-6) will fall upon all the world systems which man has developed (in an inadvertent partnership with Satan's hosts), through the agency of a consummate test of world power which other Scripture symbolically describes as the Battle of Armageddon (Rev. 19:15-19, 16:16-17).

The metals pictured in Nebuchadnezzar's dream can also be seen as types of the earthly and Satanic counterparts of God's symbols for His own work. Gold is a type for the workings in the spirit world and the impartations from it, and denotes spiritual as well as material wealth. Satan had this spiritual wealth from God initially when he was still in God's heaven (Ezek. 28:13-15), but in God's plan this gold must be refined and tested (Rev. 3:18) before being qualified for His continuous service. Silver indicates less spiritual wealth and pictures a need for God's work of redemption. It is a symbol of God's power to provide redemption, which the world under Satan needed after he disqualified himself from remaining in God's heaven and partaking of refined gold (Ezek. 28:16).

Brass indicated less spiritual wealth than silver and is used as a type for man's knowledge and philosophy of earthly things (especially that accumulated in the past century), which Satan promotes for rebellion against God. Refined brass or bronze refers to God's knowledge and wisdom (Rev. 1:15) which every disciple is to have through cooperation with God (James 1:4-5). The iron typifies an emphasis upon materialism and upon the use of raw power and authority, carnal, ruthless and crushing, as was so especially evident among the God-rejecting countries of communism. But there is also a refined iron used in Scripture to symbolize God's power to rule in righteousness and love (Rev. 2:26-27).

Clay is more earthy than iron, more of man, and indicates the advance of human knowledge in humanism, self-attainment and the elevation of man through science, technology and learning, developed without reference to God and developed to replace Him. However, these clay attributes do not mix well with an "iron" environment of brutal power, so dictatorial rule becomes necessary to regulate those of clay as well as those of iron. But clay also represents weakness which may be presented to the Lord for His action on it, by which He transmutes it into the pattern of Himself (Rom. 12:2, II Cor. 3:18). In addition, we see the elements of the iron mingling with the elements of the clay. The word for mingling also bears the meaning of trade or commerce; thus we see the expansion today of trade between present and former God rejecting nations of communism and the other countries outside!

In Daniel's time, the "clay" was the seed of Abraham through Jacob's line. Subsequently, World Jewry became the "clay" in the hand of the Potter (Isa. 64:7-8). The Jews were scattered, but not amalgamated (Dan. 2:43). Then Judah's mantle fell on Christendom in the pattern of Elijah and Elisha (Elijah means "My God is Yahweh," and Elisha means "My God is Salvation," confirming the pattern). So Christians also become the latter-day clay. Neither can Christians amalgamate with Moslems, Communists and other non-Christians. Christianity is the most powerful force on earth today, yet we partake of weakness, because of the Spirit of Christ being hidden. So we see division within Christian nations. But we also see division in other nations because of the Jews in their midst (Jer. 51:20).

In a personal application of this prophecy, Christ (the Stone) must break down the head of gold (pride in possessions and intellect). Also to be broken is the silver of personality and culture in the arts (the ability to mix well) and the bronze of man's education (business acumen, success and the focus on the body and sex). The iron of power, science and dominance is to be broken as well. The clay is man's law which holds together. It is based on the Rock of God's Law, but is broken down to dust by man's faulty adaptation. Any or all of these can lead to complete destruction so that neither body nor name shall have its place among the sons of men, when the massive Stone strikes the image. (Worship not the image.) A true Christian is "born again," having received the pebble or baby Stone in his heart - Christ's incorruptible seed. It must tear out all the "metals and clay" so the Stone can fill the being (see Rev. 2:17 comments on page 98).


DANIEL 7

About 50 years after Nebuchadnezzar's world-power dream, Daniel also had a dream on the same subject but with different symbolism - that of animals instead of metals. Daniel's dream likewise pictured the empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and then Rome with its extension through the time of Christ's Second Coming. Here Daniel is a representative of the Jewish people and the vision relates to the world empires which become rulers and oppressors of Daniel's people. He first sees the four "winds" of the heavens, or spirits (same word as wind) in the atmosphere, stirring up the great "sea" of the nations (Rev. 17:15) with political and social agitations (Dan. 7:2). Then four animal symbols rise successively out of the sea of nations (Dan. 7:3).

The first was like a lion (the Babylonian empire), initially - shown with two wings enabling successful service to fulfill God's purpose (eagle's wings, Ex. 19:4, Dan. 7:3-4, Rev. 12:14), but these supporting wings were afterward removed Jer. 25:9-11, 27:6-8). Daniel saw the lion animal develop the ability to stand upright like a man, with a man's heart. Here is pictured the spiritual development of man and nation. The beast had a potential of ruling but with no ambition - prone and face to the ground. Then comes ambition and greed awakening animal propensities. This develops toward the qualities of an upright man with a heart for other's rights - though still a beast (unregenerate man). Not shown in this passage is the regenerated human, living for God by living fully for others. The symbol of the lion corresponds to the head of gold in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Then a second animal symbol came into view, like a bear with one shoulder higher than the other (the Medo-Persian empire in which Persia was dominant). It extended its dominion out toward the west, north and south - three ribs in its mouth (Dan. 7:5, 8:4, 20), to assimilate many peoples. The bear symbol corresponds to the shoulders and two arms of silver in Daniel 2. After this, Daniel saw an animal like a leopard (the Grecian empire under Alexander the Great), covered with four wings of a bird and four heads (Alexander's successors -Dan. 7:5, 8:8, 21-22). The leopard was pictured as wing-covered, showing fruitfulness on earth (4) and providing protection and mutual support (Ezek. 1:6, 11). One good result of Alexander's conquest was the translation of the Hebrew Bible into the Greek Septuagint, making the Word of God more available. Suddenly, Alexander died and his empire was divided among his four generals (Dan. 8:8). The leopard symbol corresponds to the thighs of brass or bronze in Daniel 2.

Finally, a different animal symbol was raised up, different from all the others, terrible, dreadful, powerful and very strong (the Roman Empire and its heirs in the east and west). It had great iron teeth with which to devour, and it crushed and trampled with its feet what it did not devour. It had 10 horns (symbols of ten rulers) and Daniel saw another horn (ruler), a little one initially, come up from among the ten, overcoming three of them and becoming like a mortal (Dan. 7:8). Not being from them, but among or adjacent to them, makes it impossible for this ruler to come out of any part of the Roman Empire's holdings. The other horn is the same as the Daniel 8 horn, coming out of the Caspian area of Russia. This little horn will come not from Roman Empire territory, but from one of the four portions of what was Alexander's empire.

His power will become great, but not by his own power (Dan. 8:22-25). He will honor and submit to the god of fortresses (Lucifer) (Dan. 11:37). Though he is mortal, he will magnify himself, with Satan's power, against the Prince of the Host (Jesus Christ), take away a perpetual [usually translated “daily”] of some sort and cast down and profane God s sanctuary - a portion of His people, city and "holy" facilities in our time (Dan. 8:10-11). The symbol of the dreadful beast corresponds to the iron legs and the feet of Nebuchadnezzar's dream image (the present-day heirs of the east and west portions of the Roman Empire). The ten horns correspond to the ten toes on the feet of the image, five in the western portion and five in the eastern portion. The "other horn" does not have a corresponding symbol in Nebuchadnezzar's dream image, but when the other horn comes into his power, he will oppose God. He will wear down the believers in Christ, and will try to change time probably customs? And the law (God's operations plan for His saints) and he will be given an opportunity to work at these things during a period of 3 ½ years (Dan. 7:24-25).

As in Daniel 2, this dream given to Daniel had its initial application to the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian and Roman (plus its extension) empires which oppressed God's people; but we also may see in this a picture of Satan's step-by-step coming closer to losing his own empire - held in stewardship. He is the unseen, hidden ruler behind the successive empires in the world order. His first phase was like a lion, like God in many respects (Ezek. 28:12-15, Rev. 5:5), and with the support of eagle's wings for successful service (Rev. 12:14). This prophecy in Daniel 7:4, also reveals he will later have a human body by taking one for his use, becoming as a mortal (Isa. 14:16, Ezek. 28:2,9). The next phase is symbolized as a bear which has lesser status than a lion and this phase features the devouring of much flesh (Isa. 14:5-6, 12, 17). Some of the power and ruling attributes of the lion phase remain however, for it is written that the devil still roams about like a lion . . . seeking someone to devour (I Pet. 5:8). Then there is the phase of the leopard with wings, picturing the rapid movement into knowledge and philosophy independently of God (usually associated with the Grecian development in the age of its glory). The intellectual attainment is viewed as security (wings) in the four quarters of the world under Satan's temporary stewardship (Dan. 12:4). Then there is the development into a phase featuring the application of brutal, ruthless power and the exercise of authority to crush and trample.
In some measure, this brutality was seen in the early Roman Empire, but in greater measure it has been seen more recently in the rule of Mussolini, Stalin and Hitler. It will be seen in even a much greater measure when Satan has established himself in a human body (the imitation of what God did in Jesus) as the "seen" ruler of a world confederation (communistic/socialism in nature) which, to an awesome degree, will affect all nations on this planet. Satan-incarnate's power and might are based on a foundation of the materialism of man's knowledge, built up through technical and scientific advances (feet with brass nails), and exercised in a God-rejecting philosophy of government.

In the interpretation of his vision, Daniel was then given more information about this fourth beast empire. The fourth empire is different from its predecessors, and Daniel could only describe it as dreadful. In about 96 A.D., John saw the same empire in symbolism and described it as part lion, part bear, and part leopard (Rev. 13:1-2), one to which Satan gives all his power. The ten rulers of the Great Tribulation period are to rise out of the geographical area and its extensions that have been under the control of the fourth beast empire, and alongside them an eleventh ruler will come up. The eleventh ruler will come later in time than the ten previous rulers, he will be different from them, and he will overcome and subdue three of the ten, though the ten continue to the end of the age. This eleventh "horn" which shall become like a mortal (Dan. 7:8) is Satan incarnated in the human body of a man already in ruling position. He will match himself against God and against His people during a period of 3 1/2 years to wear out the saints. He will seek to change times probably customs such as holy days and festivals), altering God's calendar and the law (making laws to confuse the saints). In the contest, his control will be gradually eroded away during the 3 1/2 years, and at the end of the period it will be suddenly destroyed (the outcome of the Battle of Armageddon). The period of 3 1/2 years is that which is called the Great Tribulation (Rev. 11:2, 12:6, 13:5; Matt. 24:15, 21; Dan. 12:1). After the Tribulation, Jesus Christ will begin to establish an "everlasting" Kingdom for the saints who remain on earth. Almost no person who has not accepted Jesus will live beyond the sudden nuclear destruction (Isa. 13:9). It will be the saints who will possess the surviving Kingdom (Dan 7:18, 22; Rev. 12:5).