Bible Studies
The Great Image of Daniel
The Captivity of Jerusalem under Babylon
As a young boy Daniel grew up in the city of Jerusalem, until the third year of the reign of king Jehoiakim, when the city was seized by king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. As a result, Jerusalem began many years of desolations, and Daniel was taken into Babylonian captivity.
A Troublesome Dream
One day, as described in Daniel Chapter 2, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which troubled him, so he called in all of his top wise men to reveal his dream. However, the king surmised that if he could not be told the actually dream first, then the interpretation of it could not be trusted. So he commanded to be told the actual dream first, and then the interpretation.
However, all of his wise men were stumped, responding, “There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”
So the king was angered, and he made a decree for all of the wise men of Babylon to be killed. However, when the king's guard came to take Daniel away, he asked them why this was happening, and when the matter was explained, he was allowed to go in and petition for some time to make available to the king his difficult request.
The Secrets Revealed to Daniel by God
That night, both the vision and the interpretation were revealed to Daniel by God, to whom he gave thanks, and praise, and blessing. When taken back before the king he answered, “The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.”
The Dream of the Great Image
Daniel described to the king that in his dream he saw a Great Image standing before him, with a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, belly and thighs of brass, legs of iron, and feet mixed with both iron and clay. He saw the vision until, “a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet”, and, “and brake them to pieces”. Then the iron, clay, brass, silver, and gold “became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth”.
The Interpretation of the Dream
After describing the king's dream to him, Daniel then began the interpretation. “Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. The fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron”. The vision of the great image then, was symbolic of a succession of four great kingdoms, from the Babylonian kingdom onwards. Each successive kingdom would conquer the previous, but yet also be inferior. Also, each successive kingdom would retain the predominate feature of the previous, while yet adding a new characteristic to build the great image gradually layer by layer. Finally, a single great kingdom would eventually be formed that internally would be made up of all the predominate characteristics of all the four kingdoms within.
The Four Great Kingdoms
Historically onwards, from the time of the vision, (which occurred around 607 BC), it is remarkable to take note that each of these kingdoms actually did come to pass, just exactly as was foretold in the prophecy. Let's examine each of these kingdoms, with regards to when they took world power relative to the nation of Israel. The first of these, represented by the head of gold, was Babylon, which was already in power at the time of the vision. The next great kingdom to come, represented by the silver, was that of the Median/Persian Empire, which took power around the year 539 BC. The third of these great kingdoms, represented by the brass, was that of the Greek Empire, which took power around 333 BC. And the final of these great kingdoms to come, represented by the iron and clay, was that of the Roman Empire, which took power around 49 BC.
Iron and Clay
As Daniel's interpretation continued, he went on to explain that the fourth kingdom would break in pieces and subdue all things. Also, just like as with the mixing of iron and clay, this kingdom would be partly strong and partly broken, and would “mingle” together, but not “cleave” one with another. This was a fantastic symbolic portrayal of which to foreshadow the Roman Empire. The ironclad forces of the Roman military spread out and conquered all surrounding nations through the strongest of tactical means. In doing do, it eventually formed an overall governmental structure, where many diverse peoples, were all assimilated under one supreme system of rulership, while yet at the same time all still remaining very much distinct and independent, in terms of such as aspects as culture and local governance.
A Multiplex System of World Power
Altogether, each of these successive kingdoms, which collectively made up the great image, were all successively layered down into this final great system of world power. Hence, the overall system would enable and sustain multiple platforms of power, each steaming from each of the predominated characteristics of each of the four unique systems stacked within.
The System of Gold
The Babylonian system of gold was defined by the power of Religious Authority. The king, possessed ultimate “god like” power over his subjects, and he would dictate at will, various forms of religious practice and worship, that all constituents would be forced to obey by penalty of death. An example of this comes from Daniel Chapter 3, where Nebuchadnezzar had a large image of gold erected, and sent out a command to all saying, “That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”
The System of Silver
The Median/Persian empire of silver which followed, was also intrinsically based on the power of religious authority, although now this specific characteristic was of slightly less implication. Now, a new platform of power would take centre stage. This system was based primarily upon Financial Authority. The king was still recognized as having the divine right of rule, although now his ultimate “god like” authority was slightly inferior to kings of the past. In this world, it was the magnitude of personal wealth that was the primary measure of supremacy. Whereas in the previous Babylonian empire, all power was retained primarily within the ranks of religious potency, now riches demanded the highest respect.
The System of Brass
The Greek Empire of brass again introduced a new social dynamic into predominance. It too, was founded upon the same fundamental platforms of power which steamed from the previous two systems, however, now another characteristic was introduced, which was to become the dominate note of this society - Political Authority. In this system, class structures were divided according to scholarly achievement, and the ranks of power could now be ascended, not only through just religious or financial stature, but now also through higher education, dominance on the philosophical stage, as well as through mere cunning political dexterity. Here, the civilized mind had now become most revered.
The System of Iron
Finally, as the Roman Empire ascended to world domination, Military Authority became the primary platform of power. In the world of Rome, unlike the previous three kingdoms, all power and authority could now be achieved primarily through military means. By leading forces into victorious battle and conquest against foreign nations, to receive the glory and honour of the public. Climbing the military ranks, and taking out whatever rival opponents, now became the essential means to the throne. In this system, might was right.
Clay Mixed with Iron
As the Roman Empire spread out to conquer the known world, a diverse range of peoples, nations, and tongues, were all assimilated, with a very wide variety of unique cultures all unified into one all-encompassing body of government. However, by the time the empire was reaching the zenith of it's global expanse, it had grown so vast, that in order for the leadership to maintain enough control to keep the entire empire unified, the overall system of dominion had to be divided under various groups of localized sub-ruling entities.
By the time the Imperial Roman Empire was established through Julius Caesar, each specific province or territory within, would be appointed their own individual governors, who would all have to answer to one single dictator. All the diverse peoples abroad these conquered territories, especially towards the further regions of the empire, would still for the most part, be able to retain their own culture and customs. However, once conquered, they would now also be subjugated into adherence with the common Roman rule of law as well, such as with regards to universal regulations on religion, taxes, and military obligations.
Four-Fold System of Power
In the finalized system of the prophetic great image, which became fully manifest in the form of Imperial Rome, all of the defining characteristics of each of the successive great kingdoms within, were all still very much at play. Along with military illustriousness, wealth and politics were still also very viable means to social dominance. Religious authority was also still very much enforced, as Caesars often even proclaimed themselves as divine. Just as the kings of Babylonian times, the Imperial Roman Emperors, in one form or another, still often demanded reverence to themselves as “gods” among men, such as with the enforced practice of pagan idolatry, to draw scrupulous adoration from their constituents.
Along with religious authority, financial, political, and military influence, were all now firmly established as operable means through which the heights of world power could now be ascended. Even today, we still see these same main four characteristics of societal prominence, as the principal platforms of power. However, never again since the times of ancient Rome, has there been a single dictatorial ruler to ever take full dominance over the entire centralized world.
An Eternal World Kingdom Established by God
Daniel then went on to foretell, as symbolized in the vision by the stone that was cut out “without hands”, which smote and broke apart the great image, that at some point in the days of these kings, that the God of heaven would set up a new kingdom, which would never be destroyed or left to other people.
This final part of the prophecy was a vision concerning the judgement of total consolidated world power, under the reign of any one man. With the coming of Christ, his kingdom would break into pieces and consume all those of the great image - Babylon, Persia, Greek, and Rome. This is the kingdom of God, with the Father and Christ at the throne. The stone of the vision would become a moutain which is to stand forever. With the everlasting establishment of the Lord's heavenly kingdom, he is to reign as the ultimate authority over all the world forever more.
Life and Blessings Always,
-JD
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