Resurrection Life of Jesus Church

THE PROPHETS
The Godhead decided two main prophets would be active during the Babylonian captivity. Daniel and Ezekiel would deliver short term prophecies, but the main prophecies would span thousands of years into the future.

• The prophecies were supplied to men with no knowledge of electricity, combustion engines, airplanes, radio, television, satellites, and instant global communication. They were not afforded technical explanations, and as a result, they were forced to use limited knowledge and vocabulary to describe what they saw.

• On top of this, they were not given specific dates. Nevertheless, the prophecies were so detailed that when it came close to being fulfilled, that generation would instantly understand what was going to happen.

THE FOUR KINGDOMS
The first prophecy we are going to examine was given to King Nebuchadnezzar and interpreted by Daniel. The Godhead could have given it directly to Daniel, but they wanted to use the dream to establish Daniel as a prophet and elevate him within the Babylonian government.

The dream was so troubling to Nebuchadnezzar that he could not return to sleep or remember what he dreamt. He demanded for the soothsayers and magicians to recount his dream and provide the interpretation.

Since they were idol worshippers and empowered by demons, they could not help the king with a message from the Lord. Nebuchadnezzar decided to execute them when he discovered how worthless they were. Unfortunately, this imperial command also included Daniel and his three friends. Daniel 2:1-13

When the captain of the guard came to slay Daniel and his friends, he was persuaded to give Daniel an audience with the king to take care of the matter. verses 14-16

Daniel and his three friends had a private prayer meeting and the Holy Spirit revealed the dream to Daniel with the interpretation. verses 17-23

The soothsayers and magicians wielded immense power in the Babylonian government and Daniel knew he could simply let them face the king’s wrath, but he was wise enough to know that he would have their loyalty if he saved their lives. verse 24

Daniel wanted to ensure that Nebuchadnezzar understood that Daniel had no power in himself; it was impossible for a mere man to know the dream or the interpretation of it. The whole operation was orchestrated by God, the supreme God of the creation. verses 25-30

THE INTERPRETATION
Daniel described the dream in detail. verses 31-36

The head of the statue represented Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom. Babylon was the first kingdom. verses 37-38

Nebuchadnezzar became king in 605 B.C. and ruled for 43 years until 562 B.C. The Babylonian kingdom would last another 23 years until it was conquered by King Cyrus of Persia in 539 B.C. The Persian kingdom lasted until 334 B.C. – a total of 205 years – until it was conquered by Greece.

Alexander the Great took control of the Greek city states and invaded Persia in 334 B.C. He enlarged his kingdom during the next ten years and expanded to India by 326 B.C. Alexander’s empire spanned from Greece in the west, the entire Middle East, with the nations of Afghanistan, Pakistan and chunks of India under his control. He returned to Babylon which he planned to use as his capital but Alexander’s dreams were cut short when he died in 323 B.C. at the age of 33. Daniel 2:39
The layers of the statue were as follows:

1. Golden head – Babylon

2. Chest and arms of silver – Persia

3. Stomach and thighs of brass – Greece

4. Legs of iron, the feet being a mixture of iron and clay – Rome?

THE FOURTH KINGDOM
There has been much speculation about the fourth kingdom. The majority of Christian scholars claim it was the Roman Empire and I held the same view for many years because it was prevalent among Southern Baptists.

But a closer examination of the prophecy shows that the description of the fourth kingdom does not fit the Roman Empire. The only kingdom that fits is the one that the Antichrist is going to rule prior to the second coming of Christ.

Steel is a strong alloy derived from iron that had not been discovered by the ancient world. Iron was the strongest metal known at the time and Daniel used it to describe the strength of this fourth kingdom. It would subdue all things – including people and finances. This dovetails with the apostle John’s description in the Book of Revelation.  Daniel 2:40; Revelation 13:7-8; 16-18

This fourth kingdom would be divided, but held together by the iron. In contrast, John described ten kings (ten toes) who will give their power to the Antichrist. Daniel 2:41- 42; Revelation 17:11-13

God did not tell Daniel whom He is referring to in verse 43; it makes no sense by itself. Jesus would later reveal that the end times would be just like the days of Noah when fallen angels procreated with human women to produce a hybrid race. In this verse, the angels would be the iron, mankind would be the clay, the two would mix, but the cohesion would not be very strong. Daniel 2:43

The angels were aware that there were things that Daniel did not understand and told the prophet that knowledge would increase over time and God’s people would be enlightened toward the end. Daniel 12:4-9

Some 550 years after Daniel died, Jesus provided a clue as to what was going to happen in the end times. Matthew 24:37-39

• Fallen angels procreated with human women and their offspring were called giants (Nephilim).

• We are also told that the animal kingdom and plant life were corrupted (genetically changed) and that all flesh on the earth had been changed from its original form. Genesis 6:1-12

Mankind has learned about DNA and how to manipulate different species since the 1980s.

• According to Jesus, fallen angels will once again mingle with the human race and create a hybrid man/angel just like the days of Noah.

• There are modern reports of men and women who have been abducted and medically examined in UFOs. Women have been impregnated by beings on UFO’s and given birth to babies. Stories like these have been brushed aside and rejected but there have been too many sightings and testimonies which agree with the Bible.

The kingdom of Satan and its inhabitants will have no love for one another. Daniel 2:43