Bible Study Week 11
Part 3
The Times of the Gentiles
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The continuing history of humanity records that nations rise and fall. Great nations that influenced all the world in culture and commerce have experienced their victories and their defeats. Archeologists today probe the ruins of many nations that used to exist.
There is probably not a story that tells this history so well as the prophetic dream of Nebuchadnezzar.
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
Nebuchadnezzar was a king of Babylon. He reigned during the fall and captivity of the nation of Israel. One night he had a dream that would foretell events over the centuries. Mighty kingdoms would be represented in this dream.
Israel was in Babylonian captivity because of its backsliding. God revealed who would rule over the land during the coming centuries. Daniel, who as a prophet of God had gained great respect in the kingdom of Babylon, was called on to interpret the dream.
In the dream there was a great metal man. The head was of gold; the breast and arms were silver; his belly and thighs were made of brass; the legs were iron; his feet part iron and clay. A stone struck the feet and broke them to pieces. The image was destroyed and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floor, which the wind carried away. The stone then became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
Daniel interpreted the dream.
a. The Head of Gold (Babylon)
The head of gold was Babylon, which ruled the Jews and the Middle East at the time of the dream. The kingdom lasted from 606 BC to 538 BC. The city of Babylon was the zenith of its influence during this time. The hanging gardens of Babylon were of the seven wonders of the world. The city's fourteen square miles were guarded by walls 350 feet high and 87 feet thick. Over one million inhabitants of city never thought it would fall, but it did.
b. The Breast and Arms of Silver (Medo-Persia)
In 538 BC Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians. Darius was the king of the Medes. The Persians eventually became dominant. This kingdom, initially a dual kingdom as portrayed by the two arms, was to last until 330 BC.
c. The Belly and Thighs of Brass (Greece)
Alexander the Great came out of the West with conquest on his mind. He conquered the Persian Empire in 330 BC and established an empire based on Greek language and culture. After Alexander's death in 323 BC, the empire was divided into four parts among four generals. The Grecian empire lasted until 160 BC, when the Romans conquered it.
d. The Legs of Iron (Roman Empire)
The legs represented the Roman Empire, which lasted for many centuries. In later years it was divided in eastern and western divisions.
e. The Feet of Iron and Clay (Revived Roman Empire)
The feet portray a revived Roman Empire, a ten-nation confederacy represented by the ten toes (Daniel7:7-8; Revelation 17:12). This world power will arise on the territory of the original Roman Empire in the last days, and during this time the Antichrist will begin his rule of the world. All this will lead to the Great Tribulation and the Battle of Armageddon.
f. The Sone (Jesus Christ)
The coming of Jesus Christ at the Battle of Armageddon will destroy all the kingdoms and this world system.
>>> What do you think our reaction should be to the prophecies of events at the end of time?
The reality of judgment can strike fear in the hearts of those who are unsure about their relationship with God. However, for those who know Jesus Christ, we take control in understanding He will take His people into eternal rest and joy with Him.