In the Bible, especially in the books of Daniel and in
Revelation, many events both historical and present-day are clearly prophesied.
A careful study of these books helps us to see God’s purpose in the history of
nations. It helps us to understand the true meaning and purpose of life and the
plan of salvation for mankind through God’s Son Jesus Christ.
Over 2600 years ago, the prophet Daniel foretold the rise of
the great world empires, namely Babylon,
Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and what
is known in the present-day as Europe.
In a dream, Daniel saw a great image whose body parts symbolized the exact sequence
of those world Empires: “This image’s
head was of fine god, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of
bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay”
(Daniel 2:32-33). Those great world empires and their unique characteristics
were revealed to the prophet, this time symbolized as beasts. “Those great
beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise…” (Daniel 7:17), as “… the
four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea” (Daniel 7:2) Revelation
17:15 explains that “water”
represents “peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues”, while “winds” symbolize wars (Jeremiah
4:11-16). The four winds of heaven, which strove upon the great sea, represent the
terrible conquests by which those kingdoms came to power.
BABYLON
The head of
gold and the lion (a popular Symbol of Babylon) represent the Babylonian World Empire (608-538 BC).
The eagle’s wings describe the speedy conquests by Nebuchadnezzar.
MEDO-PERSIA
In the year 538 BC, the dual empire of the Medes and Persians was established. The three ribs in the bear’s mouth
represent the conquered countries of Lydia, Babylon and Egypt. The Persians
were stronger than the Medes and remained in power longer (Note: It raised up
itself on one side).
GREECE
The very
rapid victories (represented by the four wings) under Alexander the Great made Greece the World power (331 BC). After Alexander’s death the
Empire was divided into 4 parts by his four generals: Thrace, Syria, Macedonia,
and Egypt.
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
In the year 168 BC, the Romans established the fourth World Empire. Because of the severity
and intolerance with which they subdued other nations, this Empire was known as
“The Iron Kingdom” (Note the iron legs of the image and the teeth of the
beast).
EUROPE
Because of mass migration (351-476 AD), the Roman
Empire was broken up into 10 smaller European kingdoms (Note the 10 horns and
10 toes). The divided thriving horns and the not cleaving together even as the
mixing of iron with clay of the 10 toes represents the impossibility of a lasting
United Europe.
No comments: