Daniel: (4) The Great Image.

[Marilyn C]

THE GREAT IMAGE.

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which troubled his spirit. He tested his magicians, astrologers and sorcerers to tell him the dream and its interpretation. If they couldn`t the king said he would have them killed.

The king`s counsellors said that no one but the gods could know such a thing. The decree went out to kill all the counsellors, even Daniel and his friends. So Daniel went into the king to ask him for time that he might tell the king the interpretation.

After seeking God for the interpretation Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

`Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.

He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him. I thank you and praise you, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for You have made known to us the king`s demand.` (Dan. 2: 20 - 23)



Daniel then went and told the King that his vision was of a great Image standing in front of him in Babylon.

“You, O king were watching; and behold, a great image! This great Image whose splendour was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome.” (Dan. 2: 31)

Daniel then explained that each part of the great Image represented other world rulers and that there would be five Gentile World Rulers throughout history starting with the King of Babylon.


Looking in God`s word and from history we can name these 5 world rulers.


Babylon - `You (King of Babylon) are this head of Gold.` (Dan. 2: 38)

Medes & Persians - `Darius the Mede received the kingdom,`(Dan. 5: 31)

Greece - `the male goat is the kingdom of Greece.`(Dan. 8: 21)

Rome - `a decree went out from Caesar Augustus (Rome) that the whole world should be registered.` (Luke 2: 1)

Divided Kingdom - Then the Assyrian (Islam) shall fall by a sword not of man.`(Isa. 31: 8)

 

[Marilyn C]

Daniel then explained that this Gentile system of Government would be done away with and God would establish His own kingdom rulership. God would set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed.

`In the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume these kingdoms; and it shall stand forever.` (Dan. 2: 44)
`Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands. And that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold - the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him.

The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.` (Dan. 2: 45 - 47)

The king promoted Daniel as ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.

 

[Prim90]

THE GREAT IMAGE.

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which troubled his spirit. He tested his magicians, astrologers and sorcerers to tell him the dream and its interpretation. If they couldn`t the king said he would have them killed.

The king`s counsellors said that no one but the gods could know such a thing. The decree went out to kill all the counsellors, even Daniel and his friends. So Daniel went into the king to ask him for time that he might tell the king the interpretation.

After seeking God for the interpretation Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

`Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.

He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him. I thank you and praise you, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for You have made known to us the king`s demand.` (Dan. 2: 20 - 23)



Daniel then went and told the King that his vision was of a great Image standing in front of him in Babylon.

“You, O king were watching; and behold, a great image! This great Image whose splendour was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome.” (Dan. 2: 31)

Daniel then explained that each part of the great Image represented other world rulers and that there would be five Gentile World Rulers throughout history starting with the King of Babylon.


Looking in God`s word and from history we can name these 5 world rulers.


Babylon - `You (King of Babylon) are this head of Gold.` (Dan. 2: 38)

Medes & Persians - `Darius the Mede received the kingdom,`(Dan. 5: 31)

Greece - `the male goat is the kingdom of Greece.`(Dan. 8: 21)

Rome - `a decree went out from Caesar Augustus (Rome) that the whole world should be registered.` (Luke 2: 1)

Divided Kingdom - Then the Assyrian (Islam) shall fall by a sword not of man.`(Isa. 31: 8)

Marilyn a interesting perspective. Maybe a little too much propaganda from the West has influenced and brought about this recent belief that the Antichrist shall arise from Islam. What do you make of Daniel 11:37

 

[Marilyn C]

Hi Prim,

Good to have a discussion with you. Interesting point you have brought up. I was taught this in the `70`s, so my view is not recent. What my teachers saw as prophetic is now coming a distinct possibility.

The Peace Maker from Islam confirms a treaty with Israel after God deals with the Russian Federation, Iran and others on the Golan Heights, (early next year I believe). (Dan. 9: 27) (Joel 2 and Ez. 38)

He is just a regional leader at that time, (Iraq, Syria & Jordan - old Assyria). As he is invited to the International forums (G 7, G20, WEF, UN etc) he gains more prestige. Finally, when he deceives the world into thinking he was killed and then comes back alive, (Rev. 13: 3) he becomes controlled by Satan.

`So they worshipped the dragon who gave authority to the beast (A/C); and they worshipped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" (Rev.13: 4)

Then the other 7 kingdoms of the Middle East (Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Omar, Yemen, Saudi Arabia) all join him. He then becomes a National Leader and finally the Global leader. They get rid of all religions. (Rev. 17: 16)

This is the process of deception and increase of power that is over time for the Peace Maker to become the anti-Christ.

`Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his hand; he shall magnify himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity...` (Dan. 8: 25)

 

[Prim90]

Hi Prim,

Good to have a discussion with you. Interesting point you have brought up. I was taught this in the `70`s, so my view is not recent. What my teachers saw as prophetic is now coming a distinct possibility.

The Peace Maker from Islam confirms a treaty with Israel after God deals with the Russian Federation, Iran and others on the Golan Heights, (early next year I believe). (Dan. 9: 27) (Joel 2 and Ez. 38)
He is just a regional leader at that time, (Iraq, Syria & Jordan - old Assyria). As he is invited to the International forums (G 7, G20, WEF, UN etc) he gains more prestige. Finally, when he deceives the world into thinking he was killed and then comes back alive, (Rev. 13: 3) he becomes controlled by Satan.

`So they worshipped the dragon who gave authority to the beast (A/C); and they worshipped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" (Rev.13: 4)

Then the other 7 kingdoms of the Middle East (Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Omar, Yemen, Saudi Arabia) all join him. He then becomes a National Leader and finally the Global leader. They get rid of all religions. (Rev. 17: 16)

This is the process of deception and increase of power that is over time for the Peace Maker to become the anti-Christ.

`Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his hand; he shall magnify himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity...` (Dan. 8: 25)

Marilyn I do think of the Syrian one mentioned in Isaiah 31:8 post 1 as a potential Antichrist has already come and gone already fulfilled in scripture from 720 BC to the close of the of 700 BC. Firstly by king Sargon taking the 10 tribes of Israel the northern kingdom captive and later by his son king Sennacherib who made inroads into the Southern kingdom laying siege to Jerusalem itself. The Syrians were used as Gods hammer of judgement against Israel for her pernicious ways it was only under the Godly Jewish king Hezekiah of the Southern kingdom that God spared Jerusalem and turned his wrath upon the Syrians killing 180,000 Syrians overnight. . There are plenty of passages of sripture in many of the Old Testament books that verify this as already fulfilled prophecy . Marilyn as to the rest of your post I not argue too much as there be many interpretations of the Antichrist But as to the Assyrian one that certainly not be part of the future Antichrist equation from what I have studied . But some do continue to promote as future prophecy of which has already become fulfilled prophecy concerning the Assyrian one from ages gone by . Marilyn wishing you a blessed wk ahead . Prim

 

[Marilyn C]

Hi Prim,

Thank you for those details. Yes, that happened early on however, there is a future fulfillment as we see in reading the full context. We need to remember that some of God`s word is for near and some for far.

`So the LORD of hosts will come down to fight for Mount Zion and for its hill. Like birds flying about, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem. Defending, He will also deliver it; passing over, He will preserve it.` (Isa. 31: 4 & 5)

`The LORD will go forth and fight against those nations as He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the East. (Zech. 14: 3 & 4)

 

[Prim90]

Hi Prim,

Thank you for those details. Yes, that happened early on however, there is a future fulfillment as we see in reading the full context. We need to remember that some of God`s word is for near and some for far.

`So the LORD of hosts will come down to fight for Mount Zion and for its hill. Like birds flying about, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem. Defending, He will also deliver it; passing over, He will preserve it.` (Isa. 31: 4 & 5)

`The LORD will go forth and fight against those nations as He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the East. (Zech. 14: 3 & 4)

Marilyn the enemies of God were a plenty among the nations that God had conflicts with in protecting or chastising Israel in her obedience or disobedience. We see that all throughout biblical history. Yes sometimes prophecy has double meanings.And if taken to its fullest extreme we could make the case for many geo politic realms throughout biblical history for the Antichrist . I simply don’t see the Assyrian one as the Antichrist of the future as seems to me that the prophecy in Isaiah was long ago fulfilled and without a double futurist prophecy it seems. But I always continue to evaluate . But we must remember Islam wasn’t around until the 7th century AD which seems to have embraced its roots from heretical Christian Arianism from the 4th century AD . You might like to put in a search for Prander films on UTube. The information coming out on the historical failings of Islam is mind blowing. I do recommend Dr Jay Smiths video Islam origins pt 1. He lives and breathes the history of Islam his videos on the subject be numerous. . As to Jerusalem I do see a entire new Jerusalem coming down from heaven. The old Jerusalem will be no more it will be destroyed with the old world. And will be founded upon a new heaven and a new earth . Paradise lost so long ago shall one be restored.

 

[Marilyn C]

Marilyn the enemies of God were a plenty among the nations that God had conflicts with in protecting or chastising Israel in her obedience or disobedience. We see that all throughout biblical history. Yes sometimes prophecy has double meanings.And if taken to its fullest extreme we could make the case for many geo politic realms throughout biblical history for the Antichrist . I simply don’t see the Assyrian one as the Antichrist of the future as seems to me that the prophecy in Isaiah was long ago fulfilled and without a double futurist prophecy it seems. But I always continue to evaluate . But we must remember Islam wasn’t around until the 7th century AD which seems to have embraced its roots from heretical Christian Arianism from the 4th century AD . You might like to put in a search for Prander films on UTube. The information coming out on the historical failings of Islam is mind blowing. I do recommend Dr Jay Smiths video Islam origins pt 1. He lives and breathes the history of Islam his videos on the subject be numerous. View attachment 11766. As to Jerusalem I do see a entire new Jerusalem coming down from heaven. The old Jerusalem will be no more it will be destroyed with the old world. And will be founded upon a new heaven and a new earth . Paradise lost so long ago shall one be restored.

Thank you, Prim, for your thoughts. It seems we see differently on this topic.

Have a good day.