 |
The Land and Nebuchadnezzar's Image |
|
|
When we consider the image of Nebuchadnezzar's dream we see an idol of a man composed of different materials. The head of gold, the breast and arms of silver, the belly and thighs of brass, the legs of iron, and finally the feet and toes part iron and clay. The description of the image given to Daniel reveals that each division marked by the various materials represented a different world empire. The one feature, which captures our attention, is how each part of the image contributes to a unification of the whole. The rock made without hands cut from a mountain in Daniel chapter two destroys the image and sets up another kingdom.
Considering these things causes us to wonder what is it that these empires, kingdoms, all hold in common. What made them a part of the whole? If we considered the people, their culture, their gods (religions), their language, etc. we found nothing in common. It is not until we view the geographical areas of these empires that we find the common “ground” of them all. They all ruled the “Promised Land” given to Abraham from God. It will be noticed that Assyria is not included anywhere in the book of Daniel. The first two visions begin with an image or figure representative of the Babylonian Empire. There is nothing before that empire mentioned. There is a theory which supports this reason and that is that the Assyrians never fully conquered or ruled over, Judah, the Jews. Israel fell in 721 B. C. to the Assyrians, but the southern nation, Judah, survived approximately another 120 years until their judgment from God and fall to the Babylonians.
Considering these things causes us to wonder what is it that these empires, kingdoms, all hold in common. What made them a part of the whole? If we considered the people, their culture, their gods (religions), their language, etc. we found nothing in common. It is not until we view the geographical areas of these empires that we find the common “ground” of them all. They all ruled the “Promised Land” given to Abraham from God. It will be noticed that Assyria is not included anywhere in the book of Daniel. The first two visions begin with an image or figure representative of the Babylonian Empire. There is nothing before that empire mentioned. There is a theory which supports this reason and that is that the Assyrians never fully conquered or ruled over, Judah, the Jews. Israel fell in 721 B. C. to the Assyrians, but the southern nation, Judah, survived approximately another 120 years until their judgment from God and fall to the Babylonians.
The return of Christ to earth is followed by the battle of Armageddon. The forces, which shall come to do battle, will be of the “antichrist” and his empire. This empire constitutes the feet and toes made with a mixture of iron and clay. Jesus will summarily destroy this army, and the land will no longer be trodden under foot by the Gentiles. The several thousands years (it has been over 2,600 years so far) of the time of the Gentiles’ forceful presence in the land of Abraham will come to a permanent end.
In 1948 the Jews established their own nation, but the borders were far from what was lost in the days of Nebuchadnezzar. In 1966 the city of Jerusalem was unified in the “Six Days” war. But, still the Nation of Israel is not sovereign over all the land initially lost. For example, they are not free to do as they please with the “Temple Mount” in Jerusalem. Conflicts, bloody fighting, heated contesting, terrorism and added to this are the treaties, accords, and compromises exist over the land. When the man of sin comes the covenant he makes with Israel will be a peace treaty involving the land and all those disputing over it. The inheritance of Israel, the land, is at the core of the prophecies, and we should be watching the struggle over it.
|
|
Next: Daniel Chapter 7 |
This page last updated September 14, 2004 at 10:21am
|
|
