Interpretations of biblical prophecies vary widely. What they all have in common is that these prophecies should not be accepted uncritically, let alone without scrutiny, and should never be simply adopted without question. Always ask critical questions, consult the Bible, and also research extra-biblical, historical sources.
Another incomprehensible interpretation of the biblical prophecy in Daniel is circulating. According to this interpretation, the statue dreamed by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2 represents four world empires, all of which have fallen, and this process was supposedly completed around the time of Jesus’ birth. The historical evidence for this, it claims, is the death of Herod the Great shortly after the birth of Jesus Christ. For, as was proclaimed at the time, Jesus Christ was born as the new king of Judah, and with him, his kingdom was established. He thus replaced the Roman monarchy. And if one looks around today, there is no trace left of the Roman Empire in Israel.
Not difficult to refute.
Die Bibel erklärt
Well, this requires a considerable degree of credulity, coupled with a profound disinterest in further biblical statements and a failure to conduct independent research.
This version is based primarily on omissions and even silences directly within the aforementioned chapter of Daniel 2. For this static figure that appeared to Nebuchadnezzar in his dream does not end after the fourth world empire, but rather describes a continuation.
There are 5 powers, not just 4.
In this chapter, the standing figure consists of a head made of pure gold. Then come the chest and arms of silver, followed by the belly and loins of bronze, and the two thighs of iron. Finally, Daniel 2:33 describes feet made of a mixture of iron and clay. However, these are five components, not just four.
Head – Gold
Chest & Arms – Silver
Abdomen & Loins – Ore (Bronze)
Thighs – Iron
Feet – Mixture of iron and clay
However, the figure’s destruction, and thus its annihilation, only occurs after the fifth sequence, not after the fourth. Daniel 2:35:
“Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.“
Daniel himself explains in the same chapter that the head of gold represents the Babylonian Empire. After it, another empire will arise and replace the first. Finally, this will be replaced by a rising third empire. The fourth empire yet to come will be as strong as iron and will crush and shatter everything. Its feet and toes, made partly of iron and partly of clay, indicate that this empire will be divided.
Further properties are clarified. Gold is the noblest of the materials mentioned. The more advanced the sequence, the less noble, but harder. The exception is the mixture of iron and clay. The iron is hard, but it is mixed with the clay.
The actual world empires
The ‘Great Ones’ of Antiquity
Two sources indicate which empires are actually being referred to, as this is a long time in the past. These are Daniel, chapters 7 and 8, and extra-biblical sources looking at ancient history. After Babylon came the empire of the Medes and Persians (silver, Cyrus the Great). This was succeeded by the empire of Greece (bronze, Alexander the Great). Finally came the empire of Rome (iron). After a period of unification, it was divided into the Western Roman Empire (Rome) and the Eastern Roman Empire (Constantinople, later Byzantium). The former collapsed in 476, and the Eastern Roman Empire finally fell to the Ottomans in 1453.
There is no mention of the figure having already been destroyed along with the Roman Empire, which supposedly happened in the area of Jesus’ birth.
Rome continued to exist merrily
One could argue that the interpretation ultimately referred not to the world empire, but to the Kingdom of Judah. However, this argument also falters on simple grounds. There are also indications of this in Matthew 24. Jesus Christ prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem, including the Temple. This actually happened in 70 AD. By whom? None other than the Romans, who, according to some rather convoluted interpretations, no longer existed. Specifically, there was already a first siege of Jerusalem by the Romans in 66 AD. This siege was unexpectedly called off, and the Romans withdrew to Rome.
After the first siege, three and a half years passed, and a second siege followed in 70 AD under the Roman general Titus. This second siege had far-reaching consequences. Jerusalem was captured, destroyed, and not a single stone was left standing in the Temple.
Interpretation: the exact opposite
Incidentally, Herod the Great wasn’t the last Roman king (or vassal) to rule Judah. During his lifetime, specifically at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, Herod Antipas held sway. And it gets even more dramatic. Between 132 and 135 AD, the Bar Kochbar Revolt took place in Judah. Hadrian was the emperor of Rome at that time. This led to the scattering of Judah’s inhabitants, the dissolution of the state of Judah, and its incorporation as a Roman province. In short, the area around Jerusalem became very, very Roman. Meanwhile, Judah, the “rump state of Israel,” ceased to exist.
History thus describes the exact opposite of what this busy interpretation of prophecy attempts to convey. As before, the Bible itself provides ample evidence that the Roman Empire is not the last power to ultimately succumb to destruction through God’s intervention. It is, after all, still this mixture of iron and clay of feet. This state, however, will persist until the great day of the Lord. Since the Roman Empire ceased to exist in 476 or 1453, something else must exist—its successor.
Who or what is the fifth one?
Much inherited from Rome
The iron described here has properties similar to Rome, while the clay symbolizes the nations or the masses of people (Daniel 2:43). In Daniel 7, the empire of Rome is symbolized by a terrible beast. From this beast grows a small horn. The small horn and the mixture of iron and clay in the feet share the same characteristic: to endure until the end of days, until God holds judgment and puts an end to this activity.
History also shows that the fluid transition from the Roman Empire to a successor power culminated in the institution that even clearly emphasizes its origin in its own name: the Roman Catholic Church!
That the papacy is clearly the power that will spread fear, terror, and tyranny is shown more than clearly in the details in Daniel 7, Daniel 8, Revelation 13, and Revelation 17 – Here are the details.
Regarding this busy interpretation, which is obviously aimed at suggesting an earthly kingdom of peace (Info), the following applies:
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1. Thessalonicher 5,21
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