The subject of the kingdom of God has been greatly misunderstood by many people.  Visionist have dreamed of a coming age of blessedness and earthly glory, while writers have expressed it loftiest phrase and through highly colored word-pictures, the creations of their own fancy.  My purpose, however, is not to set forth a mere theory, no matter how desirable or captivating it may appear, but is to show what the Bible clearly teaches concerning this subject, when all forced and fanciful interpretations are omitted.

King Nebuchadnezzar had sent for Daniel to tell him what he had dreamed and to give him the interpretation of his vision that had troubled him. Daniel begins by assuring the King, "But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to King Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed are these." (Dan. 2:28)

Daniel begins to relate to the King what he saw beginning with verse 31..."Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part iron and part clay.  Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. 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 earth."

Daniel then gives the complete detailed interpretation, which is recorded, in remaining part of this same chapter beginning with verse 36 through 45. He gives the identifying characteristics of each Kingdom in succession. Consider the Image above which reveals fully the time frame for us. Daniel begins his interpretation for the King..."Thou art this head of gold." This tells us that the first Kingdom was Babylon, for Nebuchadnezzar was the King of Babylon. The second Kingdom was the Medo-Persian, the third was the Grecian and the fourth was the Kingdom of Rome.  We will consider the meaning of these prophetic truths fully as we present this study.

We will focus our attention on the fourth kingdom, for this will give us a proper understanding of when the Kingdom of God was established upon the earth. Most Biblical scholars and students alike agree concerning the interpretation of the four kingdoms. The controversy comes when considering the establishment of the fifth kingdom, which is the Kingdom of God.

 

Concerning this kingdom Daniel writes these words…
"And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. For as much as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof is sure.” (Daniel 2:44-45)

 

 

The statue in the book of Daniel 2 is like a watch that tells time from the time of Babylon down to the end. Each part of the metal statue was another powerful empire that would try to rule the world.

God repeats the prophecy in Daniel 7 by showing the same time and the same world empires as different animals, a lion with two wings, a hunch-backed bear, a leopard with four wings and then a terrible, awful, ugly beast that looks like a dragon which had ten horns.

God repeats the prophecy in Daniel 8. But this time the first kingdom (Babylon) was about to be destroyed so God only showed the kingdoms that came after babylon. This time there was a ram with one horn higher than the other, a goat with four horns, and a little horn that did terrible things.

The Interpretation of the Dream

  

 

The First Empire was the Babylonian Empire

The hanging garden of Babylon was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.

The first Empire, Babylon, was founded by King Nebuchadnezzar, best known for his hanging gardens - one of the 7 wonders of the world.

 

Babylon was a very rich city, but they did not worship God. They worshipped idols. They had a ruler called Nebuchadnezzar who built a golden image. Everybody had to bow down to it.
See the Map of Babylon

ASSYRIAN EMPIRE AT ITS HEIGHT:  660 B.C.

  

BABYLONIAN EMPIRE AT ITS HEIGHT: 539 B.C.

  

Medo-Persia

 

Daniel 2:32 tells us that, "This image's head was of fine gold and his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and thighs of brass".

The Medo-Persian empire followed the Babylonian empire. The Medo-Persian empire is a combination of the Median Empire and the Persian Empire. The Medo-Persian Empire is the second kingdom and it was inferior to the Babylonian Empire.

 

The Second Empire was the Persian Empire

Cyrus the Great, King of Persia

Cyrus the Great, founder of the Medo-Persian Empire. He issued the famous decree allowing the Jews to return and re-build the Temple in 457 B.C. The first great clash between the ram and he-goat (Persia and Greece) occurred about 410 B.C., at the Battle of Marathon. This is where the marathon race originated.

 

Greece

 

Greece was the third kingdom after Persia and before Rome. Alexander the Great was the leader of them. They defeated the whole world in a short time. I think eleven years. Every time he was sleeping almost ready to fight he had a dream about a high priest walking out to meet him and he won every battle because the Lord gave him the dreams. Alexander died at 33 and he had defeated world at 31 or 32! When he died, his four generals took over. Their names were Lysimachus, Ptolemy, Cassander and Seleucus.

A note from the teacher: This is what he actually wrote (unedited) without the help of his parents. I thought it was just so precious and ought to be preserved for ever. Jon-Michael if you are reading this at age 33 I hope that you are still writing for your God.

 

MEDO-PERSIAN EMPIRE AT ITS HEIGHT: 520 B.C.

 

The Third Empire was the Greek or Macedonian Empire

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great, founder of the Greek Empire was symbolized as a leopard with 4 wings. Upon his death his empire was divided up among his four generals: Cassander ruled Greece, Lysimachus ruled Asia Minor, Seleucus, ruled Syria and Babylon, and Ptolemy ruled Egypt. Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, was descended from this dynasty.

This Empire gave the world a universal language. Christ is derived from the Greek word Christos meaning anointed.

MACEDONIAN EMPIRE AT ITS HEIGHT: 323 B.C.

  

Rome

 

The dragon and the legs of iron represents Rome and it followed Greece. Rome is strong and iron is strong, and that is why God used iron to represent Rome.
Rome had two types of government. First, the Caesars ruled Rome but then the church ruled Rome.
See the Map of the Roman empire.

The Fourth Empire was the Roman Empire 

Julius Caesar

 

Julius Caesar was the founder of the fourth beast: Imperial Rome....Rome was a Republic like the United States and the very idea of a king was repugnant to the Roman Senate who finally got rid of him by assassination....Shakespeare wrote a famous play about his life.

Caesar was assassinated on the IDES of March (full moon) as the Roman Senate considered it a very lucky time to get rid of a dictator.

Imperial Rome was indeed a killer unparalleled in human history. War was their business and passion. Julius Caesar was reported to have killed over 1 million Celts in his conquest of Gaul alone.

Imperial Rome was a military State

Imperial Roman soldiers Imperial Rome did not have an army . . . it was an army. Everything was subservient to the military who controlled all aspects of life. The army even appointed the Emperor.... The famous Roman roads, the aqueducts, the baths, the infamous Coliseum, etc., etc. were all built by them.  From the cradle to the grave Rome was a military state that lived by the sword.

Rome was infamous as a TAX collector They used the revenue of conquered countries to hire more mercenaries in order to invade more countries. The Messiah was born in Bethlehem during the world-wide taxing of Augustus Caesar:

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed" (Luke 2: 1).

This was most probably held in the spring time as most of the money would go to support the military and armies always began their campaigns of conquest in the Spring.

 

ROMAN EMPIRE: 117 A.D.

 

Approximate Dates of the 4 Empires

 

The Dragon, the Woman and the Child

In Revelation 12, a great red dragon tried to kill the woman and her child. But the child was caught up to the throne of God. So the dragon became very angry and went to persecute the woman and the rest of her seed.

This describes how Paganism tried to kill the converts of Jesus. The church suffered many persecutions by the Romans. Christians were thrown to the lions while the Romans watched as if they were watching a sport event.  After that, the leaders of the church persecuted the people in the crusades and the inquisition.

 

Europe - Ten Nations

 

The feet were made of iron and clay.
The ten toes represent Europe.
The ten horns represent Europe.

  

The Roman Empire

Europe - The Ten Divisions

The northern border of the Roman empire was the Danube and Rhine river, the Carpathian mountains and the Black Sea.

 

The Lombards migrated to Italy after the Heruli and Ostrogoths were removed.
These are the ten toes of the statue and the ten horns of the beast in the prophecies of Daniel

 

The Little Horn

The next power (The Little Horn) that came up around the time of the nations of Europe was the Catholic church. It would control Europe for about 1260 years. It was little in size but it was a strong power.

Around 517 B.C., Daniel the Prophet was given a preview of the last quarter of Jewish and world history right up to the First and Second Comings of the Messiah....He saw four great Empires that would rise and rule the world.

The first vision of the four empires was presented under the type of a huge statue of a man with four different metals corresponding to the four empires (Daniel chapter 2).

These four empires were again presented to him in a vision but this time as wild beasts (Daniel chapter 7):

 

The Seventy Weeks

 

 

 

Please follow the above chart as we present the truth which the Bible relates concerning the "Seventy Weeks" which were determined by God.

Let's do some Mathematics here

We see that this period incorporates the seven weeks in which the city of Jerusalem is restored. Now, a period of 434 years or 62 weeks elapses which brings us to the baptism of Christ. The baptism of Christ may rightfully be established at this time, because He is referred to as "Messiah the Prince," or the "Anointed One."

There was one week remaining, the seventieth, during which Christ's ministry is completed. During this three and a half year period, Christ is "cut off" in the midst of the week.

 

To Finish the transgression

 

Christ's birth, life, ministry, His death and resurrection were literal. This was an historical event that came to pass. It was during this period of time that the Jews did "Finish the transgression." The fulfillment is found as Jesus spoke these words to the Jews.

"Fill ye then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold. I sent you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. Matthew 23:32-35}

Yes! The Jews did "finish" the transgression during this period of time

 

To make a end to sins

 

The fulfillment is found in these scriptures. "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." {Matthew 1:21}

This truth is confirmed throughout the scriptures of the New Testament. This is why Christ entered into the world! The Hebrew writer affirms this truth as he wrote, "But this man {speaking of Christ} after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God...For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." {Hebrews 10:12-14}

The entire sixth chapter of Romans confirms that Christ made an end to the power of sin in true believers. Paul writes that "Sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Again he writes: "But now being made free from sin, and become servants of God, ye have your fruit unto righteousness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." He goes on to write, "For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

Yes! Christ made an end to sins!

 

To make reconciliation for iniquity

 

The fulfillment is found in these scriptures. "But God comendendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, while we were yet enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." {Romans 5:8-10}

"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." {2 Corinthians 5:18-19}

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself. {Colossians 1:20}

Yes! Christ brought reconciliation to mankind!

 

To bring in everlasting righteousness

 

The fulfillment is affirmed In the scriptures. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." {Romans 8:1-4}

"But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever" a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom." {Hebrews 1:8}

"For he hath made him {Jesus} to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
{2 Corinthians 5:21}

Yes! Christ did bring in everlasting righteousness to lost humanity!

 

To seal up the vision

 

God has "sealed" all His children. "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ; and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."
{2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, and the gospel of your salvation: in whom after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." {Ephesians 1:13)

The prophecy was concerning the "New Covenant" that God would make with ALL mankind. Thus it is affirmed..."For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for ALL shall know me from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." {Hebews 8:10-13}

Yes! Christ fulfilled the New Covenant through his obedience and sealed the vision and prophecy!

 

To anoint the Most Holy

 

Christ came to fulfill ALL that was written of Him by the prophets! The very name of "Christ" means "Anointed." He thus spoke..."The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind. to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears."
{Luke 4:18-21}

Yes! Our Lord Jesus Christ was and is, the Holy One, the Anointed of God!

 

He shall confirm his covenant with many for one week Heb. 10:16-23

 

He shall confirm His covenant with many (The Church of the New Covenant) for one week Heb 9:15-17.