Wouldn’t it be intriguing to catch a glimpse of the future—to see what the next world empire will be? Will it be Japan? Could it be the rising new giant—China? Perhaps it will be the affluent and powerful United States of America?
Let us look in the Bible at the prophetic book of Daniel, that fascinating book that deals with the past, the present, and the future. Daniel chapter 2 tells us about the kingdom that is soon to rule the world. Let us look at this chapter in more detail.
About 2,500 years ago, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had an unusual dream. He could not remember the contents of this dream, yet it left a powerful impression on him. He, therefore, summoned the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans of his realm to help him recall and interpret the forgotten dream. They were, of course, unable to relate the dream to the king, thus showing themselves to be what they really were—deceivers.
There was someone, however, who could help the king: a young Hebrew captive, Daniel. God, working through Daniel, gave King Nebuchadnezzar an important message.
What was this dream that the king forgot? Let us read about it in verses 31–35. “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 of iron and part of 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 whole earth.”
Did Daniel tell the correct dream to the king? Absolutely, in every particular! But what was the significance of this dream? Nebuchadnezzar had to know.
Daniel then interpreted the dream: “Thou art this head of gold,” he said. In other words, the golden head represented the Babylonian kingdom. When he heard this, the king probably smiled with satisfaction.
Babylon was truly a golden city in a golden age. The capital city seemed impregnable to enemy attack. The Babylonians had a food supply that could feed a million people for ten to twenty years. And yet, despite its great military might, this golden kingdom was to come to an end.
Daniel again spoke to Nebuchadnezzar. “And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee.” What nation conquered the Babylonians? Historians tell us that the Medes and Persians did, in the year 538 B.C. (Their Empire is represented by the image’s breast and arms of silver).
As we continue our study, we find that the Medo-Persian rule of the world would also come to an end. History shows that defeat occurred at the battle of Arbela in 331 B.C., at the hands of Alexander the Great. Incidentally, although Alexander was able to conquer the then-known world in seven years, he could not conquer his own vices. Drinking, one of his biggest problems, led to his death at the age of 32.
God said further, “After thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron” (verses 39–40). After the battle of Pydna in 168 B.C., the great iron kingdom of Rome began to rule the world. However, because of severe internal problems and the invasion by barbarian tribes, Rome, too, began to crumble.
Through Daniel, God said that the Roman Empire would be divided into ten parts. The ten barbarian tribes that overran and divided Rome were the Anglo-Saxons, Franks, Alemanni, Lombards, Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Burgundians, Vandals, Suevi, and Heruli. These ten divisions became the foundation of the modern nations of Europe. Note that God did not predict that Rome would be divided into six, seven, or even nine parts, but into exactly ten. Interesting, isn’t it? The prophecies of the Bible are always precise and reliable.
Now, what does prophecy say concerning the relationship between these ten divisions? “And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay” (verse 43). God’s word says that no matter how hard the individual nations of Europe try to unite themselves, they will never become one world power.
Several attempts have been made in the past to this end, but they have always failed. Man will never be able to unite the nations of Europe. It cannot be done because God said so. These declarative seven words, “They shall not cleave one to another,” have stopped men such as Charlemagne, Charles V, Louis XIV, Napoleon Bonaparte, Kaiser Wilhelm, and Adolf Hitler. Some have tried desperately to unite Europe through the intermarriage of royal lines, but have failed. Others have attempted to achieve unity through wars and conquest, but they also failed. Just as iron and clay do not mix, so the nations of Europe will never become a world empire.
Now that we have looked at the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman empires, as well as the divided nations of Europe, we again ask the question, what will be the next world empire? The answer is found in verse 44: “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 for ever” (emphasis supplied). God Himself will establish His kingdom on this earth, and He will rule for ever and ever.
Note also verse 45: “Forasmuch 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.” The stone represents the glorious kingdom of Jesus Christ. There can be no doubt that Christ will return to this earth, accompanied by all the holy angels, to set up His government. Both the righteous and the wicked will receive their rewards—either life everlasting or eternal destruction.
The stone that strikes the image on the feet will end all existing governments. Are you ready for this stupendous event? Are you ready to enter Christ’s glorious kingdom? I hope so! To be ready means to fall on the Rock, Jesus Christ and be broken. He loves you and wants you to be saved. Won’t you commit your life to Him today?
When will the stone strike the metallic image? This event will occur while the last part of the image is still in existence, at the time when the ten kings of Europe are still reigning. When is that? Right now!
The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31. Salvation begins when we surrender our sinful lives to Jesus. Accepting Him as a personal Saviour assures us of a place in His eternal kingdom. Wait no longer to be on the Lord’s side! When He comes in the clouds of heaven, it will be too late to make a decision for Christ. Make your decision for Him today! Amen.
Henry Dering