origin of these powers may be the land surrounding the Mediterranean.  These

four beasts are said to be 'four kings', not four dynasties lasting centuries

but 'four kings' and, moreover, they 'shall arise'.  Now Nebuchadnezzar had

already risen.  Darius the Mede was already in existence and threatening

Babylon.  These four kings consequently cannot represent the gold, silver,

brass and iron of the image, and to import the words 'the fourth beast shall

be the fourth kingdom upon the earth' by mentally adding, 'counting from

Nebuchadnezzar', is to go contrary to the fact that these were yet future in

Daniel 7.  The descriptions given of these symbolic beasts are for the

guidance of those of the people of God who live in the day that they arise.

There are some things that Daniel knew which were to be sealed unto the time

of the end.  The identity of these kings is among such subjects.  No attempt

at specific interpretation is made by the angel, who simply says of these

four most peculiar beasts, that they are 'four kings which shall arise out of

the earth', and he passes without further comment to the glorious conclusion,

'But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the

kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever' (Dan. 7:17,18).

It is at the request of Daniel that further light is thrown upon the

fourth beast.  This, Daniel noted was 'diverse from all others', and although

he had been helped by the symbolic use of lion, eagle's wings, bear and

leopard, no such description is given of this fourth beast.  The kingdoms

represented by gold, silver, brass and iron in the image of Daniel 2

succeeded one another, whereas the rest of the beasts, that is the three

first mentioned in Daniel 7, lose their dominion, 'yet their lives were

prolonged for a season and time' (Dan. 7:12).  They cannot therefore be

successors.  The ten horns which the fourth beast had, represent 'ten kings

that shall arise', and in Revelation 17 this beast is seen supporting

Babylon, and the ten horns are said to represent 'ten kings, which have

received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the

beast' (Rev. 17:12).  If this beast of Revelation 17 is the same as that seen

by Daniel, then it is folly to attempt to discover these ten kings in past or

present history, for until the time of the end they will not have reigned as

kings.  They are evidently puppet kings at the disposal of the great Dictator

of the end.  Much more must be considered if the visions of Daniel 7 are to

be explained and their relation with the beasts of Revelation 13 and 17 made

clear, but that would take us far beyond our present quest.

We must return to the image and its feet of iron and clay.  While these

'ten kings' are not specifically mentioned, the ten toes of the image

indicate them, for the toes being connected with that part of the image which

was part of iron and part of clay (Dan. 2:42,43) are in mind when the prophet

continued 'And in the days of these kings', no kings being mentioned as such

in the context.  This final phase of the image is said to be partly strong

and partly broken, or 'brittle', as the margin indicates, the clay being

potter's clay which had been burned in the fire and had become so hardened

that, while vulnerable to a blow, would stand the weight of the figure above

it.  The degeneration which was symbolic of Israel's failure (Lam. 4:1,2) has

set in once again.  The Gentile is no better than the Jew, neither the one

nor the other can bear rule over the earth.  The total failure of all men

cries aloud for the coming of Christ, and this is the burden of all prophecy,

including the Millennium.  The prophet Daniel drew Nebuchadnezzar's attention

to one peculiar feature of the feet of the image:

'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' (Dan. 2:43).