An Alphabetical Analysis
Volume 8 - Prophetic Truth - Page 223 of 304
INDEX
IMAGE OF DANIEL 2
Just as Genesis 3:15 contains all prophecy in embryo, so the Image of
Daniel 2 covers all Gentile dominion, from the appointment of Nebuchadnezzar
until the ten toes symbolizing the ten kings in the final stage of Gentile
dominion is reached, when without a moment's interval, the Stone cut out
without hands strikes the feet of the image with utter destruction, fills the
whole earth, and is set up by the God of heaven as a kingdom which shall
never be destroyed.  We believe that all prophecy, which is future to Daniel
2 must fit into the overall pattern foreshadowed by the Image therein
depicted and interpreted.  If there be periods of blessing to this earth
either with or without Israel as a factor before the Millennial kingdom
(which immediately follows the striking of the feet of the image), we must
find a place for it indicated by the sure word of prophecy.  To substantiate
this idea, we would draw attention to Luke 21:24 where the 'times of the
Gentiles' coincide with the 'treading down' of Jerusalem by the Gentiles.
This passage as it stands is fatal to any idea of a pre -Millennial kingdom
in which an enlightened Israel has a central place, for a people cannot be
trodden down and at the same time function as a kingdom of priests, there is
no place for a regathering of Israel and a time of blessing and illumination
that will last for years, followed by a fresh dispersal and another gathering
at the time of the end.  The image is seen as a whole when the stone strikes
the feet.
The translation 'treading down' has been questioned, and a much more
modified idea substituted.  We have discussed this, and provided a
concordance of the Greek word so translated in Millennial Studies9 No. 17, a
short article entitled Treading Down of Jerusalem, which should be consulted.
Coming to Daniel 2, we observe that at verse 4, the language in which
the prophecy is written changes from Hebrew to Syriac (Aramaic), the language
of the Gentiles.  The words 'in Syriac' mark the place where the language
changes and Hebrew is not resumed until the opening of chapter 8.  This of
itself shows that during these visions, the Gentile is prominent.  Before
going into detail it may be well to consider one or two interpretations that
have been put forward, so that the way may be cleared, and our study pursued
unhindered.
(1)
Four kingdoms.-- One school of interpretation speaks of the image
as representing four kingdoms only -- Babylon, Medo -Persia, Greece and Rome.
The legs represent the two divisions of the Roman Empire, the eastern and
western, and the ten toes, the kingdom into which it will finally be divided,
thus making Rome's dominion, either in its full power or in its divided form,
cover the whole period from before Christ to the present time, and
necessitating a revival of ancient Rome at the time of the end.  Some who
endorse this view believe Rome to be the Babylon of the Apocalypse, whilst
others still believe that literal Babylon will be rebuilt.
(2)
The fourth kingdom regarded as Satanic. -- Another view of the
purport of the vision does not include Rome at all.  This view is that
Babylon, Medo -Persia and Greece followed one another, but that by the time
the Lord was here upon earth, the devil could claim that the kingdoms of the
world had been delivered unto him (Luke 4:6).  Moreover, another objection to
Rome having a place in Nebuchadnezzar's vision is said to be the fact that
she never really had possession of Babylon itself.  We would add, however,
that this is not strictly true.