FROM THE HEAVENS OVER THE EARHT
Dan 7:17-18
17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
KJV
The final form of the kingdom of Babylon as it will exist under its last king, Antichrist, will be a conglomerate of the whole of the kingdom as it is seen in the Book of Daniel. When the Stone strikes the image at its feet (feet “part of iron, and part of clay,” describing the kingdom in its last days under Antichrist), Scripture states that the Stone will break in pieces together “the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold [depicting the kingdom in its final form – a composite form of the whole of the kingdom, viewed from the days of Antichrist back to the days of Nebuchadnezzar]” (Dan. 2:32-35, 44, 45).
The Stone striking the image at its feet forms the Biblical description of Babylon’s prophesied destruction. Throughout the time of the Gentiles, Babylon has never been destroyed. It has been conquered several times and has faded into obscurity, but it has never been destroyed.
And Babylon must not only be destroyed, but, according to the prophecies of Daniel, it must be destroyed at a particular time and after a particular fashion. It must be destroyed at the end of the Times of the Gentiles (actually, the destruction of Babylon is the event which will mark the end of the Times of the Gentiles, for the Gentile world power will be centered in Babylon at that time), and it must be destroyed after such a fashion that the kingdom depicted by the entire image – from the head of gold to the feet part of iron and part of clay, the kingdom existing from the days of Nebuchadnezzar to the days of Antichrist – will be destroyed at the same time, never to rise again. This is what is meant by the iron, clay, brass, silver, and gold being “broken to pieces together,” becoming like “the chaff of the summer threshing floors,” and being carried away by “the wind” (Dan. 2:34, 35).
Dan 7:17-18
17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
KJV
The final form of the kingdom of Babylon as it will exist under its last king, Antichrist, will be a conglomerate of the whole of the kingdom as it is seen in the Book of Daniel. When the Stone strikes the image at its feet (feet “part of iron, and part of clay,” describing the kingdom in its last days under Antichrist), Scripture states that the Stone will break in pieces together “the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold [depicting the kingdom in its final form – a composite form of the whole of the kingdom, viewed from the days of Antichrist back to the days of Nebuchadnezzar]” (Dan. 2:32-35, 44, 45).
The Stone striking the image at its feet forms the Biblical description of Babylon’s prophesied destruction. Throughout the time of the Gentiles, Babylon has never been destroyed. It has been conquered several times and has faded into obscurity, but it has never been destroyed.
And Babylon must not only be destroyed, but, according to the prophecies of Daniel, it must be destroyed at a particular time and after a particular fashion. It must be destroyed at the end of the Times of the Gentiles (actually, the destruction of Babylon is the event which will mark the end of the Times of the Gentiles, for the Gentile world power will be centered in Babylon at that time), and it must be destroyed after such a fashion that the kingdom depicted by the entire image – from the head of gold to the feet part of iron and part of clay, the kingdom existing from the days of Nebuchadnezzar to the days of Antichrist – will be destroyed at the same time, never to rise again. This is what is meant by the iron, clay, brass, silver, and gold being “broken to pieces together,” becoming like “the chaff of the summer threshing floors,” and being carried away by “the wind” (Dan. 2:34, 35).
Thus, since the kingdom depicted by a part of the image has yet to appear (that part which is to be smitten), the composite form which the kingdom must take at the time of its destruction can only await the reemergence of Babylon in the future day. The image must be complete at the time of its destruction. This is something which could not have occurred at any point in history; nor can it occur today. It can occur only during the future days of Antichrist, during the days of the last king of Babylon.
And, remaining within the same line of thought, one can easily understand what is meant in Dan. 7:4-6, 11, 12 by the first three great beasts (likened to “a lion,” “a bear,” and “a leopard”) having their dominion “taken away” but their lives “prolonged for a season and time.” These beasts depict the kingdom as it existed from the days of Nebuchadnezzar to the days of Alexander the Great; and these three segments of the kingdom, though they have long since faded into obscurity, didn’t die. Rather, they are presented in the Book of Daniel as living down through time, and they are further presented in the book as being alive as an integral part of the final form during the days of Antichrist.
All of the great beasts in Dan. 7:4-7 (a “beast” in this section of Scripture a form of the kingdom of Babylon [7:17, 23]) will be present together – comprising the final form of the Babylonian kingdom – and they will be destroyed together.
Note the first three great beasts in verse twelve in this respect. Their dominion was taken away (in history, not at the time of events in the previous verse, v. 11), but they continued to live, awaiting the days of Antichrist and the destruction of Babylon in its final form (occurring in verse 11).
Thus, the death (destruction) of the first three great beasts (v. 12) occurs at the same time as the death (destruction) of the forth beast – when the Stone strikes the image at its feet and brakes in pieces together “the iron, the clay [fourth beast], the brass [third beast], the silver [second beast], and the gold [first beast]” (v. 11; cf. Dan. 2:34, 35, 44, 45). Verse twelve simply provides additional information to help explain verses eleven and the preceding vision of the four great beasts, and these verses must be understood in the light of that which had previously been revealed about the image in chapter two.
Then, “the kingdom of the world [one world kingdom, with its governmental center in Babylon]” will become “the kingdom of our Lord, and his Christ [a theocracy, with its governmental center in Jerusalem – Jerusalem above and Jerusalem below]” (Rev. 11:15, ASV).
Rev 11:15
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
KJV
The kingdom will have previously been given to the Son by the Father (Dan. 7:13, 14; cf. Psa. 2:6-9; and the Son, at the time of His return, will then take possession of the kingdom, suddenly and swiftly, through force.
The Stone “cut out of the mountains without hands” will strike the image at the time when the kingdom will have reached its zenith of world power (note that for the first time in Babylon’s history all four parts of the image will be together); and in this manner, Gentile world power will suddenly and swiftly be brought to an end (Dan. 2:34, 35, 44, 45; 7:11, 23-26; cf. Rev. 19:11-21).
Also, note Theonomy – the “Kingdom Now” theology – with particularly respect to the prophecies in Daniel. Theonomy [very prevalent throughout in certain segments of Christendom today, especially among those in Charismatic circles] teaches that the Church is to gradually take over the kingdoms of this world, through present spiritual –political means, etc. This is looked upon in the same sense as the leaven permeating the meal, “till the whole was leavened,” in Matt. 33:13 – a parable often misunderstood and used to depict the spread of that which is “good” rather than that which is “evil,” seeking, through this means, to give credence to false ideologies of this nature. And, viewing matters along these lines, would correspondingly, form a major reason for Christians to involve themselves in political structure of the present world system under Satan.
And, remaining within the same line of thought, one can easily understand what is meant in Dan. 7:4-6, 11, 12 by the first three great beasts (likened to “a lion,” “a bear,” and “a leopard”) having their dominion “taken away” but their lives “prolonged for a season and time.” These beasts depict the kingdom as it existed from the days of Nebuchadnezzar to the days of Alexander the Great; and these three segments of the kingdom, though they have long since faded into obscurity, didn’t die. Rather, they are presented in the Book of Daniel as living down through time, and they are further presented in the book as being alive as an integral part of the final form during the days of Antichrist.
All of the great beasts in Dan. 7:4-7 (a “beast” in this section of Scripture a form of the kingdom of Babylon [7:17, 23]) will be present together – comprising the final form of the Babylonian kingdom – and they will be destroyed together.
Note the first three great beasts in verse twelve in this respect. Their dominion was taken away (in history, not at the time of events in the previous verse, v. 11), but they continued to live, awaiting the days of Antichrist and the destruction of Babylon in its final form (occurring in verse 11).
Thus, the death (destruction) of the first three great beasts (v. 12) occurs at the same time as the death (destruction) of the forth beast – when the Stone strikes the image at its feet and brakes in pieces together “the iron, the clay [fourth beast], the brass [third beast], the silver [second beast], and the gold [first beast]” (v. 11; cf. Dan. 2:34, 35, 44, 45). Verse twelve simply provides additional information to help explain verses eleven and the preceding vision of the four great beasts, and these verses must be understood in the light of that which had previously been revealed about the image in chapter two.
Then, “the kingdom of the world [one world kingdom, with its governmental center in Babylon]” will become “the kingdom of our Lord, and his Christ [a theocracy, with its governmental center in Jerusalem – Jerusalem above and Jerusalem below]” (Rev. 11:15, ASV).
Rev 11:15
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
KJV
The kingdom will have previously been given to the Son by the Father (Dan. 7:13, 14; cf. Psa. 2:6-9; and the Son, at the time of His return, will then take possession of the kingdom, suddenly and swiftly, through force.
The Stone “cut out of the mountains without hands” will strike the image at the time when the kingdom will have reached its zenith of world power (note that for the first time in Babylon’s history all four parts of the image will be together); and in this manner, Gentile world power will suddenly and swiftly be brought to an end (Dan. 2:34, 35, 44, 45; 7:11, 23-26; cf. Rev. 19:11-21).
Also, note Theonomy – the “Kingdom Now” theology – with particularly respect to the prophecies in Daniel. Theonomy [very prevalent throughout in certain segments of Christendom today, especially among those in Charismatic circles] teaches that the Church is to gradually take over the kingdoms of this world, through present spiritual –political means, etc. This is looked upon in the same sense as the leaven permeating the meal, “till the whole was leavened,” in Matt. 33:13 – a parable often misunderstood and used to depict the spread of that which is “good” rather than that which is “evil,” seeking, through this means, to give credence to false ideologies of this nature. And, viewing matters along these lines, would correspondingly, form a major reason for Christians to involve themselves in political structure of the present world system under Satan.
Theonomy is simply a reemergence of the old postmillennial ideology [restructured for the times, etc.], prevalent in Christendom during the pre-World War 11 days. And it is no more true in it’s restructured from today than it was in its original form. According to Scripture, the Church can have no part – in bringing to past the kingdoms of the present world system being controlled and governed by the Lord at the time of His return.
Rather, nothing can be done along the lines of a change in administration until that day when there is once again one world kingdom with its governmental center located in Babylon. It will then, not before, that the Stone will strike the image at its feet; it will be then, not before, that “the kingdom of the world” will become “the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ” [Dan. 2:34, 35, 44, 45; Rev. 11:15]; and it will be then, not before, that “the kingdom and dominions, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High [lit. ‘the saints of the high places’ (i.e. ‘heavenly places’)]….” Dan. 7:23-27; cf. v.18].
Also, in this same respect, as previously seen, “the times of the Gentiles” will end with the Stone striking the image at its feet, not before. Thus, this period, which begun with Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar, cannot end before Babylon appears in its final form under Antichrist.
Some have sought to teach that “the times of the Gentiles” came to an end when the Jews retook the old city of Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War, allowing them to once again have access to the Temple Mount, with a view of rebuilding the temple. However, the Jews having access to or coming into possession of the Temple Mount has nothing to do with the matter. They possessed this Mount in history during the times of the Gentiles [from about 536 B.C. to 70 A.D.], and they will possess it again in the immediate future during the times of the Gentiles [during the first part of the Tribulation, when the Jewish people rebuild their temple]. Aside from that, Luke 21:24 and Rev. 11:2 specifically place the termination of the Times of the Gentiles at the end of the Tribulation, which is when Babylon will be destroyed).
Luke 21:24
24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
KJV
Rev 11:2
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
KJV
Rather, nothing can be done along the lines of a change in administration until that day when there is once again one world kingdom with its governmental center located in Babylon. It will then, not before, that the Stone will strike the image at its feet; it will be then, not before, that “the kingdom of the world” will become “the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ” [Dan. 2:34, 35, 44, 45; Rev. 11:15]; and it will be then, not before, that “the kingdom and dominions, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High [lit. ‘the saints of the high places’ (i.e. ‘heavenly places’)]….” Dan. 7:23-27; cf. v.18].
Also, in this same respect, as previously seen, “the times of the Gentiles” will end with the Stone striking the image at its feet, not before. Thus, this period, which begun with Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar, cannot end before Babylon appears in its final form under Antichrist.
Some have sought to teach that “the times of the Gentiles” came to an end when the Jews retook the old city of Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War, allowing them to once again have access to the Temple Mount, with a view of rebuilding the temple. However, the Jews having access to or coming into possession of the Temple Mount has nothing to do with the matter. They possessed this Mount in history during the times of the Gentiles [from about 536 B.C. to 70 A.D.], and they will possess it again in the immediate future during the times of the Gentiles [during the first part of the Tribulation, when the Jewish people rebuild their temple]. Aside from that, Luke 21:24 and Rev. 11:2 specifically place the termination of the Times of the Gentiles at the end of the Tribulation, which is when Babylon will be destroyed).
Luke 21:24
24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
KJV
Rev 11:2
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
KJV
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