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I. Nebuchadnezzar's Image
To understand the book of Revelation, you must first study the book of Daniel. Daniel was given end-time prophecy concerning the Hebrew people. John the Revelator sees the same image that Daniel sees.
READ: Daniel 2:31-45. Now refer to the picture of "Daniel's Image"
God gave Daniel a timeline of Kingdoms.
(see image to the left)
BABYLON
Nebuchadnezzar was given a dream by God, telling the whole history of "World Dominance" in a nutshell. The first World Rule kingdom was BABYLON, ruled by King Nebuchadnezzar, (606-538 B.C.) and its symbol was a "Lion with 4 eagles wings". It had temples to "Marduk" (name for Nimrod), and also temples to "Ishtar" (Nimrod's wife).
MEDES/PERSIANS
The second "World Dominance" was divided among 2 peoples, the MEDES and the PERSIANS (Medo-Persia, 538-330 B.C.). Its symbol was "The Bear" which raised itself on one side, which represents the stronger half, which were the Persians.
GREECE
The Third "World Dominance" kingdom was GREECE, (330-160 B.C.) and its symbol was "The Leopard". Its ruler was Alexander the Great, and he is portrayed as the "rough goat" in Daniel 8:21. Following his death, the kingdom was divided among his four generals. Syria, Egypt, Asia Minor, and Greece were the divisions. A "little horn" rose out of one of these 4 division countries, the country of Syria. This little horn was "Antiochus Epiphanies", Daniel 8:20-24, and was a "proto-type", or pattern for the Antichrist. He arose out of Syria in 174 B.C., and greatly persecuted the Jews and defiled the Temple by offering a hog upon the altar. Another "little horn" or king will come in the future, and he will arise, and become the ruler of the 10 nation kingdom that will be the European Common Market. Most likely, he will be a homosexual Muslim. (Daniel 11:21-37. esp.37)
ROMAN EMPIRE
The fourth kingdom was The ROMAN EMPIRE (160 B.C.-476 A.D.) This was the rise of "Imperialism". Its great leaders were called "Caesars". This is the one with "iron teeth" and is diverse from all others. The Roman Empire divided under the rule of Constantine into 2 sections over religious issues: 1) The Western Hemisphere, governed by Rome, Italy. 2) The Eastern Hemisphere, governed by Constantinople, Turkey. These are the two legs. The Roman Empire peaked in 46 B.C. under Julius Caesar. This kingdom never really died, but was "wounded" in 476 A.D. (Rev 13:3..restoration of the Roman Empire or Imperial/Caesar rule). In Rev 17:9,10, the "7 Heads " are "7 Mountains"…."Rome". The "head" or "Caesar rule" was wounded by the sword in 476 A.D. The 7th head is healed of a deadly wound which means Caesar rule will be restored! This will be the "10 toes" kingdom. Iron and clay represent good and evil and the two absolutely do not mix! This is the "dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly" kingdom in Daniel 7:7. There will be 10 kings/rulers, Daniel 7:24.
THE MOUNTAIN
The "Rock cut out of the mountain w/o hands" is the Lord Jesus Christ which will smite the image, or government of man, and will usher in the millennial kingdom (1000 years of peace).
READ: Daniel 7:1-10 This is a vision that God gave to Daniel, showing him the same sequence of events, but with emphasis on what will befall the people of God (Jews).
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