The Final Kingdom
- Matt. 24:3, 4 The disciples ask Jesus Christ about the signs for the last days.
- Matt. 24:15 Jesus directs our attention to the book of Daniel to help us further understand where we are in the stream of time.
- Daniel 12:4 In the time of the end knowledge would be increased. The book of Daniel was specifically written for the “latter days.”
- Isa. 46:9, 10 Only God can declare the “end from the beginning” and, therefore, accurately tell the future.
- Amos 3:7 God reveals His secrets to His servants, the prophets.
- Daniel 1:1–21 The book of Daniel begins with Daniel and his three faithful friends demonstrating their faithfulness to the true God. Thus God honored them highly. The theme of the book of Daniel is about true vs. false worship.
- Rev. 21:1–5 A picture of the new heavenly kingdom.
READ ALL OF DANIEL 2
- vs. 1 King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream he can't remember.
- vs. 19 God revealed the dream to His prophet Daniel.
- vs. 28, 29 The dream shows what would happen in the latter days of earth’s history.
- vs. 31–36 Four metals: Gold, Silver, Brass, Iron—representing four kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.
- vs. 41, 42 The fourth kingdom (Rome) would divide into many parts like the feet and the toes on the image; some of the divisions would be strong, others weak.
NOTE: This dividing of Rome took place between A.D. 351 and 476. The most recognized and basic divisions of the Roman empire were: Alemanni (Germany); Visigoths (Spain); Franks (France); Suevi (Portugal); Burgundians (Swiss); Anglo Saxon (English) Lombards (Italy); Heruli (destroyed in 493); Vandals (destroyed in 534); Ostrogoths (destroyed in 538).
- vs. 43 “They shall not cleave one to another.” Here God predicts that throughout history, these 10 kingdoms will never again become one nation.
- vs. 44, 45 In the days of these kings, God will set up His kingdom. The great Rock that smashes the image, reducing it to powder, represents the coming of Jesus Christ, which will bring the destruction of all earthly kingdoms and governments and then set up God’s eternal kingdom (Matt. 21:42–44).
