The Image of Gold! The dream image! Pictured What?
In the first instance, Nebuchadnezzer had a dream of an immense Image, that, as it turned, out no one could interpret but the Prophet Daniel, as is seen from the following:
10 "The astrologers answered the king, "There is not a man on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer.11 What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men." {Daniel 2:10,11 NIV} How wrong they were!
19 "During the night
the mystery was revealed to Danielin a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said:
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
You have given me wisdom and power,
As we read the following in Daniel, he had learned that, the Kings dream, was foretelling the King about the run of the World Powers from Nebuchdnezzers City of Babylon down to the last ruling World Power that would exist on our earth, that the 'stone not cut out by human hands,' would pulverise and put out of existence.
In verse 38 of this passage, Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzer that he was the head of Gold. Following Babylon, that Nebuchadnezzer represented, came Medo-Persia, then Greece, Rome, and the British American World Powers of today, which was represented by the feet and toes. Daniel begins:
31 "You looked, O king, and there before you stood a large statue—an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance. 32 The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. 34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were broken to pieces at the same time and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth." {Daniel 2:31-35 NIV} Daniel next tells us about the feet and toes:
41 "Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay. 42 As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. 43 And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay." {Daniel 2:41-43 NIV}
Daniel explains to us about about the four successive Kingdoms to follow Babylon, nextly, in Daniel 2:2-7 finishing up by telling us about a fourth and last Kingdom of this earth fearsome and terrible, with Ten Horns. This one is extraordinarily fearsome and terrible, different than all the others with Ten Horns, {Daniel 7:7,19,20} In his account in the Revelation the Apostle John also tells us about this same fourth and last, World Power, only he likens it to a Wild Beast, with Ten Horns, that satan gives to it power Throne and great authority. {Revelation 13:1,2} One would think that, there is no more Govermental Authorities to arise, after this Beast with the Ten Horns, but they'd be wrong in thinking that, even though it looks like they are all in place. There is yet one last Eighth King that must come into this picture. The one that actually does represent the feet and toes of this great image, the one that is smashed to pieces, by the stone not cut out by human hands. {Daniel 2:34,35} Just how does this one come on the scene, you might ask? Daniel next speaks of him:
24 "The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them
another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time." {Daniel 7:24,25 NIV} Who is this other KIng?
The Apostle John will aid us in understanding that. Notice what he tells us next!:
11"The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He
belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction." {Revelation 17:11 NIV} So, this other King, is the Eighth and last ruling King to dwell on this earth. The one to make War on and prevail against God's Holy Ones, and is found to be doing so, just prior to massive divine intervention. The time he goes off into destruction! {Daniel 7:21,22 NIV} What did John mean; "he belongs to the seven?" Daniel will now explain that:
8 "While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up
among them; and threeof the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully." {Daniel 7: 8 NIV}
Thus far, it becomes obvious, that both John and Daniel, have been given knowledge of what will occur during the end times, as Chapter 8:19 of Daniel would seem to indicate. at least, for certain in Daniels case. The Angel Gabriel said to Daniel:
19 He said: "I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end." {Daniel 8:19 NIV}
Since the Apostle John was also given the Revelation that told the end from the beginning, and he too, foretold the presence of this eighth king, his Revelation too, like Daniel's, concerned the appointed time of the end, since he foretold this eighth and final king would go off into destruction, as this eighth king does. Also mentioning the Beast with the Ten Horns. {Isaiah 46:9,10}
Remembering now, that to begin with there was Ten Horns, but Daniel tells us, that three of them were uprooted, leaving only seven left. This is where we focus back on the words of John, who mentioned that this wounded head, this Eighth King, John said, belonged to the seven. That is, one of the Ten Horns, that was in among the seven left over after three
are uprooted. John describes this wounded head, as follows:
3"One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast." {Revelation 13:3 NIV}
Daniel now shows us where this wounded head was located, you might say, tucked away among the Ten, after the three had been pulled out, So, he's been there all along, but inactive, as it were.
Why would I say, inactive? For the following reason:
12"The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have
not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.13They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast." {Revelation 17:12,13 NIV} I don't believe even as yet, this has not occured, my thoughts though are, when it does occur, the Eighth King, will spring into action because now he has the backing of the Wild Beast and all of these other Horns mentioned, behind him, enabling him to produce the most viscious Military Machine that's ever braced this planet earth. That is exactly in harmony with the further words of Daniel the Prophet, which are:
7 "After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—
terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns." Daniel 7:7 NIV}
Now, we have the Ten Horns amalgamated with the Wild Beast, as One mighty Military Machine, that no one could do battle with, other than the Lamb of God! Something else Daniel tells us about this powerfull military machine, is the following:
23 "He gave me this explanation: 'The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. 24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them
another king will arise , different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time." {Daniel 7:23-25 NIV} Notice this next point in Daniel:
23 "In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but
not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. 25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power." Daniel 8:23-25 NIV}
Note the point made about
not by his own power! This little Horn that has received power and authority, along with all of the other horns with him, who has subued three kings, who speaks against the Most High, who has the saints handed over to him, has now, the Mightiest Military Machine behind him that's ever existed on this earth, is the one to take his stand against the Prince of Princes; but being as he is the feet and toes of Daniels dream image, he stands no chance at all against the Prince of Princes, who will utterly destroy him and his mighty army with no problem at all. A little back ground information on this little horn, as follows:
8 "While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up
among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully." {Daniel 7:8 NIV} A small bit of information about him. He's a bit of a loud mouth boaster, from that. Much more that that is revealed about this big mouthed boaster, as we'll learn as we go on.
Keep in mind, since we're dealing with the time of the end, all of the end time Prophecies, would have to fit in at various intervals as we proceed along with this. Prophecies such as, the 'generation that was not to pass away,' would factor in here, at some point; as would the generation that had to 'be cut short or no flesh would be saved.' {Matthew 24:20-22,34} The War fought in heaven, that none really discerned was even going on. {Revelation 12:7-9} satan being thrown down to this earth, and then Woe, Woe, Woe, for the earth, as Nation would rise against Nation and Kingdom against Kingdom. {Matthew 24:7} {Revelation 8:13} Ezekiels Prophecy fulfilled when the sword of every man turns his sword against his own brother. {Ezekiel 38:21-23} The fall of the entire empire of Religion, {Revelation 17:16-18} NIV} 18:1-8} known as Babylon the great, that would trigger the massive symbolic earthquake {Revelation 16:18} John spoke about, and the period of the great tribulation period that had to be cut short, or no flesh would be saved. The discovery of just who the Anti-Christ is. {Revelation 13:6,7} What constitutes the abomination of desolation; all would have to be fulfilled during the days of this last and final ruling eighth king. {Matthew 24:15} {Revelation 13:8 NIV}
From John's Revelation we learn, that, this eighth King will gain authority over every Tribe, People, Tongue, and Nation, with everyone on earth, bowing in worship to an Image he manages to set up. A One World Government, that will Rule and dominate this earth! John goes on to explain this fact:
"
And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound , but the fatal wound had been healed.The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. 4 Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?"
5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. 6 He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7 He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was
given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world."Revelation 13:1-8 NIV}
Speaking further about this one who blasphemes God, John tells us about his Image, his one World Government, that he gets established over this entire World, and just by what means he gains dominance over all the people on this earth, in the following words:
11"Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he
spoke like a dragon. 12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. 14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. Heordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name." {Revelation 13:11-17 NIV}
This Lamb-Like Beast, in appearance, is very deceptive, so would manage because of that deceptive appearance, to worm his way in among the inhabitants of this earth, to very probably gain their confidence; but when done so, would reveal their true nature and begin speaking as a dragon, being maneauvered by satan as he will be, by puting this entire earth under obligation to receive these marks on the forehead or on the right hand, showing their complete subservience to this Eighth Kings Image.
Both Daniel and John foretold these brutal changes in law and in tmes, in these following words:
25 "He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and
try to change the set times and the laws.The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time." {Daniel 7:25 NIV} These changes in times that John foretold, was, of course, the time when this entire World is forced to either receive these marks on the right hand or forehead, or, if not that, be killed, hated, and persecuted, or starve to death, because of not being able to buy or to sell to gain the necessities of life.
Jesus foretold the hatred his true followers would experience, because of his name; even in the face of this Worlds hatred, they would not bow to this image set up by this Eighth King, because their King was Jesus, and they would bow to no one but him; they would maintain that stand right down to their death if that became necessary; because bowing to that Image, would have been tantamount to worshipping satan the devil. None of them would ever do that! Hence, this Worlds hatred would occur against them all, as Jesus foretold it would, in the following:
9"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be
hated by all nationsbecause of me." {Matthew 24:9 NIV}
Un-be-knowns to Mankind, at this time the War between Michael the Archangel and satan and his demons is occurring in the Spirit Realm, with satan and his demons being cast out of the heavenly realm, this is when the hatred of Jesus followers, would begin, instigated by the devil himself; for look what John tells us occurs when he is thrown down:
"Therefore rejoice, you heavens
and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short." {Revelation 12:12 NIV}
How bad does this Woe for the earth become? Let's look at that Woe, and see how bad it's going to get on this earth:, so we can prepare ourselves for it:
13 "As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice:
"Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth,because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!" {Revelation 8:13 NIV}
Terrifyingly frightening for the inhabitants of this earth at this time, and we'll learn why that is, as I proceed with this discussion. Next, the instigator of all of this Woe, Woe, Woe, when he's thrown down; and notice the state he's in:
17 "Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus." {Revelation 12:17 NIV} His mission right away, is to attack the seed of the heavenly Woman, who he so detests; enraged at:
13 "And when the dragon saw that he was cast down to the earth, he persecuted the woman that brought forth the man child." {Revelation 12:13 NIV}
Busy Boy, our satan the devil, isn't he? So full of hatred! How is that hatred manifested? As we might expect! He uses people, to vent his hatred on the followers of the Christ, as he's always done. Nothing new! Nothing has changed! Just as he used Cain to murder his Brother Able! Just as he used those early Jews to murder the Christ; and probably before it was all said and done, all of the Apostles as well. They would not have escaped his murderous wrath; as we might well imagine. Consider too, this Image of Gold that Nebuchadnezzer required all to bow down to, on pain of death in the fiery furnace. Sha'drac, Me'shach, and A-bed'ne-go flatly refused to bow to that Image, and were thrown into the fiery furnace. satan's hatred was alive and well at that time, and hasn't changed right up until today; and will go on right up until the moment he's abyssed. {Daniel 3:1-30} {Revekation 20:1-3}
While this persecution is going on of the followers of the Christ, Jehovah would probably take this advantage, to turn this Eight King on the entire empire of Religion on this earth, and exterminate it; triggering the figurative earthquake foretold by John. The fall of this empire, will, likely cause a shakeup in human affairs similar to what a literal earthquake would do rocking this earth from end to end; creating a shakeup in human affairs that will have no equal.
Because satan is now down to this earth, and he creates this Woe, Woe, Woe, for the earth, this time period will see the fufillment of Matthew 24:7 when "Nation wil rise agaist Nation and Kingdom against Kingdom," and Ezekiels prophecy undergoes fulfillment; with the "Sword of every man's Sword turned against his own Brother" and all particular Hell will break out all over this Planet; so bad, it will have to be 'cut short' by massive divine intervention. This will be the great tribulation spoken about by Jesus and Daniel. So great as to never have had, or will ever again have any equal. This will be the generation Jesus said would not pass away, but would see all things fulfilled. Jesus also reveals something else to us of great importance, in his following words: {Daniol 12:1-3}
15 "When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that readeth understand)," {Mattgew 24:15 ASV}
Just how do we understand this statement made by Jesus?
We know, that in Daniels time Nebuchadnezzer's Babylon ruled most of the known World, at that time. When he set up his image of Gold, it was required that all at time bow in Worship to this Image! No one was exempt! Anyone that refused was put to death, in the fiery furnace. {Daniel 3:1-30} In that his Image required even the worship of Jehovah's faithful people, it was standing, itself in, the Holy Place! Was in fact an abomination of desolation in Jehovah's eyes, in trying to mislead his people into false worship, or devil worship, which is an abomination to Jehovah. Daniel had told nebuchnezzer that he, himself was the head of Gold. He as much as told him that four other World Powers would follow in sucession from Babylon! Which are Medo-Persia- Greece- Rome- and the Brtitish American World Powers of today, that include the African- Asian and European Nations of today. Probably all lumped together with the British American World Powers; although I cannot say they are all in association with the body of the United Nations general assembly; making them all a complete Ten Horns.
Today, this Eighth Kings Image, or one World Government is the feet and toes of the immense Image of Nebuchnezzers dream, that Daniel that was able to interpret. Nebuchnezzer was the Head of Gold, that pictured Babylon, as I said. It is these feet and toes that suffer destruction at the hands of the lamb, while trying to do battle with him, because it is this Eighth King that was to go off into destruction, as in fact he does.
10 "They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while.14They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." {Revelation 17:10-14 NIV}
Keep in mind, although the count of the World Powers is only seven, it must be remembered that this Eight King springs from among the seven of the Ten Horns that was in association, with the seventh World Power, or Wild-Beast. This little horn in among the Ten was the last one to come on the scene; to do battle with the Lamb. He would be the insolent God Hater, who blasphemes Jehovah's personage, his name, his entire heavenly arrangement of things; who persecutes and kills Jehovah's Holy People. In actuality, making him, besides being the abomination of desolation, also the foretold Anti-Christ, as well.
As to which Governmental Head would prove out to be this little Horn in amomg the Ten, that received the mortal wound yet reivived, I don't believe anyone could know that, until he actually comes on the scene and begins to behave as he was foretold to behave. We have, if we wish to speculate on it, four possibilities. Hitler's Nazi Germany, suffered a head wound that was revived from when Germany was admitted to the UN Board of the general asssembly. Likewise Japan and Italy. All have now been addmitted to the UN Board of the Genaral Assembly. So, you could say that all three have been revived from their mortal wounds. One other is the Nation of Islam, who I hear at one time was in some kind of dispute with the Chrtistian`s Nations and lost all of their Political Power. So, while they held that power they was, when they lost it, they was not. Now they too are seated on that Board so have been revived again. As to which one it is, I don`t know! Maybe it`s none of them. Maybe we`re all in for a big surprise! I`ts anyones guess!
At any rate, the Image of Gold, was the abomination of desolation, in Daniels day, that all were forced on pain of death in the fiery furnace, to bow in worship to. Including Jehovah's faithful worshippers. The dream Image pictured the run of the World Powers from Babylon, right on down until the last Ruling World Power to exist in this earth today: The 'feet and toes' that was to be pulverised, by the 'stone not cut out by human hands;' God's Kingdom, by the Christ. End of a very arduous task! Wannabe