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DANIEL

Daniel 2:41-49

Turn with me in your Bibles to Daniel chapter 2 as we will finish up this great chapter this evening. In our last study we saw that the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, had a dream of a huge multi-metallic image. And this dream troubled him, he didn’t know what it meant but he did know it had to do with him. So he called his wise men in and they could not help him. You see, they wanted to know the dream and they would then give the interpretation, but the king, making sure they were on the up and up, wanted them to tell him the dream and then the interpretation.

And the incentive he gave them is that if they didn’t, they would be put to death! But that did not help them, for no one was able to do this. Daniel, who was now part of this group, is told of what is going to happen and that he and his friends will also be put to death, so they had a prayer meeting and God revealed to them what this dream was all about and Daniel told it to the king, giving glory to God. And this multi-metallic image was a representation of gentile world empires.

The head of gold of this image represented the Babylonian empire. It was strong, powerful, and ruled by a tyrant king. Now the Babylonian empire was defeated by the chest and arms of silver, which was the Medo-Persian empire. The metal being inferior to gold was also seen in this kingdom being inferior to the Babylonian empire. It was not an absolute monarchy but a constitutional one. That is, if the king signed something into law he couldn’t change it, and we will see that come to pass as we get to Daniel chapter 6.

Then the Medo-Persian empire was defeated by the belly and thighs or sides of bronze, which represented the Grecian empire under the leadership of Alexander the Great. And then after his death the kingdom was divided up and given to his four generals. And Daniel will cover that in great detail in future chapters.

And the Grecian empire was defeated by the legs of iron which was represented by the Roman empire. Another fierce empire. Now who defeated the Romans? No one defeated the Roman empire but it broke in pieces, rotted from the inside because of moral decay. And those pieces that were broken never became world empires by themselves although they have tried several times.

France had its "day in the sun" under Napoleon who extended the French empire by military victories but was defeated at Waterloo in 1815. Spain with its Armada, or vast fleet of warships had its "day in the sun" also. But they were defeated by England in 1588. We have also seen England try, but she has not retained much power and certainly not world domination.

Germany had a chance twice. First under Bismark who was known as the "Iron Chancellor" (1815-1895). And of course Hitler, who assumed dictatorial power and the title of Der Fuhrer, from 1933-1945, and he was defeated. And we see that Germany is not a world power, not even close.

And the list goes on. The thing I want you to notice is that none of them have made it to world domination as hard as they have tried. In fact, since the Roman empire there has not been a world empire and there will not be one until this revived Roman empire comes on the scene.

And that brings us to tonight’s study for in this study we will be looking at this last gentile world empire to come on the scene prior to the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His kingdom on this earth. And so with that in mind, lets pick up our study in Daniel chapter 2 beginning in verse 41, as Daniel continues to interpret the dream that Nebuchadnezzar had.

DANIEL 2

VERSES 41-43

1. The feet of iron and clay, with its 10 toes is not another kingdom but a progression of the Roman empire. You see, the Roman empire never was defeated but just kind of rotted out from the inside and fell apart. But it will rise up again. And here we have the iron mixed with clay which shows the progressive weakness and deterioration of the kingdoms. Keil says this about the iron and the clay: "As the iron denotes the firmness of the kingdom, so the clay denotes its brittleness. The mixing of the iron with clay represents the attempt to bind the two distinct and separate materials into one combined whole as fruitless, and altogether vain."

2. The iron, of course, represents the Roman empire. But what does the clay represent? Again we must go to the Word of God to let God tell us its meaning. There are several passages that we could look at this evening, but lets look at Isaiah 64:8, which says "But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand." (Other verses regarding this are found in Job 10:9, 33:6, Isaiah 29:16, 45:9, Jeremiah 18:4-6, Romans 9:21).

Thus, the clay is representative of people. That is what Isaiah is saying and it seems to be what Daniel is also saying regarding what the feet are made of in this multi-metallic image of Daniel chapter 2.

By mixing the strength of the iron with the weakness of the clay you have a kingdom that is inferior to the previous kingdoms. You see, with the diversities of people this kingdom will not be in unity with each other. Remember what Keil said, that the iron spoke of its firmness and the clay its brittleness! Thus, this kingdom will be strong and yet made weak by the people.

3. This confederation that rises out of the Roman empire will consist of 10 nations, as illustrated to us by the 10 toes of the image. But who are these nations? Are they represented today in the world? That is what we are going to focus on for a few minutes, and I will give you two possibilities and tell you what I believe is taking place.

4. The first possibility is seen in the European Community where there is a federation of more than 10 nations in Europe that have come together as a superstate. The Los Angeles Herald-Examiner reported on October 29, 1971 that "The British decision to join the Common Market brought Western Europe to the threshold of its strongest union since the nations involved were tied together as part of the Roman Empire centuries ago."

Princeton economics magazine said that in 1992 we will have Europe reconstruction "As it was during the holy Roman Empire."

Also, in a Time magazine article dated September 18, 1989 and titled "Charging Ahead on the European Community," Walter Halstien, who was the first president of the European Commission, said "Anyone who does not believe in miracles in European affairs is no realist." The article goes on to say "The reality is that Western Europe has finally found it’s feet, and once more is marching ahead." Is this speaking of the feet of this image in Daniel chapter 2 that is represented by the 10 kingdoms? We shall soon find out!

5. There is another possibility that I tend to lean towards a little more, and that is that the world is divided up into ten kingdoms. Now you might be thinking what about the Roman Empire being revived? One possible explanation is that the people from the old Roman Empire have been dispersed around the world and are represented on every continent. Just look at America and the people that are in this room tonight, how many have European backgrounds? Many of us do!

Remember when former President Bush was in office and he spoke on world affairs? Do you remember the phrase he used during many of those talks? Over and over again you would hear President Bush, even the news media and many others speaking of the "New World Order" or in other words a one world government!

Years ago when I taught this many thought this was far fetched. But we are hearing today, over and over, of a global community that is moving very quickly towards a global government. It is the norm to speak of the world in that fashion today.

Way back on February 17, 1950, James Warburg, a member of the Council of Foreign Relations, (CFR was formed on July 21, 1921), said this before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee: "We shall have world government whether or not you like it - by conquest or consent." 50 years latter we are seeing the pieces of this puzzle come together.

Did you ever wonder why on the back of our dollar bill we have a split pyramid with the inscription in Latin, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM"? That symbol was first designed by Masonic interests and became the official reverse side of the Great Seal of the United States in 1782. And the split pyramid represents the disunity of the world, but one day the world will come together and this pyramid will no longer be separated.

During the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, (the 32nd President of the United States from 1933 to 1945), Roosevelt himself was a thirty-third degree Mason, and placed this symbol on the back of our dollar bill. And the Latin phrase "NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM" means "THE NEW ORDER OF THE AGES" or "THE NEW WORLD ORDER"!

President Bush, referring to the Persian Gulf War, shared with us its higher purpose. He said: "We know why we’re there. We are Americans: part of something larger than ourselves...What is at stake is more than one small country, it is a big idea: a New World Order, when diverse nations are drawn together [the clay spoken of in Daniel 2?], in a common cause to achieve the universal aspirations of mankind...the world can therefore seize this opportunity to fulfill the long held promise of a New World Order."

The Club of Rome, who had its beginning in April of 1968, had leaders from 10 countries gather together in Rome. The purpose? They claim to have the solutions for world peace and prosperity which are linked to a one world government. On September 17, 1973 the Club of Rome released a report entitled Regionalized and Adaptive Model of the Global World System. This document shows that the Club of Rome has divided the world into ten political/economic regions, which it refers to as "kingdoms."

Now this document that they drew up is just a prototype model and it can be changed to meet the changing needs of the world. We see that with the free trade agreements with the United States and Canada, which, according to the Club of Rome, is one region. Mexico and South America are another. Africa is divided up into 3 regions. Australia is another. And, interestingly enough, Europe is another region!

But why would countries, why would people want to unite into a global community? For several reasons that the news and political leaders are telling us. Such as the proliferation of nuclear weapons, especially in third world countries. Human rights violations. Global warming, at least that is what they are telling us. Pollution, wars, hunger, population explosions, diseases, world financial problems and the list can go on and on. The world is becoming ripe for a one world government as you see the hopelessness of this present system, again, that is what they are telling us or having us believe!

Now how far have we come? There is already a world constitution that has been developed and written by The World Constitution and Parliament Association. Listen to part of this letter that was sent out on December 12, 1990:

To All Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings, Queens, and Other Heads of Governments and National Parliaments -

Just when the relaxation of tensions among the super-powers was giving hope for the dawn of a new era, where the resources of Earth could be used to serve only peaceful human needs, a new crisis erupts and rapidly escalates, this time in the Mid-East. By this, we are forcefully reminded that the world is loaded with weapons sufficient to kill everybody on the Planet a dozen or fifty times over again in a few days...War could end civilization any week. But war is not the only danger. Climate changes are already creating havoc. If not turned around, the rise of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and surge of climatic changes may soon become irreversible, culminating in the fatal starvation of most people on Earth – because of crop failures in most countries resulting from unfavorable weather...It is time, also, to escape from the constraints of obsolete financial accounting, which chain development to the scarcity of past savings at high interest rates; and to establish the alternative of a rational global system for abundant low-cost credit based soundly on the availability of people to work and produce, using a common global currency...We are convinced that to solve global problems peacefully, and to administer human affairs on Earth intelligently, a WORLD GOVERNMENT is required – a democratically organized Federal World Government...People all over the world are ready for World Government – a constitutional democratic World government, under which national and local governments retain jurisdiction over strictly internal affairs...Some people have, in fact, prepared a complete Constitution for the Federation of Earth."

Now listen to some of the Articles and Points that are written in "A Constitution for the

Federation of Earth":

"Article III, Point 2 may lead to the seizure of all personal weapons required for self-defense."

"Points 14 & 17. The World government would control all aspects of international trade, banking and finance."

"Point 21 relates to plans for controlling population growth and solving problems of population distribution."

"Point 37 relates to the designation of a world language."

"Article IX. The World Judiciary branch of the world government would interpret the rights of world citizens (including Christians) and would issue rulings regarding the sentencing of those who refuse to concede to the demands of the world system (possibly due to religious convictions)."

Also, listen to what journalist Walter Cronkite said in Popular Mechanics magazine back on January, 2000. He said: "My vision for the 21st century is that, later rather than sooner but eventually during the next millennium humankind will establish a viable and authoritative world government that will forever abolish war as a means of settling international conflicts."

Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott believes the United States may not exist in its current form in the 21st century– because nationhood throughout the world will become obsolete! Just before joining the Clinton administration, Talbott wrote in Time Magazine an essay titled "The Birth of the Global Nation" and stated that he is looking forward to government being run by "one global authority."

In this article published on July 20, 1992, he stated, "Here is one optimist’s reason for believing unity will prevail...within the next hundred years...nationhood as we know it will be obsolete; all states will recognize a single, global authority...All countries are basically social arrangements, accommodations to changing circumstances. No matter how permanent and even sacred they may seem at any one time, in fact they are all artificial and temporary." That is our Deputy Secretary of State making those comments! You see, I believe the world is moving quickly towards a one world government, just as God has told us through the prophet Daniel.

VERSES 44-45

1. When will the Lord return to set-up His kingdom? During the days of this confederacy of 10 nations He will come back! And this stone, not cut with human hands, will strike this image causing it to break into pieces, to crumble and be blown away, never to rise again. You see, the foundation was weak, based upon the strength of man, and it came crashing down to the ground. Don’t put your confidence in man, you will lose!

2. This Rock, not cut by human hands, is none other than Jesus Christ. And it is His kingdom that will be established forever, not man’s! Then we will see righteousness fill this land as the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, is on the throne. In I Peter 2:6-8 we are told, "Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.’ Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone, and ‘A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.’ They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed." To those who believe, He is a precious stone. But for those who reject Jesus, He is a rock of offense that will crush them.

It is as Jesus said in Matthew 21:42-44. We read "Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.’" You see, this precious stone, Jesus Christ, if you fall upon Him, broken in Spirit, asking Him to be your Lord and your Savior, He will save you and lift you up. If you reject Him, refuse to humble yourself before Him, you will be crushed into a powder before Him. You see, you will either be broken before Him or you are going to be broken by Him. The choice is yours. The stone is coming!

3. Also, there are those who believe we are going to bring on the kingdom age by making not only this nation, but the world Christian. Then the Lord will return. They call it kingdom now theology or reconstructionists, but I call it foolish. We don’t set up the kingdom of God, He does!

4. One more thing before we move on. Notice the confidence Daniel had. He was not unsure of what he was doing. He spoke the Words of God confidently, and so should we. We should not be shaky, but speak what God has said boldly, for it is the truth, and we should proclaim it that way as Daniel did. As Daniel said to the king and to us, "...The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure." Daniel 2:45. And we are seeing these things coming together in the days we are living in.

VERSES 46-47

1. The king was very impressed, to say the least, and bowed before Daniel and gave glory and praise to the God whom Daniel served. The king is not saved but he is coming to recognize what the God of Daniel can do.

VERSES 48-49

1. Because of this Daniel was placed over the royal province of Babylon proper. He was thus over all the wise men in Babylon, which I’m sure didn’t make them very happy as we shall see as we go through the book of Daniel.

2. Now because of his position he was able to be a mediator between the king and the exiles from Judah who would be coming in 597 BC and the last and final group in 586 BC. God places people in the appropriate positions as He did with Joseph down in Egypt. As Joseph told his brothers who sold him into slavery, "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." Genesis 50:20. And like Daniel, like Joseph, God has you here in Manitowoc for a purpose. Seek Him and let Him show you what Good He wants to do through you!

3. Not only was Daniel promoted, but he also got his friends promoted. Thus, Daniel, this obscure Jewish captive who could have been lost in history like many others, was not because he did not compromise his faith, and thus God raised him to a place of great honor. Do you think you need to compromise to get promoted? Not at all. You purpose in your heart to honor God and He will bless you for that obedience and will lift you up as He did with Daniel.

4. Be encouraged, we are living in the days of the formation of this last empire, the Lord is coming! Let me leave you this evening with this to think about. "Several years ago, Belgium’s Premier, P. H. Spock made a statement in the newspaper: ‘The truth is that the method of international committees has failed. What we need is a person, someone of the highest order of great energy. Let him come and let him come quickly. Either a civilian or a military man, no matter what his nationality, who will cut all the red tape, shove out of the way all the committees, wake up all the people and galvanize all governments into action. Let him come quickly. This man we need and for whom we wait will take charge of the defense of the West. Once more I say, it is not too late, but it is high time’" The world is looking for someone to solve all its problems. Little do they know that they are awaiting and will welcome the Antichrist. That is who they are looking for to oversee this confederacy of 10 nations. For Christians, we are awaiting the return of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. And I will echo the words of John as he said "Even so come, Lord Jesus!"