THE VISIONS OF THE KINGDOMS

The Bible contains many visions pertaining to the kingdoms of the world. Today,
we examine briefly three related visions dealing with four great empires of the
world. These three visions are the vision of the glorious statue (Daniel 2), the
vision of the four great beasts (Daniel 7) and the vision of the blasphemous beast
(Revelation 13:1-10). Where are they similar and where are they different? Why
these differences?

The Vision of the Glorious Statue (Daniel 2)

This vision was given to King Nebuchadnezzar in 602 B.C. and interpreted by
Daniel. In this vision, the statue was divided into distinct parts made of different
material – a head made of fine gold, breast and arms made of silver, belly and
thighs made of brass (or bronze), legs made of iron, and feet of iron mixed with
clay.

These parts represent kingdoms that would have major impact on Israel. The head
of gold represents the Babylonian empire, the breast and arms represent the Medo
-Persian empire, the belly and thighs of brass represent the Grecian empire, and
the feet of iron represent the Roman empire. Interestingly, the legs were propped
up by a feet mixed with iron and clay. This represents a Revived Roman empire
which was in some sense united and strong, and yet in some sense divided (c.f.
Dan. 2:43-44).

This glorious statue was eventually destroyed by a huge stone that came from
heaven and smashed it to pieces. The destruction was so great that the various
parts of the statue became like chaff to be carried by the wind. The stone stood in
its place which became a great mountain that filled the earth. This stone not made
by hands represents the eternal kingdom of Christ that is to come. Christ will
destroy all the empires of the world and rule over all. Unlike the empires of the
world that will rise and fall, the kingdom of Christ will be forever.

The Vision of the Four Great Beasts (Daniel 7)

This vision was given to Daniel in 553 B.C. Four diverse great beasts were
brought to Daniel. Each of these beasts run parallel to the kingdoms described in
Daniel 2.

Description Kingdom
Daniel 2 Daniel 7
Head of Gold Lion with Man’s Heart Babylon Empire
Breast and Arms of Silver Bear Raised on One Side Medo-Persian Empire
Belly and Thighs of Brass Leopard with Four Wings Grecian Empire
Legs of Iron Beast with Iron Teeth Roman/Revived Roman Empire
Feet of Iron and Clay

Why are the kingdoms now described as fierce and violent beasts? In Daniel
2, the kingdoms are described from man’s perspective. From the eyes of men,
these kingdoms appear glorious and magnificent. On the other hand, God
views these nations as wicked, hardened and violent. Thus, these nations are
depicted as violent beasts in Daniel 7, exposing their true nature.
This vision contains details concerning the activities of the little horn that
came up among the ten other horns of the fourth beast. This little horn is the
Antichrist that will emerge from the Revived Roman Empire. He will
blaspheme God and persecute the saints, including those among the children
of Israel.

Interestingly, the vision begins with the destruction of the fourth beast who
was slain and given to burning flame (Dan. 7:11). On the other hand, the other
beasts had “their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a
season and time.” (Dan. 7:12) This corresponds with the vision of the great
statue in Daniel 2. The first three kingdoms were replaced by the other
upcoming kingdom while not being entirely destroyed. Thus, their “lives were
prolonged for a season.” On the other hand, after the emergence of the revived
Roman empire, the Lord Jesus Christ will come to crush all kingdoms of man,
and especially the revived Roman empire under the Antichrist. In Daniel 7,
the Son of Man (Christ) was brought before the Ancient of days, “And there
was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations,
and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be
destroyed.” (Dan. 7:14)

The Vision of the Blasphemous Beast (Revelation 13:1-10)

This blasphemous beast is supposed to represent the Antichrist that is to come.
However, verse 2 provides a description that seems to parallel Daniel 7. “And
the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a
bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his
power, and his seat, and great authority.” (Rev. 13:2) Why is the Antichrist
pictured as a combination of all the three empires that had come before? The
reason is that the revived Roman empire under the Antichrist embodies the
same anti-God spirit that permeates the kingdoms of the world including the
three empires before. The revived Roman empire is the epitome of the three
previous kingdoms in terms of its evil, wickedness, violence, destruction and
rebellion.

Revelation 13 gives further details concerning how the Antichrist will
blaspheme God, by counterfeiting the resurrection of Christ and demanding
universal worship in replacement of God. “And I saw one of his heads as it
were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world
wondered after the beast. 4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power
unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast?
who is able to make war with him? 5 And there was given unto him a mouth
speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue
forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to
blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7 And it
was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and
power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8 And all that
dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book
of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13:3-8)
Dear readers, do you still yearn for the kingdoms of this world? Understand their
true nature, and do not live as though these kingdoms will not perish. Yearn not
the things of this world, but the things of God’s Word.


The Russian-Ukraine Conflict

The Russian-Ukraine conflict has sent fuel prices sky-high. The Straits Times
reported that a litre of fuel now costs as high as $3. Will this cause hyper-inflation
and cause world economies to enter recession or even depression? Time will tell.
One thing we know for sure, is that this conflict will advance the emergence of the
revived Roman Empire. This empire is none other than Europe, which today is
strongly exhibiting the traits of part iron and part clay. Are the European nations
not united, yet divided at the same time? God’s Word is coming to fruition before
our very eyes.

It is thus foolish to pin our hopes on this world. We should seek instead to be a
citizen of the eternal kingdom of Christ. Do you belong to Christ’s kingdom?

Yours affectionately,
Pastor Clement Chew