World Powers (Part II)

Before we continue exploring the interpretation of Daniel 2 and 7 let us briefly summarize what we have concluded thus far. The four beasts of Daniel 7 correspond to the four metals described in Daniel 2. Whereas Daniel 2 outlines a succession of powers, Daniel 7 gives these powers certain well defined characteristics so that their identity, as outlined in Daniel 2, is established beyond a reasonable doubt.
We last left off with the second of four in the sequence of world powers; the Medo-Persian Empire. So what great nation was to set the stage next? The fact that the Grecian Empire under Alexander the Great followed the Persian Empire is hardly debatable. Alexander the Great witnessed first hand the last dying breath of his rival predecessor. With the Persian monarch out of the way, Alexander could enjoy the pleasure of conquest without restraint. It is a well established fact that although Alexander swiftly exceeded the boundaries of the former Persian Empire, his success was short-lived. The characteristics of the four-headed winged leopard in Daniel 7 are striking in relation to the characteristics of the Alexander’s Grecian empire. The leopard with wings represented the swiftness with which Alexander established his dominion. At a remarkable 32 years of age he had outdone the two former dominions of Babylon and Persia in terms of influence and territory. However, because of his lack of temperance and his over the top love for pleasure he pre-maturely terminated his life. The four heads of the leopard are an accurate prediction of the four divisions that would separate the Grecian empire after Alexander’s death.
According to the prophetic record, one final dominating power would arise after Greece. In Daniel 2 this power is symbolized by iron to represent its unyielding nature. Daniel 7 expounds on its character describing it as a dreadful and terrible beast, exceedingly strong, having great iron teeth, devouring and stamping out everything in its path and different from all manner of beasts and having ten horns. There is a wealth of information in this description but in the interest of space we will explore this further over time. Suffice to say that there is only one power greater and stronger than all the previous ones that arose after the Grecian Empire and that is Rome. In every way possible Rome exceeded the previous powers. For example, just in terms of territory, by the opening of the Christian era, this empire took in the whole south of Europe, France, England, the greater part of the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the south of Germany, Hungary, Turkey, and Greece, not to mention its presence in Asia and Africa. Is it reasonable to suppose that some power other than Rome can fit this description? Not without loosening the logic that is set forth by Scripture and history.
In conclusion, beginning with Babylon, we have identified a pattern of succeeding powers over the course of history to include, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Furthermore, we have established that history and prophecy affirm each other on this issue of world powers. Also, we have discovered a theme of world government in Daniel 2 and 7 which will be of great importance as we continue to study the prophetic word.