Daniel Gives a Prophetic Outline of The Dream

Daniel 2:36–43
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

In the interpretation of the dream Daniel gives a prophetic outline from the time of Nebuchadnezzar to the second coming of Christ (v. 36). The image of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream symbolized the four great world empires.

1. The Babylonian Empire (vv. 37-38) - Daniel said “Thou art this head of  Gold” (v.38).  Nebuchadnezzar was an extremely powerful world ruler who reigned over Babylon for forty-four years. After his death things went downhill until the reign of Belshazzar who was in power when Babylon fell.
2. The Media-Persian Empire - This second empire is represented by the chest and arms of silver which were inferior to the first empire (v. 39). Cyrus was king of this empire but never had full power as he was bound by certain laws.
3. The Grecian Empire - In 331 B.C. Alexander the Great of Greece conquered Media-Persia and the third world empire came into being (v. 39). This was represented by the belly and thighs of brass. This Grecian Empire was a monarchy supported by a military aristocracy and was weak because the leaders were weak.
4. The Roman Empire - The fourth empire, the mixture of iron and clay is not named in Daniel as the Roman empire but it is clearly pointed out (vv. 40-43). This empire was characterized by division and its people were never united. The two feet speak of a time between Christ’s first and second coming.  The rock refers to Jesus Christ and His coming to rule and reign.

Application

When God promises in His word that something is going to happen we can be sure that it will happen. I am so thankful that the Lord has promised to take me to be with Him in the rapture.