The Test of Prophecy.

Moses’ test of a prophet. (Deut 18). When prophecy is of future events

fulfillment must be looked for in what would then have become “history.”

Dan. chap 2 contains prophetic dream of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.

Nobody found to tell the dream - except the young man Daniel

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream. Daniel - captive taken by Babylonian

invasion of Jerusalem in BC 605. He describes and interprets the dream as

revealed to him. Sees great image made of various metals

standing on its two feet. It came to a terrifying end - a small stone

struck its feet and reduced it to powder – which then blown away.

Interpretation of the Dream. Daniel says that the King himself is

represented by the ‘head of gold.’ To follow after the King would be three

other Kingdoms represented by silver, brass and iron - four kingdoms of men in all.

There would be fifth empire because “the God of heaven (would) set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed...” Dan 2 v 44

Unusual Features. The prophecy concerns “that which shall be in

the latter days.” (Dan 2:28). Image would in some sense be erect at its end

as all constituent parts to be be “broken to pieces together.” (Dan 2:35).

All constituents of image, representing the kingdom of men, would have to be raised up again at time designated “the latter days”.

Further Prophecy. Application to Daniel of Moses’ test of a

prophet vindicates him - Kingdoms came and went as he predicted.

Later Daniel had similar dream to that of the King.

Four unusual beasts successively emerge from the sea - lion, bear, leopard and fourth “dreadful and terrible.”

Interpretation.

Reading chapters 2 & 7 together yields additional understanding.

First beast - lion - common emblem of Babylon - equates with Gold head of image.

Second beast - bear raised up on one side stands for Medo-Persia - silver of Dan 2.

Third beast - leopard with four heads is Greece - fast moving army became divided among four generals.

Beast Kingdoms Dan 7.

Beast Kingdoms Dan 7.

Fourth beast “which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; (Dan 7:19) - comparable with fourth empire of Dan 2 - the iron of Rome.

Additional Prophecy

Fourth beast had ten horns - parallel to ten toes of Nebuchadnezzar’s image.

Daniel sees additional “little horn” emerge - displaces three original horns.

In this horn “...were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.” (Dan 7:8).

Additional Prophecy.

“the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of Days came and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.” (Dan 7:22)

The “Little Horn” Power.

After fourth Kingdom (Rome) a further identifiable power to arise out of it - would endure until the “latter days”.

Little horn power to endure through history only to be eliminated by setting up of fifth Empire by “the God of Heaven.”

The power should be identifiable today.

Daniel and Revelation.

Close similarity in approach, message and symbols exist between Daniel and Revelation.

Theme of beasts from Daniel is picked up in Revelation, “I… saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns ...” and having, “a mouth speaking great things...” (Rev.13:1,5).

Arch of Constantine