Author	: Bill Kochman
Publish	: Jan. 30, 1998
Update	: Jul. 14, 2025
Parts	: 05

Synopsis:



Continuing our discussion from part two, taking a look at the historical record, we know that following the demise of the Grecian Empire, the next great power to dominate Europe and the Middle East was the Roman Empire. However, as I will explain later in this article, Rome's rise to dominance did not occur immediately following the division of the Grecian Empire in about 323 BC For almost two hundred years, the successors of Alexander the Great continued to war against each other in their quest for dominance over the Middle East. The iron fist of Roman rule was solidly felt in Israel on Yom Kippur of 63 B.C. when Roman general Pompey marched down from his conquests in Syria, and conquered Jerusalem for Caesar Augustus. For the next four hundred years, Israel would remain under the domination of Rome, until about the year 330 A.D. While the rule of the Caesars was indeed harsh, it created a period of relative peace over much of the known world. In fact, it was at the height of the Roman Empire, during the reign of Tiberius Caesar -- approximately 14 BC to 37 AD -- that our Savior was born.

The year 330 AD is very significant to the prophecies of Daniel, for it was it was around that year that the prophecy of the two legs of iron was fulfilled when the Roman Empire was divided into East and West. This division was due in part to the strong influence that the Early Church was having on Roman citizens. With the proclamation of the "Edict of Milan", the Christian faith was declared a "religio licita", or legally approved religion, and Constantine established himself as the emperor of the eastern 'Christianized' half of the empire which became known as the Byzantine Empire. He ruled from the ancient Greek city of Byzantium which he renamed Constantinople. Today it is called Istanbul, Turkey.

As I discuss in other articles, over the next several hundred years, an "approved" form of Christianity continued to spread throughout the Roman Empire. Eventually, central authority returned to Rome and the Roman Empire became known as the Holy Roman Empire. The emperors of Rome became known as the popes, the 'Founding Fathers' of the Roman Catholic Church, who ruled the territories of central Italy known as the Papal States until 1870. In 1929, Vatican City was declared a sovereign papal state. Considering Constantine's original hatred of Christians, this sudden turn-around has left historians open to a lot of speculation as to exactly how this reversal came about. Some claim that a miraculous military victory resulted in his conversion to the faith. Others speculate that it was simply a marriage of convenience between religion and politics brought about by the craftiness of Constantine's underlings. As I stated at the beginning of this article, it is for this reason that some consider Roman Catholicism to be the epitome of Babylon the Great Whore riding the seven-headed political Beast of the Book of Revelation.

Having now established the historical background and prophetic significance of the prophecies of Daniel, we are now going to probe a bit deeper and take a look at some things which are still a bit muddled in the minds of most eschatologists. I myself have been mystified by these things for a good many years. While some claim that most, if not all of the Daniel prophecies, have already been fulfilled and form a part of history, others like myself insist that there are still some major events which are yet to occur, quite possibly in the very near future! In continuing to read from the Book of Daniel, we are provided with a prophetic picture of what will happen to the remnants of the Roman Empire:

"And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay."


In a historical sense, the above description might be a reference to the many smaller kingdoms, states and countries which resulted from the breakup of the Roman Empire. I accept this interpretation along with the thought that the iron and the clay probably represent two different types of governments. It has been proposed by some that they might represent democracies and dictatorships. Following this line of reasoning, democracies would be represented by the clay, since a democratic society is supposed to be one ruled by the people, and people are made from clay. On the other hand, iron would be a more tough-fisted form of government since, while it is likewise taken from the ground, it is a much harder and more durable substance. The fact that the iron and clay don't mingle could be an obvious reference to the fact that democracies and dictatorships just don't mix very well; although in this day and age, some democratic societies like the United States of America, are known to secretly support such strongmen if it helps to achieve their political agenda. While this interpretation is quite valid, further thinking and studying has led me to consider other possibilities.

Considering the bulk of the information we have covered thus far, it is easy to interpret the above verses as being a part of ancient history, that is, the demise of the Roman Empire. However, this view should be held with some reservation as the Prophet Daniel makes it very clear that his prophecies will find their completion in the Last Days of the kingdoms of men:

"So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision."


"And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be."


"And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up."


"And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days."


"In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision."


"Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days."


"And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times."


"And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed."


"And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed."


"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."


"And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end."


"But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days."


Considering such a preponderance of Scriptures which all contain these similar phrases, it is very important that we understand exactly what these various phrases mean. Without a good knowledge of history, or at least a good source of historical resources, this can be a difficult task. When I first wrote this series back in 1998, I fully embraced the Futurist mindset. For that reason, I made the same mistake that many Futurists make. That is to say, I assumed -- and quite erroneously so -- that these phrases were referring to our modern times. However, after a major re-examination of my beliefs, in which I delved into both ancient history and the Scriptures more deeply, I finally realized my error, and I abandoned most -- if not all -- of Futurist doctrine.

One thing which immediately stands out in the prophecies of Daniel is the mention of the Ten Toes in the image which we find in Daniel chapter two. While certain Christians have suggested that they might be a modern-day extension of the Roman Empire -- such as some of the countries which form a part of the European Union -- I now totally reject that particular interpretation. Worse yet, some of these modern Christians even claim that the toes of iron mixed with clay symbolize transhumanism where humans meld with machines. Lord help us all! In my view, some online Christians need to stop talking and conduct more personal study, because they are really off-base, in my view.

One thing we do know is that in chapter seven we have Daniel calling them ten horns, which just so happens to be the very same term that is used by the Apostle John when discussing the ten kings who temporarily give their power to the Beast in the Book of Revelation. The fact that these two Books were written hundreds of years apart, is proof to me that this connection can only be something which was foreordained by God. Concerning exactly when these ten kings would be in existence, Daniel makes it clear that it would be at the very end of the age when the Lord would up His eternal Kingdom, as we see by the following group of Bible verses:

"Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth . . . And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure."


Following my practice of comparing Scripture with Scripture, we discover that this Stone is referring to none other than Jesus Christ who would destroy the governments of man, and set up His own Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Consider this set of Bible verses which confirm this point:

"And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."


"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;"


In a spiritual sense, God's Kingdom has been filling the Earth like a great mountain since Jesus's victory on the Cross of Calvary almost two thousand years ago. As Jesus Himself said:

". . . The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."


Daniel made clear that it would happen "in the days of these kings" -- meaning at the end of the prophetic age of Daniel -- in the days of the Ten Toes or Horns. Jesus would set up the Kingdom on Earth, just as He prayed to His Father when He said "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven". Ultimately, when this has been accomplished, we are told that the stone growing into a mountain, and will be manifested when the Heavenly City, New Jerusalem, descends from God to settle on or just above the surface of the New Earth. In fact, similar to Daniel, the Apostle John described it as being shaped somewhat like a mountain, possibly a pyramid, as we see by the following verse:

"And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal."


The only way its height could be the same as its length and breadth would be if it were a perfect cube, or else a pyramid-like structure, possibly with the Throne of God at the apex! It is interesting to note that the American seal on the back of a one dollar bill contains just such a pyramid. In fact, like the Heavenly City, this pyramid contains twelve levels. There has been a lot of speculation made regarding this Great Seal. Some attribute evil connotations to it, while others suggest the exact opposite.

Having now established that Daniel chapter two extends from the time of the Babylonian Empire all the way up to the end of the prophetic age of Daniel, we must ask ourselves if it isn't possible that the remaining chapters might not do the same as well. After describing Rome as a terrible beast quite diverse from all of the other beasts in chapter seven, Daniel then proceeds to further describe the Ten Horns on the Beast which, as we now know, must exist towards the very end of our current worldly systems:

"I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things . . . And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings."


Here we see a picture of an eleventh horn appearing in the midst of the first Ten Horns. This king is quite different from the first ten. My current view is that three of the horns being plucked up represents three former rulers who fell from power before this eleventh horn rose to power. In fact, as I will more full explain in a separate BBB article, this development perfectly matches the historical record. The fact that all ten horns give their power over to him in order to destroy Babylon the Great, would indicate that they are merely subdued or coerced and not totally destroyed. The fact that this horn, the Beast, will speak against God is supported by quite a few other verses throughout the Bible beginning in Daniel itself. Consider the following Bible verses:

"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time."


"And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done."


"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. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven."


From Daniel to Revelation, we see that this "little horn" -- that is to say, the Beast -- appears to be one and the same person speaking blasphemies against God for a period of three and a half years, forty-two months, or one thousand two hundred and sixty days. Just as we saw the end of man's earthly rule and the setting up of God's Kingdom in Daniel chapter two, the same scenario is repeated in chapter seven after the destruction of the Beast and the Ten Horns:

"I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time . . . But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end."


The above verses are almost identical to the fate described for the Beast and the False Prophet in the Book of Revelation:

"And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone."


Notice that in Daniel 7:12, the Prophet describes the Ten Horns as "beasts". Following the destruction of the Beast, Daniel then proceeds to describe how God's Kingdom will be established, just as he did in chapter two. Notice that just as John described both God the Father and Jesus the Son in the Heavenly City, here too Daniel describes the "Son of man" coming to the "Ancient of days":

"I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 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 . . . But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever . . . And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him."


In Daniel chapter eight, we find yet another mention of this same 'little horn' who wars against the Saints of the Most High. In previous verses from chapter eight, I showed how Alexander the Great's empire was divided into four land areas by his generals. In the following account, we make the connection between the past and the near future as the Beast arises from one of the four political divisions of the Grecian Empire:

"And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered . . . And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand."


At this point, it is important to again remind the reader that some prophecies appear to have a partial fulfillment, and then a final fulfillment. In the case of the above verses, one school of thought suggests that this mention of the "little horn" might be referring to Antiochus IV Epiphanes who invaded Israel, referred to here as "the pleasant land". He is said to have stopped the Jewish "daily sacrifice" -- that is to say, the "continual burnt offering" prescribed by the Lord through Moses -- and defiled the temple by offering swine on the temple altar, which was in direct contradiction to the Torah, which is the Jewish books of the Law which were given to Moses. This is believed to have occurred around 168-167 BC This would indeed be "in the latter time of their kingdom" as Rome was beginning to flex its muscles and would soon become the dominant power. These verses will be given additional discussion further on in this series.

At this point, we are now going to return to Daniel chapter eleven where we discussed the four Persian kings, followed by the demise of Alexander the Great and the Grecian Empire. It is interesting to note that the following revelation concerning the kings of the north and south, and the rise and reign of the Beast, was so important, that a three-week battle in the spiritual realm ensued while Daniel faithfully fasted waiting for the revelation. Considering the spiritual warfare which was waged to keep these truths from us, should we not all strive to understand them?:

"In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks."


"Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia."


To reiterate what I said earlier, following the demise of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, his empire was divided by his generals into four land areas: Ptolemy I took the southern kingdom of Egypt, Seleucus took the eastern area of Babylonia, Antigonus took the northern kingdom comprised of Syria and Asia Minor -- now known as Turkey -- and Antipater took the western area of Macedonia and Greece.

Based on the above, in the following prophecies, the king of the south must be referring to the various leaders of the Egyptian kingdom who went by the name of Ptolemy, while the king of the north must pertain to the Seleucid kings who ruled over Syria and Asia Minor, their power base being in Seleucia, located in northwestern Syria. In fact, in the Book of Jeremiah, even Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is referred to as coming from the north, which would put him in the same league as the Seleucid Kings, meaning Seleucus, Antiochus, etc.

When I first wrote this article, I did not rely upon very much supplementary data to confirm the countries identified with these two dynasties. As I've stated before, the Bible is self-interpreting in many places if one just knows how to find the connecting verses. If something can be proven directly from the Bible, and then secular history serves to further confirm what God has already revealed in His Word, this adds even more to the veracity of the Scriptures as being the inspired and inerrant Word of God. As the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy:

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"


The Apostle Peter also wrote along these same lines when he said the following:

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."


While some Bibles actually use the names Egypt and Syria in these prophecies, the 1611 Authorized King James Version of the Bible does not. Thus, I was totally in the dark as to who these two kings might be. When I later discovered that others had come to the same consensus as myself, it was truly a thrill for me.

Please go to part four for the continuation of this series.

⇒ Go To The Next Part . . .

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