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WHEN ROME RISES AGAIN
May 23, 2010 ~ Dr Bryan Smith, First Baptist Church Roanoke VA
“You looked, O king, and there before you stood a large statue--an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance. The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay.While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were broken to pieces at the same time and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.” Daniel 2:31-35
Background on this passage: King Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream and asked his council to interpret it, but there was a catch: they had to TELL the king the dream and THEN interpret it! Nebuchadnezzar was known for his cruelty. He would bring captives and make them watch as their family was put to death. So his advisors were terrified at his command to tell and interpret the king’s dream. Daniel, however, was not afraid and agreed to meet with the king. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream turned out to be a prophetic revelation from Heaven, a snapshot of what was to come with the rise and fall of empires, specifically the rising of the Roman Empire at the end of the age.
The dream and its meaning were hidden from the king because God wanted to show HIS wisdom and power and truth, and so that the world would know that HE was in control.
1. The Future Revealed
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was of an awesome, multi-faceted statue:
- Gold head: Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire, recognized as supreme, wealthy, power and the greatest kingdom in history to that point (Dan 2:38). The rest of the statue represents FUTURE empires.
- Silver chest: Medo-Persian Empire, with a huge army that would conquer Babylon in 593 BC (Dan 2:39)
- Bronze abdomen: Greek Empire, led by Alexander the Great (Dan 2:39). Interesting account recorded by the Jewish historian Josephus: When Alexander the Great approached Jerusalem, the High Priest came out to meet him, wearing his full priestly dress. Bowing before the king, the priest told him that he recognized him from Daniel’s prophecy! Alexander the Great was so impressed that he gave Jerusalem and Israel favored status in his kingdom.
- Iron legs: Roman Empire. This showed its great strength, but also that the kingdom would be divided into eastern (Byzantine) and western empires. (Dan 2:40)
- Clay and Iron feet: Confederated 2nd Roman Empire, with ten toes representing ten countries from Europe and Eurasia. (Dan 2:41-43)
- Stone cut without hands that smashed the statue: Kingdom and reign of Jesus (Dan 2:34-35, 44-45)
In Daniel 7, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was somewhat repeated in Daniel’s OWN dream:
- Lion with wings of an eagle: Babylon
- Lop-sided bear with 3 ribs in his mouth: Medo-Persia
- Leopard with 4 wings and 4 heads: Greece
- Terrible beast with iron teeth and bronze claws: Rome
- 10 horns: Confederation of 2nd Roman Empire
- Little horn that uproots the 10 horns: Antichrist
2. The Empire Reborn
1948 – establishment of the state of Israel (1st prophetic event) and NATO formed. (Also, a new organization was formed to unite European countries for lasting peace against Soviet aggression)
1957 – European Common Market formed
1993 – European Union formed
2002 – Euro became the standard European currency in 12 nations
European Union. The EU now has 27 member nations, and is one of the most prominent governing bodies in the world. This is not just an alliance, but the formation of a unified governing body centered around the European Commission, the European Parliament and a presidency that rotates among countries. Sir Winston Churchill advocated and envisioned a “United States of Europe” and it is taking place NOW.
All of the nations that made up the original Roman Empire are included in the EU except for ONE: ISRAEL. Israel was barred from EU because they refused a land-for-peace treaty that would divide Jerusalem.
Ruler. The Antichrist will solidify his power by forming a peace treaty that will unite Israel with her Arab neighbors. His power will come from Satan himself and foretold in Rev 13:2, “The beast [Antichrist] I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon [Satan] gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.”
He will rise to popularity and power QUICKLY, which will easily happen with global technology and sites like YouTube, Twitter and social networking.
Globalization. Consider the current mindset shift in this generation from “national interest” to “global community”. As we move toward globalization, nations will agree to give up some freedoms, liberties and sovereignties for the promise of peace. Things are happening EVERYDAY
European leader Paul-Henri Spaak served as Belgian Prime Minister as well as several other high-level EU positions including secretary general of NATO. In the 1950s he gave an impassioned speech and stated:
“We do not need another committee – we have too many already. What we want is a man of sufficient stature to hold the allegiance of all people and to lift us out of the economic mores into which we are sinking. Send us such a man, and be he good or evil, god or devil, we will receive him.”
3. The Warning Received
Scripture is trustworthy, especially Bible prophecy: it WILL happen.
The statue had a downward nature: things will go from good to bad, bad to worse.
The Lord has given us time: respond is NOW.
Jesus is the Rock not only shatters, but the Rock that SAVES.
Believe and obey.
The things foretold in Scripture WILL happen, whether the world believes it or not. What about you? Is Jesus YOUR Rock? If not, He can be and He WANTS to be. Click HERE to read my testimony.
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