Hanging Gardens of Babylon
So today, when we look at Europe, we see the fulfilment of the division of the fourth world kingdom, a breakup never to be united into one kingdom. Men have tried, as the prophecy says, they “shall mingle themselves with the seed of men”, attempting to unite the kingdoms through intermarriage. Daniel 2:43. At one time all the kings and queens of Europe were related, but it just became a big squabbling family.
There are many who have tried to unite the divided kingdoms by conquest – Charlemagne, Charles V, Louis XIV, Napoleon, Kaiser Wilhelm, Hitler and others.
But they failed.
The prophecy had said, “They shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.” Daniel 2:43.
Today we are watching another attempt – the European Union.
Will it succeed?
Like previous contenders, the leaders of the European Union are well aware of the prophecy, and they are deliberately challenging the God of heaven.
In their zeal, they have linked Daniel 2 with the tower of Babel and plan to build a structure that will never fall.
A travel poster for the European Union features the tower of Babel, together with twelve occult stars, which also adorn the EU flag. Even more obvious is the parliament building in Strasbourg, France. It is built like the tower of Babel, with scaffolding incorporated into the design. Although complete, this gives the appearance that it is still under construction.
Outside is a statue of the goddess Europa riding a bull, and inside she is painted in the same position on the dome. (Remember a woman riding a beast for a later prophecy in the Apocalypse)
The plan is to make Europe a modern ‘Holy Roman Empire’.
DANIEL -- Chapter 2
The setting of the scene for the book of Daniel is after Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, attacked Jerusalem in the year 606/5BC.
In this first siege, he took King Jehoiakim and the royal princes captive, including Daniel. In their captivity, the young men are to be educated as wise men, a three-year course that involves studying the Babylonian religion. The princes are willing to learn the religion, but they refuse to worship its gods.
Temptations and trials begin as soon as they arrive, even at the meal table. (If you have a Bible, read Daniel chapter 1)
Daniel and his peers are placed in a position where they have to make a decision – partake of unclean food and drink and deny their faith, or refuse the king and perhaps be put to death! They choose to remain faithful to the God of Israel and obey His commandments. (Unclean animals, such as swine)
One night the king of Babylon has difficulty sleeping. He is concerned for the future of his kingdom. Finally he drifts off to sleep and has a dream. It is not an ordinary dream, but a message from God.
In the morning he calls for the astrologers, magicians and soothsayers, and asks what he dreamt. They reply, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it… There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter… and it is a rare thing that the king requireth…” Daniel 2:7.10.11.
These are the men who claim to know the future. They are the astrologers, the ones who read the stars. They say that no man can answer the king’s request, “except the gods whose dwelling is not with flesh.” Daniel 2:11. Well, don’t they profess to be in touch with the gods?
Nebuchadnezzar is not fooled by their excuses, and orders all his wise men executed.
In the process, Daniel and his friends are told of the death sentence, but the young prince asks for time, for he says God will reveal the dream and the interpretation. During the night Daniel is given the same dream and the interpretation.
When he is brought before the king, Daniel gives God the glory and then says, “Thou O king, sawest and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.” Daniel 2:31.
The king is excited. Yes, that’s it.
Daniel continues, “The image’s head was of fine gold…” Daniel 2:32.
Yes, a head of gold.
Statues are nothing new to Nebuchadnezzar; they are all over his kingdom. And some are made of gold. But the one in his dream is different. Daniel goes on. “His breast and his arms of silver; his belly and his thighs of brass; his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.” Daniel 2:32.33.
Apart from the climax, this is the dream, very straightforward.
It concludes, “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.” Daniel 2:34.35.
Every detail is right.
No.1.
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever wished you knew the future?
Many are so keen to find out, they consult the stars, or gaze into crystal balls. Some seek fortunetellers or mediums, and others speak to visionaries and prophets who claim to have the elusive treasure.
Others believe Nostradamus holds the secret.
It is interesting, that although these psychic men and women claim to have prior knowledge, they do not claim complete accuracy, only 75 percent. This means that whatever is predicted -- that special person, the fortune, travelling the world, a top job, good health – they may be wrong.
Your dreams could be crushed in a moment.
However, there is a way you can know the future, but it is a source most people do not want to consult -- the Bible.
The majority will say, ‘Religion. No thanks.’
If you are one of these people, that’s okay. You are free to make this decision.
But, if you have a longing desire to know what will happen to our world, why not give it a go? You have nothing to lose. If it doesn’t hold true, you can put it aside.
On the other hand, you might see prophecy being fulfilled today. It could change your mind about the validity of the Bible and the genuineness of its prophets.
Well, what do you think?
Are you game? If so, keep reading.
BACKGROUND
The first thing you need to know is that Bible prophets do not give personal details about your love life, your health, your job or travel to other countries. Their predictions relate to world events.
If this is disappointing, wait.
They do give information that can be yours – eternal life, perfect health, a home in heaven, everlasting joy, no more tears, pain, suffering or death.
I know these are all future, but there are also promises that relate to this present life – love, joy, peace, faith. These are some of the gifts God gives to help us live our lives in the midst of trial.
He gives a peace that passes all understanding.
You may wonder how you can have peace in a world of wars and rumours of wars, famines, floods, drought, earthquakes, hurricanes and violence. Understanding the overall plan helps take away fear of the unknown.
If you knew a trust-worthy Being was working things out, and in the end, all wars would cease, all sickness vanish, all death be changed into immortal life, would it not make a difference?
I can assure you, it does make a difference or I would not be writing this book.
But more than that, God sends His omnipresent Spirit to give us peace within.
I used to go to Sunday school every week, but I did not understand the Bible. I am thankful that in my youth, someone introduced me to Bible prophecies. Now I long for others to realise that Bible prophets really did see into the future, not because they were special men and women, but because they were in contact with the God who is omniscient or all-knowing.
After all, if God does not have all knowledge, He is in the same position as His creatures, and not an infinite Being.
He says of Himself, “… I am God, and there is none like me. Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand…” Isaiah 46:9.10.
If Bible prophets received details of future events from this Being, their accuracy should be 100%, and this is God’s claim.
Now I want to warn you, much of Bible prophecy is in code. I know this is off-putting, but the meaning of the code is in the Bible. You just have to search for it. If the prophecy has been fulfilled, history confirms the interpretation.
There are many people who read the prophecies of Nostradamus with relish, and these are in code. In fact, they are so ‘coded’ that few really understand what is being said prophetically. There are of course those who swear by them, but deciphering the vague poetic lines is up to the reader. It is not written elsewhere in the book.
Bible code is not so vague. Once the interpretation has been found, it becomes clear.
But you be the judge.
Some prophecies are straight-forward, without a code at all, and these are the ones relating to the coming of the Messiah, but that is the subject for another time.
The Bible is not an ordinary book. It is actually 66 books combined together. They span 1500 years and are written by 40 different authors, “…holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21.
This means that the Bible is a spiritual book.
God doesn’t just want you to know what will happen in the future, He wants you to become His friend.
Does that surprise you?
You see, if God is your friend, all the wonderful promises of the future life are yours.
The glories of heaven are for you; it is your eternal home, and one day, He will take you there to be with Him. He does want you to know what is going on in this world, but He is more interested in preparing you to live with Him.
With this introduction, we are ready to commence our study of a Bible prophecy that relates to the future.
The book of Daniel was written over a period of about 60 years, beginning somewhere around 600 BC. Another prophetic book is Revelation or the Apocalypse. It was written approximately AD 96 by the apostle John.
In this booklet you have in your hand, we will look at the prophecy of Daniel chapter 2. It is a general outline of world events, and the foundational prophecy of Daniel.
Each successive chapter adds information to this general outline, and when the other main prophecies of Daniel are added to it, then together they become the foundation for the apocalyptic book of Revelation. If Revelation is studied first, there is a danger of making wrong interpretations because the foundational base has not been formed.
Let us begin.
A word of caution: The prophecy appears to show that Christ will begin His rule upon this earth immediately after His return, but further details make it clear that a period of time must lapse before this takes place.
Remember, Daniel 2 is a broad picture of world events, and it does not give all the details.
The prophet has revealed a correct delineation of world powers to the end of the world – Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and Europe, then the return of Jesus Christ in power and glory.
Breathlessly the king waits for Daniel to reveal more. His next words are, “and we will tell the interpretation thereof…” Daniel 2:36.
“Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory, and wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.” Daniel 2:37.38.
The city of Babylon had grown and prospered, until it became the most glorious kingdom on earth. God had said through the prophet Jeremiah, “And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon… and all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son’s son…” Jeremiah 27:6.7.
Babylon’s greatness “reacheth unto heaven”, and its “dominion to the end of the earth.” Daniel 4:22. The reputation of the hanging gardens was spread abroad, until it became one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The fame of those gardens is still remembered today.
Daniel continues, “After thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things, and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
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 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.” Daniel 2:39-43.
Nebuchadnezzar is overwhelmed.
Daniel continues, “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.” Daniel 2:44.45.
Although this prophecy is in code, it is easy to understand.
Babylon would not rule the world forever as Nebuchadnezzar had hoped; an inferior kingdom would conquer it, then another and another. Let us go to chapter 5 of Daniel, for it reveals the kingdom that would conquer Babylon.
Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson makes a feast for a thousand of his lords, including wives and concubines, and the king “drank wine before the thousand.” Daniel 5:1. (Belshazzar is believed to be the son of a daughter of Nebuchadnezzar married to Nabonidus)
In his intoxicated merriment, the king calls for the gold and silver vessels captured from Jerusalem’s temple. These sacred cups are filled with alcohol and given to the guests, and they “drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.” Daniel 5:4.
This is one step too far, and God intervenes.
Suddenly, “in the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote….” Daniel 5:5.
The party is forgotten.
And no one can understand the writing.
Belshazzar calls for the astrologers and the soothsayers, but again they are without understanding.
In the turmoil, the “queen” enters the banquet hall. This is probably the queen mother or grandmother, obviously not Belshazzar’s wife, as she is not at the feast. “O king, live for ever…. there is a man in thy kingdom….” and she speaks of Daniel. Daniel 5:10.11.
The aged prophet is summoned before the king.
Belshazzar says to him, “I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations…” Daniel 5:16. This statement is a coverup before his guests.
In the presence of the frightened king, Daniel gives a lengthy history lesson about his grandfather. He makes it clear that because of pride, God humbled Nebuchadnezzar. (See Daniel chapter 3 & 4) In conclusion Daniel says, “And thou his son (grandson), O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this…” Daniel 5:22. (All descendants are called sons in Hebrew)
“This is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN…. God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it…Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” Daniel 5:25-28.
And history confirms that Medo-Persia, a joint kingdom, conquered Babylon. “In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom.” Daniel 5:30.31. (539BC)
Little did Belshazzar know that at the very moment of the writing on the wall, the Medo-Persian army was in Babylon. Unable to break down the huge fortified double walls, they dug an aqueduct some miles away and drained the Euphrates River. The river flowed under the walls and through the city, but with the water drained, the army was able to march along the riverbed and gain entrance.
Under normal circumstances, Medo-Persia could not have entered because the river itself was lined with walls and great gates that were shut and guarded at night. But it seems everyone was partying. Not only were no guards on duty, but the gates had been left open!
The prophet Isaiah wrote about this very event in approximately 760BC. “Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two-leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut.” Isaiah 45:1.
Cyrus was king of the Persians who conquered Babylon with Darius the Mede.
Nothing is vague about this prophecy.
Other chapters mention the next kingdom, but further study must be done first. However, if you know your history, you will know that Greece conquered Medo-Persia in 331BC, under the command of Alexander the Great.
The fourth world power is not mentioned by name in the Bible, however, history reveals it to be the “iron monarchy of Rome”, a term used in many encyclopedias. The iron legs ruled the world for over six hundred years.
The feet of the image were part of iron and part of clay, signifying the strength of iron and the weakness of clay. Daniel says, “the kingdom (Rome) shall be divided”. Daniel 2:41.
The final dissolution of Rome is generally agreed to be AD 476 (Western), dividing into ten separate kingdoms as follows: Huns (often called the Alamanni), Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Vandals, Suevi, Burgundians, Heruli, Anglo-Saxons, and Lombards. The connection between these and some of the modern nations of Europe is still traceable to the names, as England, Burgundy, Lombardy, France. (The Eastern Empire also fell, but it is not mentioned in the prophecy)
Do You Want to Know the Future?
Daniel 2
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When all the preliminary work is finished, the EU will be one big superstate, the largest governing body in the world. All decisions will come from the united body, and no signatory nation will have sovereign rights. (This was written some time ago, and since then England has become disenchanted with the EU and wants to get out. Maybe they have already)
Will this prove Daniel’s prophecy to be in error?
As God has said, ‘they shall not cleave one to another”, a union such as envisaged by the EU will prove that the One who informed Daniel was not the God of heaven.
But based on the clear fulfilment of the prophet’s predictions thus far, we can be assured that the remainder will be fulfilled.
My father told me that during World War II, when everyone thought Hitler would win the war and rule the world; he remembered reading a Bible prophecy at school that gave him confidence that Hitler would fail. He could not remember which prophecy, but held on to it in faith.
And God gave him peace.
Many years later, when my father and I were studying Daniel together, he suddenly realised the forgotten prophecy was Daniel 2.
More recently, a proposal was put forward by the President of France to unite countries surrounding the Mediterranean, including Israel, Syria, Algeria, Morocco, Turkey and Greece, but excluding the European Union nations. This angered Germany, and after negotiations by the German Chancellor, all EU member states were included. This Union for the Mediterranean is another step towards an attempt to unite separate nations into one ‘kingdom’.
The next event to take place in Daniel 2 is the appearance of the stone, representing the Second Coming of Christ. The prophecy says it will be “in the days of these kings”, meaning the divided kingdoms of Europe. Christ will break in pieces all the kingdoms of this world, and His kingdom will rule forever.
Isaiah prophesied of it when he said, “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away…
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.” Isaiah 35: 10. 11:6.7.
The prophet John also spoke of this glorious kingdom. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new’. And he said, unto me, ‘Write: for these words are true and faithful’.” Revelation 21:4.5.
It will be a wonderful place.
All are welcome, but conditions apply.