Daniel Unlocked #35. Rules of Engagement. (Part A)
Some ask why other great empires like the Mongols, China and South American civilizations are not mentioned in Bible Prophecy. The answer is simple. These apocalyptic prophecies only deal with those empires that affect the people of God.
The kingdoms in Daniel 7 are clearly Identified: The book of Daniel provides the historical application of the symbols. The angel interpreter told Daniel that four kingdoms were to rise in the Middle East and Europe and the fifth one was going to be the kingdom of God. The angel identified by name three of the historical kingdoms: Babylon (Dan. 2:38), Medo-Persia (5:28; 8:20), and Greece (8:21). The fourth kingdom is not identified, but a detailed description of its nature and actions is provided (7:19-26). Jesus implied that it was Rome (Matt. 24:15, 16; Luke 21:20, 21). If we follow the biblical material we are on safe ground. But many other symbols were not interpreted by the angel (e.g., the 10 horns, the little horn, two other beasts in Revelation 13, Babylon, etc.). How do we identify the prophetic fulfillment of those symbols?
What controls should we use to identify the broad outline of history found in the visions? We must move from what is clearly revealed in the prophecies themselves to what is left historically undefined.
Firstly, we must realize that in Daniel 2 and 7 we have the most important outline of apocalyptic prophecy in both Daniel and Revelation, and indeed the entire Bible.
This prophetic backbone provides the indispensable historical outline to be used in fitting other apocalyptic prophecies and their fulfillments within history. We know that the fourth kingdom is Rome, according to the prophecy, that it would be divided, and that one of the small kingdoms—a political-religious power—would dominate the others. Secondly, we pay attention to the chronology of events located in the prophecy itself. Finally, we should consider that history tends to reveal a self-correcting process that reaches its climax when the prophecies find their historical fulfillment.
Moving from the known to the unknown could easily take us into the dangerous zone of human speculation. We should use the same procedure employed by the angel interpreter, keeping in mind that prophecy only provides a general outline of what will take place as we approach the final days of earth’s history.
Rememeber the iceberg principle that we discussed in the beginning? The small icebergs are driven by the wind, such are the whims of history. But, the large icebergs are carried by the currents. This is the play and counter play of history as the world moves through the current of time to the grand ordained climax. History, is His story.
Peter has important counsel, “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 2 Peter 1:20 and 12.