6. Statue & Stone
The Statue and the Stone – Overview
Introduction – Gentile Kingdoms and the Stone Kingdom of God
The Statue represents four gentile kingdoms; however, the Stone is the everlasting Kingdom of God, which will destroy the gentile kingdoms forever. Details of this Statue and Stone were given to the King of Babylon in a dream.
First, Yahweh used the 1st gentile Kingdom, Babylon, in 590 BC to discipline Judah. King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the temple and Jerusalem, taking many Jews captive back to Babylon. Then Yahweh gave the King a vision of the statue, and Daniel, a young man from Judah, interpreted it. Similarly, Yahweh used each of the other three gentile kingdoms for His purposes; however, one day, He will send His Messiah to destroy the fourth kingdom and then establish His Kingdom on earth.
The sections below give following details:
- Statue: 4 Kingdoms – Each conquers the previous one
- Timeline – from 590 BC to the coming Kingdom of God on earth
Four Gentile Kingdoms and the Stone Kingdom of God:
- 1st Babylon – Lion with wings of an eagle
- 2nd Medo-Persia – Bear with three ribs in it’s mouth
- 3rd Greece – a Leopard with 4 wing
- 4th Kingdom with no name – A most Terrible Beast
- 4th Kingdom: Final ruler – The Little Horn will bring Tribulation
- The Stone – the Messiah’s Kingdom conquers the 4th Kingdom
King Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream: 4 Gentile Kingdoms Statue
Jesus confirms that the End Times are based on the prophecies in Daniel. They give insights into past, present and prophesied events and also unlock imagery in Revelation.
Yahweh gave King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon a dream about a statue that represents four gentile kingdoms that reign on earth until the Messiah comes to reign.
Daniel interprets the King’s dream.
Three gentile kingdoms rose and fell since 590 BC. Today, we live in the fourth. This kingdom endures until the Messiah returns with authority and power to destroy it.
Then, He establishes His Father’s Kingdom on earth for 1,000 years.
Timeline – the Statue: Age of the Gentile Kingdoms
The first three Gentile Kingdoms
The first three kingdoms rose and fell—Greece’s power faded in stages over time. Since then, a variety of different empires have occupied different parts of this territory, from Greece to Egypt to India; however, no one single Kingdom has ever conquered it.
Despite the fall of the Greek Kingdom, variations of Greek philosophy, art, science, medicine, math, law, democracy, and athletics can be found throughout the world today. Their influence lives on today.
The fourth kingdom differs completely from the previous ones.
The fourth Gentile Kingdom
The fourth kingdom is not like the previous three kingdoms:
- it is not named unlike the other three
- it lasts much longer than the other kingdoms
- it still exists today
- it is destroy at the return of the Messiah
- it is comprised of the previous three
The Little Horn – the last king
Both Daniel and Revelation describe the last king of this kingdom and refer to him as ‘the Prince of the people who destroyed the Temple’ in 70AD. He is referred to as ‘the Beast’ and the Little Horn in Revelation and described as the most terrible of the beasts; additionally, it has characteristics from all of the previous three.
Prophetic Purpose
Over 30% of the bible is about prophecy; therefore, it is given so people can be aware of God’s purposes. Those who understand are equipped, warned about the future, given hope and have increased faith and a greater appreciation of God’s plans for Israel and the Gentiles.
First Gentile Kingdom: Babylon and a Lion with two wings
Babylon: 1st Statue Kingdom and Beast
- Statue: Gold Head
Yahweh gave King Nebuchadnezzar a kingdom of power, strength, and glory. He used the King to discipline Judah for their terrible idolatry.
- Beast: Lion with Eagle’s Wings
Majestic, swift conqueror but because of King Nebuchadnezzar’s pride, it’s Wings were plucked, symbolising being humbled by Yahweh.
Yahweh used Babylon to discipline His people for their terrible idolatry and also to keep a remnant of His people safe.
Gentile Kingdoms reign over Israel from 600 BC
Judah’s idolatry had defiled the temple so severely; consequently Yahweh withdrew His presence. He then used King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to destroy Jerusalem, the temple, and exile His people in Babylon. Israel lost everything: king, land, God’s presence, and His justice.
Moreover, Yahweh promised that those who repent and seek Him with all their heart, would be gathered back to the land, from all the places where He had scattered them. It is from the remnant that the Son of David, the Messiah will be born.
Daniel’s Intercession Prayer
The dreams and visions interpreted by Daniel, revealed God’s unchanging plan: judgment for sin, yet mercy through promised redemption.
Before Yahweh returned Israel to the promised land, Daniel had repented and interceded on behalf of Israel. Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9, might foreshadow what some Jews will pray during the great tribulation; before the Messiah comes and rescues Israel.
Abridged version of of intercession.
Prophetic Application of Daniel’s Prayer
Since the exile to Babylon, Israel has never had a Davidic king. To this day, they are not living by Yahweh’s law, they don’t have dominion over the promised land and many do not live in the land. This situation will only end when Israel calls on the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and then accepts His Messiah as King; thus restoring their eternal fellowship with Yahweh.
To follow:
2nd Gentile Kingdom: Medo-Persia – a Bear with 3 ribs in its mouth
