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CHAPTER FIVE

The Mysterious Four World Empires

Daniel 2; 7 contains visions which symbolically portray the rise and fall of four unnamed world empires. Futuristic interpreters contend the four empires are: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome (Roman view). Tribulationism stems from the fact that the events depicted under the fourth empire's dominion cannot be identified in Roman history. Instead, futurists claim these events await fulfillment in a future tribulation period. However, the following three chapters will demonstrate through detailed discussion that the author of Daniel did not have the preceding four empires in view, much less 20th-century tribulationism. The four empires of Daniel are correctly: Babylon, Media, Persia, and Greece (Greek view).

The 'Times of the Gentiles'

Futuristic interpreters fix their identification of the four world empires from a 20th-century perspective, accompanied by their understanding of the 'time of the end' in Daniel. Futurists assume phrases such as the 'time of the end' refer to the second advent of Christ. Hence, the sequence of four world empires, anticipating 'the end,' are interpreted as prophesies leading up to the second advent. Futurists contend the visions in Daniel 2; 7 span a period called the 'times of the Gentiles,' extending from Nebuchadnezzar's first siege of Jerusalem to Christ's second advent. Thus, futurists understand the four world empires to be a prophesied panorama of history extending now to almost 2,600 years. Walvoord states:
"What is true of the book in general is especially true of chapter 2. Nowhere else in Scripture, except in Daniel 7, is a more comprehensive picture given of world history as it stretched from the time of Daniel, 600 years before Christ, to the consummation at the second advent of Christ." [1]

At the heard of the futuristic interpretation is the Roman view, which identifies the Rome as the fourth empire. Futurists cite the prophecy's fulfillment from Nebuchadnezzar to the height of the Roman Empire (1st century A.D.). Since the events under the fourth empire's dominion cannot be identified in Roman history, a 2,000-year gap is inserted to bring the prophecy up to date. Futurists contend the prophecy resume fulfillment in the last days with the rise of a 'revived Roman Empire' ruled the Antichrist. Complete fulfillment will occur during the seven-year tribulation period, culminating in the second advent of Christ.

Viewing history from a 20th-century perspective, the Roman view, without tribulationism, appears credible and has long been held the traditional view. However it is the author's intended identification of these four world empires that is the primary consideration in this study, not an identification dependent on a retrospective view. The author attached specific significance to the depiction of the visions' events. Therefore an identification of the four world empires must be sought from the book of Daniel with primary consideration given to the author's historical perspective.

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NOTES

  1. John F. Walvoord, Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1974), p. 44. Return