political and false religious empires are so closely united that they are both called “Babylon.” The political force eventually destroys the ecclesi astical system (Rev. 17:15-18). It is then finally destroyed at the re turn of our Lord Jesus Christ. It will be no surprise to me if the word “Roman” is eventually dropped entirely, and headquarters are re moved from Italy all together. It will be no surprise if an announce ment that a new city of Babylon is to be built where ecclesiastical Rome will make her headquarters. When my Lord returns to this earth, and I expect to be with Him, He will smite the image at its feet. In the ten toes there will be a re alignment of nations forming the fourth world empire. Babylon is to experience a destruction as sudden and complete as that of Sodom and Gomorrha, from which there will be no escape. The details of this dream produced a profound effect upon Nebuchad nezzar (w. 46 to 49). He was im pressed both with Daniel and with Daniel’s God. In the king’s eyes, Daniel had accomplished a mighty task. Daniel’s heart was pure in the matter. His only destire was for the glory of his God. While the king’s profession was that of a man who believed in many gods, he had come to see the importance of Daniel’s God. There was much the king was yet to learn about Daniel’s God. Daniel received gifts, honor and power according to verse 48. He shared these with his three friends. Such a promotion was not unreasonable. While the particular duties of Daniel’s office are not ex plained, we know that he remained true to God. Daniel never sought nor asked anything for himself. What an encouraging testimony to read of a man like Daniel! May these thoughts concerning this fas cinating event and prophecy be a challenge to each of our hearts. 13
not yet fallen upon the image, nor will it until world power is vested in the masses of humanity as repre sented in the whole image. Judg ment is not limited to the legs and toes of the image. The rule at the end of the age, before Christ re turns, will be democratic, a govern ment by the people. While a demo cratic government may appear to be the soundest system, it will prove to be a total failure. I am a loyal American; don’t misunderstand. I’ll take our form of government any time. I’m merely giving you what the Word of God teaches. All races, religious and rationalizations are clamoring today for hearing. They insist upon their “rights.” Every body wants to be heard. Lawlessness abounds everywhere. America serves as a classic example of one nation which has become a “melting pot” for the peoples of all nations. But our democratic form of government is doomed to crumble, along with every other form of rule in the world; it must give way to the ruler- ship of God. The consummation of the times of the Gentiles will be manifest at the end of the great Tribulation when Jesus Christ comes back to this earth. The final form of power at that time is really an outgrowth or a re-development of the fourth em pire. From out of the smolderings of Rome’s power there will be a gradual rising of influence religious, intellectual, and political. While re lated to the head of gold, it goes back far beyond the time of Nebu chadnezzar to a man by the name of Nimrod (Gen. 10:10). The begin ning of his kingdom was Babel. The times of the Gentiles commenced with Nebuchadnezzar but the king dom of Babylon pre-dates him. The system is revived and called Baby lon the Great (Rev. 17:5). This sys tem has taken the lead in recent years in seeking to form a world church as the ecumenical goal. The
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