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Read Introduction to Daniel

 

41 “Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile.”

 

 2:41

Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay.

Daniel gives an extensive explanation of the fourth kingdom.  He relates the later phase of this empire as an outgrowth of the fourth kingdom.  The Roman Empire regressed from iron to iron mixed with clay. 

To this point in our reading, Daniel’s prophecy has been historically fulfilled.  We now move into unfulfilled prophecy.  The events that happen to the “feet of iron and clay” will occur at the Second Coming of Christ after the Tribulation period. 

2:42

And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile.

There is a great gap of time between verses 41 and 42.  Verse 44 speaks of the Millennial Kingdom. 

The most important feature of the fourth kingdom was its feet with two kinds of materials: kiln-fired clay mixed with iron.  “Iron” may represent a regal government, whereas “clay” may represent democratic government by being pliable and easy to mold.

PRINCIPLE: 

The ultimate form of government is a righteous and benevolent monarchy. 

APPLICATION: 

Democracy grows the seeds of its own destruction, and for that reason, an absolutely righteous and pure monarchy is superior to democracy.  Jesus will fulfill this requirement. 

The opinion of the public is always fickle.  Dissonant events or insidious leaders can mold it into their own fashion.  It is not democracy itself that makes a democratic nation great, but principles of righteousness upon which that nation was built and its willingness to persist with those principles. 

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