THE TEN TOES OR TEN KINGS
Daniel 2, Revelation 17
DANIEL’S PROPHECIES
EXTEND TO THE END OF THE WORLD
The purpose of this study is to reveal to you, the reader, that the prophecies recorded in the book of Daniel, in each prophetic chapter (except Ch 4), reach right down to the end of time and reveal events taking place during the final days of earth’s history. The first prophecy in chapter two reveals the image and its representation of the successive kingdoms that rule during the entire period of the earth’s history – right down to the coming of Christ. The image vision spans over an extensive time period – from the kingdom of Babylon in which Daniel himself resided right down to when the image or all earthly kingdoms are scattered like chaff in the wind at the coming of Christ. The remaining prophecies throughout Daniel continue to expand and provide greater detail of significant events that are to take place as the great controversy drama unfolds and climaxes in the second coming of Christ.
Daniel 2 Image Prophecy
(Dan 2:31) Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.
(Dan 2:32) This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
(Dan 2:33) His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
(Dan 2:34) Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
(Dan 2:35) Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
(Dan 2:36) This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.
(Dan 2:37) Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
(Dan 2:38) And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
(Dan 2:39) And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
(Dan 2:40) And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
(Dan 2:41) And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
(Dan 2:42) And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
(Dan 2:43) And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
(Dan 2:44) And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
It is clearly presented in the first prophecy expounded in Daniel that the future destiny of world kingdoms is made plain. Nebuchadnezzar’s superior kingdom Babylon will not last forever. The successive kingdoms – Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome are symbolised in the more inferior metals of silver, brass and iron until the final kingdom of the earth is represented as: “part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.” Daniel 2:42.
Ellen White describes this unusual combination of clay and iron as:
We have come to a time when God’s sacred work is represented by the feet of the image in which the iron was mixed with the miry clay…The mingling of churchcraft and statecraft is represented by the iron and the clay. This union is weakening all the power of the churches. This investing the church with the power of the State will bring evil results. Men have almost passed the point of God’s forbearance. They have invested their strength in politics, and have united with the papacy. But the time will come when God will punish those who have made void His law, and their evil work will recoil upon themselves. MS 63 1899
Going back to the inception of the papacy Ellen White writes: When the early church became corrupted by departing from the simplicity of the gospel, and accepting heathen rites and customs, she lost the Spirit and power of God; and in order to control the consciences of the people she sought the support of the secular power. The result was the papacy, a church that controlled the power of the State, and employed it to further her own ends, especially for the punishment of “heresy.” GC 443.2
The iron kingdom of Rome transitions to a kingdom that is: ‘partly strong, and partly broken’ (Daniel 2:42).’ The mixture of iron and ‘miry’ clay is the symbolism used to reveal the combination of churchcraft and statecraft, which is the papacy.
The book of Revelation helps us to understand the book of Daniel. The symbol used to portray the kingdom of iron and clay is the symbol of a whore or impure woman sitting upon a scarlet coloured beast:
(Rev 17:3) So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
(Rev 17:4) And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
EXTEND TO THE END OF THE WORLD
The purpose of this study is to reveal to you, the reader, that the prophecies recorded in the book of Daniel, in each prophetic chapter (except Ch 4), reach right down to the end of time and reveal events taking place during the final days of earth’s history. The first prophecy in chapter two reveals the image and its representation of the successive kingdoms that rule during the entire period of the earth’s history – right down to the coming of Christ. The image vision spans over an extensive time period – from the kingdom of Babylon in which Daniel himself resided right down to when the image or all earthly kingdoms are scattered like chaff in the wind at the coming of Christ. The remaining prophecies throughout Daniel continue to expand and provide greater detail of significant events that are to take place as the great controversy drama unfolds and climaxes in the second coming of Christ.
Daniel 2 Image Prophecy
(Dan 2:31) Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.
(Dan 2:32) This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
(Dan 2:33) His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
(Dan 2:34) Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
(Dan 2:35) Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
(Dan 2:36) This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.
(Dan 2:37) Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
(Dan 2:38) And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
(Dan 2:39) And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
(Dan 2:40) And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
(Dan 2:41) And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
(Dan 2:42) And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
(Dan 2:43) And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
(Dan 2:44) And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
It is clearly presented in the first prophecy expounded in Daniel that the future destiny of world kingdoms is made plain. Nebuchadnezzar’s superior kingdom Babylon will not last forever. The successive kingdoms – Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome are symbolised in the more inferior metals of silver, brass and iron until the final kingdom of the earth is represented as: “part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.” Daniel 2:42.
Ellen White describes this unusual combination of clay and iron as:
We have come to a time when God’s sacred work is represented by the feet of the image in which the iron was mixed with the miry clay…The mingling of churchcraft and statecraft is represented by the iron and the clay. This union is weakening all the power of the churches. This investing the church with the power of the State will bring evil results. Men have almost passed the point of God’s forbearance. They have invested their strength in politics, and have united with the papacy. But the time will come when God will punish those who have made void His law, and their evil work will recoil upon themselves. MS 63 1899
Going back to the inception of the papacy Ellen White writes: When the early church became corrupted by departing from the simplicity of the gospel, and accepting heathen rites and customs, she lost the Spirit and power of God; and in order to control the consciences of the people she sought the support of the secular power. The result was the papacy, a church that controlled the power of the State, and employed it to further her own ends, especially for the punishment of “heresy.” GC 443.2
The iron kingdom of Rome transitions to a kingdom that is: ‘partly strong, and partly broken’ (Daniel 2:42).’ The mixture of iron and ‘miry’ clay is the symbolism used to reveal the combination of churchcraft and statecraft, which is the papacy.
The book of Revelation helps us to understand the book of Daniel. The symbol used to portray the kingdom of iron and clay is the symbol of a whore or impure woman sitting upon a scarlet coloured beast:
(Rev 17:3) So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
(Rev 17:4) And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
(Rev 17:5) And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
(Rev 17:6) And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
(Rev 17:7) And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
A woman in the Bible symbolically can represent a church:
(2Co 11:2) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
(Isa 54:5) For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
The pure church of God is presented as a chaste virgin to Christ. An impure woman, however, when referred to in prophecy, represents an impure or tainted church, one that has committed fornication by imbibing and teaching doctrines that do not uplift the holy law of God. The name of the whore or impure woman is “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” Revelation 17:5 At the end of Revelation 17 it is stated:
(Rev 17:18) And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
(Rev 14:8) And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
The name of that great city is Babylon. Not Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon which was overtaken by Medo-Persia, but this is spiritual Babylon in the latter days.
(Dan 2:37) Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
(Dan 2:38) And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
The name written on the whore’s forehead: Babylon is symbolic of her reign over them all too: “which reigneth over the kings of the earth” Revelation 17:18 and she has: “made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication,” Revelation 14:8. Here is a church, an impure church that is in control of all – just as Nebuchadnezzar was “ruler over them all.”
The iron and the clay is the composition of this last day kingdom. Described by Ellen White as: :’The mingling of churchcraft and statecraft’ this kingdom is weakened by the inability of the clay and iron to join together:
(Dan 2:41) And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
(Dan 2:42) And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
(Dan 2:43) And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
There is a particular effort made by this latter day kingdom to “mingle themselves with the seed of men”. This final kingdom does not have the military might of the iron kingdom that preceded it, yet it is described as ‘partly strong’ as it attempts to mingle with the seed of men – the clay.
(Isa 64:8) But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
This attempt to mingle is the kingdom’s desire to influence all nations in the earth.
The whore of Revelation 17 is pictured sitting on waters as well as the scarlet coloured beast:
(Rev 17:15) And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
This symbolism can be compared to the iron trying to cleave together with the clay in the image vision of Daniel 2. The impure church impressing upon the clay – ‘multitudes, nations and tongues’ her doctrines and them in turn drinking the wine of the wrath of her fornication:
(Rev 17:2) With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
The clay in Daniel 2 is described as ‘miry’ or contaminated (Daniel 2: 41, 43). This is the result of the false doctrines spread and ultimately enforced by the kingdom of iron and clay, this blend of churchcraft and statecraft, the papacy
The blending of iron and clay fitly describes the church of Rome, the papacy as it reigns over the kings of the earth and makes all nations drink of the wine or false doctrines she freely offers to all:
The vast empire of Rome crumbled into pieces. The church of Rome boasts of her infallibility, and of the power of her hereditary religion. But this religion is a horror to all who are acquainted with the secrets of the mystery of iniquity. The priests of this church maintain their ascendency by keeping the people in ignorance of the will of God. RH February 6, 1900, Art. A, par. 8
The influence of the church of Rome over the seed of men still continues:
While representing the kingdoms of this earth, the image that was revealed to Nebuchadnezzar also fitly represented deterioration of religion. We grow weak morally and spiritually, just in proportion as we forget God. Those who claim to be Protestants are not today what Luther was. They have left the old landmarks, and have depended on forms, ceremonies, and outward display to make up for the lack of purity and piety, meekness and lowliness, found in obedience to God. Sin is ruining nations today just as it has done in time past. Even leaders in the religious world have not a good conscience toward God. RH February 6, 1900, Art. A, par. 9
We have come to a time when God’s sacred work is represented by the feet of the image in which the iron was mixed with the miry clay…The mingling of churchcraft and statecraft is represented by the iron and the clay. This union is weakening all the power of the churches. This investing the church with the power of the State will bring evil results. Men have almost passed the point of God’s forbearance. They have invested their strength in politics, and have united with the papacy. But the time will come when God will punish those who have made void His law, and their evil work will recoil upon themselves. MS 63 1899
According to the above statement we are definitely living at the time period described as the feet of the image. Time is certainly running out and the time period of the ten toes is soon to be entered - the time period just prior to the stone kingdom of Christ obliterating all worldly kingdoms
The nations of the world parley with the church of Rome so much so that an ‘image to the beast’ will be formed:
In order for the United States to form an image of the beast, the religious power must so control the civil government that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own ends. GC 443.2
Spiritual Babylon becomes complete when the woman of Revelation 17 reigns over the kings of the earth.
The kings are described thus:
(Rev 17:12) And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
(Rev 17:13) These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
Spiritual end time Babylon is that deadly combination of apostate protestantism, spiritualism and the papacy perched upon the heads of the beast in Revelation 17 – the whore.
(Rev 17:18) And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
“The term “Babylon” is derived from “Babel,” and signifies confusion. It is employed in Scripture to designate the various forms of false or apostate religion.” GC 381.1
The ten toes of the image represent the ten kings who very close to the end of time give their power and strength to the beast (Revelation 17:13). These ten kings or ten horns on the beast are reigned over by the whore who rides atop of the beast. Here is represented the final political power combination of the world. The mingling of churchcraft and statecraft has reached its climax. An image to the beast has even arisen as prophesied in Revelation 13 (verse 15).
Initially the ten kings: “receive power as kings one hour with the beast” (Revelation 17:12). However during their reign with the beast they turn on the whore and destroy her:
(Rev 17:16) And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
(Rev 17:17) For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
The downfall of Babylon near the end of time is referred to a number of times in Revelation:
(Rev 18:16) And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
(Rev 18:17) For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
(Rev 18:18) And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
(Rev 18:19) And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
It is fascinating to notice that she becomes desolate in one hour – the exact time the ten kings receive power with the beast for. The smoke of her burning fits exactly with the ten kings destruction of the whore where they: “make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.” The destruction of the papacy and its physical realm at the Vatican is heretofore prophesied. When does this take place?
(Rev 16:19) And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
In the pouring out of the seventh plague or vial ‘great Babylon’ comes in remembrance before God and receives His cup containing fierce wrath. The strength of the iron in the image in Daniel 2 melts in the heat of Babylon’s burning. The foundation of the image is severely compromised. The clay and melted iron strive to cleave together but are weak and divided.
It is at this point in earth’s history that the ten kings “make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” (Rev 17:14)
The ten kings of the earth are convinced to prepare for war against the Lamb in the time of the sixth plague or vial:
(Rev 16:14) For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Not long after this the ten kings destroy the whore by fire during the seventh and final plague.
The final events in the world’s history are cataclysmic: the biggest earthquake in history takes place. The islands flee away and the mountains cannot be found. Great hail weighing approximately sixty kilos or one hundred and thirty pounds falls from the sky.
(Dan 2:44) And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
The ten kings of Revelation 17 and ten toes of the image in Daniel 2 symbolise the last earthly government who make war with the lamb but are broken in pieces by the stone which smites the image. Christ’s coming consumes all earthly powers and potentates.
This is the first of a number of studies designed to reveal that the prophecies of Daniel do indeed extend to ‘the very eve of the great consummation’ or the coming of Christ. The prophecy in Daniel 2 does and the final prophecy - Daniel 12 does also. Any comments on this study are welcome : [email protected]
| daniel_two_and_revelation_17_-_end_time_prophecies.pdf |