Is the Fourth Kingdom in Daniel the Roman Empire?

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

In Daniel 2, we read the account of Daniel revealing to Nebuchadnezzar what he had dreamed. But he also provides its interpretation. Nebuchadnezzar had seen in his dream an extraordinarily large statue with a head of gold, a chest and arms of silver, a belly and thighs of bronze, and legs of iron. However, the feet were not merely iron but a mixture of iron and clay. Nebuchadnezzar then saw that the statue was struck at its feet by a stone that was cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands. The statue was completely destroyed, and the stone became a great mountain that filled the whole earth.

The Second and Third Kingdoms

In Daniel’s explanation, the four parts of the statue represent four successive kingdoms. The golden head symbolizes Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom (2:38). The subsequent kingdoms are also world empires (“which shall rule over all the earth”; 2:39), but each one is inferior to its predecessor. The identity of the second and third kingdoms is not explicitly named, but there can be no doubt that these refer to the Medo-Persian and Greek empires, respectively.

Is the Fourth Kingdom Roman?

But what about the fourth kingdom? Which empire does it represent? Most interpreters assume that this fourth kingdom is the Roman Empire. The primary argument for this view is quite straightforward: the (third) Greek world empire of Alexander the Great was succeeded by the Roman Empire. Thus, the Roman Empire would be the fourth world empire in succession since Nebuchadnezzar. This idea is supported by the fact that the Roman Empire was indeed “as strong as iron.” Since the fourth kingdom is also the last world empire, immediately preceding the revelation of the Messianic Kingdom, this also implies that the Roman Empire must reappear in the end times. Two phases are expressed: the iron legs representing the past and the iron-clay feet symbolizing the end times.

The First Three Kingdoms Were Babylonian

The above interpretation of the fourth kingdom is well-known and seems self-evident to many. However, in my opinion, it overlooks one crucial fact. The four kingdoms in Daniel 2 all had Babylon as their capital. Regarding the first three kingdoms, I have previously written:

In Daniel 2, it is explicitly mentioned that the first kingdom belongs to Nebuchadnezzar (2:38). The dream he received was a divine answer to the question of what would happen after him (2:29). He was the king of Babylon, but after his kingdom, another kingdom would follow, inferior to his. Babylon remained a capital city during the Medo-Persian Empire, though it was no longer the sole capital. After the kingdom of the Medes and Persians came the Greek-Macedonian Empire of Alexander the Great. Only at the end of his swift conquests did Alexander seize Babylon and immediately declare it the capital of his empire. However, this was short-lived, as Alexander died at a young age in Babylon, and his empire subsequently fragmented into the four winds (Dan. 8:8,22). This was the third empire in which Babylon flourished, but in quality, it was inferior to the ‘gold’ and ‘silver’ that preceded it. Hence, it was designated as ‘bronze.’

The Fourth Kingdom Also Babylonian

From the book of Revelation, we also know that the fourth kingdom will be ruled from the great city of Babylon (Rev. 17:5,18). It will govern over ten kings, corresponding to the ten toes of the fourth kingdom in Daniel 2. These also match the ten horns, i.e., kings, in Daniel 7. See also Revelation 13:1 and 17:3,12. In this sequence, where Babylon is considered the capital of four world empires, the Roman Empire plays no role whatsoever. In fact, Babylon was never even part of the Roman Empire’s territory!

Does Babylon Only Come into Play in the Second Phase?

When we assert that the fourth kingdom will also have Babylon as its capital, this does not necessarily mean that this must be the case from the beginning. The third, Greek kingdom under Alexander the Great only proclaimed Babylon as its capital at the very end of its rule (and Alexander’s life). A similar phenomenon could occur in the fourth kingdom. Only in the second phase of the fourth kingdom, represented by the iron-clay feet and ten toes, is Babylon explicitly mentioned. In Revelation 17, Babylon is the woman who sits on the beast with ten horns.

The Fourth Kingdom as Zionist

Earlier this year, I argued in a blog that the fourth kingdom in Daniel 2 and 7 is Zionist. This explains the utter astonishment that took hold of Daniel when he learned about the nature of the fourth kingdom (7:15,19,28). Likewise, John is completely amazed when he sees who the woman sitting on the beast with ten horns is (Rev. 17:6,7). The woman is a harlot, which in prophecy always refers to apostate Israel. In her is also found the blood of the saints and prophets (Rev. 17:6; 18:24). In Zechariah (the woman in the ephah; 5:5-11), we read that the woman (= apostate Israel) receives a house in the plain of Shinar (= Babylon). While Zionism is oriented toward Jerusalem (= Zion), it will establish a branch near the Euphrates, driven by major investors.

Iron-Strong and Ruthless

The following picture emerges: The Jewish state first manifests as the iron kingdom in the Middle East—formidable and all-devouring. Is this not what we have witnessed in the past year? Israel as a militarily dominant and ruthless power in the Middle East? No country dares to challenge the Jewish state. Through the powerful Jewish lobby (AIPAC), Israel even has the United States of America entirely in its grasp.

A Future Scenario

Once Israel has achieved military supremacy (hegemony) in the Middle East, a pact will be made with ten nations. This marks the second phase of the fourth kingdom. If we (cautiously!) assume that the climax of the end times will unfold in the coming decade (see: What year are we living in?), we may already discern some emerging patterns. Perhaps the existing Abraham Accords are the initial step toward a ten-nation alliance. If so, these accords will be expanded to include a total of ten countries. Consider especially Saudi Arabia, the largest country in the Middle East in both area and influence. Will President Trump, in his second term, establish peace in the Middle East? Will he also facilitate the restoration of Jewish worship at the holy site? And will Babylon (as a financial center) come into focus?

However things unfold, I do not believe a restored Roman Empire will play any role in the end times. Not Rome, but Babylon will be the (Jewish!) city that holds power in the fourth kingdom.

Delen: