The visions given to Daniel document that there will only be four Gentile world empires ruling over Israel from Daniel’s time until the kingdom of the Messiah. The four kingdoms in Daniel 2 & 7 identified with four beasts and four metallic parts of Nebuchadnezzar’s image have been identified by reputable historians as Babylon, Medio-Persia, Greek, and Roman.
There are no additional worldwide Gentile kingdoms in the prophecy between the time of the ancient Roman Empire and the time that God sets up His kingdom. Therefore, in God’s eyes the fourth beast exists and tramples down the earth from the time of the Roman Empire until the Lord smashes it and sets up His kingdom at the end of the age. Daniel says this fourth kingdom shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces (Dan 7:23). What does that mean? In mostly hindsight it means this fourth beast conquers the world and breaks the world into many states that are ultimately under the last empire’s control.
The Roman Empire really never fell, The fourth beast has existed and exists today in the form of the world order having the traits of the prior kingdoms. The Roman Beast of Iron did not cease to exist, it fought over territory and leadership. After the Caesars in Western Europe there were various kings and dynasties before and after Charlemagne was declared Emperor in 800 AD. In 962 AD Otto I started using the name “The Holy Roman Empire”. That name lasted until Napoleon.
The Byzantine Empire in southeastern Europe and the middle east became the eastern leg of the Roman Empire and it lasted for a thousand years. More recently the czars of Russia claimed the Roman Empire mantle. In the 20th century Hitler was empowered by Satan in an attempt to reestablish rule from Western Europe. Bible prophecy tells us that eventually the Roman Empire will be under control of the ten horns (kings) and the little horn coming up among them (Dan 7:24).
Just as the prophecy in Daniel chapter 7 says, the fourth beast is doing much trampling and breaking nations in pieces and creating new nations from the ones trampled. The fourth beast’s leadership are satanic led aristocrats and religious clergy. Even though the ruling royals and clergy fight among themselves over territory and control, the ultimate objective is control of the world.
One of the hallmarks of the fourth beast from its Roman beginning was rule by an elitist oligarchy that combined secular and clerical rule but gave the people some say on non-critical issues through elected or appointed representatives. That remains the style of rule in most of the western world today. The western world remains an oligarchy not a democracy.
The last stage of the fourth Beast will be 10 kings who give their power to the Beast. Those ten will rule over ten nations or world regions. In keeping with the prophecy that the fourth beast will tread over the whole earth, I tend to believe it will be ten world regions ruled by Satanic elitists. It will be a Satanic global world order. These ten leaders at some point submit to the little horn Dan 7:8 (Beast/Antichrist) who becomes indwelt by Satan. This little horn expands east and south and toward Israel (Dan 8:9). It is a revival of the Roman Empire.
The mingling of cultures also may be a latter-day characteristic of the fourth beast. The ten toes in Daniels vision have compositions of iron and clay. This mingling of what cannot stick together continues in Europe and the new world until this day. Nonetheless, the composition of the ten toes does not hinder the globalist agenda. All the nations give their power to the Beast.
The ten horns or leaders have no kingdom as yet, but they will receive their kingdoms for one hour with the Beast (Rev 17:12). That means that the areas that the ten kings would rule over did not exist at the time of the prophecy. They only exist in the time just before and with the Beast/Antichrist.
The ten horns probably are ten regional world zones and their leaders. They will give their power (support) to the Beast/Antichrist when this little horn arises among them as world leader. This Antichrist will control all nations on earth through the leaders of the ten regional zones.
It probably is no coincidence that the elitist globalist Club of Rome has a plan to break the world into ten zones. Maybe we should not be looking for ten nations to morph out of the EU at all. Maybe the fourth kingdom is the world order that includes the lands of the old Roman Empire but is not limited to European or ancient Roman Empire boundaries. In fact, this fourth beast already controls most of the world through elitist controlled economic and geopolitical zones.
Just about all people who dwell in the many nations of the new world came from Europe and are continually being influenced by Europe. First the new lands were colonies of Europe and now they are being led by Europe into globalization. European thinking even expanded to Russia. About the only thing left that is stopping the European worldview from taking over the globe are the Oriental and Islamic worldviews. These will have to be brought into submission. That probably will be achieved through world war. The four horsemen war and the war about the kings of east in Revelation are probably how that happens.
Daniels’ vision tells us that there are only four beasts ruling over Israel until the end of the age. Therefore, there will be no Oriental block of nations taking over Israel, nor will there be an Islam block conquering Israel. The end time dragon that John saw that has seven heads and 10 horns is the last stage of the beast identified with the Roman Empire. The little Horn will not be pushing Islam like some like to claim. This little Horn in his own name defeats the false god of Islam and the demons influencing Orientals.
When Islam is brought under control and the Kings of the East are defeated, the fourth beast will fulfill what Daniel and Revelation said. The Beast will control the whole world. All in the world will have to submit to the Beast/Antichrist and his economic system to survive.
We should now see it coming. Regional world economic zones are being set in place. It is no secret where the Satanic controlled elite of the western world intend to take us. These world regional trading blocks and defense alliances that are forming are the ten horns of the seven-headed dragon that John and Daniel saw. The seven heads on the dragon are empires that oppress Israel. Five had fallen before John wrote the Revelation prophecy – Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Medo-Persian and Greek. The Roman Empire was at the time of John, and the seventh will morph into the Beast (Rev 17:10). This Beast will control the whole world.
The only thing needed to put national governments under zonal government control is to collapse national currencies. That collapse becomes inevitable because the present world economic system is nothing but a debt driven house of cards. Nations will panic when it happens and give away national sovereignty to join with regional economic zones.
The original area of the Roman Empire is where the fourth Beast was rooted and it likely will be the zone that leads the world. Even so, the Antichrist changes things when he eliminates three kings. After that he appears to move his headquarters to Babylon where the Nimrod rebellion is repeated (Zec 5:11). (There is nothing new under the sun.)
Revelation calls this Beast led Kingdom, Babylon the Great. It will be a counterfeit kingdom to replace the Jewish kingdom the two Jewish prophets had been announcing. Much of the world will embrace the Hitler like lies of a thousand-year reign led by this false Christ (the post Rapture world will believe a satanic lie). Great supernatural deceptions will mislead all that do not want to believe the God of Israel.
Once the restrainer is removed, the little horn Beast/Antichrist will appear among the leaders of the ten zones. The Beast Kingdom and fourth kingdom that Daniel described will be destroyed by the Rock made without human hands. That Rock is Jesus Christ. He will destroy the Satanic Kingdom at His coming.
One thing we know for sure from Daniel’s prophecy is that there will be no other world kingdom arising from the Gentile nations that oppresses Israel. The kings of the east are not going to take over. Neither is Islam going to take over. The fourth Beast is rooted in the area and cultures of three Empires before Rome and of Rome. The fourth beast might best be identified today as our modern eurocentric western civilization. They gave Jews back some of the land they took from them and they still think that they control Israel. Even so, God will prove after the 70 weeks of years of punishment are completed that Israel belongs to Him.
Thanks Don. Good blog, again. It takes a lot of study of scripture in various places to piece together much of what you have written. I actually think much of this can happen very rapidly after the Rapture and the restrainer is no longer restraining evil. I sometimes consider, who will be in total control of the US after the Rapture. I believe that the radical leftist democrats will immediately take control and jump right onto the AntiChrist band wagon. I served in the USN and am a retired federal worker and would hate to see that. However, as bad as things will get, there will be many, many people who, though they may be executed, will not take the AC’s mark and be saved. There is good news with the bad. In any case, no person can really do more than to trust in Christ and believe in him to go in the Rapture and to not be caught up in the times of trouble that are coming. I do recommend that people read or reread, as the case may be, your Revelation commentary. It is one of the clearest explanations of many, not readily understood, issues.
Thanks Don.
Do you think the Rapture will be the catalyst for the future world currency collapse? I’m wondering what kind of impact our disappearance will have on the world?
Thank you for your insights.
Hi Phil,
Thanks for the Revelation commentary endorsement. I agree with what you said, but I might add if the leftist subversives in this country are not dealt with we could see persecution and war in this nation before the Rapture.
Hi Jennifer,
I do not think there needs to be a Rapture for currency that is backed by nothing tangible to collapse.
As for our impact, most identifying with Christianity will not be going. Many of those that remain will see our disappearance as a positive thing. There will be claims that we were hindering collective spiritual evolution.
Hi Don,
I have two questions:
From Daniel 2:43 ‘As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.’ What does ‘they will mingle with the seed of men;’ mean? To me it sounds like the demonic aliens have made contact.
Second: Iran is threatening war with the US. Trump says he doesn’t want war but it’s possible. Do you think they will start a war with us? I read recently that they will have nukes in about 8 months.
Hi Don,
I totally agree with your reply to Phil. Satan is going for it, and he totally out in the open now! Blessings, Kathy
Hi Caitlin,
Some have speculation that the “they” is a return of the Nephilum or demonic beings posing at Aliens. I think that may be possible but the word “they” in the passage does not make the case. I may be wrong, but I do not think the Biblical prophets or other ancient writings taught any such concept.
It seems to me that part of Iran (Elam) is defeated in war from nations from the four winds and the people dispersed to all nations for a time before the millennial reign (Jer 49:36). I suspect it will be due to radiation. Bill Salus wrote a book on the prophecy about Elam. It may be the next prophetic event to be fulfilled.
Hi Don & all,
The views you laid out are the positions I had settled on a several years ago. I just couldn’t picture a revived Roman empire within the original boundaries. But, the combined might of the Western world, plus their control of every economic issue, makes them formidable.
If Russian and Islamic forces are wiped out, leaving only 1/6th, this would be extremely worrying to an eastern block, ie. China. If Iran launched a major attack on Israel, and Israel retaliated a bit too far, that would be enough to rally Russian and Islamic forces to strike back at Israel. Then God steps in to show he’s in control. It’s also interesting, that Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and a few other gulf states are friendlier towards Israel recently. Largely due to the belligerence of Iran in the region. This would pit Russia, Turkey, Syria, Libya, and possibly Iraq, as well as others, against Israel, possibly dragging in the Western Block Nation’s. Or, for some reason, they sit it out, because, they hate Israel as the leftist progressives do today?
I’m still in the middle, about any role the US plays, but certainly, the rapture would be a crippling aspect to the US military, and domestic production. However, the US, Canada, Mexico as a regional power, may compensate somewhat. Even in war, the food producing nation’s would be of high value. Especially in light of the climactic catastrophies that will play out.
Thanks for the response Don. I think that Christian persecution has been in progress for some time in the US. I see it in the persecution of businesses which do not bow to the agendas of the LBGT, open borders, and “hate” speech laws. That will only worsen in many places. The possibility of open civil war is probably as great now as it was in 1859. The 2020 election will IMO be a trigger. If President Trump wins reelection and control of congress (the answer to a lot of prayers), the left will, IMO, openly revolt. States like California are already doing nullification (immigration laws) similar to what South Carolina was trying in the 1830’s (nullification of tariffs) and Wisconsin was trying in 1859 (nullification of the fugitive slave act). A Trump victory will IMO result in a revolt of leftist states. A socialist win and followup discarding of the US Constitution will probably result in the other states nullifying some of the laws.
In any case, I am stuck where I have to watch some TV this week, as my wife is out of town on a visit. TV programming is really sad, but I will often watch something called “Ancient Aliens” on the History Channel. They try to make everything the result of ancient alien intervention including the creation. They also keep going on about how the “aliens” are going to return. I bring this up because I noted a comment about the Nephilim above. What is your opinion of Guy Malone’s website at alienresistance.org? One takeaway that I have is that modern “aliens” seem to be exactly like Biblical demons and evil spirits. Like demons they lie about everything. They also seem to be doing a lot of human-“alien” hybridization. My “opinion” is that the “restrainer”keeps them from gaining too much power prior to the Rapture. After the Rapture, the world will welcome them as our returning relatives, as the Ancient Aliens TV show and others keep pushing that the “aliens” will return. That event would provide much “alien” aid to set up the technology and final kingdom, return of the Nephilim (as it was in the times of Noah), and a lot of other bad things. They will also provide an explanation for those who do not want to believe as to what happened to those raptured. Just a thought.
Phil
Hi Phil,
I have not looked at Guy Malone’s website for a few years but from what I remember I think he had about the right position on aliens.
I think the demonic beings posing as aliens play a role in the end time deception.
I think it makes sense for Israel to join this revived roman empire. They guarantee Israel’s security and monitors the Holy sites alongside the Catholic church. Russia and her allies attack or are attacked by this coalition leading to war. Russia loses and the antichrist takes power of this revived empire and betrays Israel. The rest is described in Revelation.
a former u.s. defense official said that aliens are real he just doesn’t know where they come from and what kind of technology they use. Well they are demons from other dimensions thats why we can’t understand their advanced technologies.
Don thanks for your blog. I look forward to every new post. I also think the ten economic regions/zones makes the most sense. Perhaps that’s the reason for the uninforced immigration. They, whoever they are, want to combine our countries into one of the regions. I have seen some renderings of the 10 economic zones that have America and Mexico combined, but also some with just America and Canada. I also remember the mention of a North American Union during the Bush years. Anyway thanks again.
Don what’s your take on the Raelians? I just found out about them from the book Alien Encounters co authored by Missler. Pretty interesting, and I could see how their message would be received, especially if a half man half e.t. comes to bring peace and rule the world.
Hi Steve,
I think it is a bit far fetched. Nevertheless, I do think there will be a demonic deception that includes demons posing as aliens. Guess the world will have to wait and see how it actually plays out. Having said that, I do believe the Rapture will happen before these demonic deceptions arrive.
The real deception at the end of the age is getting the world to believe that the light bearer (Lucifer) is the real God and YHWH of the Bible is a lessor hostile controlling deity who must be defeated. It is a common theme in New Age spiritualism.
To add … As I am in Micah and came to/over/thru 5:2, which I’ll paste (Geneva 1599):
5:2 And thou Beth-leem Ephrathah art litle to bee among the thousandes of Iudah, yet out of thee shall he come forth vnto me, that shalbe the ruler in Israel: whose goings forth haue bene from the beginning and from euerlasting.
If the elect are spending time in His word, they definitely should not be deceived. And His chosen people should not have missed him the first time.
Blessings.
On a related note Facebook is soon to announce a new global cryptocurrency named Libra. It already has agreements with PayPal, Stripe, credit card companies, etc. I think it will be a big success for them. It’s a centralized crypto unlike Bitcoin and is heavily funded and much more likely to be adopted. I get a bad feeling about Zuckerberg in charge of something like this.
I agree with you the Roman Empire continued and sure did trample the world, the Imperial Powers of Europe colonize virtually all of the world : China, India, Africa and even Antartica; the same cannot be said of Islamic Ottoman Empire which for the most part was North African, MIddle East and the Moors in Spain, the British Empire last one to trample and divide together with France modern borders of Middle East as Ottoman Empire collapsed in WW I. Rome lives through Western gentile powers.
Hi Joe,
Also, because the Jews were no longer in the land, the Ottomans never had control over the people of Israel. Daniel only talks about the four world kingdoms that ruled over God’s chosen people.
That’s a great point Don, good insight. I never made that connection, yet it’s kinda easy to see in hindsight.