7.
Daniel Chapter 2 Verses 33-45.
Ten Toes of Iron and Clay of Nebuchadnezzar's Dream Image [Previous Chapter] [Contents] [Next Chapter] |
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Hiraeth
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The 10 toes of iron and clay, and the 2 feet, that we read of in Daniel 2:33-44, 7:7-8 which hold up the immense image seen in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, has become an enigma to many peoples trying to unravel prophecy. All sorts of Bible students take a stab at interpreting this section of the image but never achieve an exacting definition, which this prophetic vision needs. Daniel set this "vision" of mystery in his writings towards the "last days" of man's rule and learning. Towards "our" generations entering the 20th and 21st centuries. That "vision", amongst others, was hidden for a "purpose" and that purpose is to save the lives of the "holy seed" of peoples within this dangerous, chaotic world which we find ourselves in. Let us
read those verses in Daniel
2:33-43. Daniel
7:7-8. At this point of translating these prophetic verses, the "outline" within these verses is as follows:- The
2 Legs of Iron:- On the death of Emperor Theodosius, the Roman Empire was partitioned between his 2 sons, one son became emperor of the 2nd leg,-the western half- with its capital at Rome, which lasted until 476 AD: Then being overrun by the Goths, Franks, and Vandals etc: It was "not" the end of the strength of Rome, it was to return to another power base however! The iron of the 2 legs both east and west, within the then known world of European and Eastern nations, poured the iron into these 2 feet. This "iron" was of the seed of men, and not of the "clay" Israelite children of God. However, another role was being played out by God using that clay (the second time), to mould His people into another shape and life, after their long punishment in the nations of men. The "wilderness" that was chosen for the "gathering" was typical of God's simple actions. "He" chose the "tiny" British Isles to achieve a momentous plan. (Isaiah 40:15, 42:4, Jeremiah 31:10). The "stone" that is to come with such great power, is the 6th kingdom, which is "not" brought about by the machinations of men. (Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:10-12). That "stone" -Jesus- was promised to Joseph and his Seed. Who were to become part of the "clay" forming into a mould with the other tribes into a form of Christians in the "Isles", (Genesis 49:24). That "stone" of the kingdom of Jesus will soon rule with a rod of iron, and will smash the power-hungry nations to powder, and as the chaff their power over men will blow away. Because the nations within the earth are all corrupt and their intentions are evil. They forever killing each other for greed in its many guises. (Revelation 19:15-16). The 4th
(2 legs) Iron kingdom of Rome seen in the Image "broke" the
power of the other empires in the rest of the "image", as its
iron legions marched and caused a great "bruising" or desolation
to peoples, who called it peace. The "bruising" injury the power
of Rome "itself" caused lasted a long time into the centuries.
With much pain and chaos to other nations, as it did when it left the
British Isles after 400 years of subduing the land, before returning to
its own land. The then "Britannic kingdom" was left open to
warring other tribes, which also brought in children of the "clay"
of Israel. In the days of the power of the 2 feet, -(which just like the arms and breast of silver with the 2 arms of Media-Persia, (Daniel 2:32)- they divided again into 2 powers of the United Kingdom and the United States of America. -Another "kingdom"- that of our Lord, -will come crashing into those feet, bringing down the whole edifice of the image. Our Lord -the stone- crashes into the feet because the "clay" of Israel resides in these 2 powers, representing Ephraim and Manasseh. Besides, they are supposed to be 2 Christian powers upholding "His" kingdom, and not immersed in their own power. They, who should rejoice at "His" coming and gladly, hand over the reins of their power for Him! Daniel chapter 7 turns the 10 toes of clay into 10 horns, just as Revelation 17:12 does, and it is as Biblical scholars say, each "horn" represents a "king" or ruler. The Britannic Isles was indeed 1 kingdom, as Daniel states in chapter 2:41,42. Yet! Within, it was partitioned off into 10 separate kingdoms throughout its history. Until the 10 toes of "clay" merged or moulded them into 1 whole kingdom, towards its eventual 2 world powers of the 2 separate feet. We must now start building an historical and spiritual "full" picture within secular history, towards our understanding of God's mighty works, which has unfurled towards our blind eyes for centuries. Biblical students at this point of 10 toes of iron and clay in Daniel's vision, go off wildly to all sorts of translations, as to "who" the clay represents. (Which same translations are written in another chapter of this book). Daniel 2:42 breaks off the iron and clay feet from the legs, -as it were- and deals with them in a separate manner, saying "this one kingdom" shall be partly strong and partly broken. Note well reader, the "vision" is referring to what happened to only "a" or "one" kingdom in secular history, not many kingdoms of a European nature. One must take note carefully that there are more verses explaining the power of the kingdom of the feet of iron and clay, than the other great ruling powers before it. For instance the great world empires of Media -Persia, and then Greece, both share their "vision" in one verse (Daniel 2:39), and in Daniel Chapter 7 they have 1 verse each. In Daniel 7:7-8 the 10 toes become 10 horns and these "horns" mean 10 separate types of kings with "houses" representing those kings. The 10 horns have the "same status" in their history as the "horn" of Phillip and Alexander the Macedonians, from Daniel 8:3-7, when they swiftly conquered into Persia. Bible students miserably underestimate the importance of the 2 feet of iron and clay, because they think within rules and regulations within their own churches, which set blinkers on the inner eye of thought. I'm now going to jump straight into the history of the "10 toes of clay", and that "one" kingdom they represent. Because, the iron and clay feet are not only the "last" ruling empires of men, -with the 2 feet separating into 2 powers- but the "clay" represents the Israelite camp lost to the world in the various great power struggles, within the ancient and modern ages of men. The great prophet Jeremiah 18:6-10 tells us "who" the clay is, and that clay is the "House of Israel" who are within the Gentile nations. God is "not" speaking to the Jew of the "House of Judah" in Jeremiah 18, but, to the "clay" of the second nation of the "House of Israel," represented in the feet in Nebuchadnezzar's dream image. In Isaiah chapters 63 and 64, it tells us of these 2 separate people of the nation of Israel. Isaiah
64:8-10 uses emphasis on the moulding of the "clay"
of Israel. These verses in Isaiah have nothing to do with the beginning and the creation of man, as a whole, which some scholars say. So, we must go to Jacob/Israel's -"last days"- blessing for the tribes, in Genesis chapters 48 and 49. With another blessing repeated in Deuteronomy 33 by Moses. Ephraim and Manasseh's "blessing" was pronounced upon them by Israel in Genesis 48:5-20,and this "blessing" came to pass many, many, centuries later in secular history. Emphatically "not" during the times of their "kingdom" of Israel, under King David etc. Because during Israel's ancient history the tribes were hardly held together, being restless with warring factions. Each prince did not come forward in history to fulfil his blessing, to be seen and understood! Ephraim's seed as stated in Genesis 48:19 had "not" become a multitude of nations either, but remained as one tribe over the Northern kingdom of Israel. The first
verse in Genesis 49 sets the "time limit" for these tribes in
prophetic sequences into prospective. Jacob/Israel's blessing for each separate son, was to be played out "exactly" as stated by Jacob within secular history pertaining to their "last days". Note these 2 words well - "last days". If these words were just poetic license on behalf of Jacob, or words that don't mean a thing in substance from Genesis, then, you and I reader are wasting our time believing the Bible is the "Word" of God! In other words, these scriptural prophetic words would not be worth the paper they are written on, for us in the twentieth and twenty first centuries. That is if we cannot "see" today in an exacting manner, that they were indeed performed! In fact, these words spoken by Jacob/Israel so long-ago God has made them happen in a mind-boggling exactness. So, we, the progeny of our ancestors, can marvel at our God's truth! The princes of the "blessings" of the 10 tribes of the "House of Israel" were pushed into the British Isles over the years bit by bit to accomplish a marvellous work performed by God from Jacob/Israel's words to them. 10 Toes Of "Clay" (And All Israel) 1:-
Reuben - Normandy (William of Normandy 1066) This house from France. You may note reader there are 14 tribes when Ephraim and Manasseh are added and counted as within the nation of Israel. However, they are counted yet! "Separated" from the others becoming the ruling powers of the 2 feet of the image. Joseph's "stick" of honour is in the hand of Ephraim for the throne. (Ezekiel 37:16) - Manasseh, also was under Joseph's blessing "as one of the arms of the hands of power that ran over the sea wall," and that "Manasseh would become great in power."(Genesis 49:22, 48:19). Before the
10 princes within history fulfilling their secular and spiritual roles,
the British Isles was divided part iron (Rome) and part clay (Israel)
into 10 toes under Roman power. Before the "Invasion of the Danes" in 815 AD Britain had been reshuffled into 10 kingdoms within 1 kingdom. (Still under the iron power of the Roman Papacy). 1. East
Anglia Then the Norman Invasion into the British Isles set in motion the "clay," of the princes of the 10 tribes of Israel. Though the "iron" of the Roman Papacy was with them, they eventually would break. Rome's "iron" strangle hold on those people, as their history progressed through the centuries ahead. The "2 feet" which separated towards their own power base in the world, were both nurtured by Joseph's "blessing" in the Isles as one people at first. While they grew up in strength and gathered to themselves in the Isles other peoples out of the Western nations. The 2 powers of the feet "separated" during the 17th and 18th centuries and stood firm on each foot. The United States of America was eventually formed and moulded into 1 nation of 50 states, (and a Federal Capital district) and became a world power to be reckoned with. "They" were fulfilling Manasseh's blessing of the "clay". (Genesis 48:19). The United Kingdom also became the British Empire, moulded into a world power, which stretched into approx. 47 dominions, with 13 states under the throne's protection, and 9 Mandated Territories, including Palestine. Both these feet far outweighed the other empires in power, of Media-Persia, Greece, or Imperial Rome to dominate World affairs.(Genesis 48/19). Thus, fulfilling Ephraim's blessing of the "clay". One must understand that secular history is God's plan, with man's self-will throwing a spanner into the works, -so to speak- from time to time. Biblical history is God's also, and that plan has always been put into effect. With men's vows and blessings noted and played out in secular history. As we see and read of when dealing with Jacob/Israel's words in Genesis. The problem lies with not understanding both these plans, here lies lack of knowledge; For instance, recently I heard a pastor of a denomination question the fact of Ephraim and Manasseh "growing up" together in the British Isles. He dismissed that situation in a cynical fashion with the words "How is it the people were Ephraim, when they were in the Isles, and Manasseh when they crossed the Atlantic?"
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