What is the One World Order, Part 2 Daniel 7
The idea of a future One World Order, a violent, authoritarian government was introduced in Daniel chapter 2. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon had a dream of a magnificent statue made of layers of different materials. We learned the final two layers, the legs on iron and the feet or iron mixed with clay, represented a future gentile kingdom. This final kingdom is known as the One World Order, or the Kingdom of the Beast. Daniel returns to the topic in chapter 7, when he has a dream of four beasts rising from the sea.
The Kingdom of the Beast. Daniel Chapter 7
Daniel introduced the idea of the One World Order, also known as the Kingdom of the Beast, in chapter 2, when Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of a massive statue. Each level of the statue was made of a different material, and each material represented a future gentile kingdom, starting with Babylon as the head of gold.
The final layer was a strange mixture, legs of iron and feet or iron mixed with miry clay. Most, but not all, commentators interpret the fourth layer as representing Rome, but we also learned that portions of Nebuchadnezzars dream don’t seem to fit the historical Rome. This raised the question if Nebuchadnezzar’s dream might be describing Rome, but also a Rome-like future kingdom. Finally we learned the fourth kingdom would be replaced by a final kingdom set up by God.
In summary, here’s what we know about the Kingdom of the Beast as of Daniel chapter 2:
- It will be strong and violent
- It will be divided with a strong (iron) and weak (clay) component
- Somehow “they will be mingle themselves with the seed of men,” but exactly how is unclear
- It will be destroyed by God and a final kingdom ruled by God will be established.
Ten Horns and the Little Horn
After taking a break from prophecy for four chapters, Daniel returns to the end times in chapter 7, where he has the first of what will be four visions. In this vision, Daniel is shown four animals rising from the sea. The first three animals seem to correlate to the first three layers of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue: Babylon, Persia and Greece and the final layers (iron and iron mixed with clay) seem to correlate to the fourth animal.
“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, there was a fourth animal, awesome and powerful, and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth. It devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet. It was different than all the animals that were before it; and it had ten horns.
“I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots: and behold, in his horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Daniel 7: 7-8
In these verses, we again see destructive and violent language used to describe the fourth kingdom, but then we learn two new facts: the kingdom will initially have 10 rulers, but then a “little horn” will depose three of the rulers and gain power. Later in the chapter we are told the horns are rulers, or kings. Commentators are almost unanimous in the interpretation that the little horn is the Antichrist, a future totalitarian ruler.
Daniel then switches focus to a court room presided over by God. Daniel then tells us the fourth animal and the little horn will be judged and destroyed by God.
“I watched at that time because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke. I watched even until the animal was slain, and its body destroyed, and it was given to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the animals, their dominion was taken away; yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
Daniel 7: 11-12
We already knew from chapter 2 that God would ultimately destroy the fourth kingdom, but now we learn God will judge both the fourth kingdom and the Antichrist before destroying them “with fire.” We also learn the previous three kingdoms will survive after the judgement but will not retain any of their power.
Next Daniel discussed the “one like a son of man,” which may scholars agree is a messianic reference, before returning to the topic of the kingdom of the beast. Daniel asks a bystander, who is probably an angel, and gets the following explanation.
“So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. ‘These great animals, which are four, are four kings, who will arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever and ever.’
“Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal, which was different than all of them, exceedingly terrible, whose teeth were of iron, and its nails of brass; which devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet; and concerning the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three fell, even that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke great things, whose look was more stout that its fellows. I saw, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them, until the ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
“Thus he said, “The fourth kingdom will be a fourth kingdom on earth, which will be different than all the kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth, and will tread it down, and break it in pieces. As for the ten horns, ten kings will arise out of this kingdom. Another will arise after them; and he will be different than the former, and he will put down three kings.
Daniel 7: 19-24
The bystander confirms to Daniel the kingdom of the beast will have 10 rulers initially, but 3 will be overthrown by the Antichrist, who will become more powerful than the original rulers (more stout). We learn the Antichrist, and by extension the Kingdom of the Beast, will persecute the “saints of the Most High,” which we can interpret as believing followers of God and Jesus.
Summary
Updating our list of what we know about the Kingdom of the Beast, it now looks like this:
- It will be strong and violent
- It will be divided with a strong (iron) and weak (clay) component
- Somehow “they will be mingle themselves with the seed of men,” but exactly how is unclear
- It will be judged and then destroyed by God and a final kingdom ruled by God will be established.
- It will initially have 10 rulers (kings)
- Three of the 10 rulers will be overthrown by the Antichrist, who will become the most powerful ruler
- The Kingdom of the Beast will persecute believing followers of God and Jesus
There are many other end-times prophecies in Daniel, but the next time the Bible addresses the Kingdom of the Beast is in Revelation.
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