The Iron Legs
Read Daniel 2:31-34
Since the fall, mankind has desired to conquer. Daniel’s prophecy is referring to domination on a large scale, but each of us has some of this to battle within ourselves. Daniel’s interpretation of the king’s dream is symbolic of many things, even in our personal lives. A wicked world system could not conquer Jesus though, and one won’t conquer His church. God has chosen us to live in the most exciting time!
The statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream represents four world empires which have already fallen, and one which has yet to come into power. These empires came long after the fall of man. Before our creation, Satan lead the way for world domination with his rebellion in the Celestial City. Satan wanted to pursue his own will. So, God banished him from Heaven, followed by one-third of the angels. I picture them transforming from beautiful celestial beings into hideous demons as they descended into a place void of God’s presence.
From this point on, Satan has battled God’s will. When God created us as His beloved children, made in His image, Satan found an enemy. God created us with free will, the same free will that Satan wanted. So, since Adam and Eve walked in the garden, Satan has been trying to use our free will against us. As he tempted Eve with the idea of being like God, so he also tempts us. Throughout time and throughout our own culture, humans have battled the “independent, self-sufficient, I-can-do-it-by-myself” attitude. This is a perfect starting point for Satan.
You can see this pattern from after the fall, to Cain and Abel, to Nimrod and the Tower of Babel. Then came Babylon, represented with the gold head of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. After Babylon fell, the Medians and Persians conquered, symbolized as the silver upper body of the statue. Then, represented by bronze, came Alexander the Great. He conquered the world in just three years and cried when there was nothing left to consume.
Finally, the iron legs of the statue represent Rome. While iron is strong, Rome still fell. But even during the height of the Roman Empire, this world power could not stop the life, death and resurrection of our Savior. As a matter of fact, it was the perfect time for Him to enter this world. Everyone spoke the same language and Rome had completed a worldwide road system. Nothing could stop the gospel.
According to Daniel’s prophecy there is still one more world empire left. This empire is represented by feet made of iron and clay. It still has the strength of iron, but is not cohesive like the empires of the past. There’s a strong force of world domination trying to take over the world, and it’s become so much stronger just in my lifetime. But just as Jesus could not be stopped by a strong world system, the church will also rise above. As we battle this in our culture, let’s also battle it within ourselves.
I’m praying for you all. We love you and we’re saving you a seat at Community Family Church!
Pastor Tom
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