Table of Contents
The four kingdoms of the world:
According to the clear Bible prophecies of Daniel 2:31, 32, 37-43, the four world kingdoms were to follow one after another. And the fourth kingdom – the Iron which represented the Roman Empire, was to be divided into ten parts. These four kingdoms are as follows:
1) Babylon – 606 – 538 B.C.
2) Medo-Persia – 538-331 B.C.
3) Greece – 331 – 168 B.C.
4) Rome – 168 B.C. – 476 A.D.
The division of the Roman Empire took place between 351 and 476 A.D.
In the period of the fourth and fifth centuries, the migration period was created in the confines of the Roman Empire the ten kingdoms that we know as the modern European states of Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Portugal, Hungary, France, England, Belgium, and Spain.
These kingdoms will not have the strength of the old Roman Empire, because we are told that the iron was mixed with miry clay – Daniel 2:43. The prophet said that as the iron is not mingled with the clay, so these kingdoms will not cling to one another. In other words, their secular interests and goals will separate them and confront them, one against another.
The everlasting kingdom
The prophet continues, and in verse 44 he says:
“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom… shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” Dan. 2:44.
This, dear reader, is the fifth kingdom of which those who are truly Christians pray to God when they say: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matt. 6:10.
This is the future, eternal kingdom of Christ which is going to fill the whole earth. This kingdom will not be broken, and it will crush and put an end to all the temporal kingdoms of the earth, and it will last forever. Soon the words of Revelation Chapter 11 will be fulfilled:
“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Rev. 11:15.
The wheat and the tares
Jesus, as the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Rev. 19:11-16; Matt. 24:29-31), accompanied by the heavenly hosts (the angels) will come to reap the earth’s harvest with his sharp sickle (Rev. 14:14-16).
According to his words, in the parable of the tares, “the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one… the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.” Matt. 13:38-39. And in verse 43 Jesus adds: “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Matt. 13:43.
Just as the sower separates the wheat from the tares and places it in his garner, so Jesus, the true spiritual Sower will separate in his coming the righteous from the unrighteous. Matt. 13:30.
The sheep and the goats
Just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats and places them on his right hand, so Jesus, as the true Shepherd, will separate the righteous from the unrighteous, and place them on his right hand, and say to them: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…” Matt. 25:34. Jesus encourages those that are his own by saying: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32.
Dear reader, do you know who these righteous ones are, whom Jesus will invite at his Coming to come and inherit the eternal kingdom? According to the words of Daniel, they are “the saints of the most High” (Dan. 7:27).
The virtues of the Christian character
According to the words of the apostle Peter, they are those who – in their lives on earth – have added to their “faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity… For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-11.
Before his coming as a King (Rev. 19) to set up his kingdom on this earth, Christ warns the world through his faithful messengers, who are likened to flying angels, in these final days of probation, giving the inhabitants of the earth a clear and decided threefold message, in Revelation 14:6-12.
Those who accept the final message of warning, out of love for God would observe the Ten Commandments and would eagerly await for the glorious Coming of Christ. This message is being proclaimed to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples, in fulfillment of the words of Christ in the Gospel of Matthew:
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14.
The great stone
The future eternal kingdom is presented symbolically in Daniel 2:34-35, 45, by a large stone which (according to the prophetic word) will smite the image in its feet of clay. This stone will destroy the kingdoms of this world and make them like dust.
This stone will become a large mountain that will fill the whole earth. Dear reader, do you know that whoever falls on this stone will be broken, and on whomsoever it shall fall, it will crush to powder?
Happy is the Christian who falls on this Rock, so that his stony heart would be broken, and chooses Christ as the cornerstone of his life. He will reign with Christ forever. See Isaiah 8:14; 1 Peter 2:4-8; Acts 4:12; Eph. 2:20; Matt. 8:24-25. But woe unto those who have built their spiritual houses on the sand (Matt. 5:26-27), because the stone (Christ) will crush them.
“And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” Matt. 21:44.