Two of the visions recorded in the book of Daniel are very similar in their main parts. And, the fulfillment of the prophecies are clearly seen in the writings of the New Testament. Here is a simple overview of these truths.
The first vision, recorded in Daniel 2, was a dream of King Nebuchadnezzar. A great image with a head of gold, a chest and arms of silver, a belly and thighs of bronze, and legs of iron with feet partly of iron and clay were seen by the king. A stone struck the image on its feet, and them in pieces bring the entire image to ruin. The stone became a great mountain that filled the earth. The interpretation give by Daniel is found in verses 36-45.
The second vision was one that came to Daniel himself in Daniel 7, during the first year of the reign of Belshazzar. He describes his “vision by night” when the four winds of heaven stirred up the Great Sea, and four great beasts came up from the sea. One like a lion, the second like a bear, the third like a leopard, and finally a fourth, dreadful and terrible beast with huge iron teeth, different from the rest. Daniel had his vision interpreted by one standing by in the vision. The interpretation is given in verses 15-27.
Consider the similarities between the two visions. In both, there are four empires that are described. In Daniel 2 the four empires are symbolized by the great image of the dream. The first empire was the Babylonian Empire (Nebuchadnezzar as the head). The second empire was the Medo-Persian empire (chest and arms of silver). The third empire was the Grecian (Alexander the great) comprising the belly and thighs of bronze. Note that under Alexander the Great, that third kingdom’s rule was “over all the earth” (2:39). The fourth strong kingdom of iron can be identified as the Roman empire.
In the same way, the vision of the beasts in Daniel 7 refers to those four kingdoms. The first, of the Lion was Babylon. The second, a bear were the Medes and Persians. The third, the leopard with four wings of a bird upon it’s back was the empire of the Greeks. Interestingly, at Alexander the Great’s death, the empire was divided between his four generals (signified by the four wings). The final beast was different in description. Terrible, strong, different from all before it. The mighty Roman empire.
Both visions continue with a reckoning that would occur during the time of the fourth kingdom. In Daniel 2 it is described as a stone that struck the image on its feet, and brought it to ruin. (2:34-35). In the interpretation that Daniel gave to Nebuchadnezzar, he said, “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold—the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure” (2:44-45). You will note that this is not only the language of judgment, but also of the victory that comes in the establishment of the eternal kingdom of the Lord. There was no doubt that this was going to happen during the reign of the fourth kingdom, the empire of Rome.
Daniel 7 also speaks of God’s judgment during the days when the horn which spoke “pompous words” was judged by the Ancient of Days. Hence, the victory of God over man is established in this vision as well. The beast was slain, one like “the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven”
came to the Ancient of Days, and was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed” (7:13-14).
In both visions them, four kingdoms are revealed. During the reign of the last kingdom (the Roman Empire), God would establish His own kingdom, which would break into pieces the others, and would never be destroyed.
How is this fulfilled? Jesus “the Son of Man” came to earth during the time that the Roman Empire was upon the earth. This evil empire is described as strong, but also vulnerable (part iron and part clay), and was ultimately defeated by God.
First, the kingdom of God was established. After Jesus’s sacrificial death, He ascended into heaven to reign on His throne. He was resurrected, and ever lives, and ever reigns on His throne. His kingdom was established as promised by Daniel’s visions, and by Jesus Himself (cf. Mark 9:1; Acts 1:4-8). It was established on the Day of Pentecost as revealed in Acts 2. Just fifty days following His resurrection from the dead.
The kingdom of Christ has outlasted any worldly kingdom that has ever existed. It had its origin more than two millennia ago, and will continue until the end of time. It breaks in pieces the borders of other kingdoms, with citizens of Christ’s kingdom exists throughout the world. As Paul wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:28-29). The visions of Daniel came true!
