The metal-man image Nebuchadnezzar dreamed over 2600 years ago represents Gentile rule or “government” on earth since the beginning of the “Times of the Gentiles” in 606 BC. If we could identify the “iron” and “clay” (potter’s clay changing to miry clay in vs-41) in the feet, we would know for sure when the “nearness” of Christ’s return had arrived.Many would say the identity of the iron in the legs and feet of this metal-man (4th BEAST EMPIRE) would represent the Revived Roman Empire. However a careful sequential study of the Scripture in the book of Daniel clearly shows the iron to be the people who reside in the area of the “King of the North” found in the entire 11th chapter of Daniel. This is the old Seleucid Empire which “came out of the Alexandrian Empire” (Dan. 8:21-25), and composes the area of Syria and Iraq today, which is governed by ISLAM. Therefore, since the foot is an extension of the leg, the IRON in the feet is ISLAM. Oh and by the way, did I mention the root word for “mix”, “mixed” and “mingle” in Daniel 2:41&43 is the Aramaic word “ARAB” found in any Strong’s concordance (strong’s #6151). Please look that one up for yourself. It is further evidence the IRON in the feet is ISLAM!
In Daniel 8:23-27, the Scriptures tell us the remnants of the Alexandrian Empire will “rise again” at the time of the end, and will be an empire that will “bear rule (government) over all the earth” (Daniel 2:39). By what means could this possibly be true today?
If you look up the word Democracy in the dictionary, you will find its origin to be from a GREEK word demos meaning “Government (rule) by the people, exercised directly or through elected representatives”. Clearly Democracy in the 21st Century is fulfilling Daniel 2:39 (bear rule over all the earth) thru the USA. Our entire Western civilization has it’s ROOTS in the thought processes of the GREEK EMPIRE. In the early 1970’s there were around 40 Democracies in the world. Today, there are over 120 with a big push to democratize the Middle East as the last hope to bring peace to this troubled region. Since Democracy is the greatest legacy to come out of the GREEK EMPIRE (thru the USA), that bears rule over all the earth, I believe without a doubt this is the reason DEMOCRACY must be the CLAY in the feet and toes of Daniel 2! It is the only form of worldwide government (rule) in the time when ISLAM (rules) in the Middle East, that will absolutely not mix with ISLAM!
In Daniel 2:41, you will find the words “potter’s clay” (useful clay that falls under the influence of a potter), changing to “miry clay” (a mud hole/all mired up) IN THE SAME VERSE! Could this be a “hidden prophecy” that would suggest the process of democratization in the Middle East will quickly turn into a “quagmire”? In Oct. 2001 President George Bush began the process of “molding the potter’s clay” in the Middle East by defeating the Taliban (ISLAM/IRON) in Afghanistan, and beginning the process of free elections which succeeded in installing Harmid Karzai on December 6, 2004 as it’s first DEMOCRATICALLY elected President! Today (Jan. 9th, 2005), the Palestinians have elected Mahmoud Abbas as their first DEMOCRATICALLY elected Palestinian President. Many say a big victory will help Abbas in peace talks which will eventually bring about a Palestinian State in EAST Jerusalem, thus fulfilling Zechariah 14:2 (half of city will already be under Arab control by a Palestinian State with Jerusalem as it’s Capital). Next in line is the IRAQ election on January 30th, 2005. Will the potter’s clay of Democracy turn into a “quagmire” of miry clay impeding any further progress of democratizing the Middle East? This apparently is the big test to come.
If it were not for Revelation 13:3, I would feel confident in believing the upcoming Jan. 30th Election in Iraq would be a total failure. I believe the HEAD that was wounded to death in Rev. 13:3 is the country of Iraq (heads equal kingdoms-see Rev. 17:9, Jer.51:25, Dan.2:35). That verse goes on to say the deadly wound was HEALED and all the world wondered after the beast. The question in my mind is, did the 1st Gulf war in 1991, headed by George Bush, Colin Powell, and Dick Cheney inflict the “deadly wound” mentioned in Rev. 13:3, which was later healed in the 12 years following to 2003? Or will the 2nd Gulf war which began in March 2003, headed by George Bush, Colin Powell, and Dick Cheney inflict the “deadly wound” mentioned in Rev. 13:3, which WILL be healed in the future months and years after the Jan. 30th, 2005 elections to the wonderment of the world? Time will tell.
I said all that to say this. After you get to the feet and toes in Daniel 2:41-43, you arrive at verse 44 and 45 which tells us in the days of these kings (10 toes on the feet representing 10 Arab countries surrounding Israel) SHALL THE GOD OF HEAVEN SET UP A KINGDOM, WHICH SHALL NEVER BE DESTROYED. That God in heaven is not allah, but the stone in verse 45: Jesus Christ. At this point Jesus will have put down ALL governments (Islam and Democracy included) on this earth and set up a THEOCRACY.
Zechariah 14:9 And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. Come quickly Lord Jesus!
In His Service,
David Burnette
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2004-12-31-iraq-elections_x.htm