THE LEGS OF IRON

In interpreting this portion of the image, the prophet said, “And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron.” This leaves no room for mistake. We look for a kingdom to succeed Grecia, and behold Rome coming forth grasping a wider extent of territory than any of its predecessors, leaving no kingdom unsubdued, and ruling with an iron hand over all the then known world. Rome then is without controversy the kingdom symbolized by the legs of iron. Rome virtually succeeded Grecia, on its conquest of Macedonia, B.C. 168. It was not, however, till seven years thereafter, that is, in B.C. 161, that it entered into the famous league with the Jews, and thus became connected with the people of God. Hence the Roman kingdom, the iron of the image, dates from B.C. 161. Passing down to the feet and toes, we find them part of iron and part of clay, The signification of this was that the kingdom in that stage of its existence should be partly strong and partly broken, and finally be divided. Rome first grew strong then rich, then luxurious, then weak. It thus made itself a prey to the hardy barbarians of the north of Europe, who, inspired by the prospect of easy conquest and untold booty, overran the empire, and broke it up into ten kingdoms, corresponding to the ten toes of the image. These divisions were accomplished between the years A.D. 356 and 483, and they have continued to the present day. Though there may for short periods have been sometimes more and sometimes fewer divisions, still they have generally been known, and are still known, as “the ten kingdoms of western Europe.” No efforts to make a permanent union among them have proved successful. Warriors have arisen and tried it by force of arms, statesmen have tried it by diplomacy, alliances, and intermarriages; but all have failed; for the prophecy had said that they should not cleave one to another; and thus they will remain in their divided state till the consummation.KPC 8.2

In the great image, then, of Daniel 2, we have an epitome of the world’s history from the days of Babylon down to the end. And we would ask the lover of history how the course of time, the rise and fall of four successive universal empires, and the leading features and characteristics of each, could be presented at one view, in a more expressive and condensed form? But this is not merely the object of the prophecy, to give an outline of the world’s history; all this is but preparatory to the last great fact, namely, that in the days of these kings the God of Heaven is to set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed. A fifth universal kingdom, the kingdom of God, where righteousness shall reign, is to succeed all earthly misrule, and stand forever. It is to impart a knowledge of this great truth to the human race, and impress upon them the importance of preparing for that reign of righteousness, that the prophecy is given.KPC 10.1

The earthly governments symbolized in this vision are all in the past. Their rise and fall may be easily traced by every lover of history. On these we shall not therefore dwell, but only inquire concerning that portion of the prophecy which yet alone remains to be fulfilled, namely, the setting up of the everlasting kingdom of God. Far too many, we are aware, will be ready to meet us here with the view that this kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom, and was set up in the days of Christ and the apostles. Let us ask such, Must not the fifth universal kingdom be literally like the four which precede it? Is it at all admissible to suppose that the scene would suddenly shift, without the least intimation, from literal kingdom on this literal earth, to a spiritual kingdom in the hearts of men? Such kingdom as this, if the term is allowable, might exist without interfering with earthly governments; but the kingdom of God in Daniel 2, dashes in pieces all earthly governments ere it succeeds to their rule and absorbs their territory.KPC 10.2

Another consideration more fatal still to this unscriptural, though popular, view of the kingdom, is found in the following: It was not till “the days of these kings” that the God of Heaven was to set up his kingdom. Daniel 2:44. “These kings” can be no other than the ten which arose out of the Roman empire. Not till after this division of the empire, therefore, could the kingdom of God contemplated in this prophecy, be set up; and it is a fact that this division was not accomplished tell the year A.D. 483. Whatever may therefore be meant by the expression, kingdom of God, in other places, it is certain beyond the shadow of doubt, that his kingdom which is to destroy and succeed all earthly governments, was not set up by Christ or his apostles; neither is it yet set up; for earthly governments still exercise their authority over the world.KPC 11.1

A thought may here occur, and be a source of perplexity to some. Have not the ten kingdoms, of the Roman empire, in the days of which the God of Heaven should set up his kingdom, passed away? and has not the prophecy failed, if that kingdom is still future? We answer, the days of those kingdoms still continue. It matters not that their boundaries may have been changed, and their identity, in some cases, almost lost: The kingdom is still divided. We have passed that point where ten divisions out of the Roman empire completed the development of the image. It is now only waiting to be smitten upon the feet by the stone cut out of the mountain without hand.KPC 11.2

Reader, are you ready for this destruction of all earthly governments? Have you an interest in the kingdom that is to be set up? Is your name enrolled among those highly privileged ones who are to be its immortal subjects? Is your citizenship in Heaven, from whence we look for the Lord and Saviour? Are you Christ’s, and therefore an heir according to the promise? Or are you, on the other hand, in that condition, that if the King should appear, to raise his people to their glorious and imperishable inheritance, you would covet, as the greatest blessing to be buried from his presence by rocks and mountains? Woeful condition! Watch! lest coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.KPC 12.1