Who will Control The World – Part 2
As a rampaging Adolf Hitler marched his troops across Europe, Franz Hasel, a German soldier in the elite troops of Pioneer Company 699, boldly told his superiors that Hitler was doomed to failure.
The reason?
A cryptic prophecy from the book of Daniel outlining future world empires – and Germany was not one of them.
At the risk of death, Hasel told his leading officer, Captain Miekus, that Germany would never control the world.
As Unit 699 drove deep into Russia, Captain Miekus believed what Hasel was saying and carried extra fuel hoping for a safe retreat.
Unfortunately only seven of the 1,200-man unit arrived home safely.
The predictions by the prophet Daniel came true – with devastating results.
The book of Daniel was written in the ancient city of Babylon.
Many years earlier Nimrod was the ruler of Babylon (or Babel as it was known back then).
Nimrod was the father of the secret mysteries of “nature religions” and these mysteries were passed on through the generations until the time of King Nebuchadnezzar II.
Nebuchadnezzar became known as one of the greats in history – a military conqueror and a great builder.
Among other things, Nebuchadnezzar built the famous hanging gardens of Babylon.
This amazing structure became one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Early in his reign, Nebuchadnezzar set out on a military campaign towards Egypt.
On the way, he captured the city of Jerusalem, taking captive the best and the brightest of the Jewish nation, including the young prophet Daniel.
As a prisoner of war, Daniel remained true to His Creator God, despite being trained in all the customs and mysteries of Babylon.
While Daniel was in captivity, God gave him the power to unlock a mysterious dream.
This dream revolved around future world superpowers and the ultimate future for planet earth.
It was the contents of this dream that not only stopped Hitler, but also many other aggressive leaders before him.
So who will control our world in the future?
Will it be the United States, Israel or China?
Will it be a religious leader such as the Pope or a United Europe?
Will one of the nations of Islam dominate the new world?
In order to know the future we must first understand the past.
The amazing prophecy that captured the attention of Franz Hasel is found in the second chapter of Daniel.
We invite you to read the whole chapter and then we will unlock the prophecy, step by step.
Q1 – WHAT HAPPENED TO NEBUCHADNEZZAR ONE NIGHT?
Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him. Daniel 2.1
Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him. As he lay awake at night he knew he had dreamt something of great importance, but he couldn’t remember the details.
Q2 – WHAT DID NEBUCHADNEZZAR ASK HIS OFFICIAL “SECRET REVEALERS” TO DO?
Then the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. Daniel 2.2
The wise men had been trained in all the secret knowledge and mysteries of Babylon.
As intelligence was mixed with magic and religion, these men were the greatest code breakers in the land.
They were used by the king to predict the timing and tactics of enemies, cast spells on behalf of the king and read the future through studying the stars and planets.
Q3 – COULD THE WISE MEN REVEAL THE SECRETS AND WHAT WAS THE RESULT?
The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, “There is not a man on earth who can tell the king’s matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean. (v10)
For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave the command to, destroy all the wise men of Babylon. Daniel 2.12
The wise men were well accustomed to interpreting dreams, yet all the secret knowledge of Babylon was not sufficient to tell the king the dream that he had forgotten.
How true it was when they said there was not a “man on earth” who could interpret it – only a God in heaven, as they were soon to find out.
Q4 – WHEN DANIEL HEARD ABOUT THE SITUATION WHAT DID HE ASK THE KING?
So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell the king the interpretation. Daniel 2.16
God used dreams and visions to depict and outline His prophecies.
On some occasions He would speak directly (1 Samuel 3:10), but usually He spoke through visions.
While in vision, the prophets saw a range of symbols and world events that formed the basis of the prophecies.
Q5 – WHAT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING DANIEL COULD DO FOR GOD TO REVEAL THE DREAM TO HIM?
Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Daniel 2.17,18
Daniel and his friends prayed to the God of heaven, asking Him to reveal the secret of the dream.
Daniel knew the power of prayer.
Even today, the most important and effective way to gain supernatural help is to pray.
When you need to unlock mysteries in your life; when you want answers to your questions; or when you desire support and strength to cope with a tough personal situation, try talking to God in prayer.
Q6 – HOW DID GOD REVEAL THE SECRET TO DANIEL?
Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision
God often revealed his secrets through dreams (see Numbers 12:6).
Evidently, God gave Nebuchadnezzar the initial dream and then revealed the interpretation to Daniel in a subsequent dream.
Q7 – WHAT DID DANIEL SAY ABOUT THE GOD OF HEAVEN?
And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. Daniel 2.21,22
It is clear that Daniel knew the power and authority of God.
The overall purpose of this whole dream was to reveal the hidden secret that it is God – not human kings or armies – who controls the destiny of this planet.
Q8 – WHAT DID DANIEL SAY THE KING SAW IN THE DREAM?
“You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image!
The king dreamt of a giant statue.
This statue stood in front of Nebuchadnezzar and was described by Daniel as awesome.
Can you just imagine the king getting excited and shouting out,
“That’s it Daniel – you’ve got it!
Tell me more”.
Q9 – WHAT WERE THE VARIOUS ELEMENTS THAT MADE UP THE IMAGE?
This image’s head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. Daniel 2.32,33
It is interesting to note that God used earthly minerals as the basis for His prophecy.
The value of each material deteriorates as we move down the statue.
It starts off with gold at the top and ends up in a mixture of metal and mud at the bottom.
Q10 – WHAT DID THE STONE DO TO THE IMAGE AND WHAT DID THE STONE TURN INTO?
You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. Daniel 2.33,34
Daniel told the king that a supernatural rock would hit the image – not on the golden head, but at its clay bound feet.
This rock would then take the place of the image and fill the whole earth with its presence and power.
Q11-WHAT DOES THE HEAD OF GOLD REPRESENT?
You, O king, are this head of gold. Daniel 2.37,38
Nebuchadnezzar represented Babylon
(verse 39 indicates that this prophecy is primarily about kingdoms rather than the kings).
Isaiah had previously described Babylon as “the golden city”.
The precious mineral gold is a perfect symbol for the wealth, power and superiority of Babylon.
Babylon appeared to be impregnable.
The city walls were 60 metres high and thick enough to hold chariot races on the top.
The city had a moat around the walls with an equal cubic capacity to the walls themselves.
The gates of the city were solid brass and within the city there seemed to be limitless resources.
It was the Babylonians who first charted out the heavens, mapping out the sun and creating the sundial.
It was the Babylonians who discovered the system of length, area, capacity and weight.
They divided the day into hours and minutes.
They were gifted in music and the arts and they were also brilliant at business.
It wasn’t long before the city of Nebuchadnezzar became the commercial centre for the region and riches flooded into the city.
Babylon was a golden city that appeared to have a golden future.
Q12 – WHAT DID THE PROPHET ISAIAH PREDICT WOULD HAPPEN TO BABYLON?
And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, The beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It will Never never be inhabited, Nor will it be settled from generation to generation; Nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, Nor will the shepherds make their sheepfolds there. Isaiah 13.19,20
What an amazing prediction. God predicted that this city of gold would become desolate.
This is true to this day.
Saddam Hussein of Iraq saw King Nebuchadnezzar as his idol and attempted to rebuild ancient Babylon.
However, the ancient city is gone, just as the Bible predicted.
Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom ruled the world from 605 to 538BC.
It was the combined force of the Medes and Persians that overthrew Babylon in the most amazing circumstances.
Over 150 years prior to the fall of Babylon, the prophet Isaiah had predicted that it would be a man by the name of Cyrus who would overthrow the city (Isaiah 45:1,2).
That is exactly what happened.
The Medes and Persians were symbolised by silver.
They were possibly not as powerful as Babylon and so they needed to overcome the city through brains rather than sheer strength.
Cyrus, the Persian military leader, diverted the water from the river Euphrates, which was running directly through the city of Babylon.
He then marched his army through the riverbed and under the city walls, claiming victory over a complacent and unsuspecting Babylon.
Q13 – WHAT METAL WAS USED TO REPRESENT THE THIRD KINGDOM, THE NATION THAT WOULD TAKE OVER FROM MEDO-PERSIA?
- a third kingdom of bronze, Daniel 2:39
Alexander the Great led the Greeks to victory over the Medes and Persians in the battle of Arbela in 331BC.
The Greeks were known for their bronze armour and swift victories.
The Jewish historian Josephus, documented how Alexander the Great knew his destiny as a result of being shown the prophecies of Daniel (Josephus, Antiquities, p244).
Q14 – WHAT METAL WAS USED TO REPRESENT THE FOURTH KINGDOM?
- And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron Daniel 2:40
The iron monarchy of Rome broke the Greeks in 168BC.
It was the Romans who were ruling at the time of Jesus and this great superpower was dominant for over 600 years.
Those “long legs” of time resulted in much persecution of God’s people.
Q15 – HOW IS THE BREAK-UP OF ROME INTO MODERN EUROPE DESCRIBED IN THIS PROPHECY?
Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. partly strong and partly fragile. Daniel 2:41,42
Instead of another world empire, Rome would be divided into numerous kingdoms symbolised by the ten toes.
By 476AD barbarian tribes had conquered Rome and 10 of these tribes eventually became modern Europe.
For example, the Anglo-Saxons became England, the Lombards became the Italians and the Franks became the nation of France.
It is amazing just how accurately this prophecy has been fulfilled.
Q16 – WOULD THE EUROPEAN KINGDOMS EVER SEEK TO UNITE AND HOW SUCCESSFUL WILL THEY BE?
As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. Daniel 2.43
The nations of Europe would mix together, both economically and through intermarriage.
However the Bible predicted they would never become fully united.
There would always be separate nations and they would never become a single entity in the same way that the United States, for instance, is a single nation.
This aspect of the prophecy has thwarted dictators and military aspirants for hundreds of years.
Charlemagne, Napoleon, Kaiser Wilhelm and Hitler have all attempted to unite Europe but failed.
Even the European Union (EU) is doing its best to unite Europe.
However, according to Bible prophecy, deep divisions will remain
forever.
Some have likened modern Europe to a giant sporting team – individuals coming together in a common cause, but always retaining their individuality.
Q17 – WHO WILL SET UP THE FINAL KINGDOM?
And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; Daniel 2:44
.... and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10.4
The Bible predicts that it will be Jesus who will set up His Kingdom.
It will not be China, the United States or Israel.
There will be a fifth world empire, an empire ruled by the King of kings.
The best news of all is this Kingdom of peace will last forever.
Q18 – WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE EARTHLY KINGDOMS WHEN GOD SETS UP HIS KINGDOM?
it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, Daniel 2:44
The stone strikes the statue at its feet.
This indicates that Jesus will come during the time of the divided nations.
The kingdoms of this world will be destroyed.
This event could happen at any time. As we look down through human history we can see that we are living at the time of the “toes”.
Just as all the previous aspects of the prophecy have been perfectly fulfilled, so it will be that Jesus will come soon and establish His Kingdom.
Q19 – WHAT DID NEBUCHADNEZZAR SAY ABOUT DANIEL’S GOD WHEN HE REALISED THAT DANIEL COULD REVEAL THE MEANING OF HIS DREAM?
“Truly your God is the God God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.” Daniel 2:47
When Nebuchadnezzar saw that Daniel’s God could remember the forgotten, foretell the future and overrule any earthly kingdom, he knew that this was the true God.
This was a God who both created secrets and revealed them.
A God to be loved and worshipped.
A God to be trusted and obeyed.
A God who provides hope and certainty in a divided and morally weak world.
Three points to remember:
• God has ultimate control over the world
• We are living in the last days of earth’s history
• God’s new kingdom will last forever
The Story:
Eighty-nine-year-old Samuel Scott had been a Christian for 60 years and yet never heard of the prophecy of Daniel 2.
As he learnt this new and exciting prophecy his heart beat with excitement and he couldn’t wait to get home to tell his family.
Just before he left the Bible study, the teacher asked Samuel to read the following text, “Do not fear, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
He was then asked, “Samuel, what is your Father’s good pleasure?” He answered, “To give me His kingdom”.
As Samuel realised how much God loved him personally this old man knelt down and prayed to his heavenly Father, thanking God for sharing His kingdom.
What does this story tell you about the relevance of Daniel 2 to your life today?
Relational questions
1. Do you find it easy or difficult to allow God to be “in charge” of your future?
2. In what ways do you think prayer could be helpful during a tough time? Have you experienced this?
3. What have you learnt from this study guide that can help you trust God more as you move into the future?
Your response:
After seeing the way God understands the future and has ultimate control of the events on this planet, are you willing for Him to lead in the future of your life?
