The four Gentile empires spoken of by Daniel are back on the scene. One has already been destroyed; Iran is next, then Syria, then the fourth? The revived Roman empire! 

So here we are as members of the body of Christ, and we can discern the signs of the times. We’re at the very end of the church age, and the tribulation is once again out in front of the human race, just like it was prior to the Lord’s first advent. And the whole earthly geopolitical scenario, as far as God is concerned, has now come full circle.

The Book of Daniel provides a detailed account of the four Gentile empires that would rule over the world leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ. It was a sign for the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. They were to know that when the fourth Gentile nation came on the scene, their promised Messiah, their King, would be on the scene as well. He would crush Israel’s enemies, establish His glorious kingdom, and rule and reign over all nations from David’s throne in Jerusalem (Luke 1:67–75; 2 Samuel 7:10–16; Zechariah 14:9; Zechariah 8:1–8).

The empires are listed in the order that Daniel sees them in his visions and are as follows:

1. Babylonian Empire (Daniel 2:38)
2. Medo-Persian Empire (Daniel 5:28)
3. Greek Empire (Daniel 8:20-21)
4. Roman Empire (Daniel 2:40; 9:26)

Israel Should Have Known

They should have known; Israel should have been able to discern the “signs of the times.” They all knew the prophecy, but in their unbelief, they did not accept the Lord’s claim that He was their promised King and, along with the Romans, they killed their own Messiah.

The Empires are Back

It is amazing but not surprising that the same ancient Gentile empires are back on the scene today. In other words, the same four empires that were prophesied and present leading up to the Lord’s first advent are now center stage in current events (as far as God and Bible prophecy are concerned), and once again the signs are screaming that the Lord is coming. It’s happening right before our eyes, and we need to recognize it and believe it. Jesus is coming soon!

Here is a list of the four Gentile empires that are back on the scene today:

1. The Babylonian Empire is represented by Iraq, which has already been destroyed in the Gulf War.
2. The Medo-Persian Empire is represented by Iran, which is about to be destroyed any day now. Either by Israel alone or America and Israel together.
3. The Greek Empire is represented by Syria, which will be destroyed soon after Iran. (Isaiah 17:1).
4. The Roman Empire is represented by the European Union, which is the revived Roman Empire (Daniel 9:26). It will eventually be led by the anti-Chirist but it too will be destroyed by the Lord Jesus Himself at His second coming (Daniel 2:44-45).

The Takeaway

Jesus is coming soon, and the rapture of the church is even closer. Iraq, representing ancient Babylon, has already been destroyed. Iran, representing ancient Persia, is about to be destroyed. Syria, representing ancient Greece, will be next. When Jesus comes back, He will destroy the fourth empire, which is the revived Roman Empire (the European Union), and everyone who has rebelled against Jesus Christ. Satan will be locked up in the abyss for a thousand years, and the antichrist and false prophet will be the first to go into the lake of fire. Jesus will rule and reign over all nations from David’s throne in Jerusalem for a thousand years, with Israel as the head nation above all nations, fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant Jesus Himself made to Abraham in Genesis 12.

Glory be to God, For His Word is True.

References:

Daniel 2:38; Daniel 5:28; Daniel 8:20-21; Daniel 9:26; Luke 1:67-75; Zechariah 14:9

Zechariah 8:1-8; Isaiah 17:1; Daniel 2:44-45