Revelation: Times of the Gentiles

The Grecian or Hellenistic Kingdom followed the Medo-Persian Kingdom, as history confirm. Alexander the Great ruled only for a short time but conquered the entire “known” world at the time. He died around 32 years of age quite suddenly. At that time, the Grecian Empire was divided into four parts just as was predicted by God to Daniel in Daniel 7, where we see this third beast has four heads (Daniel 7:6). What is interesting here is what transpired after Alexander’s death. Four of his commanders took charge of the Grecian Empire and broke the empire into four parts with one commander over each portion. It is very interesting that God provided no names for each of these kingdoms or those who ruled them, but the exactitude of God’s Word remains intact. The best that so-called “higher critics” could argue is that the book of Daniel’s complete accuracy is likely due to what they say is that someone impersonated Daniel long after these things came to pass and simply wrote what was then history. The stupidity of this proves more about those higher critics who simply chose to attempt to refute God, rather than give God credit for existing outside of time supernaturally.

The final kingdom – Rome – is seen a bit more clearly than the others (Daniel 7:7-8).

7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.

The above text is very interesting because it tells us that this fourth beast/fourth kingdom is:

• dreadful and terrible
• exceedingly strong
• with huge iron teeth
• it devoured and trampled all previous kingdoms
• different from previous kingdoms
  • had ten horns
  • a little horn came up
  • uprooted three of the ten
  • like a man speaking pompous words

The Roman Empire was very brutal. Historians tell us as much. No one wanted to mess with Roman soldiers, at least during the height of the power of the Roman Empire. The Romans perfected the process of the crucifixion so that it would be severely painful and excruciating leading up to death. But also notice that this particular kingdom eventually has ten horns and then one other other (the 11th), comes up among them (but is not part of the original ten). He then uproots three so that only seven remain, who undoubtedly give the 11th horn their complete loyalty. This particular horn represents a man who speaks pompously. He’s obviously extremely arrogant and Revelation has much more to say about him as does Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2.

One other point to consider is the development of the Roman Empire. Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum, in his doctoral dissertation, Footsteps of the Messiah, shows that the Roman Empire went through numerous developmental changes before it became the Roman Empire that existed during Jesus’ day. Fruchtenbaum also points to what the Roman Empire will become in the future (from our POV), since things yet remain to be fulfilled. This is why many commentators refer to the coming final world kingdom as the “revised” or “revived” Roman Empire since, in many ways, it will be connected to the Roman Empire of old, but obviously far more modernized.

Fruchtenbaum refers to seven “heads” (cf Revelation 13), leading to the final phase of the yet future Roman Empire.

1. Head One: Tarquin Kings
2. Head Two: The Counselors
3. Head Three: The Plebians or Dictators
4. Head Four: The Republicans or Decimvers
5. Head Five: The Triumverate

The above “heads” or forms of Roman government cover 753 BC to 27 AD. The Sixth Head is comprised of several developmental stages:

1. The United Stage (63 BC to 285 AD)
2. The Two Division Stage (364 AD to present)
3. One-world Government Stage (future)
4. Ten Kingdom Stage (future)

The Seventh and Final “Head” or form of the Old Roman Empire will be found in Antichrist.

1. Antichrist Stage (Absolute Imperialism; future)

So the Roman Empire began all the way back with the Tarquin Kings according to Fruchtenbaum, went through major developmental changes as it progressed and grew and then eventually weakened and was torn apart by Germanic tribes like the Vandals and Visigoths. Scripture seems to indicate that this very Roman Empire will rise again in a final form that will be ruled over with an iron fist by Antichrist, who will be very much like Nebuchadnezzar in that he will make laws that he does not have to follow and will be very brutal like the old Roman Empire was to people of that time.

Of course, all of these kingdoms making up the Times of the Gentiles will ultimately be thoroughly destroyed at the physical return of Jesus. He will destroy so completely that they will not even be remembered according to numerous passages in Daniel and Revelation.

The Times of the Gentiles is not over yet. We are living it, in the “latter days” and will likely be alive as the final form of the last Gentile Kingdom takes shape, which is what is likely happening now. Globalists who are working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring a one-world government about are not going to give up unless this is not the time for this kingdom to rise and take it’s place in history. If it is time for that to happen, nothing we can do will prevent it.

We must be vigilant. We must know and understand the Scriptures. But really, why study prophecy at all? It makes up roughly 30% of the Bible so it is clearly important. I believe as we know and understand what God is telling us, it helps us become more grounded and understand the absolute importance of evangelism. The time is getting short.

What is fascinating to me is that Daniel was given revelations regarding prophetic events, most of which did not affect him or the time in which he lived. I think this is why Daniel was told at the end of the book of Daniel to seal up the words of the testimony because it is really for those who live in the latter days. It would be those people, Daniel was told, that would have a greater understanding of all that is revealed in the book of Daniel because they would be living it.

I believe we are living it. I have no idea when the Tribulation (or Rapture), will begin. None. The Bible does not tell us the exact day or time it begins. What we are to do is keep working while we wait for the return of our Lord.

Understanding prophetic discourse provides for us the ability to clear our heads, understand our mission and go forth in Christ’s Name and power to witness to the lost of our generation. If this is not the result of studying prophecy, then we are doing it wrong.

The next phase of our study in Revelation will be in TWO weeks from now, where we will also delve into Daniel 9 and the “70 weeks.” All of this is prepping us for greater understanding of the book of Revelation!

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective