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Sunday, October 09, 2005
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FOUR KINGDOMS — ארבע מלכויות
In 604 BC, the prophet Daniel received two visions on the course of world
history, which was divided into four world kingdoms. Chapter two describes a
statue made of four different metals:
First Kingdom: head of gold, the Babylonian kingdom of Daniel’s
time
Second Kingdom: breast of silver, the kingdom of the Persians and
Medes
Third Kingdom: abdomen of copper or bronze, the Greek kingdom
Fourth Kingdom: legs of iron (the Roman kingdom), with feet of
iron and clay (the latter Roman period), which crumble when struck by a ‘stone’
Daniel’s vision in chapter 7 reveals the world kingdoms as four animals: a lion,
bear, leopard, and the “dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong” beast with
its large teeth made of iron (7:7).
According to the Talmud, the four cups of wine of the Pesach seder oppose the
four world kingdoms that come against the Jewish people; the Lord has saved His
people throughout history and will remain true to them.
The Jewish sages, particularly in the Midrash (commentary) on Genesis (Bereshit
Raba 41 and 44), see the beasts of Daniel 7 as the four kingdoms that have
conquered Israel. The fourth and last kingdom breaks its iron teeth on
Jerusalem, becoming the focus for speculation on end-time redemption. During the
final battle for Jerusalem, God intervenes and a stone rolls and finally knocks
over the statue, the enemy of Israel.
The Midrash says, “The stone symbolizes the Messiah. When He comes, He will
overpower all His opponents, led by the false messiah, and His kingdom will
arise” (Daniel 7:14).
The illustration of the ‘Four Kingdoms’ by Meno Kalisher
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