feet of iron and clay jw

(Revelation 17:10,11) So John calls this image a king because it receives authority to do something that will affect the whole world. 9 Jehovahs servants have long sought to understand the symbolic meaning of the feet of the image. Which parts of the immense image symbolize the Anglo-American World Power? Daniel starts by describing a huge image with a head of gold, breasts and arms of silver, belly and thighs of copper, legs of iron, and feet of iron and clay. 4 And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good 2:35 All at once, the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were crushed, and became like chaff of the threshing floors of summer; a wind carried them off until no trace of them was left. (a)What will the wild beast do? What about the final part of the image, the feet and ten toes of iron and clay? So we can understand that the clay means that something in the Anglo-American World Power makes it weaker than the Roman Empire, which was described as legs made of solid iron. New American Bible its legs iron, its feet partly iron and partly clay. During that war, Gods people declared that according to the prophecy in Revelation, the image of the wild beast would ascend again. 493-499 - The Watchtower1957, bi10 Daniel 1:1-12:13 - King James Version (bi10), w77 7/1 pp. How do the visions of Daniel and John show that all governments of the world will be destroyed? 8,9. 16 Babylon the Great is described as sitting on waters. The waters mean the people who support her. As the number of people involved in the political process increases, however, so also does the difficulty in achieving a political consensus. Feet of clay means a fatal flaw, a negative characteristic or attribute that is hidden in an otherwise admirable human being. Will it exercise its dominion indefinitely? But during the Lords day, people have not supported her as much as they did in the past. What can we learn by comparing Johns vision of the wild beast, Daniels account of the fearsome beast that had ten horns, and Daniels interpretation of the immense image? There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth; on the top of the mountains there will be an overflow.Psalm 72:16. 13:17 4. In all the Eastern European countries where people power has forced political reform, the demand has been for free elections with a plurality of political parties participating. What was the dream that Daniel recalled to the king? Until the 17thcentury, Britain was a relatively insignificant power. We can be confident that the destruction of false religion and the battle of Armageddon will soon come. 47:1-3; Jer. The feet were not clay plus gold, nor clay and silver, nor clay and brass, but clay with iron. As to how the symbolic Mount of Olives is split at the middle, what is the prophecy given by Daniel to which we turn for an illustration? 14John described the image of the beast as an eighth king. In what sense? 13) As we saw in the preceding article, the first six heads of the beast represent Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. This is your dream: You saw a huge statue with a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, stomach and thighs of copper, legs of iron, and feet of iron mixed with clay. And what will happen thereafter? ANGLO-AMERICA AND THE TWO-HORNED WILD BEAST. In the Bible the number ten is used to indicate earthly completeness. A Prophetic GiantWhat Will Its Fall Mean? The body parts were of metal; from top to bottom, they were made of progressively less valuable but harder metals, beginning with gold and terminating with iron; the feet and toes, however, had clay mixed with the iron. . Feet of IRON and CLAY EUROPE - The Roman Empire as a one world power disintegrated due to the attacks from the barbarian tribes. 18 In that chapter 2 of Daniel interprets the prophetic dream that the God of the heavens sent to Nebuchadnezzar, emperor of the Babylonian World Power, in the second year after he had destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the temple built by Davids son, King Solomon. 3. In it, Daniel interprets a dream of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Democracy elects representitives who are to represent the people. (a)What will the wild beast do, and with what outcome? 1:1. Do secular history and archaeology agree with what the Bible says about this ancient land? These bombs caused ruin in a new and terrible way. Pinpointing this in our day, the German book Unsere WeltGestern, Heute, Morgen; 1800-2000 (Our WorldYesterday, Today, Tomorrow; 1800-2000), says: By the 19thcentury, democratic freedom prevailed in nearly all civilized countries, and by the end of World WarI, freedoms cause seemed to have approached final victory. 10 In the 21stcentury, Britain and the United States have continued their special partnership, often acting together in world affairs. John said that this image of the wild beast would appear, then disappear, and then appear again. b Both the British Empire and the United States have existed since the 1700s. The clay is referred to as the offspring of mankind, or the common people. What can we learn from Johns vision of the wild beast with seven heads, from Daniels vision of the beast with ten horns, and from what Daniel said about the giant image in Nebuchadnezzars dream? But the prophecy in Revelation that is about the same topic tells us more. Daniel wrote about an immense image that Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar saw in a vision given him by God. 16 However, during the Lords day, Babylon the Great has seen the waters, the people who support her, dry up dramatically. There would be one more empire, but the prophecy stated: [It] has not yet arrived. True to Bible prophecy, the seventh king did arrive on the world scene! One was of a metallic image with a head of gold, breast and arms of silver, belly and thighs of copper, legs of iron, and feet of iron and clay. They will destroy her influence and devastate her riches. c Just as Daniel prophesied, during World WarII, the Anglo-American World Power caused vast ruin. Spain, the Netherlands, and France had also been part of the Roman Empire. We feel that we are in the final days of the kingdom symbolized by the mixture of clay and iron. What did the king of Babylon see in his dream, and what did it represent? a The Watchtower dealt at some length with each of these world powers of Bible history individually in its issues of February1 through June1, 1988. b For Biblical proof, see chapters16 and 18 of the book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, published in 1982 by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. Every kingdom divided against itself comes to desolation.Matthew 12:25, The nations became boisterous, the kingdoms tottered.Psalm 46:6, The Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom1978, Our Incoming World GovernmentGods Kingdom, The Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom1985, Part 8A Political Mixture of Iron and Moist Clay. Nationalism: a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and putting the promotion of its culture and interests before those of others; a concept that first became apparent at the end of the 18thcentury but that has reached its peak in the 20thcentury. 14. But Daniel does not mention how many toes the image has. When All Nations Collide, Head On, With God, When All Nations Collide, Head On, with God, One World, One Government, Under Gods Sovereignty, The One Government for One World Under Gods Sovereignty, A Prophet in Exile Receives Glimpses of the Future, dp chap. 4,5. Almost ten years ago, The World Book Encyclopedia optimistically noted: We probably have a greater chance of solving the problems of our times than any previous generation. But now, a decade later, at the beginning of the 1990s, is there still room for optimism? Daniel 2:44 does not mention what will happen to all other kingdoms. 14-19 - The Watchtower (Simplified)2012, go chap. What is the relationship between the seventh head of the wild beast and the immense image? History now confirms the following: The head of gold represented the Babylonian Empire. The objective is to show that the Bible is trustworthy and inspired of God and that its message is one of hope for an end to the suffering caused by mans cruel domination of his fellow man. How? But Britain fought against them one by one and became more important than they were. 2 Let us address Johns vision of the wild beast. What was the political situation at the beginning of this foretold period of time? Later, in the 1960s and 1970s, however, many former colonies chose more authoritarian forms of government. It will crush and put an end to all these [earthly] kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.* (Daniel 2:44,45) Note these important points: The victorious Kingdom, represented by a large stone, is set up by God himself, not by human hands. Hence, it is rightly called Gods Kingdom. its legs of iron, its feet part of iron and part of clay. What must we do now? The iron legs represent the Imperialistic-Democratic Alliance of the Roman Empire. According to Revelation 17:10, the seventh world power "must remain a short while." How long will that prove to be? . Because it has two horns, it means two governments that are partners. From his description, we can conclude that the Anglo-American World Power is the one that will be dominating when the stone representing Gods Kingdom hits the feet of the image.Dan. The prophecies of Daniel and John have come true exactly as they were written. 33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. When? 12,13. It almost stopped, or killed, their preaching work. 19 We are living in the days of the seventh head. . Gods Kingdom will crush all human rulerships, including the seventh world power. 8:24) For example, the United States caused terrible ruin on an unprecedented scale when it dropped two atomic devices on an enemy of the dual world power. And because the United States came from Britain, we can say that, indirectly, the United States too came from Rome. The Toes of Clay and Iron. That is the time when the Anglo-American World Power would arise. The common people make it difficult for this world power to be strong like iron. The harlot will no longer be able to control these governments, and she will lose all her riches. (Dan. Finally Daniel, a God-fearing Israelite captive, came forward and gave Nebuchadnezzar not only the dream but also its interpretation. Just as an iron structure mixed with clay is weaker than solid iron, so too the Anglo-American World Power is weaker than the power from which it emerged. 18:7, 8, 15-19. The Bible promises that genuine peace will prevail under the rule of Gods Kingdom. All previous earthly kingdoms will be brought to an end. As the 1900s dawned, the British Empire, the largest the world had ever seen, ruled over every fourth person on earth. 13 A prophecy in the book of Daniel helps us to understand in what period of time we are living. The seventh head of the beast had now emerged as the Anglo-American World Power. That image, which was large and the brightness of which was extraordinary, was standing in front of you, and its appearance was dreadful. The final destruction of Gods opposers will be a spectacular fulfillment of the prophecy at Genesis 3:15, mentioned in the first article in this series. All these will refuse to relinquish power and will face off against God in a final great war at a figurative place called HarMagedon, or Armageddon. Moreover, this power is the only one mentioned in the Bible purely as prophecy, for the previous six were woven into the Bibles historical record. THE symbolic image of world rulership by human politicsits gold, its silver, its copper, its iron and its clayis doomed as a whole! They will certainly build houses and have occupancy; and they will certainly plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. (Rev. Indeed, the title of their primary journal is The Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs KingdomJehovah being Gods personal name. Daniel 2:41 describes the mixture of iron and clay as one kingdom, not many. (b)What is the identity of the seventh head of the wild beast? Consider the facts. 8. 9 Jehovahs servants have long sought to understand the symbolic meaning of the feet of the image. John saw a wild beast that had two horns and that spoke like a dragon. 15,16. You will also see that the Bible is deserving of your full trust, that it truly is inspired by God.2Timothy 3:16. PRIVACY SETTINGS, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/102011166/univ/art/102011166_univ_sqr_xl.jpg, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/a/g/E/201105/wpub/g_E_201105_lg.jpg, Share Jehovah told John in a vision that this would happen. And when a leader wins an election by only a few votes, he does not have enough authority to do what he promised to do. 3 We can identify what the seventh head is if we compare what John said about the wild beast of Revelation chapter13 with what Daniel said about the frightening beast with ten horns.a (See footnote.) THE ANGLO-AMERICAN WORLD POWER AND THE FEET OF IRON AND CLAY. What confidence can we have, and it is now time to do what? But the vision John saw shows that at the beginning of the Lords day, they would be one world power. What, though, about the feet of the image? Britain plucked those powers out one by one, removing them from their positions of prestige. Daniel does specifically mention that the toes would be made of iron and clay. A little over 1,900 years ago, when those words were written, five of the seven kings, or political empires, had fallen. They were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. Appropriately, the number ten as used in the Bible signifies completeness as to earthly things. How has the seventh head treated Gods people? The seventh power began to take shape when England rose out of obscurity in the northwestern corner of the Roman Empire. They are described as an amalgam of iron and clay. Religious organizations have given their blessing to the image of the beast and have tried to exert influence over it. 6 Shortly after the beginning of the Lords day, the seventh head began to attack Gods people, that is, those of Christs brothers who were still on earth. CLAY AND IRON FEET In Daniel Chapter 2, there is a description of an immense image of many different metals or elements. But Rome would not last forever. (Daniel 2:28, 31-43) Daniel revealed to the monarch that the sections of the body of the image represented the succession of political empires that began with Babylon, the world power at the time. will partly prove to be strong and will partly prove to be fragile. And what should a clear understanding of those prophecies move us to do? Which part of the giant image means the same thing as the seventh head of the wild beast? (Acts 1:8; 10:34,35) As members of all nations, citizens of every type of human government, they zealously announce that the time of the end has begun and that human rule has had its daysoon to be replaced by divine rule.b Thus, the bold message they proclaim confronts all existing political powers. 18 After false religion is destroyed, the wild beast, Satans governments on earth, will attack Gods Kingdom. (a)What did the small horn do? John wrote that the image of the beast would appear, disappear, and then rise again. However, from early on, that iron has been mixed with clay. If so, Jehovahs Witnesses encourage you to look further into the Bible. The wild beast mentioned at Revelation 13:1, its image, and the wild beast with two horns will be destroyed. Everyone will have a comfortable home. In the year 1800, European nations controlled 35percent of the earths surface, but by 1914 the figure had risen to over 84percent! What can we be sure of? After World WarII, decolonization once again produced a number of new democracies. Those numbers are significant. STAGGERING helplessly from crisis to crisis, human governments are failing to bring stability to human society. Why have these threats of world breakdown emerged in precisely the era when man has achieved more scientific breakthroughs and knowledge than in all his previous history? These questions posed by journalist Geyer are thought provoking. In the prophecy about the giant image, the feet are the last part of the image. Sorry, there was an error loading the video. The unavoidable conclusion of any detached analysis of global trends is that social turmoil, political unrest, economic crisis, and international friction are likely to become more widespread during the remainder of this century.. Perhaps the iron represents totalitarian rule like what we see in Arab countries and North Korea. (Revelation 17:10) Then, in Daniels day, Babylon overthrew Jerusalem, forcing the Israelites into exile. What will soon happen to false religion, and why? 18. The following Bible passages may help you to understand why the expression good news is fitting. 11 Does the number of toes of the image mean anything? 2:43) In the Anglo-American World Power, people have risen up to claim their rights through civil rights campaigns, labor unions, and independence movements. 2:45. These Jews knew from Isaiahs and Jeremiahs prophecies that Babylon would be overthrown. 10 In our time, Britain and the United States are still special partners. 2:41-43) Could a danger lie there for us? ( Dan. But God also told him that those holy ones, who were part of the seed of the woman, would start the preaching work again, or come back to life. But they also have clay in them. Others say publicly that the world should get rid of all religions. Understandably, they have been unable to stick together in a world unity. 45CT. Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. What is happening to religion today? It disappeared with the onset of World WarII. 14. (Daniel 8:24) For example, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on an enemy of the Anglo-American World Power. 12,13. (Read Daniel 2:44.) 33its legs of iron,and its feet part of them of iron, and part of them of clay. The Bible answers that question by way of a sign that would identify the last days.Matthew 24:3. How do Daniel and John portray the end of human rulership? Babylon , Medo-Persia, Greece , and Rome. So political human rule in its entirety, unitedly opposed to divine sovereignty during the time of the end, is what the ten toes of the image would logically represent. Daniel 2:41 shows that the feet made of iron mixed with clay are one kingdom, not many. Do those promises appeal to you? , but they will not prove to be sticking together. (Daniel 2:33, 41-43) This lack of sticking together in unity became apparent as decolonization proceeded, as nationalism flourished, and as the developing countries gained in stature. During the 1700s, Britain was becoming the most powerful kingdom in the world. This description coincides with the time when the seventh headthe Anglo-American World Powerwould come to prominence. This results in a final battle with God. ), God sent him a terrifying dream. We know from history this is a prophecy of the last four major empires on earth. The clay, therefore, represents elements within the sphere of influence of the Anglo-American World Power, elements that make it weaker than the solid iron of the Roman Empire. Daniel continued: In the days of those [final] kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. That is exactly what happened, and now the organization is called the United Nations.Revelation 17:8. We celebrate a common heritage. 4 pp. Learn how God used Medo-Persia to fulfill Bible prophecy. 51:1-4). So the ten horns mean all the kingdoms that came from the Roman Empire. But there was to be a seventh head that would replace Rome. They are described as an amalgam of iron and clay. Today, the churches and their ministers have lost the respect and support of the masses. 17. Will we pay attention to the prophetic warnings? THE prophecies of Daniel and John correspond in ways that allow us to understand the meaning of many present and future world events. One was of a metallic image with a gold head, breast and arms of silver, belly and thighs of copper, legs of iron and feet of iron and clay. 34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Since the middle of the 20thcentury, they have spread throughout the world. When giving the sign of the end, Jesus Christ stated: This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14) How has this prophecy unfolded? Fast forward to the feet and it is now an uncanny mixture of iron and clay. Britain came from the Roman Empire. Majority Standard Bible its legs were iron, and its feet were part iron and part clay. (2Peter 1:19) We need to obey Jehovah right now and support his Kingdom.Revelation 14:6,7. a In the Bible, the number ten often means a complete group. 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