Iron and Clay Will Not Mix

The eternal God of Genesis has many singular abilities, one of these being the ability to “declare the end from the beginning.” (Isaiah 46:10.)  Man can do many things, but he cannot tell the future.  God knows   the future and demonstrates that knowledge in His word, the Bible.

A perfect example of this ability by God to tell the future is found in Daniel, Chapter 2.  Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that deeply impressed him, but he could not recall the dream.  He called upon his magicians and soothsayers for help, but they could not assist him.  The king became angry and determined to kill all of his advisors.  However, Daniel, a Hebrew youth who had been taken captive, was told of the matter, and he asked to go before the King.  Daniel told the King that his God in Heaven could make known and interpret the dream.  Daniel and his three friends prayed earnestly that God would pass on to them the dream and its meaning.  God did this!

Going before the King, Daniel revealed what the King has seen in his dream.  The King saw a great statue made of gold, silver, brass, iron, and iron and clay, mixed.  The King confirmed that this was what he saw in his dream.

Next, he wanted Daniel to interpret the dream.  Daniel explained the meaning of the dream. The gold head of the statue represented Nebuchadnezzar and the kingdom of Babylon.  The arms and chest of silver represented the kingdom that would follow Babylon, Media-Persia.  The belly and thighs of brass represented the kingdom to follow, Greece.  The legs of iron symbolized Rome, and the feet and toes of iron and clay represented the nations formed in Western Europe after the fall of Rome.  Just as iron and clay will not mix, so the nations of Europe following Rome, would attempt to mix, but would not be able to do so.

As we know, the European Union, a loose collection of 28 European countries, has attempted to bring these nations under one political banner, but without success.  Each nation has maintained its sovereignty.  The theory behind the forming of the European Union was that if these nations could become unified, there would be fewer wars among the nations.  Also, travel could be open without passports being required when a citizen of one nation would go to another nation.  In addition, trade among the various nations could be increased because there would be no tariffs.

As we viewed the newscasts in June of 2016,  we became aware that Britain had voted to leave the European Union.  This move caused both political and economic turmoil in Britain and around the world.  The world’s stock exchanges lost two trillion dollars in a couple of days.

When this event took place, I told my wife, Celia, that this move by Britain was another clear exoneration of the prophecy of Daniel, Chapter 2.  You see, we are living in the “toes” of the image described in this Chapter.  Iron and clay will not mix; iron and clay are symbolic of Western Europe, the nations that were formed after the break-up of Rome.

After a time, a Rock is supernaturally cut from a mountain, and this Rock will grind the earthly nations to powder, after which shall be set up an eternal kingdom that shall stand forever.  This eternal kingdom is the kingdom of God, heaven, which takes the place of the temporal kingdoms of this world.

Friends, we are living in the time of the end, symbolized by the toes of this image. But we have hope through Christ, the Source of life. The Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the church of Thessalonica:

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. (Emphasis mine.) (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.)

Yes, our Creator and eternal Father knows the end from the beginning, and it is He who sets up kingdoms and takes down kingdoms. (Daniel 2:21.)  We need not fear if we have accepted and are following his Son, Jesus, who will come in the clouds of heaven to save those who have accepted Him and His offer of eternal life. If you have not accepted Christ as your Savior, I invite you to do so now?

You may contact Dr. Hevener at fhevener@oilart.com; (434) 392-6255; www.guthriememorial.org .

©2016, Fillmer Hevener