First, let’s get this 5th kingdom out of the way. Daniel specifically identifies 4 kingdoms - not only in chapter 2 but also in chapter 7. Just because there is a clay element within the 4th kingdom (and the feet are indeed part of the 4th kingdom) nowhere will you find this makes for a 5th kingdom.Yes, I do mind a bit, because I'm not going to pull out a single verse so as to try and apply a context outside the Daniel 2 Chapter flow. I will only address it with other Scripture in that Chapter that keeps the flow.
All these verses must be understood together in context with each other...
Dan 2:40-44
40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
4th kingdom (ancient Rome), the "legs of iron", does NOT include the feet of ten toes.
41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
Verse 41 begins by referring back to verses 34-35. Verse 35 also shows the FIVE pieces being broken 'together' at the END of this world, because at the END of this world is when Christ's 'literal', physical Kingdom will be setup on this earth with His direct Presence, reigning from Jerusalem on earth per Zechariah 14 and Psalms 2. That is when all the pieces of the beast statue are broken by Christ as that "stone" of verse 35. And notice that "stone" does not smite that 4th kingdom upon its "legs of iron", but upon the next kingdom of the feet part of iron, and part of clay.
42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
KJV
Once again, the subject of verse 35 when Messiah returns at His 2nd coming, which is when Christ as the "stone" will smite that FIFTH beast upon its feet of ten toes, and ALL the 5 beast statue pieces coming tumbling down, together. And Christ's Kingdom, His literal Kingdom with His coming, is then setup in its place. THAT... has not happened yet today.
The 4th kingdom is made of a metal element of iron - no different than the other 3 kingdoms but it includes the non- metallic element of clay as it is a symbol of ????? In this case the clay represents Israel.
You can easily review the OT to find that God is referred to as the “Potter” and His people “the clay.” I suggest you read Jeremiah 28:1-6. Also, see Daniel 7:3 and 7:17.
Now, let’s move to verse41.
1) Feet and toes are made of part clay and part iron - who is the clay and who is the iron ? You do not identify who these symbols belong to - They are being presented for a reason and for a specific time in history.
2) the kingdom shall be divided.
What kingdom is being divided? What has caused this division? And after this division please tell me what are the two sections or parts of that kingdom that was divided. There was one, now there is two.
3) What is the significance of Daniel recording the kingdom in 41, now identified as “part clay and part iron,” versus the kingdom identified in the “dream sequence” of verse 33 as “feet of partly iron and partly clay?”
4) Again, what has caused this change in clay now taking the superior position to that of the iron?
5) But there shall be “IN IT” the “strength of iron.” What kingdom does “in it” refer to? Specifically, what is Daniel telling us that the “strength of iron” is within it?
6) “For as much as thou saw the iron mixed with clay.” Why does Daniel mention this ? What is he referring to ? Why is this important? Does it seem it might be comparing two different kingdoms at different times and yet they will both have “this same strength of iron” within each of them? And once again, what has caused these very important changes WITHIN THIS 4th kingdom?
7) Daniel tells us the 4th kingdom will be “divided,” (no 5th kingdom is ever mentioned, and still there will only be 4 kingdoms identified in chapter 7 (after this division!). In your interpretation, who is this “divided” kingdom and when does it appear? Please keep in mind that it is not a “spiritual” kingdom (God’s kingdom) because it is still constructed of man made elements.
8) If all of this represents end time events, why all the details about metals and clay and the rest of the complicated details in 42-44 which are even more complicated than 41? If these all represent His return, then everything is fulfilled and done- ALL EARTHLY kingdoms, including the clay will be destroyed. See verse 45 where God now purposely lists ALL of the 4 metal elements PLUS He places the clay now in the “middle of these 4 metal elements. Please compare this to verse 35 where the clay is placed adjacent to the iron- not in the middle…. Why is this important? What is this telling us? Do you think this tells us there is indeed a time element to consider here? Perhaps events that take place in 35 verses events that take place 2000 years later in 45? Again, what do you think has caused these changes from 35 to 45?
I will not look at your comments for verses 42-44 at this time. You have so much work to do for verse 31! Do you really still believe Daniel is easy to interpret? As I mentioned, these 4 verses are THE MOST DIFFICULT IN ALL ODF DANIEL excluding chapter 11- that entire chapter is OFF THE CHARTS IN COMPLEXITY.
Daniel is NOT EASY TO UNPACK DESPITE WHAT YOU BELIEVE.
God is very detailed oriented and He selects every word and places them in the order He needs to in order to reveal His prophecy. One cannot simply make a claim that these verses are “end time” events and here is what I think they mean… God includes and excludes those words and their order for a reason- not just to fill up paragraphs and certainly not for us to group them together and throw them some 2000 years in the future because they are almost impossible to unpack.
Look forward to your revised interpretation of verse 41.
Last edited: