I provide the following comment once again: You offer that which History denies, as there was no Median Empire separate from the Persian Empire. I also challenge you to provide any historical authority which substantiates your claim of an independent Median Empire, and independent Persian Empire which fits between the Babylonian and Grecian Empires,
*Please do not cite others which skew the truth as you are doing. A simple Wikipedia should suffice.
I've already told you that there is very little SECULAR history on Darius and the bible is the historical authority on him. But you refuse to accept that.
Both secularist and most Protestant's believe Cyrus the Persian conquered Babylon. But the scriptures say that Darius the Mede invaded and conquered Babylon. They don't agree that Darius the Mede's took Babylon at age 64 because it blows the revived Roman empire theory right out of the water! And most Protestants are revived Roman Empirist!
The only things I have cited is the Word of God. You're having trouble with the truth because it is in opposition to your beliefs. So you want me to quote Wiki? Isn't the bible clear enough that Darius and the Mede's invaded and took Babylon?
In Isaiah 13, God say's He would stir up the
Mede's against Babylon. Not the Persian's!
Daniel 5 quotes Darius the Mede as the one who "took" Babylon at the age of 62.
Daniel, Isaiah's, and Jeremiah's prophecies ascribe the conquest and destruction of Babylon to the Medes. NOT THE PERSIANS!
Daniel 5:31
"And Darius the Median took the kingdom, (Babylon) being about threescore and two years old."
Isaiah 13:17
"Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, ie.(Babylon)
Jeremiah 51:11 Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.
Since you've asked for Wiki...
From Wiki...
Another view has been more popular among Jewish scholars, at least as far back as
Flavius Josephus, and has support from 20th century Biblical scholars such as
John J. CollinsHYPERLINK \l "cite_note-3"[4] as well as conservative Christian scholars such as
H. H. Rowley, Gurney, Lucas, and Walton.
[5]HYPERLINK \l "cite_note-5"[6]HYPERLINK \l "cite_note-lucas-6"[7] The proposed sequence is:
The gold head - Babylon
The silver breast and arms - Media
The copper belly and thighs - Persia
The iron legs - Greece
The feet partly of iron and partly of molded clay - The Seleucids and the Ptolemies
The entire page is a great study and a good read.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_2
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My only difference is that the iron and clay represents the Sunni and Shia sects of Islam and/or the divided and intermarried tribes and clans of the Arabs. From this will come the beast(s).
Please be aware that some in the church are not reputable. These include some Scholars, some commentators, some Pastors, some Teachers, and some christians. These would redefine TRUTH to suit their purposes and agendas. Fortunately Scripture says to judge ALL, that you may glean kernels of truth and discard the chaff.
Toward this, please allow that Daniel correctly presents the Babylonian Empire as defeated by the Medo/Persian King Cyrus per the following: Daniel 10:1, Daniel 6:28, and Daniel 1:21, (as provided in chronological order).
Daniel 10:1 say's nothing about Cyrus the Great defeating Babylon. And neither does Daniel 6:28 or 1:21.
Daniel 6:28 So this Daniel
prospered in the reign of Darius,
and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
You may want to notice that Daniel 6 implies that Darius reigned first (2-4 years) and then Cyrus reigned after.
Daniel 5:30 ¶In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
As opposed to what you believe, Belshazzar definitely was the last king of Babylon.
31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
Verse 31 is where Darius took Babylon and that verse is the last verse of chapter 5.
The first verse of chapter 6 quotes,...
Daniel 6:1
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;
2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
If it was Cyrus that defeated Babylon and ruled it,
why would Daniel quote Darius as taking Babylon at 62 and then setting over the kingdom 120 princes?
You are correct, and may want to pay attention to yourself that 'some' in church are not reputable.
15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
You put too much faith in secular history about Darius and the Medes when you should put you faith in God's Word since it is the historical authority on Darius!