Skip to content

Topics Research

Question

How does the preterist school read Daniel 2, and what is the textual basis for alternative kingdom identifications?

Topics

PERSIA

An empire which extended from India to Ethiopia, comprising 127 provinces (EST 1:1; DAN 6:1). Government restricted by constitutional limitations (EST 8:8; DAN 6:8-12). Rulers include Ahasuerus, Darius (DAN 5:31; 6; 9:1), Artaxerxes I, Artaxerxes II, and Cyrus (2CH 36:22,23; EZR 1; ISA 41:2,3; 44:28; 45:1-4,13). Prophecies concerning: ISA 13:17; 21:1-10; JER 49:34-39; DAN 2:31-45; 5:28; 7; 8; 11:1-4.

BABYLON

City built by Nimrod (GEN 10:10). Capital of the kingdom of Babylon (DAN 4:30). Empire founded by Nimrod; extent at the time of Nebuchadnezzar (DAN 2:37,38; 4:1; 6:1). Government: a limited monarchy (EST 1:13-19; DAN 6:8,14,17). Prophecies: PSA 87:4; ISA 13; 14:4-26; 21:1-10; 47; JER 50; 51; DAN 2:21-38; 4:10-26; 5:25-29; 7; HAB 1:5-11.

GREECE

Inhabitants called "Gentiles" (MRK 7:26; JHN 7:35; ROM 2:10). Accept the Messiah (ACT 17:2-4). Prophecies concerning (DAN 10:20; ZEC 9:13).

MEDES

Inhabitants of Media. Israelites distributed among them (2KI 17:6; 18:11). An essential part of the Medo-Persian Empire (EST 1:1,19). Supremacy of, in the Chaldean Empire (DAN 5:28,31; 9:1; 11:1). Note: Nave's categorizes Medes as part of the Medo-Persian Empire, not as a separate empire.

CORNERSTONE

Of Christ: PSA 118:22; ISA 28:16; MAT 21:42; MRK 12:10; LUK 20:17; ACT 4:11; 1CO 3:11; EPH 2:20; 1PE 2:6.

STONES (figurative/symbolical)

  • Of temptation, "Stone of Stumbling": ISA 8:14; ROM 9:33; 1PE 2:8
  • Of Christ, "a Tested Stone," "a Sure Foundation": ISA 28:16
  • Of Christ's rejection, the rejected Cornerstone: PSA 118:22; MAT 21:42-44; MRK 12:10; LUK 20:17,18; ACT 4:11; 1PE 2:4
  • The True Foundation: ISA 28:16; MAT 16:18; 1CO 3:11; EPH 2:20; REV 21:14
  • SYMBOLICAL: Of the kingdom of Christ DAN 2:34,45 — Nave's explicitly classifies Dan 2's stone as symbolizing Christ's kingdom

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Compared to: sowed good seed (MAT 13:24-30); mustard seed (MAT 13:31,32); leaven (MAT 13:33); treasure (MAT 13:44); pearl (MAT 13:45); net (MAT 13:47-50); marriage feast (MAT 22:2-14); ten virgins (MAT 25:1-13). "My kingdom is not of this world" (JHN 18:36). Does not consist of meat and drink (ROM 14:17).

IRON

First use: GEN 4:22. Key articles: Furnace (DEU 4:20; 1KI 8:51; JER 11:4), Rods for scourging (PSA 2:9; REV 2:27; 12:5; 19:15), Yokes (DEU 28:48; JER 28:13,14). Idols (DAN 2:33; 5:4,23). Figurative: 2SA 23:7; JER 15:12; 1TI 4:2.

CLAY

Man formed from (JOB 33:6). Used by potter (ISA 29:16; 45:9). Figurative: ISA 64:8; JER 18:6; ROM 9:21. SYMBOLICAL: DAN 2:33-41.

HORN (symbolical)

DAN 7:7-24; 8:3-9,20; AMO 6:13; MIC 4:13; HAB 3:4; ZEC 1:18-21; REV 5:6; 12:3; 13:1,11; 17:3-16.

STUMBLING (stone of)

ISA 8:14; ROM 9:32,33; 1PE 2:8 (variant reading "1:8" in Nave's). JER 6:21; EZK 3:20; 14:3,4,7.

DANIEL

Jewish captive (BELTESHAZZAR). Interprets visions (DAN 2; 4; 5). Prophecies of (DAN 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; MAT 24:15).

ROMAN EMPIRE

Ruled by Augustus Caesar (LUK 2:1), Tiberius Caesar (LUK 3:1), Claudius Caesar (ACT 18:2), Nero (PHP 4:22). Citizenship by birth and purchase (ACT 22:28). Rights of citizens (ACT 16:37; 22:25-29; 25:10,16,21).

VISION

Mode of revelation (NUM 12:6; DAN 1:17). Daniel's visions: four beasts (DAN 7), Ancient of Days (DAN 7:9-27), ram and he-goat (DAN 8), angel (DAN 10).

ABOMINATION

Things abominable to God: idolatry (DEU 7:25; 27:15), unjust weights (DEU 25:13-16), uncleanness (LEV 18:22), sorcery (DEU 18:10,11).

  • KINGDOM OF SATAN (MAT 12:26) — relevant to Matt 12:28 inaugurated-kingdom argument
  • MESOPOTAMIA (ACT 7:2; GEN 24:10) — geographical context
  • DREAM (Nebuchadnezzar) — DAN 2:16-23,28; DAN 2:32-45; DAN 7