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| Chapter III.
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Chapter III.
Accordingly, as the
prophet interpreted the matter, the image which was seen furnished a
representation of the world. The golden head is the empire of the
Chaldæans; for we have understood that it was the first and
wealthiest. The breast and the arms of silver represent the second
kingdom; for Cyrus, after the Chaldæans and the Medes were
conquered, conferred the empire on the Persians. In the brazen belly it
is said that the third sovereignty was indicated; and we see that this
was fulfilled, for Alexander took the empire from the Persians, and won
the sovereignty for the Macedonians. The iron legs point to a fourth
power, and that is understood of the Roman empire, which is more
powerful331
| 331 Such is clearly the
meaning, but it is strangely expressed by the words “omnibus ante
regnis validissimum.” | than all the
kingdoms which were before it. But the fact that the feet were partly
of iron and partly clay, indicates that the Roman empire is to be
divided, so as never to be united. This, too, has been fulfilled, for
the Roman state is ruled not by one emperor but by several, and these
are always quarreling among themselves, either in actual warfare or by
factions. Finally, by the clay and the iron being mixed together, yet
never in their substance thoroughly uniting, are shadowed forth those
future mixtures of the human race which disagree among themselves,
though apparently combined. For it is obvious that the Roman territory
is occupied by foreign nations, or rebels, or that it has been given
over to those who have surrendered themselves under an
appearance332
| 332 The text is here
very uncertain and obscure. | of peace. And it
is also evident that barbarous nations, and especially Jews, have been
commingled with our armies, cities, and provinces; and we thus behold
them living among us, yet by no means agreeing to adopt our customs.
And the prophets declare that these are the last times. But in the
stone cut out without hands, which broke to pieces the gold, silver,
brass, iron, and clay, there is a figure of Christ. For he, not born
under human conditions (since he was born not of the will of man, but
of the will of God), will reduce to nothing that world in which exist
earthly kingdoms, and will establish another kingdom, incorruptible and
everlasting, that is, the future world, which is prepared for the
saints. The faith of some still hesitates about this point only, while
they do not believe about things yet to come, though they are convinced
of the things that are past. Daniel, then, was presented with many
gifts by the king, was set over Babylon and the whole empire, and was
held in the highest honor. By his influence, Annanias, Azarias, and
Misael were also advanced to the highest dignity and power. About the
same time, the remarkable prophecies of Ezekiel came out, the mystery
of future things and of the resurrection333
| 333
“resurrectionis,” referring probably not to the rising
again of the dead, but to the restoration of the Jews. See Ezek. chap.
37. |
having been revealed to him. His book is one of great weight, and
deserves to be read with care.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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