This is one for the Ages

Read Daniel 2:25-45.

In a dramatic answer to prayer, God gave Daniel the same message He had given to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream.  God revealed to the king what would happen in the future.  "...he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days" (v.28a).  This chapter unfolds some essential world history in advance.

The dream was of an image of a man from head to toes.  As Daniel explained, each part of the body represents a world empire.  Ever since Nebuchadnezzar's defeat of Jerusalem, until the current generation, the land of Israel has been ruled by Gentile powers.
1. Head of Gold. (vv.37-38)
Daniel said this symbolized Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire.  Historically, the empire ruled from 605-538 B.C.

2. Chest and Arms. (v.39a)
The Medes and Persians defeated the Babylonians and ruled from 538-331 B.C.  This was a partnership between two powerful nations.

3. Middle and Thighs. (v.39b)
The Grecian Empire rose in power when Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire.  The Greeks ruled the world, India to Africa, from 331-146 B.C.

4. Legs of Iron. (v.40)
Then, the Romans defeated the Greeks and became the most powerful empire in the world from 146 B.C-476 A.D.  This empire was never defeated.  It imploded due to its own moral and political corruption.

5. Feet and Toes of Iron and Clay. (vv.41-43)
This obviously is not a very stable mixture.  The Roman Empire never ceased to totally exist.  Instead, it separated into inferior parts with no real cohesion.  The book of Revelation predicts that such a confederation of ten nations will come to power and they will struggle over the land of Israel.  The finality will come at Armageddon.

6. The Stone. (vv.44-45)
In a shattering defeat, at that time, God will set up His kingdom.  The Apostle Peter preached, "This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.  And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:11-12)