Ancient Empires Foretell Prophecy
- Michael E.B. Maher
- Mar 21
- 2 min read
The first kingdom shown in this vision is the Babylonian Empire which is represented by the ram. Both biblical and historical records attribute the rise of the Babylonian Empire to King Nebuchadnezzar, known as Nebuchadnezzar the Great, because he is typically regarded as that empire's greatest king (Daniel 2:36-38)[1]. The Babylonian Empire at the time that Daniel received his vision was being ruled by King Belshazzar who was the son of King Nebuchadnezzar, for Daniel tells us in this passage that he received this vision in the third year of King Belshazzar’s reign. As an aside, King Belshazzar was assassinated in that same year, thus bringing an end to the Babylonian Empire. Historical records reveal that the Babylonian Empire began in the year 605 BC and ended in the year 561 BC. It is important to note that the map of the Babylonian Empire shown below incorporates the geographic location where Daniel was standing, i.e. Shushan (Susa), which would eventually become the originating point of the Antichrist’s kingdom.
Map of the Babylonian Empire (605 BC - 561 BC)
The angel Gabriel informs us in this passage that the second kingdom shown in the vision is the Median Empire, which is represented by the first horn on the ram. Biblical and historical records reveal to us that Darius the Mede became King after King Belshazzar was assassinated in 561 BC (Daniel 5:31)[2]. And so we see that the Median Empire under Darius the Mede succeeded the Babylonian Empire in the year 561 BC. Historical records reveal that the Median Empire began in the year 561 BC and ended in the year 550 BC. Again it is important to note that the map of the Median Empire shown below incorporates the geographic location of the Antichrist’s kingdom shown to Daniel.
Map of the Median Empire (561 BC – 550 BC)
The angel Gabriel informs us in this passage that the third kingdom shown in this vision is the Persian Empire which is represented by the second horn on the ram. This passage declares that the second horn was higher than the first, thus implying that the Persian Empire was greater than the Median Empire. Historical records confirm the fact that the Persian Empire was indeed greater than the Median Empire which preceded it[3]. Historical records reveal that the Persian Empire began in the year 550 BC and ended in the year 330 BC. Again it is important to note that the map of the Persian Empire shown below incorporates the geographic location of the Antichrist’s kingdom shown to Daniel.
Map of the Persian Empire (550 BC – 330 BC)
Michael E.B. Maher
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