Question: The Bible (Daniel) speaks of a statue of metals with toes made up of iron and clay. We understand the statue to be a succession of Empires with the final Empire being Rome. What are the ten toes? Modern Nations of fragmented Rome?
Most, if not all the events of Scripture have as the geographical focus what has become known in the past as Palestine, which is at the eastern end of the “Great Sea”. As the history of the area progressed over time, and especially during the Roman Empire period, the Countries around the Mediterranean became important to Prophecy, because of the Roman occupation, and the prophecy in Daniel 2:33, which refers to the "latter days" verse 28, and the events of that time! The particularly important point is verse 42, which refers to “the toes of the feet”, which in later comment is shown to be 10 individual Nations, which were part of the Roman Empire; and are shown to be important to the “End Time” events, as depicted by their description as toes on the feet of the Iron Rome (now defunct in the military sense, but not in the religious).
As regards the religious context, after the six day war with Israel of 1967, in which Israel took control of Gaza, the Golan Heights, the so called “West Bank” and Jerusalem; after being invaded from all sides; the Temple Mount was left in the control of Jordon and vicariously the PA. There are political and religious reasons that the Tempe Mount was not fully restored to Israel at that time, not least of which is the desire by Israel for a peaceful solution to the Palestinian conflict. Also, the South Eastern neighbour, Jordon is ruled by the ‘Hashemite Dynasty’, which it is claimed by Islam is in the direct line of Mohammed, and is named after; ‘HASHIM’ the great grandfather of Mohammed. The ‘Hashemite’ Kings have maintained the Temple site physically, and are as prominent Muslims jealous to keep the al-Aqsa as their unique domain for all time!
There seems to be no solution to this impasse; so it is interesting to observe what the Bible’s comments have to say!
First, Almighty God’s comments on Jerusalem give the first insights as to Almighty God’s Mind on the matter! These can be seen in (Jerusalem); and can be summed up by God’s statement in 2Chronicles 6:6, with at least 35 related references in the Old Testament!
That God in Christ Jesus in the future will resolve Esau’s/Edom’s hatred of Israel (Jacob), is shown in many Scriptures passages i.e. Isaiah 34:8 and 63:1-6, but in many other passages also. The reference in Isa. 63:1-6 are particularly pointed, as they show that the eventual outcome will be devastating for Edom/Esau/Jordon! It will also for the first time be the unchallenged establishment of the “One True God”, Isa. 49:6-8 and 45:5!
See:
Ten Toes of Daniel 2:42 (study)
Ten Horns (study)
The 490 years Prophecy given to Daniel by Gabriel (study)
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