Great Golden Image

666, Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar implemented his dream by “setting up” the great golden image as he imagined it to glorify his majesty and realm - Daniel 3:1-7.

The King invested great effort to make his dream into reality.  He “set up” an enormous image covered in gold to represent his majesty and the power of the Empire, and he commanded all the “peoples and nations and tongues” of his realm to pay homage to his image or face a horrific death in the “burning fiery furnace” - [Obelisk - Photo by peter bucks on Unsplash].

Babel Rises

Babylon, Beast

In the Bible, Babylon is both a historical kingdom and a symbol for the recurring rise of the World Empire. 

In the book of Daniel, Babylon is called the “land of Shinar,” a link to the story of the Tower of Babel and the founding of the city of Babylon. That incident is echoed also in the third chapter of Daniel when Nebuchadnezzar gathers all the nations to pay homage to his great golden image - [Ziggarut Photo by Sam Moghadam Khamseh on Unsplash].

Empires Rise and Fall

Babylon, Empire

Imperial hubris is the legacy of the Tower of Babel, humanity’s first but certainly not attempt to establish the World Empire. 

The Tower of Babel incident is echoed in Daniel when the ruler of “Shinar” gathers all nations to worship his great image in the “Plain of Dura.” His empire was not a new entity, but the latest incarnation of Satan’s plan to control humanity, one that has been underway since human civilization began - [Photo by Christoph Schmid on Unsplash].

Babel Rises Again

Babylon, Empire

The arrogant acts of Nebuchadnezzar against the kingdom of Judah parallel the incident at the Tower of Babel. 

In Daniel, Babylon is called the “land of Shinar,” a link to the Tower of Babel and the founding of the city of Babylon. That incident is echoed again in the third chapter of Daniel when Nebuchadnezzar gathers all the nations to pay homage to the great golden image that he “sets up” - [Photo by Colton Sturgeon on Unsplash].

Counterfeit Christs

Antichrist, Apostasy, Deceivers

Since its founding, Satan has been sending hordes of deceivers and false prophets to destroy the church from within. 

Popular preaching tends to present the Antichrist as the ultimate global political leader, a tyrant bent on subjugating all nations through military and economic means. But New Testament descriptions show far more concern about deceivers working within the church that cause apostasy than with world political events - [Photo by Yomex Owo on Unsplash].