“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son.” (Galatians 4:4)
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was interpreted by Daniel. God was a Sovereign ruler and all Kingdoms or empires were fulfilling His purpose.
1) Gold – Babylon (605-538 BC): Nebuchadnezzar defeated Israel and took a large number of Jews to Babylon as captives. Jeremiah foretold that the captivity will be for 70 years. The Babylonian captivity transformed the Nation. For good, they rejected idol worship; the focus turned from rituals to prayers; the center of spiritual life shifted from Temple to the Torah (Scripture) and committed to the celebration of the Sabbath. The Nation was prepared for the Messiah to come. The concept of synagogues became common among Diaspora Jews, which became a springboard for gospel preaching through the mission of Paul.
2) Silver – Medes-Persia (538-333 BC): Cyrus in 539 BC allowed the Jews to return to the Promised Land. The Temple was rebuilt, the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt, and Torah was taught by Pharisees and Scribes.
3) Brass – Greece (333-27 BC): Alexander the Great conquered the known world. It was not just political rule, but cultural influence that transformed the world. Greek thoughts and the Greek language became the common language around the world. Hence, the New Testament was written in Greek.
4) Iron – Rome (27 BC-476 AD): Roman rule brought the unification of many nations and built excellent road connections. These safe roadways paved the way for Paul to take the gospel to all nooks and corners of the Roman Empire. The Census commanded by Augustus paved the way for the fulfillment of the prophecy that Lord Jesus be born in Bethlehem.
The Babylonian empire helped the Jewish people to repent and reconcile with God. The Medes-Persian empire gave room to rebuild the Nation so that Lord Jesus could minister among His people. The Grecian Empire opened the world for communicating the gospel in the Greek language. Rome gave mobility to the gospel to reach all directions in the Roman Empire.
Lord Jesus Christ was born as the world was prepared to receive the incarnation by Father.
Do I praise the Lord of History?