Daniel’s Fourth Kingdom: Fulfilling the Times of the Gentiles

By Melvin L. Hawkins LLC

Although there is broad consensus among Bible prophecy scholars that the times of the gentiles will continue until the return of Jesus Christ, the century-old, traditional interpretation holds that Daniel’s fourth, gentile kingdom (the Roman Empire) ceased to exist in AD 476 in the West at Rome and, therefore, must be “revived” politically in the beginning of the seven-year tribulation period. That prevailing viewpoint is obscuring a clear understanding of the continuing existence of the fourth kingdom as well as its fulfillment in history of important prophecies related to the end times. Peters forewarned about this potential interpretation problem in The Theocratic Kingdom (1884). Daniel’s Fourth Kingdom: (1) establishes that the divided Roman Empire still exists today and explains why that fact matters regarding the season of Christ’s return; (2) respectfully questions the traditional interpretation; (3) exhorts the church to love not the temporal kingdoms of this world but, instead, to embrace her gospel-inspired, Holy Spirit-empowered, love-driven, apolitical, evangelical mission to share the gospel with all nations while expecting the possibly imminent pretribulation rapture; and (4) invites all readers, believers and skeptics alike, to consider the relevance of the Bible concerning world history, current events, and the future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664235427

Melvin L. Hawkins LLC

Melvin L. Hawkins (BA, 1974, University of Southern Mississippi; JD, 1977, Louisiana State University Law School) accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior as a child in rural Mississippi. He was valedictorian of his high school class, a college honors program graduate in political science, earned his law degree at age twenty-three, and completed a lengthy legal career in Texas. Melvin is a husband, father, and grandfather; an award-winning Christian writer; a former deacon and elder; a church volunteer; and a Bible prophecy student and teacher who completed a semester-long course on Daniel and Revelation at the College of Biblical Studies in Houston in 1992. In decades of studying eschatology, he could not find a book devoted primarily to the fourth kingdom (or beast) of Daniel 2 and 7. That intrigued him because Daniel describes the fourth kingdom in great detail and was particularly interested in “the meaning of the fourth beast” (Daniel 7:19 NIV). Melvin’s view of Bible prophecy as an enduring message of hope for the church led him to research and write this book.

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WestBow Press rev. date: 10/22/2021

REVIEWS, COMMENTS, AND

CONGRATULATIONS

Daniel’s Fourth Kingdom

Fulfilling the Times of the Gentiles

Living with Christian Love, Hope, and Purpose in a World of Trouble

Melvin Hawkins (my husband) has studied, taught, and written about end-time Bible prophecy for years, always sharing his abiding hope in the promise of Christ’s return. I know his passion for this subject and have attended his classes. Indeed, his interest in writing this book was developed during years of research and preparation for the classroom. Like the good teacher he is, Melvin thoroughly examines Daniel’s fourth kingdom; documents its fulfillment (in history) of important Bible prophecies; illuminates its present reality and future destiny according to Scripture; encourages faith in Jesus Christ and belief in God’s Word for hopeful and purposeful living in a troubled world; and prompts the reader to further investigate the subject through study questions at the end of each chapter. Enjoy this educational and inspirational journey through the Bible and history!

Alice Hawkins

A very well written book. The Guiding Principles in the front section are helpful reminders of relevant Scriptures before diving in. The book contains very interesting information about the four kingdoms of Daniel 2 and 7, which are Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Overall, this is a very powerful read. Great work, Daddy! I love that God has given you the gift of writing!

Valerie Hawkins

"Whew! With everything going on in the world today, we need a fresh perspective on it all! The author clearly illuminates facts of world history and truths of the Bible, to provide both believers and nonbelievers with just that! This riveting book elicits new thought and encourages a renewed sense of hope on our understanding of the ‘end times.’ Pick this book up and engage in taking a step back to see the ways in which the Bible, and its prophecy, connects to our yesterday, making clearer our today."

Olivia Marmion

Owner of C ZNL Treats LLC and

Author of Fuzzy-Face Monsters Coloring Book

"One of a kind! Daniel’s Fourth Kingdom: Fulfilling the Times of the Gentiles takes you on an adventure like no other to discover Bible prophecies related to past, present, and future events in the world and the continuing existence of the fourth kingdom, Roman Empire. Mr. Hawkins (my Dad) eloquently conveys throughout the book the importance of unveiling this information so that people can have better knowledge and understanding of and faith in the return of Jesus Christ. This is a must-read book that questions the traditional interpretation of the ‘revived’ Roman Empire and reveals the truth of the Bible and the love of God!"

Vanessa L. Hawkins

Lifestyle blogger and influencer

Instagram account @thatvanessalynn_

"Influential read. Daniel’s Fourth Kingdom clearly and convincingly connects the current state of the world to the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, namely the 4th kingdom and the 4th beast of Daniel 2 and 7 respectively. The author has painstakingly researched and documented his observations, giving him credibility and making it easy for the reader to dig deeper. I highly recommend it to strengthen the faith of the believer and to answer questions and show that God’s plan is well underway to the nonbeliever."

William Marmion

Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well. Well done, Melvin!

Your Big Brother, James Hawkins

Congratulations, Brother! I am proud of you.

Your Big Sister, Betty Holland

How would I describe this book? A work of art in a class all by itself; an extraordinary masterpiece well-organized so that each thought flows smoothly, while capturing the essence of Daniel’s prophecies. I was left in amazement, hungry for the next metaphorical clue, yet thirsting for the content to never end.

Gloria Plain, Sister

This book will encourage you to read the Bible and be ready when Christ returns.

Clifton Hawkins, Your Brother

Melvin, you’ve come so far and made many grand achievements, including this book. I am proud of your success today and always. Congratulations!

Your Little Brother, Carl Hawkins

Congratulations, Big Brother, on another outstanding accomplishment; continued success and love always!

Your Little Sister, Cora Hawkins Houston

"From the connective introduction to the scaffolded historical and biblical infusion of texts, Daniel’s Fourth Kingdom takes the reader on a transformational exploration of prophetic thought. The author challenges the reader to see the paradigm shift of events. ‘From the vantage point of our present time and place in history, and with understanding that comes from faith in God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and studying both His Word and world history, . . . we can connect the meanings of Daniel’s ancient Bible prophecies with past, present, and prophesied future events on the earth.’ This book moves the reader to a point of critical analysis by asking one to be willing to think, comprehend, and act based on research of figurative, biblical, spiritual, and historical truths. Daniel’s Fourth Kingdom is a well developed, high caliber masterpiece that echoes Daniel 12:3, ‘And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.’ Excellent read!"

Dr. Stephanie Plain Potter

Founder and CEO of J Solutions Consulting and Publishing

Group and Righteous Royalty Ministries. Author of many

books such as Frog It Out and Win and the Pursuit

"Transformative! Thought-provoking! Inspirational! These words succinctly describe this nonfiction book that will educate, encourage, and exhort you about end-time Bible prophecy and challenge what you thought you knew about the Roman Empire. While the author declares at the outset, ‘I am not a prophet,’ his Christian faith and knowledge of the subject matter are evident in this riveting work that takes the reader on a parallel journey through chapters 2 and 7 of the Book of Daniel and human history. The author’s exhaustive research and robust analysis are woven throughout each page of the book. Well-documented evidence and sound reasoning captivate the mind while the message of faith and hope in Jesus Christ tugs at the heart of the reader. As you embark on this fascinating journey of discovery, expect long-held assumptions to be challenged, forgone conclusions to be reexamined, questions like ‘Are we living in the Roman age?’ to be asked and answered, and your faith to be kindled. While reading Daniel’s Fourth Kingdom: Fulfilling the Times of the Gentiles you will perceive God’s presence, majesty, sovereignty, love, plan, and power in human history, and you will at the same time experience the joy of Living with Christian Love, Hope, and Purpose in a World of Trouble."

Gilbert Hopkins

"This book is a special treat for historical film lovers, those with an appetite for understanding prophecy, teachers and students of history alike! If you embark on this literary journey you will gain an entirely new level of appreciation for great films like 300: Rise of an Empire, or One Night with the King. This book will not only fuel your passion for Bible prophecy but will sharpen and educate the mind in understanding how the events of early civilizations are still impacting our world today. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!"

C. Sands, BHM Ent.

"Daniel’s Fourth Kingdom is an incredibly thought-provoking, insightful analysis and examination of Biblical prophecy. It offers a skillfully-blended, scholarly probe of Bible prophecy and history that builds on an inspired interpretation of Scriptures from the Old and New Testaments. It piques the curiosity of both the scholar and novice as they seek deeper meaning and purpose of prophecy. The reader is beckoned to experience the Book of Daniel in a manner that opens so many other pathways as one journeys through the Word of God.

"Whether an eschatologist or historian or country preacher or the church layman next door, the gripping nature of this book both commands and demands the full attention and devotion of the reader. Upon completion of this cerebral work, one feels perfectly well-equipped for a final examination on Biblical prophecy.

"The world of Biblical prophecy will be much better understood, appreciated, comprehended, and valued by having Daniel’s Fourth Kingdom among its go-to authoritative references. The author is to be commended for his careful, deliberate, methodical, and painstakingly precise treatment of a frequently misunderstood theme that is paramount to the Christian experience."

Dr. Alvin J. Williams

"Melvin Hawkins’ Daniel’s Fourth Kingdom: Fulfilling the Times of the Gentiles is a rigorously researched book that is thoroughly documented and is well-written. The author points out that Daniel’s prophecies speak about the four kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. He states that Jesus referred to this cumulative period in world history as ‘the times of the Gentiles.’ He further clarifies with B.W. Newton that the prophesies in chapters 2 and 7 of Daniel are ‘not the history of all Gentile nations.’ Hawkins summarizes the fourth kingdom as being political and cultural remnants of the once-united, iron-strong, but now fragmented and weaker, Roman Empire; the fourth kingdom exists presently as the amalgamated ‘beast’ of Revelation 13:1-2; the fourth kingdom presently consists of at least ten Western European nations that came out of Roman lands, people, and cultures; the fourth kingdom has ruled over Jerusalem in the past and will do so again through the Antichrist during the tribulation period; the Antichrist will arise in the future ‘among’ ten Roman nations, but will be ‘different’ from them; Jesus Christ will return the second time ‘in the days of’ ten Roman nations.

"The author interprets Daniel 2 and 7 (correspondingly the same) and a few other related Scriptures in their original contexts in terms of what they originally meant; then he traces the applications of these findings through four kingdoms and ten nations in various situations throughout world prophetic history.

"In this book, the author accomplishes his goal which is to encourage, extend, and advance the Bible-based study of Christian eschatological literature concerning the continuing existence of the fourth kingdom. The book is broad and comprehensive in scope; it joins many points of history together. Thus, illuminating aspects that were loose or not clear.

The book can be used for teaching Bible-study classes by using the author’s well-developed study questions in addition to the reading materials. The result from a Bible study of Daniel chapters 2 and 7 will be very rewarding.

James E. Norwood Sr., EdD

Adjunct Associate Professor

Oral Roberts University

Author of Christ as Conqueror and Reconciler: Theological

Implications for the Church’s Role in Deliverance:

A Study of Colossians 1:19 - 20 and 2:13 - 15

"In reading Daniel’s Fourth Kingdom: Fulfilling the Times of the Gentiles, I visualized the author as both historian and attorney, skillfully presenting his viewpoint and study of eschatological matters to the reader; summoning ‘history’ as a key witness in validating facts related to present and future-day events. Through years of study and research, specifically chapters 2 and 7 of the Book of Daniel, Melvin Hawkins clearly achieves the primary objective of this nonfiction work; that is, the viewpoint that the Fourth Kingdom as symbolically described in scripture has continued to exist throughout history to this present day. At the onset, this work will challenge you to a parallel study of the Word of God and real-time events. It will challenge your thought process and understanding of eschatological truths. It will challenge your perspective as to what it means to have information before you in ‘plain sight.’ You will feel the living pulse of what is, what was, and what is to come. Equally important, as the author has stated, it will exhort the Church to ‘love not the temporal kingdoms of this world but, instead, to zealously embrace her gospel-inspired, Holy Spirit-empowered, love-driven, apolitical, evangelical mission to share the gospel with ‘all nations.’ Whether you are a lover of apologetics, history aficionado, passionate about teaching the Word of God or simply fascinated as to how the Word of God is the very foundation of our history and existence, this nonfiction work is a must-read and would certainly be a valued, treasured asset to your library."

Minister Jaimie M. Patterson

e3you, LLC

SOME GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Bible prophecy is history prewritten.¹

"All ancient writers, both Jewish and Christian, agree with Jerome in explaining the fourth kingdom to be the Roman."²

"Now, mark this point with attention: historians, in speaking of the Roman empire, always now speak of it as having ceased to exist; but the prophetic historian regards its broken state as still continuing to be the fourth [kingdom]."³

"The legislative and governmental systems of Chaldea [Babylon]⁴ infused a certain character into those of Persia; Persia in her turn, acted upon Greece; and Greece upon Rome. Chaldea . . ., Persia and Greece lived on in Rome . . . The governmental system therefore . . . of the Gentile dynasty is to be regarded as a connected whole."⁵

"The four horns of the he-goat are the four parts into which the Greek kingdom is divided. The ten horns of the fourth beast, therefore, can only refer to the ten parts into which the fourth [kingdom] is divided."⁶

The Roman Empire "did not disappear in Western Europe; rather, its place was taken by a family of [separate] States."⁷

"There is no part of the earth under heaven where the Romans have not extended their empire."⁸

"The world of the present is Roman. Its social fabric is Roman . . . The laws of the world are all Roman."⁹

The present Age . . . is the 10-horned era of the fourth beast.¹⁰

The Roman Empire is "a conglomerate beast."¹¹

From one man [God] made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us (Acts 17:26–27 NIV).

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people (Proverbs 14:34 NIV).

God will credit righteousness . . . for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead (Romans 4:24 NIV).

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn (Proverbs 29:2 KJV).

"Who is the prince that is to come? Beyond doubt the Antichrist. And who are the people of that prince? The people of the Roman Empire, for out of the fragments of the Roman Empire Antichrist is to rise."¹²

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision (Psalm 2:1–4 KJV).

[T]he whole world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19 NIV).

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12 KJV).

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:7–9 KJV).

But [Christ] has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself (Hebrews 9:26 NIV).

"[S]o Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him" (Hebrews 9:28 NIV).

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8 KJV).

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 NIV).

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:1–3 KJV).

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 KJV).

Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36 NIV).

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth (Revelation 3:10 KJV).¹³

Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (Luke 21:23 NIV).

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited. Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:25–26 NIV).

Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces (Daniel 2:34 KJV).

And in the days of these [ten] kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever (Daniel 2:44 KJV).

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come (Matthew 24:14 KJV).

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30 KJV).

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:44–45 KJV).

Do not repay anyone evil for evil (Romans 12:17 NIV).

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21 NIV).

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1 KJV).

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV).

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love" (Galatians 5:6 NIV).

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together . . .; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25 KJV).

Jesus Christ is a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of . . . Israel (Luke 2:32 NIV).

For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too (Colossians 1:27 NLT).

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:16–17 NIV).

DEDICATION

Lovingly dedicated

to my darling wife, Alice, for her enduring love

and support for over 45 years; and

to my late parents, Hallie Jr. and Ethel Beatrice

Hawkins, for their extraordinary love, vision, guidance,

and examples of faith and hard work.

CONTENTS

List Of Illustrations

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1Four Gentile Kingdoms: King Nebuchadnezzar’s

Dream And Daniel’s Interpretation (Four and No More)

Chapter 2Daniel’s Dream Of Four Great Beasts And Its

Interpretation (An Increasingly Evil Colossus)

Chapter 3The Fourth Beast Is Different From The Other

Three Kingdoms (The Last and Worst)

Chapter 4Survey Of Gentile History And Legacy (Four in One)

Chapter 5Fragmentation And Continuation Of The

Amalgamated Roman Empire In Western Europe

(Hidden in Plain Sight)

Chapter 6The Divided Fourth Kingdom Still Exists Today

And Has Trampled The Globe On Feet And Toes Of

Iron And Clay (Divided, Terrifying, Frightening,

Powerful, Global, and Continuing)

Chapter 7Questioning The Prevailing, Traditional

Interpretation Of A Coming Revived Roman

Empire (Forgotten, But Not Gone)

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS¹⁴

Figure 1 Babylonia and Medo-Persia about 600 BC¹⁵

Figure 2 Cyrus Cylinder¹⁶

Figure 3 Persian Empire under Darius about 500 BC with Principal Satrapies¹⁷

Figure 4 Alexander’s Greek Empire 323 BC¹⁸

Figure 5 Divided Greek Kingdoms after Alexander 301 BC¹⁹

Figure 6 Arch of Titus, Rome²⁰

Figure 7 Roman Empire AD 117 ²¹

Figure 8 Roman Empire AD 476²²

Figure 9 Charlemagne’s Western Roman Empire AD 800²³

Figure 10 Burgundian Lands, circa AD 1493²⁴

Figure 11 Europe 1490 AD ²⁵

Figure 12 Colonial Possessions, Sixteenth to Nineteenth Century²⁶

Figure 13 African Colonies, 1908²⁷

Figure 14 Ft. Rosalie (Ft. Panmure) Historical Marker at Natchez, 2019²⁸

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks and appreciation to all my family members, friends,

and mentors who encouraged me to write this book, who reviewed

and provided helpful feedback on my manuscript, and who provided

written reviews, comments, and congratulations herein. Thank you!

INTRODUCTION

An Aerial View

Flying above ten thousand feet on a clear day, the world looks different from this perspective: the patchwork patterns of varied landscapes; the winding, snake-like courses of rivers and roads; the boundaries of fields, forests, farms, pastures, and lakes; and the street grids of great cities and small towns. At such altitudes you can see over hills and mountains and around bends and curves; you can see the interconnections and relationships of features that are imperceptible from the surface; and you can see things that are behind, things that are ahead, and how they relate to each other. Places that are distant on the ground appear much closer to one another from up high. In other words, at high altitudes, you can see the big picture of how features fit together, and you can better understand the relative significance of each spot or place on the ground.

In the same way that a higher altitude can broaden and inform our view of the earth below, the Bible often provides an aerial view of world history from which we can better understand how particular and seemingly unconnected world events fulfill Bible prophecies relating to the season of the second coming of Jesus Christ. History is the chronological record of past world events, while Bible prophecy is God’s predetermination and explanation of those events written before they occurred (Isaiah 46:9–10 KJV; Acts 17:26–27 KJV). Indeed, Gaebelein describes Bible prophecy as history prewritten.²⁹ While some people read the Bible with the day’s newspaper in one hand, I often find it more revealing to read the Bible with a history book in my hand.

This book is a study of Bible prophecy (eschatology) and history, written from my Christian, dispensational, premillennial viewpoint. It is about Bible prophecies related to the past, present, and future times of the four gentile empires foretold in the book of Daniel, primarily in chapters 2 and 7, which point to the season of Christ’s second coming to earth. With the benefit of the last twenty-six hundred years of world history (or altitude), we can see today how the amazing prophecies in Daniel 2 and 7 (and other related scriptures) have been, are being, and will be fulfilled on the earth.

Keller assures us that the Bible is "a book about things that actually happened . . . [T]he events themselves are historical facts."³⁰ The Bible is accurate in what it says about history.

While Tregelles cautions that "[h]istory is not revelation, he adds that God’s word sheds a light upon the things which man has written as history."³¹ Peters, however, is emphatic about the meaning and importance of history in understanding God’s plan of redemption:

The history of the human race is, able theologians have remarked, the history of God’s dealings with man. It is a fulfilling of revelation; yes, more: it is an unfolding of the ways of God, a comprehensive confirmation of, and an appointed aid in interpreting the plan of redemption. Hence God himself appeals to [history], not merely as the evidence of the truth declared, but as the mode by which we alone can obtain a full and complete view of the Divine purpose relating to salvation. To do this we must, however, regard past, present, and future history. The latter [i.e., future history] must be received as predicted, for we may rest assured, from the past and present fulfillment of the word of God, thus changed into historical reality, that the predictions and promises relating to the future will also in their turn become veritable history. It is this faith, which grasps the future as already present, that can form a decided and unmistakable unity.³²

Thus, according to Peters, we can trust what the Bible tells us about history as well as what it says about present and future events in the world. In the context of fulfilled Bible prophecy, Thomas Newton writes that the past is an assurance of the future.³³ Bible prophecies that have been literally fulfilled in history help demonstrate the accuracy of God’s Word.

Daniel’s prophecies relate to the four kingdoms of Babylon (626 to 539 BC), Medo-Persia (539 to 331 BC), Greece (331 to 31 BC), and Rome (31 BC to the present time). Jesus referred to this cumulative period in world history as the times of the Gentiles and foretold that Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (Luke 21:24 NIV).³⁴ B. W. Newton clarifies that the prophecies in chapters 2 and 7 of Daniel are "not the history of all Gentile nations. It is the history only of those Empires that were appointed, after trampling down Jerusalem, to rule successively in her stead; and they are but four—the empires of Chaldea [Babylon]—of Persia—of Greece—and of Rome.³⁵ Thus, as Steward explains, The restoration of the Jews and