The tree banded by Iron and Brass

It is obvious to students of Biblical Prophecy, that the Lord used Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon and Daniel in a second prophecy — showing the King what would befall the kingdoms of men — not simply to alleviate his troubled spirit and disturbed sleep, but for the benefit of all the faithful throughout the ages.

The way the prophetic dream was given, and Daniel’s part in its elucidation and its subsequent partial fulfillment (for the final act has not yet come to pass) is astonishing; hence the King’s amazement (Dan. 2:47) that Daniel’s God was a God of gods and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, and that Daniel was no ordinary man, but an instrument of the Almighty. The King’s reaction was to elevate Daniel to the rulership of Babylon, and, at Daniel’s request, the King set over the affairs of Babylon, Daniel’s companions Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. I feel sure this was the Lord’s way of alleviating some of the hardship and slavery that the captive peoples were subjected to. For certain, Daniel and his three friends would be sympathetic to their Brethren.

It is Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream, which is closely related to the first metallic image prophecy, to which I wish to draw attention, for a historical fact emerges which beyond all doubt proves the truth of the Scriptures. This second dream of the tree banded by iron and brass, like many of the messages of the prophets, had a contemporary application, dealing with the surrounding nations and their judgments. But prophecy nearly always has, on a close analysis, a vision of the future age.

The current application was in relation to the King’s Babylonian Kingdom. He dreamed of a tree in the midst of the earth (Dan. 4:10). In verses 11 and 12 you will see that this tree was a haven for the beasts of the field and for the fowl of the heavens which dwelt in the boughs, and all flesh was fed of it. This meant that Babylon, at this time, was at the zenith of its power, and like all great kingdoms, attracted people who come there for security and trade. So the tree represented the Kingdoms of men, which grew and spread a covering over all who sought its shelter.

I am not going to deal with the record concerning what befell King Nebuchadnezzar, for it is the tree and the way it is, in some respects, related to the first prophecy of the metallic image which we are examining. (See Daniel 4:14-15 and again v. 23). The watcher said, “Hew the tree down and destroy it, yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass”. It is obvious that these metallic bands were placed around the stump to preserve it from perishing.

If this tree, as the Kingdoms of men, is related to the first metallic image, why does it not speak of a band of Gold and Silver instead of Iron and Brass? The reason for this is that the effects of the Gold and Silver Kingdoms — Babylon and Medo-persia — were not long on the historical scene, and they had comparatively little to contribute to the Kingdom of men’s preservation. They played their part and vanished away. But this is where the truth of the vision stands out with undeniable evidence as a true historical record in which the faithful can take comfort. For the bands of Iron and Brass represent Rome and Greece, who, for over two thousand years, have held the Kingdoms of men in their power. They raised up kings and put them down, and established the nations. Without their power the Kingdoms of men would have disintegrated into tribal factions.

Even when the military might of Rome and Greece had gone, in its stead there rose up two politico-religious systems which evolved into Roman Catholicism and Greek Orthodoxy. They are with us to this day, and must continue till the Lord sends forth Messiah to strike off the bands of Iron and Brass from the stump of the tree, and allows the remains of the tree, the symbol of the Kingdoms of men, to disappear forever.

This evidence from Daniel disallows any interpretation of The Revelation in a purely local manner. Our Lord’s Kingdom is worldwide. Rev. 11:15  “The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever”.

A further point concerns the feet and toes of the metallic image. Whilst Rome is represented in the iron, where does Greece fit into the symbol of Dan. 2:41-43? Rome upheld the Divine right of Kings and always supported that system, but Greece had a system of democracy — government for the people — as the true supreme power. (From “Demos”, the people; “Kratein”, rule or authority). As the iron and clay can never mix, it has resulted in a continuous struggle for power for some hundreds of years. So I believe that both Daniel and The Revelation indicate that the chief antagonists, both opposed to the Lord, in the final judgment of the nations, are the influences of Rome and Greece.

It is the hope of all believers that the end of Gentile power will soon come to an end.