The Lord's Church — A Historical Fact
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesIn Daniel 2, we have recorded an amazing prophetic dream which the great Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar dreamed. None of the men in the king’s kingdom could interpret the dream with the exception of Daniel. God had given Daniel and his associates the ability to interpret dreams (Daniel 1:17).
When God revealed the interpretation to Daniel in a night vision, Daniel immediately thanked God (Daniel 2:19-23), for their very lives were at stake (Daniel 2:10-18,24-25).
The dream confirms the following four kingdoms, not only by biblical history, but by secular history as well:
- The Babylonian Kingdom, over which Nebuchadnezzar (see picture) ruled (600 – 536 B.C.) — This kingdom is represented by the head of gold in the dream (Daniel 2:31-32,36-38).
- The Medo-Persian Kingdom, established by Cyrus, King of Persia (see picture), and Darius, King of Media (see picture), which fell in 330 B.C. — This kingdom is represented by the chest and arms of silver (Daniel 2:32).
- The Macedonian Kingdom, established by Alexander the Great (see picture) — This kingdom was later divided among his generals in 323 B.C. and is represented by the belly and the thighs of brass (Daniel 2:32,39).
- The Roman Kingdom, established as a great world power by Octavius Caesar [Augustus] (see picture)— This kingdom lasted until around 476 A.D. and is represented by the “legs of iron, feet part of iron, and part of clay” (Daniel 2:33,40-43).
As the inspired text states, it was “in the days of these kings” that the God of heaven would set up a kingdom that would never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44).
The New Testament records that “in those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea” (Matthew 3:1). We ask, What “days” was John referring to? Obviously the “days” of the Roman Empire that John lived in and that Daniel made reference of (Daniel 2:44).
He told his audience to “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:1-2). Since the word “kingdom” and “church” are interchangeable in Matthew 16:18-19, we can logically conclude that the Lord’s church (for which He died – Acts 20:28 ASV) was to be established in just a short period of time after John spoke the above words (cf. Luke 3:1-3 – see commentary).
It’s interesting to note that Tiberius Caesar reigned until approximately 37 A.D. The New Testament declares that the Lord’s church was established on the day of Pentecost, 33 A.D. (Acts 2:1; cf. Leviticus 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:9). Thus, Daniel’s prophecy regarding the Lord’s church is firmly established, not only by secular history, but by the inspired New Testament record (Acts 2; cf. 2 Timothy 3:16 ASV).
Brethren and friends, any church that is established by anyone other than the Lord (Matthew 16:18-19), and after A.D. 33 (Acts 2), cannot possibly be the Lord’s church, and we need to be preaching and teaching this fact of history at every opportunity.
Related Articles:
- Daniel’s Prophecies: Encouraging and Enlightening
- How Can the Church be the Fulfillment of Daniel 2:44?
- Isaiah’s Prophecy of the Church