When labor pains begin, they increase until the birth. Such is the case with the world. Significant prophecies are being fulfilled.
In fact, the world as we know it is about to end. Democracy will be no more.
Let’s go back and examine the end of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream which Daniel revealed and interpreted. During the time of the final world kingdom, represented by 10 toes of iron mixed with clay, Daniel revealed an earth- shattering event. The final world kingdom would collapse, never to rise again.
“And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed…Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold – the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this.” Daniel 2:44-45
The final world kingdom would be destroyed by ‘the stone cut out of the mountain without hands.’
That ‘stone’ has been revealed throughout the Bible. Approximately 900 years before Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the ‘stone’ was referenced.
Shortly after the Exodus from Egypt, the Israelites found themselves without water. God instructed Moses how to resolve that challenge.
“Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” Exodus 17:6
In the Hebrew language, ‘rock’ and ‘stone’ were initially used interchangeably, meaning ‘strong’ and ‘strength.’ It wasn’t until later that ‘rock’ was defined as a large boulder.
Approximately 40 years later at Kadesh, the Israelites once again thirsted. The Lord instructed Moses to speak to the rock and it would bring forth abundant water. Moses, however, did not follow God’s instructions, instead:
“…Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly…” Numbers 20:11
‘Rock’ in this passage did mean large rock, or boulder.
Progressing through history God revealed the future ‘stone/rock.’
“The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear…He will be as a holy abode, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, as a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and many among them shall stumble…” Isaiah 8:13-15
Approximately 700 years later, God proclaimed His Son would be that ‘stone.’
“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation…” Isaiah 28:16
Subsequently, the Psalmist confirmed the rejection of the ‘stone.’
“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:22-23
In the New Testament Jesus confirmed that He was the ‘stone of stumbling,’ the ‘rock of offense’ and ‘chief cornerstone.’ He quoted Psalm 118:22-23 in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Christ as ‘chief cornerstone’ is also recorded in Acts, Ephesians, and 1 Peter.
Recall, Jesus explained the difference between ‘stone’ and ‘rock.’ This discussion occurred after Peter confirmed the deity of Jesus. Jesus told Peter that it was God in heaven who revealed that truth to him.
“And I also say to you that you are Peter (petros, rock fragment) and on this rock (petra, foundation boulder) I will build My church…”
Matthew 16:18
Paul confirmed that the stone, or rock, in the Old Testament was indeed Jesus Christ.
“Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea…they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ…Now these things became our examples…” 1 Corinthians 10:1-6
Therefore, the ‘stone cut out of the mountain without hands’ to destroy the final world empire is Christ.
The destruction of the final empire will take place at the end of the seven year tribulation period, which is also known in the Bible as ‘the day of the LORD.’
And remember:
“…the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this.” Daniel 2:45b