THE IRON KINGDOM
Iron legs of the image
Daniel describes a fourth kingdom strong as iron, breaking and subduing. In the historicist understanding, this kingdom is Rome, following Greece.
Daniel 2:40AN INTERACTIVE BIBLICAL ATLAS
The Power
of Rome
From the iron power of Rome to its divided legacy, explore the empire that shaped the world of Jesus and the apostles—and the fourth kingdom in Daniel’s visions.
01 · EXPLORE THE EMPIRE
Six places. One far-reaching empire.
Illustrative schematic of the Roman world; positions and distances are not to scale.
02 · TRAVEL THROUGH TIME
Four turning points
03 · FIELD NOTES
Discover the Roman world
THE FOURTH BEAST
Dreadful and terrible
Daniel’s fourth beast is unlike the others, with iron teeth and ten horns. Its symbolism draws attention to both imperial strength and what follows it.
Daniel 7:7, 19–24ROME AND THE MESSIAH
In the days of Caesar Augustus
The Gospel of Luke places Jesus’ birth within the Roman imperial world. Roman officials also appear prominently in the narratives of Jesus’ trial and the early church.
Luke 2:1–7; John 19:12–16; Acts 25:10–12DIVIDED POWER
Iron mingled with clay
Daniel’s image ends with feet and toes of iron mixed with clay, depicting a divided kingdom whose parts do not fully adhere. The vision then turns to God’s enduring kingdom.
Daniel 2:41–4404 · SCRIPTURE CHALLENGE
What material represents the strength of the fourth kingdom?
According to Daniel 2:40, the fourth kingdom is strong as...
05 · DISCOVERY PASSPORT
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