אבנימ

Biblical Hermeneutics Part Second Chapter 22

In this chapter Terry addresses the interpretation of Daniel’s prophecies with respect to the four great empires represented both in the four parts of the Nebuchadnezzar’s great image (Daniel 2.31-45) and then again in the four beasts from the sea (Daniel 7). This analysis is illustrative and instructive with regard to the other occurrences of double revelation in Scripture, especially in apocalyptic literature. Terry applies the principles of general hermeneutics to the task, and also special hermeneutics apropos to prophetic literature, as previously set forth.

The bulk of his study is taking up with demonstrating the hermeneutical problems with the widely held view that the fourth empire is Rome. First he points out that once we allow any a priori assumptions of what the interpretation ought to be, we have departed from sound interpretation. This occurs with these texts when it is argued Rome was too important to be left out. Terry answers this and other objections, showing that the best interpretation is that the four empires are Babylon, Media, Persia and Greece.

Several noteworthy arguments are put forth against Rome being the fourth empire. Daniel makes no mention of any empire later than Greece anywhere in his writings. He is addressing himself to the Jewish nation, and the Roman Empire does not enter into the range of his prophecies chronologically, geographically or politically. The Roman Empire had no significant intercourse with the Jews until A.D. 70. The four empires are shown to succeed one another, but whereas the others have the major portion of their dominion in Asia, Rome’s seat of power would be in the west, and therefore it is difficult to see how it could be the successor of the Greco-Macedonian, and these other eastern empires.