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In Daniel, Chapter 2, we learn the story of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Nebuchadnezzar was the King of Babylon, ruling from 605 BC until his death, which occurred in 562 BC. [Source]🕊️ One day he awoke from a disturbing dream, but could not recall the details. He called for the local soothsayers and magicians, demanding they not only interpret the dream, but also to recall it for him. When they failed, he ordered them and all the so-called prophets to be executed. Since Daniel was a prophet, the guards went to arrest him along with the others, but when he learned what was happening, he went to God in prayer and God showed him the dream and gave him the interpretation.

In the dream, Nebuchadnezzar saw an "image" or statue, described as follows:

• The statue's head was of fine gold. (Dan 2:32) Daniel clarified that Nebuchadnzzar, the King of Babylon, was the gold head. (Dan 2:38)
• The statue's breast and arms were of silver. (Dan 2:32) This was an inferior kingdom that was to arise after Nebuchadnezzar. (Dan 2:39) Babylon was conquered by King Cyrus of Persia in 539 BC, as prophecied.
• The statue's belly and thighs were of brass. (Dan 2:32) This kingdom will rule over all the earth (Dan 2:39) Persia was conquered by Alexander the Great and the Grecians. [Source]🕊️
• The statue's legs were of iron. (Dan 2:33) This kingdom will be strong as iron, able to subdue all things, breaks all things in pieces, and bruise. (Dan 2:40) The iron legs are said to represent the Roman Empire. [Source]🕊️
• The statue's feet were part iron and part clay (Dan 2:33), specifically, potters' clay. This kingdom is divided but "there shall be in it of the strength of iron" (Dan 2:41), therefore it is partly strong and partly broken (Dan 2:42). They "shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay". (Dan 2:43).

The Stone

• A stone "cut out with hands", smote the image upon it's feet the weak spot made of iron and clay. All the pieces - the gold, silver, brass, iron and clay all fell together and were carried away by the wind. (Dan 2:34)
• The stone that smote the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. (Dan 2:35)
• The stone is a kingdom set up by God, which "shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." (Dan 2:44)