There are basically two ways of reading it. The first one is the one world government view, where the fact that the beast is adored by all tribes languages and peoples means literally that it is every single language tribe etc on the earth. The second one would be it means all tribes languages and peoples within the beast's kingdom, which would be the areas described in the statue of Daniel, so middle-eastern, european, north african areas.
Which one do you believe it is and why?
I think the argument that it says "And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation." sounds like one world government language, but my only issue with that interpretation that in the Bible these phrases are used in Daniel where they DONT mean that: For example, Nebuchadnezzer is told:
"Wherever the sons of men or beasts of the field or birds of the air dwell, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold. "
Did Nebuchadnezzar ever rule over the native americans? Of course not, so clearly this was talking about the world back. Similarly the third kingdom is said to rule over "all the earth" but we know the Greeks never ruled over Japan or Scandinavia.
What do you guys got to say about this? How do you get a one world government view when the Bible is using this type of language in the OT as well about local events? (Even in the NT there are examples of this, where a famine comes into the 'whole world' but its then revealed it was in Judea only)
The last kingdom in daniel with ten horns
“Then I would know
the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured,
brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; and of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a
mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
I beheld, and
the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Thus he said,
The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall
devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
And
the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a
time and times and the dividing of time.”
Daniel 7:19-25 KJV
Then johns explaination of his last head of the beast with ten horns
“The beast that thou sawest
was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and
they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
And
the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And
the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.”
Revelation 17:8, 11-
the point of quoting these is one of the heads of johns seven headed beast
appears as if it was slain and yet lived he existed then was put in the pit then later comes back again in the end.
“The beast that thou sawest
was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition”
five of the kings had already ruled and fallen in johns day be was ruling and one was left to rise up then . But then another king rises up from the pit that was one of the seven before and he rises up again to power and had ten companions who serve his Will and three of those will fall so there will be eight left of those eleven future kings
Johns vision looks back at the past and also at the present in his time and the future as well
“And there are
seven kings: five are fallen,( past )
and one is, ( johns present day )
and
the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. ( johns near future )
And
the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And
the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; ( johns future ) but receive
power as kings one hour with the beast.”( future )
Revelation 17:10-12 KJV
consider that the last kingdom to rule earth is
diverse from all kingdoms
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For
we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
Ephesians 6:11-17 KJV
