What many do not understand. Is that even though the Roman Empire itself ceased to exist in 476 A.D. it influence and effect is still present and is still seen within the dream of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. So let’s look at the interpretation by Daniel to the king:
Daniel 2:40 – Following that kingdom, there will be a fourth one, as strong as iron. That kingdom will smash and crush all previous empires, just as iron smashes and crushes everything it strikes. 41 The feet and toes you saw were a combination of iron and baked clay, showing that this kingdom will be divided. Like iron mixed with clay, it will have some of the strength of iron. 42 But while some parts of it will be as strong as iron, other parts will be as weak as clay. 43 This mixture of iron and clay also shows that these kingdoms will try to strengthen themselves by forming alliances with each other through intermarriage. But they will not hold together, just as iron and clay do not mix.
The first imagery that needs to be understood is the fact that there are two legs of iron. Roman itself divided into two parts. One based in Rome the other in Constantinople. This causes this prophecy to be fulfilled and accurate. Then we need to look into the further description.
Then as we go on we see that the feet and the ten toes are a mixture of clay and iron. This mere implication speaks of further division within the two separate parts of what was once one empire. That parts of this even more fractured group are stronger than other parts, yet still they work together in some form. This is an accurate description of this very world we now live within. Especially from those on the left that seek to once again establish one world government under the control of the few in power. Again I quote from John F. Walvoord:
“What Daniel implied is simply that the material that forms the feet portion of the image is not all one kind but is composed of iron and pottery, which do not adhere well to one another. This is what Daniel himself brought out…………….. A clear interpretation of the meaning of iron and clay, apart from the inherent weakness, is not given except as indicated in verse 43. Here the statement is made that the two materials will not hold together even though ‘they will mix with one another in marriage.’ This reference to marriage has given rise to several interpretations, from actual intermarriage among people in the fourth kingdom to the mixing of diverse peoples in the empire. Some also feel this is a reference to the attempted political ‘marriage’ between imperialism and democracy.”
Another name of this political marriage is called Socialism, just for the record.
Another point of note is that the western empire, that being which was controlled by Rome is Europe and the Eastern controlled by Constantinople is now the Middle East. Between 2009 and 2017 there has been a huge influx of those from the Eastern side moving into the Western side. This has seen a rise in tensions and conflicts between the two cultures. Like for example the large rape parties by those from the east that attacked several women from the west in Germany on New Year’s Eve 2016. This example clearly shows the imagery represented in this prophecy and shows that it is still being fulfilled at this very time.
So as you can see we are in the fourth kingdom as you read this.