Now that you know the prophecies concerning increments of time can be solved using the key a Day = a Year, or (x) Days = (x) Years, let’s put it to the test on one of the longest and best concealed prophecies of time in the word of God.  This prophecy is so well concealed it is almost invisible. It is so invisible that it’s almost a sure thing you have never heard nor considered what’s about to be revealed regarding this prophecy.  It is the prophecy of 7 times which is found in the book of Daniel.  It’s a judgement that was pronounced upon the King of Babylon.  

In the first two chapters we discussed prophecies regarding antichrist and the revealing of the identity of the Man of Sin, who is Satan in the Flesh.  It was revealed in chapter 1 the Empire this Man of Sin will rule is not a returned Roman Empire, but rather a returned Babylonian Empire.  This was further substantiated in chapter 2 where we learned there is a future King of Babylon coming and that he will be cast out of the grave like an abominable branch.  It was also revealed that ISIS, (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) fits this prophecy precisely because the Babylonian Empire mostly consisted of the two modern day countries of Iraq and Syria.  It was also put forth that the leader of this Islamic terrorist nation, Caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, fits the descriptions given of this coming Man of Sin and King of Babylon in every way.

However, as was written earlier, the Bible does not stop there in the revealing of this domain or the information given regarding this King of Babylon and Man of Sin: not by a long shot!  In fact, as will be shown in the coming chapters, the Word of God gives us much, much more information regarding this evil ruler, his domain, and the evil deeds he and his followers will do.  Furthermore, it will be revealed how ISIS and their Muslim Caliph, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, precisely fit all these descriptions and prophecies. The book of Daniel gives us quite a bit of information regarding this Man of Sin, but some of this information is not obtainable unless you possess some knowledge regarding the identity, customs, and history of the REAL Last Days antichrist; Islam.

In chapter 2 of this book it was shown that Isaiah 14 was written in such a way that on the surface it was a chant against the ancient King of Babylon, but below the surface it was also prophecy regarding a future King of Babylon.  Well, the same is true with the writings we find in Daniel 4.  The subject matter of Daniel 4 is a second vision King Nebuchadnezzar experienced. The interpretation of this vision is almost universally attributed to Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon at that time.  But as will be demonstrated, it also can be directed to a future King of Babylon, the one that ruled the new Babylon (ISIS) for 3½ years before being forced to flee his domain, just as the Word of God informed us. 

King Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Dream

Beginning at Daniel 4:4, we are told that King Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in his house when he had a dream that frightened him.  This dream and the thoughts it brought to his mind bothered him and just as one might expect, he did exactly as he did in the previous vision.  He called in the wise men of Babylon and asked them to give him the interpretation of the dream.  But just as in his previous experience with these wise men, they could not tell him.  Since it was Daniel that revealed the previous dream to him, he once again sent for Daniel who by revelation from the Lord was able to interpret this dream to the king.

It is important to note what King Nebuchadnezzar states in verse 8.  “But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream.  This verse gives us insight into the reason for the vision.  King Nebuchadnezzar still did not recognize the God of Daniel as his God.  We know this because he stated that Belteshazzar was the name given to Daniel according to Nebuchadnezzar’s god, and he admits that in Daniel is the spirit of the holy gods with gods being plural.  Even after the miracle of Daniel telling Nebuchadnezzar both the substance and the interpretation of his previous dream; even after the miracle of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were cast into Nebuchadnezzar’s super-heated furnace and exited without a hair on their bodies being harmed; Nebuchadnezzar still did not give God the glory and recognition due Him.  Not to forget that it was Nebuchadnezzar himself who stated “Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”  Even after Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had given the Holy God of Israel all the glory, praise and honor for the previous wonders, it was not enough to convince Nebuchadnezzar he needed to recognize the Holy One of Israel as his God.

Note: However, there is evidence up to this point in time that Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged and showed some fear of the God of Israel.  In the Jewish Online Encyclopedia it puts forth a reason why Nebuchadnezzar did not destroy Jerusalem on his first two expeditions to Judah.  The encyclopedia states he did not destroy Jerusalem because he was well aware of what happened to the 186,000 Assyrian Soldiers that were killed by Divine intervention when they attempted to take Jerusalem.  One might pass this off by thinking there is no way to know this, but there is further evidence to support this.  The King James Bible begins Daniel 4:4 “I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house.”  But the Septuagint begins Daniel 4 with “And in the eighteenth year of his reign Nebuchadnezzar said: I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house.”  If this is accurate it would mean that even though everyone credits Nebuchadnezzar with destroying Solomon’s Temple and Jerusalem, this may be in error.

Nebuchadnezzar came to power in 605 BC.  Jerusalem was destroyed in 586 BC which would be the 20th year of his reign.  If this vision was in the 18th year of his reign it would place its occurrence sometime in 588 BC.  It was 12 months after Nebuchadnezzar vision was implemented that Evil-Murdoch his son was installed as king.  This means the 7 years Nebuchadnezzar’s humanity was taken from him along with his throne began in 587 BC and he would have been reinstalled as King of Babylon sometime in 580 or 581 BC.  Furthermore, the account given of the destruction of Jerusalem in the book of II Kings says:

2 Kings 25:8 (KJV)

And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem:  And II Chronicles later states:

II Chronicles 36:16-17 (KJV)

16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy. 17 Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand.

While reviewing timelines of the Kings of Babylon, none were found that showed any disruption in the reign of Nebuchadnezzar.  However, the Jewish Online Encyclopedia claims when King Nebuchadnezzar suffered God’s judgement, they installed Evil-Merodoch his son as king.  When Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity returned and the crown was returned to him, he threw his son Evil-Merodoch in prison.  Then when Nebuchadnezzar died they released Evil-Merodoch from prison to make him king.  Evil-Merodoch refused to take the oath of office until they showed him the corpse of Nebuchadnezzar.  This would tend to show some credibility because who would not show some degree of skepticism if you rightly replaced your father as king when he was mentally incapacitated and it landed you in prison?  What would any sane mind think your father would do if he caught you taking his throne a second time?

Here is the portion of Scripture that contains much more than meets the eye.  Remember, Isaiah told us that the King of Babylon is going to come back from the grave.  Obviously it is not going to be King Nebuchadnezzar himself as he was not the only King of Babylon, but rather someone who will be quite similar in many ways to these evil Kings.

The Dream Itself

Daniel 4:10-17 (KJV)

10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. 11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: 12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. 13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. 17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

Interpretation Given by Daniel

Daniel 4:20-26 (KJV)

20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; 21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: 22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. 23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; 24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: 25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will .26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.

In verses 20 and 21 Daniel repeats the description of the tree that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his vision.  In verse 22 Daniel tells King Nebuchadnezzar this tree is him.  If our Lord gave Daniel this interpretation and the Word of God says this is the interpretation, then there is no question about this, this is the interpretation.  However, that does not mean that is all there is to the interpretation, and it does not mean there is only one subject in the interpretation.  The Word of God has many examples where one character can be demonstrative or symbolic of another that was yet to come.  For example, in the life of Joseph the son of Jacob (Israel) can be seen many similarities to the life of Christ.  Joseph’s life was symbolic of Christ who was yet to come.  In the chapter on Isaiah 14 we saw that the King of Babylon was called Satan and we were warned that he will someday return. (Be cast up out of the grave.) 

There is no doubt the tree is the King of Babylon, but the King is directly connected to Babylon as you can’t have one without the other.  How can you have a King of Babylon if there is no Babylon?  If the King of Babylon is going to return, Babylon must also return.  The two are inseparable.  If the King was great then his kingdom was great just as it is detailed in verse 22.

“And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven.”  This can be none other than Jesus Christ.  One might interpret this as two different entities because of the way it is worded, “a watcher and an holy one;” but this is doubtful for at least three reasons. 

  1. First, watchers are angels, which might seem to point to there being two entities here, but on multiple occasions in the book of Revelation Jesus Christ is called “another angel” and in Revelation 18 he is referred to as a “great angel.” 
  2. Secondly, “an holy one” is a further description of the watcher.
  3. Thirdly, the next part of the verse confirms it must be the Son of God because of the command that is given by the Holy One.  It is a command that only Jesus Christ the King of kings could give.  The Holy One said:

“Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field.”  It is this statement that tells us this not only refers to the current King of Babylon but also to a future King of Babylon.  How does it tell us this?    

As was explained previously in the interpretation of Isaiah 14, trees represent nations or kingdoms and branches represent the lineages of the royal families of the king who rules the nation or kingdom.  However, the roots of the tree represent the people of the Kingdom as there can be no tree, and it cannot stand without the roots.  “Hew the tree down, and destroy it” speaks of the destruction of Babylon.  Leaving the stump and the roots is a clear indication that this tree is going to sprout again sometime in the future, just as the King of Babylon being “cast out of the grave like an abominable branch” in Isaiah 14 is a clear indication the King of Babylon is going to return in the future.  Thus we have a prophecy telling us of the return of the King of Babylon and a prophecy telling us of the return of Babylon.  In addition, the “band of iron and brass” is prophecy that has nothing to do with the 7 year loss of power that King Nebuchadnezzar was to experience.  This prophecy speaks of the coming kingdoms we first learned about in Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream. The kingdom of brass was the Greek Empire and the kingdom of iron represents the Ottoman (Islamic) Empire.  These things can be stated with confidence because of the ancient forestry technique that is being described and practiced in this verse. 

The forestry technique referred to here is called coppicing.  It is the practice of cutting down a living tree while leaving the stump and the roots.  It is believed this arboriculture technique of coppicing dates back to well before 3000 B.C.  When a tree is copped the end result is not the sprouting of a new tree directly from the top of the stump surface that was cut, but rather a ring or band of poles that sprout up from the sides of the stump and the area around the base of the stump.  These poles are curved at the bottom where they grow out from the stump but then grow upwards and form long poles that do not fork or branch out like the trunk of a normal tree.  This process was used for producing archery bows and poles to build with in times past, but this technique has died out because of the development of newer, cheaper and superior building materials.  The drawing included shows the end result of coppicing.  You have probably seen examples of this before but probably were not aware of what caused this strange cluster of trees.

The “band of iron and brass” does not refer to what you might think it does when you first hear it or look at the drawing.  It is true that the poles springing up from the stump area seem to be in bands or rings, but that is not the meaning here.  According to Strong’s Greek & Hebrew Dictionary the Hebrew word for band used here is “esûr” and it corresponds to imprisonment.  If one looks at actual pictures of trees that have been copped, one can see the resemblance of a jail cell because of the layer or layers of poles that encase the tree stump.  If a person were able to get to the middles of the cluster of poles it would look as though they were in jail.  With the stump in the middle being all that’s left of the tree Babylon, this could be further evidence for the reason why Rome was left out of the kingdoms in King Nebuchadnezzar’s previous dream of Daniel 2.  After the tree Babylon was cut down, the future land masses of the Greek Empire (represented by the band of brass) and Islamic Empire (represented by the band of iron) totally encompassed the tree Babylon.  However, neither of those empires ever encompassed the  land mass of the Roman Empire because it  was mainly a European empire and its boundaries extended further north than the Ottoman Empire ever did.  Neither did the land mass of the Roman Empire ever totally encompass the land mass of the ancient Babylonian Empire, so it would not be mentioned or included in this prophecy either.

“In the tender grass of the field.”  Since this prophecy has a dual fulfillment this phrase would have a dual interpretation.  As it applies to Nebuchadnezzar the interpretation would be literal and actually referring to an area of land.  To the future King of Babylon it would have a figurative interpretation.  I Peter 1:24 tells us that “all flesh is grass” which tells us this is referring to people that are tender.  This is a precise definition of the people ruled over by the future King of Babylon who you already know to be the people Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi of ISIS ruled over. 

The people of Abu Bakr’s Babylon were easily impressed, and broken as they accepted Islam as their religion and pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr as their Caliph.  In contrast to this, the Christians he acquired in his newly conquered territory were loving and compassionate and easily injured and killed as they refused to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr.  They might even have been aware that by doing so they would be taking on the mark of the beast.

“And let his portion be with the beasts of the field.”  This too would have a different meaning to each of the two Kings of Babylon.  To Nebuchadnezzar it again would be literal in that when God’s judgement was executed, he literally acted as though he were a beast of the field.  This disease is known and even though it is extremely rare, there are well documented cases of it.

In the case of ISIS this would have a figurative interpretation.  In the Word of God man without the love of God in his heart is nothing but a beast.  The latest King of Babylon, Abu Bakr, let his portion be with the Islamic Jihadi beasts which are Godless men that would kill all that will not accept Islam as their religion or Abu Bakr as their Caliph.  The field in this case would refer to nearly the whole earth as Islam is now found in nearly if not all countries of the world.

The Interpretation of the 7 Times

Now we come to the key phrase “Till seven times pass over him.”  When doing a search for the number of times seven times is used in the Bible, it was a real eye opener.  Seven times is used 79 times in the Word of God.  Seven is the number of completeness with nine being the number of judgement.  Could there be an underlying message here or is it just another coincidence you will find throughout this book?  Seven is the number that shows completion or an end to many acts in the Bible.  Here are some examples of this:

  • Seven times is the number of times Jacob bowed to his brother Esau upon returning from his twenty year stay in Padanaram.
  • When making sacrifices the blood of the animal being sacrificed was sprinkled seven times before the Lord.
  • During the trespass offering the oil was sprinkled seven times.
  • The Lord warned Israel that if they walked contrary to Him He would bring 7 times more plagues upon them according to their sins.
  • When conquering the city of Jericho after entering the Promised Land the Israelites compassed the city one time for six days and on the seventh day they compassed it seven times and seven priests blew seven trumpets.
  • Naaman had to dip seven times in the Jordan River to be cleansed of his leprosy.
  • We are to forgive those that sin against us not seven times, but 70 times seven.
  • And of course what we are dealing with here, Nebuchadnezzar’s dwelling was to be with the beasts of the field for seven times, until he knew the most High ruled in the kingdom of men and placed whomever he wanted to be in charge of it.

Obviously, the number seven has a very special significance in the Word of God.  However, the question we must answer here is; what exactly is meant by the seven times that are going to pass over King Nebuchadnezzar?   Since this is a dual fulfillment prophecy we need to answer this for the ancient King of Babylon, and then we need to answer it for the Man of Sin, the King of Babylon who Isaiah said would be cast up from the bottomless pit; the last King of Babylon who reigns just before our Lord returns.

As for King Nebuchadnezzar, the king in power at the time the book of Daniel; the period of seven times is not that difficult to know.  As was explained in the previous chapter, a time is simply the span of a year.  It is the amount of time from the observance of an appointed time (Feast of the Lord) until its next observance.  (1 Time = 1 Year)  Seven times is the equivalent of seven years.  It was seven years that King Nebuchadnezzar spent dwelling as one of the beasts of the earth.

Now you might ask, how can this period of seven years be applied to a returned King of Babylon that was not to appear for more than 2500 years?  The answer to this question is not near as easy and you may not see it because it has nothing to do with the future King of Babylon reacquiring his kingdom after seven years.  It does however have to do with the time when the future King of Babylon will be forced to exit his Babylonian Kingdom to dwell with the beasts of the field just as the ancient King of Babylon did.  How does one make this giant leap in time?

Now that we know Bible Prophecy increments of time must be converted to days because that is the common denominator in all prophecies of time, ((x) Days = (x) Years) we must first convert the times to years and then years to days.  We have determined seven times to be seven years, so next we must convert it to days.  Because there are 365 days in a year and we are dealing with seven years, we must multiply 7 x 365 days to get our answer of 2,555 days.  Since days are equal to years in Bible Prophecy we are speaking of a total time span of 2,555 years.  So how does this apply to the future King of Babylon?

In order to find this we must go back to what the watcher and an holy one prophesied: but this time we will interpret it just a little more figuratively.  The Holy One said: “Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches.” Since trees in the Bible are used to represent nations, this would represent both the second Babylon of King Nebuchadnezzar and the third Babylon of the Man of Sin, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The commandment to “Hew down the tree” not only prophesied the time King Nebuchadnezzar would be removed from power; it is also revealed when the future King of the last Babylon will be removed from power. 

“Cut off his branches” in the case of King Nebuchadnezzar this would refer to his children or heirs.  All the prince and princesses of his kingdom.  All those of the immediate royal family.  Being cut off means they would be killed and thereby lose any possibility of ever ascending to the throne.  In the case of the Kingdom of Babylon the branches being cut off would refer to the other nations or nation states that made up the tree Babylon.  Once the tree was cut down these nation states would lose all support they received from the ruling kingdom.  This support would be in the form of goods and the keeping of the peace or protection.

“Shake off his leaves” in reference to the King would refer to all those further down the royal lineage of the royal family.  Not the immediate sons, but the descendants of the immediate sons of the Kings of Babylon; the ones further down the family tree.  With regards to the Tree Babylon it would refer to the communities and towns of the nation states the king conquered and were under the control of the Tree Babylon.

“Scatter his fruit.”  One’s fruit is that which one produces or the effect or consequence of any action one might take.  As it applies to King Nebuchadnezzar it would again refer to his offspring.  It was a common occurrence in ancient times that when a king died or was replaced by another, all those that might rightfully lay claim to the throne found themselves in a very precarious position.  More often than not efforts were made to insure they would no longer feel the need to take in oxygen.  So it is no wonder that they would scatter or flee the kingdom because there are not many things that can top a big breath of fresh air! However, when it comes to the Kingdom of Babylon we must take a more figurative approach as to what is meant by “scatter his fruit.”  If one’s fruit is the end result of any action one might take, the Word of God teaches a good tree bears good fruit and an evil tree will only bear evil fruit.  In the Bible the tree Babylon is a symbol of man’s rebellion against God, which makes the tree Babylon an evil tree.  During the first Babylon man thought to magnify himself by building a stairway to heaven instead of magnifying the God that made both man and the heavens.  In this second Babylon king Nebuchadnezzar was guilty of much the same thing.  He built a giant statue of himself out of gold and then commanded everyone in the kingdom to bow down to it or be put to death.  The second Babylon had many gods; none of which was the true God.  Of special significance was the moon god Sin.  Sin is significant because as was demonstrated in Isaiah 14 to be the symbol of the moon that connects the second Babylon with the third and last Babylon.  It is here we can connect the scatter his fruit to both the second and last Babylon.

When the Medes took Babylon the priests of the moon god Sin fled to an area called Pergamos, in the current day country of Turkey, taking their false religion with them.  Theirs was the Satan worshiping evil religion that was the forerunner of Islam.  Yes, this is the same Pergamos that the letter to the church at Pergamos was written in Revelation 2:12.  This is why it says in verse 13; “I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is.”  This is also the same place that Revelation 13 is speaking of when it says:

Revelation 13:2 (KJV)

And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon (Satan) gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

This verse is speaking of the Ottoman (Muslim) Empire which was seated in Turkey.  This is the path that leads us to the third and last Babylon where Islam becomes the Babylon of man’s last and greatest rebellion against God.  It is the religion that took an evil man and tried to make him equal to God, and a religion that believes their Caliph is God in the flesh.

Since this verse also speaks of the third and last Babylon the scatter his fruit can also be applied to what happened when ISIS the third Babylon came on the scene.  This happened when Muslims in this war torn area as well as the rest of the Islamic nations began migrating to countries all over the whole world, and we do mean the WHOLE world.  Muslims from Muslim nations all over Asia began to migrate to every continent except Antarctica, and it would not be a surprise to find a few there.  This is just another example of how the antichrist (Islam) mimics everything our Lord does.  When Israel and Judah did not keep the covenant they made with the Lord, He scattered them all over the earth just as He said He would.  Likewise Satan has scattered the fruit of Babylon (Islam) to the uttermost parts of the Earth.

As it would apply to Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon to let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches would show the evil nations and godless people Babylon conquered will no longer be depending on the King to provide them food, protection or livelihood; as well as prophecy speaking of the escape of the religion of the Sin god.

To translate this in a more figurative way to the last Babylon it would be indicating that the false religion of worshiping Satan through the moon god Sin would be undertaking a new transition.  Since a beast in the Word of God can be one man, a group of men, or a kingdom of men that do not have the love of the true God in their hearts, this would be saying the beasts will be getting away from the Babylonian moon god Sin, and transitioning to the new “moon god” Allah. 

“Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field.”   As previously mentioned, leaving the stump and roots describes the coppicing and leaving the roots in the earth tells us we have not seen the last of Babylon.  The roots of any country are its citizens.  Since the roots are to be left in the earth it tells us a third Babylon is going to come into being and the people that make up this third Babylon are going to be of the same ethnicity as the people that made up the second Babylon. 

“Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him.”  This too carries with it a two-fold translation.  The man’s heart refers to the condition of a man’s heart.  A man’s heart is capable of loving and worshiping the God that created and loves him, but a beast’s heart has no love for God in it.  In the case of Nebuchadnezzar, his heart was literally changed to that of a beast of the field for seven years.  However, the heart that was given to the future King of Babylon, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi of ISIS, is a more figurative translation where a beast refers to a man who does not have the love of God in his heart.  This kind of heart is capable of horrendous evil.  This was demonstrated in the actions of al-Baghdadi, the Man of Sin.  He was known for all the horrible ways he killed people, he had a heart that was far more evil than that of a beast.  Don’t forget, just like the ancient King of Babylon made a great image and slew his own people that would not bow down to it, so did Abu Bakr of ISIS.  Just like the ancient King of Babylon he makes an image (copy) of the beast before him (rule of Mohamed) and kills everyone that will not bow down to it.

“And let seven times pass over him.”  Here is the seven years we are looking for.  Remember, in addition to the ancient King of Babylon, this prophecy is speaking of a returned King of Babylon who is the leader of the 8th kingdom of Revelation 17.  After King Nebuchadnezzar was put out to pasture it was seven years (times) before a worthy and just king was put in power.  It was seven years before he was ready to “praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment.”  

So it will be concerning the third and last Babylon.  Once this Man of Sin with the heart of a beast is put into power, it will be seven years before Jesus Christ will destroy this last Babylon and take His rightful place as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.  It will be seven years before a worthy and just king will sit on the throne.  This new king could only be Jesus Christ the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

To summarize the evidence that points to a final 7 year period before Christ Returns.

  1. The Lord gave Noah a final 7 day warning before the rains started and before he pronounce judgment and destroyed evil man from the face of the earth.
  2. King Nebuchadnezzar was given 7 years to change his heart and to give God the praise and honor He deserves.
  3. Daniels 70 weeks has 7 years set aside at the end which was a final judgment period where our Lord was ready to return and set up His everlasting kingdom if Israel would have responded in the same way King Nebuchadnezzar did.  This 7 year period refers to the time of Christ’s ministry and not a 7 year period that is transferred to the end of time. (This will be further explained in chapter 12 of this book.)
  4. Revelation 11 reveals a final 7 year period before Christ returns.  It is not the 42 month along with the 1260 day prophecies combined as is currently thought and taught.  It is the two 3½ day periods spoken of in verses 9 and 11.  This will be further explored in chapter 11 in regards to the “REAL” two witnesses.

Applying the 2,555 Days (7 Years) Previously it was demonstrated that the 7 years in prophecy can and should be converted to 2,555 years by multiplying 7 x 365 days and converting the 2,555 days to years.  Almost all historians place the fall of Babylon to 539 B.C. with some being even more precise because they claim there are ancient writings that place the overthrow of ancient Babylon to October 12, 539 B.C. 

If this is correct it would make the solution to this prophecy to be correct to the day, or at the least extremely close to the exact day.  The reason this cannot be said absolutely is because there is no exact date for the fall of ISIS as ISIS is still operating.  We do not even know the exact date the King of Babylon, head of ISIS and Caliph of Islam fled his domain.  However we do know it was sometime in October of 2017 that he managed to successfully flee his domain after being tipped off by our anti-American press.  The fall of the third Babylon was just as our Lord told us it would be in Revelation 17:11.  In this scripture it says this 8th beast would go into perdition, which is destruction, but not total destruction.  Below is a diagram which shows how the Word of God predicted when the King of the last Babylon will be forced to give up his throne even though his Kingdom has not been overthrown, just as the King of the previous Babylon was forced to do.

As you probably already know, there are very good reasons for all these events found in the Word of God, and it’s very likely that we do not realize but what a small fraction of them are.  In Isaiah 14 we are told of a returning King of Babylon and in the book of Daniel we are alerted to a number of events that SHOULD allow us to know this future ruler when we see him, even to the point of being given prophecies of time.  Because we believe we have all the answers and prophecy is not really all that important, our seminaries and pulpits and almost all of Christendom do not see these treasures that are hidden right in front of us.  This is why our Lord calls us poor, we lack these treasures.

If you still have doubts about this, there is yet another prophecy of time found in Revelation chapter 9 which is a second witness to this prophecy and its solution is also in October of 2017.  It is the prophecy of an hour, a month, a day, and a year.  It takes us from the first day of Islam to the last day the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse were prepared for to slay a third part of men.  However, to limit repetition you will have to wait until you get to that chapter to have it revealed.

Because there are many similarities between the ancient King of Babylon and the last King of Babylon, a word of warning needs to be given here.  Do not forget that this future King of Babylon is the leader of ISIS and Caliph of Islam.  He is also the Man of Sin and Satan in the Flesh.  Because Isaiah 14 showed us he is Satan in the Flesh we must not get two extreme with the comparisons regarding the ancient King of Babylon.  More attention needs to be given to how he is similar too but yet the complete opposite of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is Satan in the Flesh.  Christ came to “seek and to save that which was lost.”  Abu Bakr’s mission was and still is to seek out and kill those that Christ saved.  Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life.  Abu Bakr is the one who’s way is a total lie that leads to certain death. 

In future chapters it will be further demonstrated how we can use the similarities and differences we find between Christ, the King of Babylon and the Man of Sin to help us better understand “the things to come.” Things like the length of time of their ministry and what happened to them during the time of their ministry.  It is important to know and understand the information our Lord has provided regarding the King of Babylon.  In fact, once you know who this last King of Babylon is, it would be wise to search and research this king until you know him well.  Any military general will tell you how important it is know the enemy.  How can you fight a war if you don’t know who the enemy is?  You may think this ridiculous, but this is exactly what is going on now even as you read this.  Islam has been at war with the world since its inception.  A brief study of history would prove this. 

The King of Babylon has declared war on the non-Islamic world just as the previous Caliphs of Islam did, yet we behave like there is no threat.  We do not even recognize it as a war, even though they have told us it is.  If this condition were allowed to continue without impedance, some day we will wake up a conquered people, taken by complete surprise, without even a shot being fired.  

This sums up exactly what is happening to Christendom.  Our Lord has provided us with loads of information regarding this enemy in His Word.  In fact He even provided it to us long before the enemy even existed.  He warned us about who this enemy was, what this enemy would say, how he would act, what he would do, as well as where and when he would appear.  The Word of God gives us the exact name he would be called, and even when he would be defeated.  But the world as well as Christendom is in total denial, with neither having a clue as to what is going on.  This is a good part of the reason why when Christ appears to rapture his church, many of those that thought they would be going will not be. They were deceived by an enemy they did not know because they did not know the Savior, who is the Word of God well enough to understand the prophecy He gave them.  This may seem a very bold statement to make, but please be patient because you will have a better understanding of this before you get to the end of the book.

Matthew 24:48-51 (KJV)

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 The Interpretation of “Times”

In this chapter “7 Times” was interpreted to be both 7 years and 2,555 years.  This is due to it being a dual fulfillment prophecy which had a then current interpretation of 7 years and a future interpretation of 2,555 years which is arrived at by converting the number of days in 7 years into years. (An additional year was added because we went from BC to AD.) 

Some might be asking themselves, “Why can’t this be done with the other prophecies of “times” in the Bible?”  This is speaking specifically to the prophecies “time, times and half a time” and “time, times, and the dividing of time” that are found in the books of Daniel and Revelation.

The main reason why it can’t be done is the seven times of Daniel 4 is a prophecy which can be interpreted and applied to two different Kings of Babylon.  It can be interpreted and applied to the ancient king of Babylon and it can be applied to the King of the returned Babylon, which is known to us as the current day ISIS, with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi being the last King of Babylon. (The last of the Islamic Caliphs.)

Most of the prophecies of time in the Bible give us a starting point, describe the event and if you understand the key to decipher the length of time you will know the end date.  However all three of the times prophecies speak of the duration of defined events.  In other words, they define a specific event and then they tell us the amount of time this event will be taking place.  The seven times of Daniel 4 tells us how long the king will dwell with the beasts of the earth.  It does not reveal the date this event will begin; only that once it begins it will last for seven years.  However, this same prophecy speaks of the tree Babylon being hewed down in seven times and this can be applied to the last Babylon.   The other times prophecies are specifically speaking to events that will happen during the end of Days, the period of time shortly before the return of Jesus Christ.  These prophecies would be calculated to be a time period of 1,277 years or more which would take you past the end of the millennium.  This calculation would put this date somewhere in eternity, long after the millennial reign of Jesus Christ.  Calculating a date somewhere in eternity is somewhat futile and can only force one to search for a bottle of aspirin.