1

* Till the Waters Run Dry and the Rising Clouds

When the water runs dry, sit and watch for the rising clouds. This metaphor alludes to bad times, when
the water runs dry, and promised good times when we patiently sit and watch for the rising cloud. Water
is used in a variety of ways as a metaphor in Scripture. It symbolizes the troublesome times in life that
can and do come, especially to God's children. In some contexts water stands for enemies who attack
and need to be overcome. In both the Old and New Testaments, the word "water" is used to symbolize
salvation and eternal life, which God offers humankind through faith in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
In John 4:10-15, part of Jesus' discourse with the Samaritan woman at the well, He speaks
metaphorically of His salvation as living water and as a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
Following along this same theme, water also symbolizes the spiritual cleansing that comes with the
acceptance of God's offer of salvation. In Ephesians 5:26 1, the water that cleanses the bride, the church,
is a symbol for God's Word.

Job is a fitting example in the Scriptures, of bad times that became good times, given to strengthen
believer’s faith in the times that are double to that which is. That is, whether these times are literal or
spiritual, along the Christians path to the gates of the heavenly city 2, he or she will have physical and
spiritual adversities to overcome3.

To journey with the grand prophecies of Daniel and Isaiah is an exhilarating experience and one which
will never weary, nor exhaust, the depths of what they reveal. Since its inception, the Seventh-day
Adventist church has been greatly blessed and has grown substantially in the understanding of the
prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. However, over the last sixty years or so, this growth has ceased to
reflect a growing understanding of the historical aspects of the Christo centricity of the book of Daniel 4,
due largely, to the to a crucial missing link, the failure to identify and apply the potter’s clay and the miry
clay kings and kingdoms of Daniel 2:41 and the misapplication of the kings and kingdoms they represent.
1
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
2
Ellen G. White, Early Writings, Travelling the Narrow Way.
3
Ellen G. White, Early Writings, The Trial of our Faith.
4
The Old Testament . . . was not written merely for the ancients; it was for all ages and for all people. Jesus would
have the teachers of His doctrines diligently search the old Testament for that light which establishes His identity as
the Messiah foretold in prophecy, and reveals the nature of His mission to the world. The old and the New
Testament are inseparable, for both are the teachings of Christ. Ellen G. White, Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary, Vol. 5, p. 1094. The instruction given to Israel should be understood by every living soul. This Day With
God, p. 278.
 2

This in turn, has resulted in a situation where there is no general agreement at all on how these king and
kingdom symbols should be interpreted5, other than representing strength and weakness in chapters 2. As
a result, it appears there has not been any paralleling of the potter’s clay and the miry clay symbols with
their counterpart symbols in chapters 7 and 8.

The writer acknowledges the scholars referred to in the paper have made valuable contributions in
understanding the prophecies of Daniel. However, until the two clay kings are identified and applied, it
appears Dr Shea’s conclusion regarding the identity of these kings and kingdoms is still valid.
Consequently it appears a strict and consistent application of methods of interpretation such as the
following must be followedr, if there is to be a consistent paralleling of the repeat and expansion
symbols in chapters 7 and 8.
 The historical grammatical method.
 Fulfilled prophecy is confirmed by history6.
 When the plain word of Scripture makes sense we are to seek no other explanation7.
 Age does not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair.

The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people is not a proof
that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No
true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation. This invites us, as people who serve a living
God, to be open to being re-formed according to the Word of God, and the call of the spirit8

5
However there is no general agreement at all on how these symbols should be interpreted. For example,
interpreters have significant differences of opinion regarding the identity even of such a major symbolic element in
Daniel as the four nation sequence of chapters 2 and 7. Yet, if we cannot correctly interpret such basic prophetic
symbols in Daniel, there is little hope that we will be able to correctly interpret lesser symbols. If we cannot identify
the kingdoms involved, how can we understand the prophetic details given regarding these kingdoms ?? Shea, Daniel,
p. 133.
6
As history is a core aspect of the Historical Grammatical Method of interpretation, it is interesting to consider some
observations attributed to history. There are negative viewpoints such as; History is a set of lies that people have
agreed upon. (How true regarding prophecy). These cynical adages have been linked to several major figures
including: the military and political leader Napoléon Bonaparte, the French philosopher and firebrand Voltaire (pen
name of François-Marie Arouet), and the author Bernard Le Bovier de Fontenelle.
https://quoteinvestigator.com/2016/07/05/fable/. There are positive viewpoints such as; Those who don’t know
history are doomed to repeat it, Edmond Bourke. A generation which ignores history has no past and no future,
Robert Heinlein. The past provides a wealth of knowledge about ourselves if only we can face it fearlessly, Sam
Jacobs.
7
Every declaration of scripture is to be taken in the most obvious and literal sense, except where context and well-
known laws of language show that the terms are figurative, and not literal, and whatever is figurative must be
explained by other points of the Bible which are literal. Gordon Hyde, A Symposium On Biblical Hermeneutics.
8
E.G. White, Counsels to Writers and editors, p. 35.
 3

The Church is to be Continually Reforming.

The lifeblood of the church, is, that it is to be continually reforming, and, as there is always room for
spiritual growth, it behoves Bible students 9 to examine and re-examine the interpretation of prophecy in
the light of the Protestant motto, Ecclesia Reformata Semper Reformanda, an approach that challenges
both liberal and conservative agendas to the possibility there is something, more radical than we have
imagined, yet to be revealed10. This motto challenges Seventh-day Adventists to something more radical
than we have imagined. It challenges the liberal and conservative impulses, habits and agendas we have
fallen into, in this case, a consistent paralleling of the iron and clay symbols, with the new king and
kingdom symbols in chapters 7 and 811.

When the Water Runs Dry.

Knowing the final shaking of the church is just before us, knowing that God’s restraining hand is being
withdrawn, a time when God’s people are being “stirred like a pot of paint 12” by every wind of doctrine,
Eph 4:14: Who are these two clay Kings and which is your Anchor?

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life, We have an anchor that keeps the soul
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife? Steadfast and sure while the billows roll
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain, Fastened to the Rock which cannot move
Will your anchor drift or firm remain? Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love

Next.

9
We have our Bibles. WE have our experience, attested to by the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit. We have a
truth that admits of no compromise. Shall we not repudiate everything that is not in harmony with this truth? Ellen
G. White , 1 Selected Messages, p 205.
10
This motto calls us to something more radical than we have imagined. It challenges both liberal and conservative
impulses and the habits and agendas we have lately fallen into. It brings a prophetic critique to our cultural
accommodation—either to the past or to the present—and calls us to communal and institutional repentance. It
invites us, as people who worship and serve a living God, to be open to being "re-formed" according to the Word of
God and the call of the spirit. Presbyterians Today > What Presbyterias Believe > May 2004 Anna Case-Winters.
11
The last great conflict between truth and error is but the final struggle of the long-standing controversy concerning
the Law of God. Upon this battle we are now entering --- a battle between the laws of men and the precepts of
Jehovah, between the religion of the Bible and the religion of fable and tradition.
It is easy to make an idol of false doctrines and theories as to fashion an idol of wood and stone. By misrepresenting
the attributes of God, Satan leads men to conceive Him in a false character. With many, a philosophical idol is
enthroned in the place of Jehovah; while the living God, as He is revealed in His word, in Christ, and in the works of
creation, is worshipped by a few. Ellen G White, The Great Controversy, chapter 36, The Impending Conflict, p. 582,
583.
12
Stirred like a Pot of Paint, by Helen Rroseveare.
 4

The identification and application of the iron and clay kings of Daniel 2:41.

Chapter Two.
The Iron and Clay Kings Identified
Genesis 3:15

In Daniel 2:33 and 4113, the iron and clay symbols of verse 41 together with the stone and the mountain
of verse 45, are the only kingdom symbols that apply in the time of the feet and the toes of the image,
the iron, the potter’s clay, and the miry clay symbols being the most important as far as correctly
identifying the king and kingdom symbols, in chapters 7 and 8, and consequently: If we cannot identify
these kingdoms how can we understand the prophetic details regarding them 14? It is proposed the
answer calls for a strict and consistent application of the following aspects of interpreting prophecy.
 The historical grammatical method.
 Fulfilled prophecy is confirmed by history.
 If the plain word of Scripture makes sense, we are to seek no other explanation.
 Age does not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair.

In the light of Satan’s deceptions in the last days, one of Ellen White’s warnings is that we don’t repeat
the mistake of the Jews by denying Christ.

The Jewish economy, bearing the signature of Heaven, had been instituted by Christ Himself. In
types and symbols the great truths of redemption were veiled. Yet when Christ came, the Jews did
not recognize Him to whom all these symbols pointed. They had the word of God in their hands; but
the traditions which had been handed down from generation to generation, and the human

13
And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but
there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
14
However there is no general agreement at all on how these symbols, should be interpreted. For example,
interpreters have significant differences of opinion regarding the identity even of such a major symbolic element in
Daniel as the four nation sequence of chapters 2 and 7. Yet, if we cannot correctly interpret such basic prophetic
symbols in Daniel, there is little hope that we will be able to correctly interpret lesser symbols. If we cannot identify
the kingdoms involved, how can we understand the prophetic details given regarding these kingdoms? Dr William
Shea, Daniel, A Readers guide. p. 133. Pacific Press Publishing Association 2005.
 5

interpretation of the Scriptures, hid from them the truth as it is in Jesus. The spiritual import of the
sacred writings was lost. The treasure house of all knowledge was open to them, but they
knew it not15.

Satan is working [so] that the history of the Jewish nation may be repeated in the experience of
those who claim to believe present truth. The Jews had the Old Testament Scriptures and supposed
themselves conversant with them. But they made a woeful mistake. . . . The very same Satan is at
work to undermine the faith of the people of God at this time. There are persons ready to catch up
every new idea. The prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation are misinterpreted16.

Jesus also warned Satan’s deceptions are just as valid, if not even more so, in our day, as they were in
His day, Matt 24:4-1317; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-1018. From the above If we are to escape the deceptions of
Satan, there needs to be a deep desire and love for the truth that requires one to be open minded, to
search carefully and diligently, and to prove all things; Acts 17:1119; 1 Thess. 5:2120; Eph. 4:14-1521.

Walking in the Light, Our Only Safety.

Mighty truths have been buried beneath the sophistry of error,22

15
Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 104.4. John 5:39-40, King James Version.

16
Ellen G White, Truth Triumphant, p. 342.
17
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.5 For many shall come in my name,
saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not
troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.7 For nation shall rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.8 All these
are the beginning of sorrows.9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated
of all nations for my name's sake.10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate
one another.11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.12 And because iniquity shall abound, the
love of many shall wax cold.13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
18
And all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refuse to love the
truth and so be saved. CF. John 5:39,
19
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness examining
the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
20
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
21
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the
slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow
up into him in all things, ---.
22
Manuscript 88, 1898. It appears there is still “much to learn and much to unlearn.” Early Writings, Ellen G. White, p.
68.
 6

Men rest satisfied with the light already received from God’s word and discourage any further
investigation of the Scriptures. --- This light should lead us to diligent study of the Scriptures and a most
critical examination of the positions which we hold.23

Every position of our faith will be searched into and if we are not thorough Bible students, established,
strengthened, and settled, the wisdom of the world’s greatest men will be too much for us.24

Every pillar that has been established is to be strengthened. 25

Those who think they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an
opinion, will be disappointed. 26

Nine-tenths of our people, including many of our teachers and ministers, are content with surface
truths.27

In the light the above, let’s be open to re-examining the pathway we are following to the heavenly city.
Is it possible I have been deceived in any way, especially in the identification and application of the clay
kingdoms of Daniel? Is it possible leading men have transposed the potter’s clay and miry clay kings in
Daniel 8;9-14?

The four Metal Kingdoms.

 The first king, kingdom, and kingdom age of the world is typified by the golden age of Babylon, of
which, Nebuchadnezzar was the first king, vs. 37. It is generally accepted the golden age of
Babylon and the world was from 605B.C. to 539 B.C., when it was followed by another.

 The second king, kingdom, and kingdom age of the world is typified by the silver age of Medo-
Persia, of which history confirms Cyrus was the first king, vs. 39; it is generally accepted the silver
age of Medo-Persia and the world was from 539 B.C. to 331 B.C., when it was followed by
another:-

 The third king, kingdom, and kingdom age of the world is typified by the bronze age of Greece, of
which history confirms Alexander the Great was the first king, cf. 2:39; 8:21. It is generally
accepted, by Adventist scholars and evangelists, the bronze age of Greece and the world was from
331 A.D. to 168 B.C. However Daniel and history reveal the southern kingdom of Greece, Egypt,
23
Testimonies No. 5, pp. 706-707.
24
Letter 65, 1886.
25
Manuscript129, 1905.
26
CWE p. 35, Review and Herald, July 26, 1892.
27
Manuscript 35, 1901.
 7

did not fall until 30 B.C.28, not until 30 B.C. was Greece followed by another.

 The fourth king, kingdom, and kingdom age of the world is different to the previous metal
kingdoms and kingdom ages, not only because it is an iron kingdom, but because of the clay kings
who arrive on the scene of action in the time of the feet and the toes. Kings who divide the
kingdom of Rome in the time of the feet, and the fourth kingdom age of the world, in the time of
feet and the toes.

The Identity of the Iron and the Clay Symbols.

We have come to a time when God’s sacred work is represented by the feet of the image in which
the iron was mixed with the miry clay. God has a people, a chosen people, whose discernment
must be sanctified, who must not become unholy by laying upon the foundation wood, hay, and
stubble. Every soul who is loyal to the commandments of God will see the distinguishing feature of
our faith is the Seventh-day Sabbath. If the government would honor the Sabbath as God has
commanded, it would stand in the strength of God and in defence of the faith once delivered to the
saints. . . . The mingling of churchcraft and statecraft is represented by the iron and the clay. This
union is weakening all the power of the churches. This investing the church with the power of the
State will bring evil results. Men have almost passed the point of God’s forbearance. They have
invested their strength in politics, and have united with the papacy. But the time will come when
God will punish those who have made void His law, and their evil works will recoil upon
themselves29.

The church has been counselled regarding the identity of the kingdoms represented by the symbols of
iron and clay, yet in spite of the counsel, the identity of the potter’s clay and the miry clay kings of verse
41 are yet to be established or applied. Until these kings and their kingdoms are identified, it is logical
there are mighty truths, (associated with the clay kings) that remain buried beneath the sophistry of
error, that are yet to be understood in the repeat and expansions provided in chapters 7-12.
Consequently, let’s rekindle the Pioneer’s fervent desire for the truth, let’s be open to new truths, and

28
Encyclopedia Britannica. Hellenistic world . what is now Egypt was conquered by the Romans in 30 BCE. It remained
part of the Roman Republic and Empire and then part of Rome’s successor state, the Byzantine Empire, until its
conquest by Arab Muslim armies in 639–642 CE.
29
Seventh Day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1168; Manuscript 3, 1899.
 8

let’s claim the promise, of John 8:33, that you (I) will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth
(this truth) will set you (me) free [from the penalty of sin].

The following counsel warns the deceptions of Satan and his agents should not to be taken lightly. Only
those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and those who have received the love of the truth
will be shielded from the powerful delusions that take the world captive. By the Bible testimony these
will detect the deceiver in his disguise. To all the testing time will come. By the sifting of temptation the
genuine Christian will be revealed. . . . 30.

The first Iron King and Kingdom of the Fourth Kingdom Age.

History confirms it was the Roman general, Octavian, who overthrew Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, the
last Greek kingdom, in 30 B.C.31, became the first iron king, in the time of the legs after he changed his
name to Caesar Augustus in 27 B.C. His victory over Cleopatra and Mark Anthony signalled the fall of
the last Greek Kingdom. Here we have a critical date discrepancy regarding the fall of Greece, was it
168 B.C., or was it 30 B.C.?

The Potters Clay Symbol.

Regarding the identity of the potter’s clay symbol, in Isaiah 64:8 we are told:- “But now, O LORD, you
are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter.” In Dan. 2:41, it is proposed the symbol of
potter’s clay symbol applies to Jesus, The Creator God, Gen. 1:1: the angel Yahweh and His kingdom
the new earth, Ex. 23:20-22; Isa. 30:27-28; Ps. 20:1. This angel, the same as Yahweh, implies He, the
second member of the Godhead, is the commander of Yahweh’s army, Joshua 5:13-15.

In John 18:36 Jesus said; My kingdom is not of this world. As Jesus is the commander of Yahweh’s
army, there is no iron mixed with potter’s clay symbol in verse 41. Neither Jesus, nor His kingdom
people unite with the iron kings of this world. Jesus is not only the potter’s clay King, the spiritual, the
religious, King of the Christian Church; He is also the iron King, the political king, of the Christian
church. It is Jesus Christ, the commander of Yahweh’s army who judges the metal and the miry clay

30
E.G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 625.
31
Encyclopedia Britannica. Hellenistic world . what is now Egypt was conquered by the Romans in 30 BCE. It remained
part of the Roman Republic and Empire and then part of Rome’s successor state, the Byzantine Empire, until its
conquest by Arab Muslim armies in 639–642 CE.
 9

kings and kingdom people of the world, with a rod of iron. ” Psalms 2:932; Rev. 2:27, 12:533. He is the
King of kings, Rev. 19:13, 1634; John 18:3635. In Dan 2:4536 Jesus is not only the potter’s clay king, the
Saviour of the world, He is also the stone, the iron King, who destroys all the kingdoms of the world.

“He [messiah, son of David] shall thrust out sinners from (the) inheritance, He shall destroy the
pride of the sinner as a potter’s vessel. With a rod of iron he shall break in pieces all their
substance.” The context of Rev. 2:27 suggests that the “rod” is here both a symbol of rulership
and an instrument of punishment.37 Jesus is the Lord of Lords and King of kings for forever. When
He returns the Second time to this earth, Rev. 17:1438 His reign is absolute and inviolable.

God’s kingdom is not of this earth, and His people are taken to heaven before the stone smashes the feet
of the image. Christ, depicted by the symbol of the stone, does not destroy the potter’s clay people in
Dan. 2:45. In the time from the commencement of the judgment in 1844, to the close of probation,
Christ is both judge and advocate for His people. He says, in John 10:14, I know those who are mine39.
The stone represents Christ coming as the iron King of Kings, holding a double edge sword representing
the subjective application of the mercy and justice that kissed in Jesus objectively at the cross. The
Mercy of redeeming His faithful people at midnight40, and the Justice that demands the destruction of the
wicked and sin forever! cf. Psalm 85:1041

Justice and mercy stood apart, in opposition to each other, separated by a wide gulf. The Lord our
Redeemer clothed His divinity, and wrought out in behalf of man (objectively) a character that was
without spot or blemish. He planted His cross midway between heaven and earth, and made it the object

32
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
33
2:27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I
received of my Father. 12:5. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and
her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
34
Vs.13: He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. Vs.16: On his
robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
35
John 18:36. Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would
have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this world.”
36
Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the
iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass
hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
37
SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, p. 752.
38
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings:
and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
39
And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1John 2:1.
40
Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 636,
41
Mercy and truth have met togther; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
 10

of attraction which reached both ways, drawing both Justice and Mercy across the gulf . . . There I saw
One equal with God bearing the penalty for all injustice and sin. With perfect satisfaction Justice bowed
in reverence at the cross, saying it is enough42.

The Miry Clay Symbol.

As Jesus is the King of kings, it is logical in the context of the Old Testament and the book of Daniel,
the symbol of miry clay, in the context of the feet and the toes, applies to Satan, the devil, and the prince
of this world, cf. How art thou fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning, how art thou cut
down to the ground, which did weaken the nations! 43: And Christ’s words, I beheld Satan as lightning
fall from heaven44. The one who said in his heart, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.

In Daniel 2:41 the symbol of miry clay applies to Satan, his kingdom, his agents and his kingdom
people. In Psalms 40:245, the symbol of miry clay, (a slimy pit, NIV.) David was in a pit of despair and
was being sucked into the miry clay. God rescued David from the pit and placed his feet on a rock, the
rock, Jesus Christ. Here is an allusion of the controversy between Chris and Satan as it applies in this
broken world, from which man is unable to escape by himself. The identification and application of the
potter’s clay and miry clay symbols sets the scene for the battle of the two clay kings, Christ and Satan,
for the kingship, not only of the church, but this world, and by extension, the universe.

The Iron Mixed with Miry Clay Symbol

As the symbol of potter’s clay applies to Jesus, and as His kingdom is not of this world, it is proposed
the symbol of iron mixed with miry clay, applies to Satan’s agents, the political and religious kings and
kingdoms of the world that support Satan’s claim: --- I will ascend into heaven. I will exalt my throne
above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north: I will
ascend above the heights of the clouds; I well be like the most High 46, especially in the time of the feet
and toes.
He became the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) , and has assumed the princeship or
godship of the world (2 Corinthians 4:4; John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11). With malign power

42
Ellen G. White, Sons and Daughters of God, p. 243.2
43
Isaiah 14:12-14
44
Luke 10:18
45
He brought me out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
46
Isaiah, 12:13, 14.
 11

to tempt mankind .His cohorts embrace the evil “principalities” and “ powers” and spiritual hosts
of wickedness in high places Ephesians 6:12). Lies, deception, force, cruelty, disease, suffering, and
death are his malign weapons. Here is the factual record in the Apocalypse: {CFF150.4}47

From the above it is proposed the two clay kings, in their principle applications, apply to the battle
between Christ and Satan in the time of the feet and the toes. In this battle Satan’s army combines
political and religious kingdoms in the fight against Christ and His faithful people. This battle became a
personal battle for a second time as soon as the baby Jesus was born48 in the time of the feet, and it ends
with Jesus the victor, in the time of the toes, Gen. 3:1549; Matthew 4.

An example of an iron and miry clay union is depicted by the insignia of the double headed eagle below.
In this Caesar is depicted as the political head, and the papacy isdepicted as the religious head of the
Roman Empire. A union that lasted from 538 A.D. to 800 A.D. when, on the 25 th. of December 800,
Pope Leo 111, crowned the Frankish King, Charlemagne the emperor of Western Rome. It should be
noted that up to this time no Pope, except one, was crowned without the approval of the Roman
Emperor50. However this reversal of power did not equate to Papal political power. These agents of
Satan, represented by the symbols of iron mixed with miry clay, do not cleave together, 2:43, they
remain independent kingdoms. It was the Papacy’s religious power that subdued the political power of
the Western kingdoms for 1260 years.

Symbol of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, as found atop the front entrance of
the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George

47
The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, Vol. 1
48
Rev. 12:1 a woman clothed with the sun; 2. Being with child; 4. And the dragon stood before the woman --- to
devour her child as soon as it was born. Cf. Matt. 2:1-13.
49
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head,
and thou shalt bruise his heel, and Rev. 22:20. He that testifieth these things saith, Surely “I come quickly. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
50
Roman emperors did not hand their political power to the papacy, but the relationship between the two was
complex and ever-changing. Instead, the power of the papacy and the authority of the emperors were often in
conflict. The pope was subordinate to the emperor, but the pope's power grew as Christianity became the official
religion of the Roman Empire. In 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as Roman Emperor, which set a precedent
that popes would crown emperors in Western Europe. Google. “Did Rome hand political power to the Papacy.”
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Relief from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople buildings. Double- headed eagle
emblem of the Ecumenical Patriachate of Constantinople (Istanbul), based on insignia of the
Byzantine Empire. The head on the left (West) symbolizes Rome, the head on the right (East)
symbolizes Constantinople. The cross and orb in the claws symbolize, respectively, spiritual and
secular authority.

This Empire which broke away from the Roman Empire was depicted by Christian maps of the middle
ages as one of three divisions of the church: Europe in the West, Asia in the East, and Africa to the
south, joined together by Jerusalem in the centre.51

Conclusion.

Without the identification and application of the iron and clay kings of verse 41, scholars have been
unable to apply a consistent paralleling of the new kingdom symbols in chapter 7 and consequently have
been unable to reconcile the associated kingdoms with the prophetic details in chapters 7-12.

Till the Waters Run Dry . . .

Water applies metaphorically in various ways in the Scriptures. It is used to symbolize troublesome
times that are associated with the Christians miry clay enemies, Satan and his agents. Water also applies
to patience, hope, and resilience in adversity, accepting the current situation while being mindful of the
future. In this broken world, deceptions of every kind, literal and spiritual are now commonplace, but
they will run dry.

The rising clouds that follow, apply to the potter’s clay God, Jesus Christ and to His Promises: The One
who is able to save the weakest and the unworthiest. One who is able to rescue the suffering soul who is
in danger of being overwhelmed physically or spiritually. He, who waits patiently and with full
assurance, will not only be set free by the grace of God, he or she will be established in the way of
righteousness. Till the waters run dry and the rising clouds appear, in this way, applies to the believer’s
literal and spiritual journey to the gate of the heavenly city.

51
By the fifth century, Christianity had five great patriarchates, and only one, Rome was to be found in Europe. Of the others,
Alexandria stood on the African continent, and three (Constantinople, Antioch, and Jerusalem) were in Asia. Philip Jenkins, The
lost History of Christianity, pp. 21-23, 47.
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Next. The clay kings in chapters 7 and 8.