Before we proceed into our study of Daniel prophecy about the nations we need to look at background of this scripture. Just what is the time of the Gentiles? If we understand the time of the Gentiles, we can understand this prophecy in Daniel 2 better.
The phrase times of the Gentiles refers to Gentile domination over the world and control over Jerusalem. The era began during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The Babylonians invaded Judah, destroyed Jerusalem, and exiled the Jewish people for 70 years. “But you would not listen to me,” says the Lord. “You made me furious by worshiping idols you made with your own hands, bringing on yourselves all the disasters you now suffer. And now the Lord of Heaven’s Armies say: Because you have not listened to me, I will gather together all the armies of the north under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, whom I have appointed as my deputy. I will bring them all against this land and its people and against the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy you and make you an object of horror and contempt and a ruin forever. I will take away your happy singing and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will no longer be heard. Your millstones will fall silent, and the lights in your homes will go out. This entire land will become a desolate wasteland. Israel and her neighboring lands will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.” (Jeremiah 25:7-11) Under King Cyrus of Persia the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their Temple. “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are his people may go there for this task. And may the Lord your God be with you!” (2 Chronicles 36:23)
Continued in the next lesson.