As we study the image, we also see the deteriorating morality in human government. The course of Gentile dominion and civilization is one of continuous degeneration and decay. The descending scale of value of the four metals suggests the degeneration of the human race through the ages.
We learn from the statue that human government is deteriorating. The application of this dream to our day is frightening. The descending scale of value from gold to clay suggests that the degeneration of the human race throughout the ages is prevalent. Each kingdom is built on the ruins of the one before. This should strike a blow to the evolutionist, who has the image standing on its head, with everything getting better and better. Does anyone really believe the world is getting better? The metals—from gold to silver to bronze to iron—are deteriorating. The specific gravity of gold is 19.3, silver is 10.5, bronze is 8.5, iron is 7.6, and clay is 1.9. What a striking proof of what happens when everything human gets off the God standard. Although the value of the metals decreases from the top to the bottom of the statue, their strength increases. In other words, as the kingdoms degenerate in morality, they increase in force. The result is a devastating combination of continually stronger power yoked with continually weaker character. Finally, we observe in the image the disintegrating unity of human government: As the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile.
In the stream of human affairs, we see two conflicting elements: the iron will of authority and the clay-like voice of the people. As we near the end of this age, the tension between these forces will increase until nations are torn apart by strife, both internal and external. All attempts at unification with other governments will fail. This will prepare the way for the Antichrist’s world rule.