denote not simply the distant future, but
that future as including the kingdom of the Messiah, which extends to
the consummation of all things Gen. 49:1; Numb. 24:14; Deut. 4:30;
31:29; Isa. 2:2; Jer 23:20; 30:24; 48:47; 49:39; Ezek. 38:16; Dan.
10:14; Hos. 3:5; Mic. 4:1. We are not, however, to conceive of these
"last days" as totally separated from the preceding ages. In the plan of
God the history of the world constitutes a whole, all the parts of which
are closely connected. Hence the prophecies relating to the latter days
include, more or less distinctly, the events which precede them, and
prepare the way for them. In such prophecies we are not to look for
exhaustive details. They give, as a rule, only general views relating to
the conflicts of God's people and their final triumph. Where minute
incidents are introduced (Psa. 22:18; 69:21; Zech. 9:9; 11:13) it is
apparently for the purpose of identifying to future generations the
Messiah as their main subject. See below, No. 9.

Prophecies relating to the days of the Messiah are introduced in
other more indefinite ways, thus: "Behold the days come" (Jer.
23:5; 31:31; etc.): "And it shall come to pass afterward" (Joel
2:28); "In that day" (Isa. 4:2, Jer. 30:8; Ezek. 39:11; Amos
9:11, and elsewhere); or they are sufficiently indicated by
their contents, as Isa. chaps. 40-66.

These prophecies naturally fall into two classes: those in which the
_succession of events_ is distinctly indicated, and those which give
only _general views_ of the future, without any clear order of
succession.

4. To the first and smaller class belong especially certain of Daniel's
prophecies. The four great monarchies, for example, that are to bear
rule over the earth are symbolized first by a great image (Dan. chap.
2), then by four beasts rising out of the sea (Dan. chap. 7). Of these
monarchies the fourth, represented by the legs of iron and feet part of
iron and part of clay (Dan. 2:33), and by the fourth beast with his ten
horns (Dan. 7:7), belongs in part to the latter days of the Messiah.

The fourth kingdom, represented by the "legs of iron and feet
part of iron and part of clay," is at the beginning "strong as
iron" (chap. 2:40); afterwards it is "partly strong and partly
broken" (ver. 42); it is, moreover, the last great monarchy that
oppresses the world. All these characters point to the Roman
empire, first in its pagan, afterwar