Just because I understand it doesn't mean I believe in it. As a matter of fact I don't believe in it. It isn't found in the NT. Jesus never mentioned it. The Book of Maccabees and Josephus believe Antiochus Epiphanes was the abomination of desolation. Jesus says the abomination of desolation was future in His time after Antiochus.
Some say Jesus was talking about the destruction of Rome in 70 AD as Josephus infers in another place. Some of the church fathers say He was talking about a future antichrist.
The fact is that none of the apostolic fathers or the NT talks about the "March of Nations" or the "parade of history" as it is sometimes known. It comes into Christianity late in the second century.
It's based on a literal interpretation of Dan 2:37. There's no reason that has to be interpreted literally. It is a parable like Isaiah 14, or Ezekiel 26. He is like the king of Tyrus in Eze 28.
See how many times Alexander the Great is mentioned in the NT. If the march of nations was important at all Jesus would have confirmed it instead of contradicting it.
What can be accepted as truth isn't different from what was taught to the early church in the apostolic tradition.
March of Nations
Just because I understand it doesn't mean I believe in it. As a matter of fact I don't believe in it. It isn't found in the NT. Jesus never mentioned it. The Book of Maccabees and Josephus believe Antiochus Epiphanes was the abomination of desolation. Jesus says the abomination of desolation was future in His time after Antiochus.
Some say Jesus was talking about the destruction of Rome in 70 AD as Josephus infers in another place. Some of the church fathers say He was talking about a future antichrist.
The fact is that none of the apostolic fathers or the NT talks about the "March of Nations" or the "parade of history" as it is sometimes known. It comes into Christianity late in the second century.
It's based on a literal interpretation of Dan 2:37. There's no reason that has to be interpreted literally. It is a parable like Isaiah 14, or Ezekiel 26. He is like the king of Tyrus in Eze 28.
See how many times Alexander the Great is mentioned in the NT. If the march of nations was important at all Jesus would have confirmed it instead of contradicting it.
What can be accepted as truth isn't different from what was taught to the early church in the apostolic tradition.