Clay and Iron Mixed

In the last days the empires-governments of of earth are described by Daniel's vision concerning Israel and the nations. The last stage or historical period of this image is said to be feet composed on iron mixed with clay. I would like to make a suggestion concerning this that is in part from Prof Eugene Narrett's book "Israel and the End Times".

The description is that the image feet and toes are composed on two imcompatible materials some that are strong and some that are weak and brittle which is the state of clay. From my background as a metallurgical engineer and practical experience working with a variety of alloys of steel and titanium this is an easily understood situation. The process of producing metals involves starting with raw minerals in most cases that are mixed chemically and/or mechanically with other unwanted materials. In any case metals are mostly ductile and tough in the pure state, but minerals, stone and rock in the raw state are hard and brittle.

The two don't go together and actually are much worse in combination than either by itself. Even mineral materials are usable in compression such as the feet of a statue made of stone, but if there's a random mixture of the two there is little cohesion and fractures and separation will occur. If a material like this is hit by a hard object it will fracture quite readily and completely.

The interpretation for today can take a couple of options.

1. Mixture of religion and politics. Always a volatile combination. This is a commonly held approach which reflects the long held Euro centric approach to prophecy held by most Christian interpreters and even by many Jewish ones. If I understand history correctly many Rabbi's have regarded prophetic Edom as Rome and by extention Europe.

2. Mixture of incompatible peoples or nations. In today's world the alliance of gentile nations can be viewed as essentially western democracies plus and third world countries of various stripes in various stages of industrialization. In the context of the nation of Israel which is provides the context for this vision, the mixture we find in the modern world are Western Europe and America trying to combine with middle eastern states largely Muslim in culture. Each in it's own ways are trying to gain advantages strategically, economically, politically and culturally. Each is eroding the others sense of identity by increasingly violent means. And lastly each has designs on Israel, the people, the land and it's resources.

The second option also accords well with Zech 12 and other prophecies that describe a breaking process that will destroy the nations power. They will be forced out by the kingdom of God coming on the earth. That's what the stone does in both Daniel and Zech. That stone is composed of Messiah sent with the power of God and his people on earth Israel. It coincides with the time that Ezekiel says the animated dry bones gain the spirit of God and stand on their feet as a great army. The victories of present day Israel in modern times will pale in comparison to what will occur in the final conflict. In the end their will be only victory for Israel.

The end of days is looming close. His people are told to seek righteousness in Zephaniah 2 since the God of Israel is their redeemer and their rock. Afterward the nations will settle their old scores and approach with meekness towards Zion, to Jerusalem, to Israel for learning and peace at their bosom. Isaiah 66 describes this tender final state for our world.