Tribulation Special Lesson 3 Rome
	
	Rome I Historical

	One of the most power nations of ancient history and  for centuries was Rome. It grew from its early founding in 753 B.C. to its development into a republic in 509 B.C. to being established as an empire in 27 B.C. and continued in some form after the split of the empire on into the 5th century AD. Rome achieved greatness in their military, political and social institutions. From earlier on it had a strong military character with long periods of warfare, growing a vast army and eventually conquering much of that part of the hemisphere.
	As they conquered, they incorporated people into their political system. Roman citizenship was a privilege. Latin was the official language from which many other European languages (Romance languages) spring. 
	Another major area of influence was in the social and cultural realm. It is seen in the adoption of Western alphabet of 26 letters and 12 month calendar counting 365 1/4 days a year. Today, we call it Western civilization. Much of the writings, philosophy, laws and even entertainment, stem from the Roman culture, which to some degree had built off the Greeks and before. 
	For some 200 years, Rome experienced the Pax Romana, the “Peace of Rome,” a time of security, stability and relative peace. The Pax Romana began in 27 B.C. till 180 AD. This period of course was the period into which Christ was born and lived out his ministry. It was also the time of the beginning of the New Covenant when God brought Jewish and Gentile believers together into the church as one body, so covering the entire period of the time of the New Testament.   
	The vast empire expanded in its reach covering much of Europe including England, N. Africa, the Middle-East and Asia. They had a large and powerful military second to none that conquered and then kept the peace and guarded their borders for hundreds of years. Her economic influence was vast over the known world at time. Its rulers and emperors were renown running the gamut from beneficial to cruel and evil. Its variety of temples and gods reflect the rampant, yet established paganism throughout the empire and at times demanding emperor worship. 
	
	Rome II  Future Rome

		Origin 
	
	The first we learn of Rome II in scripture comes from the visions of Daniel. 
	In Daniel chapter two we learn of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
of a large metallic statue.

		Dan. 2:33 Its legs were of iron; its feet were partly of 			iron and partly of clay.

	Though the two body parts of legs and feet are connected, they are also separate in the description of their composition.
They have iron in common but only the feet is mixed with clay. 

	     Development

	Daniel gives the interpretation. He comes to fourth kingdom in 2:40. 

	Dan. 2:40 Then there will be a fourth kingdom, one strong 	like iron. Just like iron breaks in pieces and breaks 				everything, and as iron breaks in pieces (all of these 			metals), so it will break in pieces and crush the others.

	The fourth kingdom is the iron legs. Though this is symbolic of Rome I. It is important to see the power of iron, of this kingdom. Iron is described a very strong metal. As iron breaks everything so does this fourth kingdom of Rome I. 

	Now extending from these legs are the feet, “partly of iron and partly of clay” (Dan. 2:33). Daniel interprets its meaning. 

	Dan. 2:41 In that you saw feet and toes partly of potter’s 		clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom. 		Some of the strength of iron will be in it, for you saw iron 		mixed with soft clay but they will not adhere with one 			another even as iron does not mix with clay. (42) As the 		toes were partly iron and partly clay so at the end of this 		kingdom, it will be partly strong and partly brittle. (43) As 	you saw iron mixed with soft clay so the seed of man 			(people) will be mixed together but they will not	adhere 		with one another even as iron does not mix with clay.

	Though the feet still maintain iron, the mix with clay makes it a divided kingdom and weakens the kingdom. The weakness extends into the toes and is noted as in the toes. 
We would naturally expect there to be ten toes. So there is a lack of adherence among the toes. 
	To anticipate, ten toes match the ten horns we will see later in Daniel. 

	In Daniel chapter seven, we have more information on the general development of Rome II. In this vision, the fourth kingdom is described. 

	Dan. 7:7  After this, while I was still looking in the night visions then behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth which devoured and crushed to pieces and what was left, it trampled with its feet. It was different from all the beasts which were before it and it had ten horns. 

	This fourth kingdom in keeping with its destructive power earlier we now see it as “dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong;” iron teeth to devour and crush to pieces and trample what was left with its feet. 
	But this beast “was different from all the beasts that were before it.” It had ten horns. A horn represents power or as is this case kings or kingdoms. 
	The next reveal in Rome II’s development is in v. 8.

	Dan. 7:8  “While I was thinking hard about the horns, 	behold, another horn, a little one, came up among/between 	them and three of the first horns were torn up by the roots 	from before it; and behold, eyes as a man were in this horn 	and a mouth speaking great things. 
	
	Daniel asks for an interpretation and gets one.  

	Dan. 7:23  “Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth 	kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the 	other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread 	it down and crush it (24) And the ten horns out of this 	kingdom are ten kings that arise from it. And another will 	arise after them and he will be different from the previous 	ones and will bring down three kings. (25) He will speak 	against the Most High and wear down the saints of the 	Most High and he will intend to change the times and law; 	and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and 	half a time. 

	The fourth beast, now Rome II will devour the earth. The ten horns are ten kings and then another arises. This is the little horn, who is the antichrist. This is confirmed by his description as speaking against God and his opposition, “wearing down” the saints. He will have his way for “a time, times, and half a time,” three and a half years. 

	Summary

	These two visions in Daniel 2 and 7 both have Rome II protruding out of Rome I. This leads us to conclude that Rome II will have some of the same characteristics and territory of Rome I. In Rome I, there were some forty or so provinces. In Rome II, there are ten regional kingdoms. Given the way the political, cultural, languages, religious and geographical relations are today, Rome II may encompass a much larger group of regional powers that we envision now. For instance, Russia, Africa and extending east to possibly India. 
	 
	Consolidation

 	Daniel describes the actions of the antichrist in consolidating Rome II in chapter 8. The angel Gabriel gives us a time reference for these events. The “vision refers to the time of the end” (8:17). It “will happen at the latter period of the indignation, for it pertains to the appointed time of the end” (8:19). This is the seven year tribulation period.  
	We will look more at the antichrist in a future lesson but here we see him in action leading the way in consolidating Rome II. In chapter 8:9-12, we have some of his major acts
throughout his rule. Once positioned in the northern kingdoms of Rome II, as the “small horn,” he will move to overthrow those three horns which are in the south. He will move towards Israel, and set up his rule and worship in the middle of the tribulation “in the time of the rebellion”, the last half of the tribulation (8:11-12).   
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	Daniel 11 speaks of his conquering of the three southern kingdoms. 
	His first campaign to the south  (11:25-28)
	His second campaign south (11:29-30; 40-43).

	With Rome II now consolidated, he controls a large part of world. 

	Like our study on Babylon, we get most of the rest of our information about Rome II in Revelation. 
	At this point, the seven-year tribulation period is well underway. 
	If we go back to the beginning at the breaking of the seals in Rev. 6, we see the ongoing trends of war (white horse), world-wide conflicts and slaughter (red horse), famine and other results of world-wars (black horse), death and Hades (pale horse).  
	It is during the first half of the tribulation, that Rome II is consolidated by the antichrist. We have seen that Babylon, headed by the antichrist controls the scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns. Babylon and Rome II now headed by the antichrist.							                                             5
	
	Establishment

	The establishment of the kingdom brings together Babylon, Rome II and the world largely under the control of the antichrist. The next major step is the antichrist putting himself up as God and worship being demanded. This takes place in the middle of the tribulation.  

	His Rule

	The antichrist uses Rome II in cooperation with other regional rulers to maintain his rule over the world. He will have his most power military force to quell rebellions. He will control the people through economic control. It will be state policy to worship the image and the beast-antichrist or suffer the consequences of his persecution. This is primarily administered through Rome II
	Once he claims he is God, the pressure will greatly increase world wide to conform or suffer in imprisonment or martyrdom Apostasy will become widespread as many believers begin to conform and turn from Christ. Many of these will betray their own Christian friends and closest relatives. 
	
	Beginning of the End

	Pronouncements and warnings come forth before these final judgments take place. Three angels make world wide proclamations. The first angel gives warning and the gospel (14:6-7). The second angel announces the fall of Babylon, the power region that led the way in spiritual adultery and influencing Rome II (Rev. 14:8). The third angel pronounces judgement on the rest of the world’s beast-worshippers (14:9-10). The bowl judgments begin (16:1 ff.). 

	Towards the end of the tribulation, things will start to get considerably worse for the world’s population when the most severe bowl judgments start (Rev. 16:1-21) They begin with painful sores on all earth-dwellers (not believers) then the sea followed by the rivers turning to blood.  Then the sun scorching people. The fifth bowl targets the beast’s kingdom--Rome II.                                                                      

	Rev.16:10  Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the 	throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened; 	and they gnawed their tongues because of pain, (11) and 	they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pain 	and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds.

	“The throne of the beast, and his kingdom” are his northern kingdoms of Europe. This is where his power base is. 
It being darkened threatens his rule and control over everything. There is more. 
	From what few verses we have, we can piece this information together with some assurance. We first assume there are regional kingdoms in other parts of the world with their own rulers. Apparently the kings of the East since they have heard of the antichrist’s kingdom going dark, have lost confidence in the antichrist’s rule and are making sounds of 
moving in to take control or perhaps breaking off independently. 
	Reports from these two regions is alarming news to the antichrist.  

	Dan. 11:44  But reports from the East and the North will 	alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy 	and annihilate many. 

	There are two or three possibilities here depending on where he was when he hears these reports. 	If he was personally involved in finalizing control in Africa (11:43), he sets out from there. If in Jerusalem, he pulls out of Jerusalem. Either way he prepares to counter the opposition. 
	
	Also in reaction to his kingdom going dark, he will start his “final solution” to the Jewish problem. In great rage, he is out to destroy the many-- the Jews but any rebellious regions  He sets up his headquarters outside of Jerusalem. 
		
	Dan. 11:45  He will pitch the tents of his royal pavilion 	between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain [Zion]; 
	But he will come to his end, with no one to help him.

		The antichrist will pull out of Jerusalem and move his headquarters between the Mediterranean sea and Dead sea, probably in the mountainous region southeast of Jerusalem. 
		This last line jumps ahead, “he will come to his end, 	with no one to help him,” anticipates his final demise.

		Preparation for Armageddon

	Whatever problem with the kings of the east, the matter is seems to be settled now. It may be that once he mobilized his southern campaign armies, the eastern kings settle down and a path is cleared for them to come to participate in the final battle against the Jews.  

	16:12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great 	river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that 	the way would be prepared for the kings from the East.

	16:13  And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, 	and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of 	the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs;

	16:14 for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, 
	which go out to the kings of the entire world, to gather them 	together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.

	The path is clear for the kings of the East to move toward Israel. Mobilized and moving the eastern armies have no more obstacles to converge on Jerusalem when the time comes, which will be shortly. But before that--- 

	Destruction of Babylon

	We are not given the detail but some kind of serious fallout occurs between Rome II and Babylon. Perhaps it is something similar to what happened with the kings of the East. One should assume that Babylon was not left without some kind of surrogate ruler since the antichrist is now occupied with Rome II and ruling the rest of the world. There may be a demonic revolt, giving Satan a taste of his own medicine or something else. At any rate Babylon is becoming a huge problem for the antichrist, and Rome II commences its destruction. Of course, this is all in God’s plan and he is bringing the tribulation to its end. 

		Rev. 17:16 “And the ten horns which you saw and the 		beast	— 	these will hate the prostitute and will make 
		her desolate and naked, and will consume her flesh and 		will burn her up with fire.

	Is 14 has the well known taunt of the King of  Babylon, taken by many interpreters as the not just the taunt of the king of Babylon but also describing what went on with Satan in his original fall. So there are no less than two applications of parts of this prophetical passage. 

	This king is so inglorious that other kings reject him. 

	Is. 14:18 	“All the kings of the nations lie in glory, 
	Each in his own tomb.

	Is. 14:20 	“You will not be united with them in burial, 
	Because you have ruined your country, 
	You have killed your people. 
	May the descendants of evildoers never be mentioned.

	He is said to have ruined his own country, killed his own people. This king of Babylon/Satan analogy may also extend to the Antichrist at this point because the Antichrist shows the same thing when he turns against his home country Babylon and destroys it (cf. Jer. 50:10-12).

	Destruction of Rome II

	The bowls of wrath are poured out on the earth (16:1 ff.). 
The fifth bowl targets the kingdom of the beast. The kingdom turns dark and the people are in excruciating pain but still in rebellion (16:10-11). More bad new from the kings of the East. The seems to come to a settlement. The antichrist is readying his armies for the “final solution,” the destruction of the Jews.  
The sixth bowl clears the way for the kings of the East to head towards Jerusalem (16:12). The armies of the world are called to converge on Jerusalem “for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty (Rev. 16:14 cf. Zech 14:2-3; Joel 2:11; 3:2) to a place called  Har-Magedon (16:13-16). Rome II destroys Babylon (17).
	Armageddon commences. The armies converge on Jerusalem. The Lord returns and the wrath of God is poured forth. 								                                                    

	19:15 And from his mouth comes out a sharp sword so that 	with it he may strike down the nations, and “he himself will 	rule them with a rod of iron;” and he himself tramples the 	wine press of the furious wrath of God, the Almighty. (16 ) 	And on his robe and on his thigh he has a name 	written: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

	An angel calls forth the scavenger birds to clean up after the slaughter (19:17-18). 

	Once the armies are gathered to oppose the Lord, the Lord  seizes the antichrist, the false prophet and throws them into the lake of fire (19:20). Christ kills the rest and the birds begin their feast (19:21).

	Rome II is finished.