1. In Bible Prophecy Alexanderthe Great

2. Kingdom of Brass: Greece and Alexander

3. Alexander the Great In Bible Prophecy The God of Israel allows us a glimpse behind the “curtain” of how He works in the nations. The God of Israel allows us a glimpse behind the “curtain” of how He works in the nations. Helps our faith in God’s Word Helps our faith in God’s Word We see God is in control

4. God is in Control “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kindgom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kindgom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” Daniel 4:17

5. God directs rulers & nations to bring about His purpose “And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.” Jeremiah 27:6 “Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword.” Zephaniah 2:12 “The LORD shall bring a nation against thee (Israel) from far, from the end of the earth…” Deuteronomy 28:49

6. Alexander the Great in Bible Prophecy Ezekiel chapters 26 & 28 Destruction of Tyre Ezekiel 26:4 Ezekiel 26:4 “And they shall (Alexander) destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her tower; I God will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.” Daniel chapters 2, 7, 8 & 11 Daniel chapters 2, 7, 8 & 11 Zechariah chapter 9 Zechariah chapter 9

7. Alexander the Great “…arguably the greatest military strategist, tactician, and ruler in world history.” Partha Bose – Alexander the Great’s Art of Strategy Partha Bose – Alexander the Great’s Art of Strategy  Alexander influenced Pompey, Julius Caesar, Marc Anthony.  17 th – 19 th centuries Fredrick the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, Heratio Nelson, George Washington, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Erwin Rommel, Bernard Montgomery, General Norman Schwarzkopf, and Ted Turner.

8. Alexander the Great “There is something breathtaking in Alexander the Great. Like everything stupendous – the pyramids, the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest. We can never quite get used to it. It drives us out beyond the everyday limits we set for ourselves of the possible.” Edith Hamilton – U.S. Author of several books on Greece

9. History of Alexander  Born in 356 BC to Philip of Macedon, who was later assassinated.  At age 20 he became king of Macedonia & Greece.  Conquered much of the then known world in 13 years. His empire stretched from the Balkans in Central Europe to Southern Europe, North Africa, Asia to Northwest India.

10. History of Alexander  Built cities/cultures that still exist today.  Died in Babylon in 323 BC at the age of 33.

11. Alexander’s Character  Studied literature,science, history, and politics from Aristotle the famed philosopher.  “…lively disposition, resolute, and very tenacious of his opinion, which never gave way to compulsion, but at the same time would submit immediately to reason and good sense.” Charles Rollin – Ancient History  Fiercely admired by his loyal soldiers.  Proud (believed himself to be a descendant from the Greek gods).  Ruthless

12. Alexander the Great in Bible Prophecy Nebuchadnezzar’sImage Daniel 2:31 - 45 Babylon 611-542 BC Medes & Persians 542-333 BC Greeks 333-65 BC Romans 65 BC-395 AD Empires Today 395-20?? AD

13. Nebuchadnezzar’s Image – Daniel 2 Head of Gold “Thou, O king, art a king of kings; for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.” Daniel 2:37, 38 Babylon 611-542 BC

14. Nebuchadnezzar’s Image – Daniel 2 Arms of Silver “And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee…” Daniel 2:39 “…Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians…And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.” Daniel 5:28,31 Medes & Persians 542-333 BC

15. Nebuchadnezzar’s Image – Daniel 2 Belly and Thighs of Brass “…and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.” Daniel 2:39 Greeks 333-65 BC

16. Nebuchadnezzar’s Image & Daniel 7 Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream - Daniel 2 Daniel’s Dream - Daniel 7

17. God’s View of the Nations “Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.” Psalms 49:20 “I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.” Ecclesiastes 3:18 “These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.” Daniel 7:17

18. Daniel’s Dream & Visions – Daniel 7 2. “Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. 3. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. 4. The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings; I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.”

19. Daniel’s Dream & Visions – Daniel 7 5. “And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. 6. After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.”

20. Daniel’s Vision Leopard Kingdom “After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.” Daniel 7:6 Daniel 7:6 This vision corresponds to the third metal kingdom of brass in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.

21. Remarkable Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy “After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.” Daniel 7:6

22. Leopard/Brass Kingdom – Symbols of Greece “…it shall bear rule over all the earth.” Daniel 2:39 “…and dominion was given unto it.” Daniel 7:6

23. Leopard – Grecian Empire – Daniel 7:6 Description – Four headed leopard with wings of a bird.  Like the leopard one of the most handsome of all beasts of prey. Greece considered to be one of the most cultured nations.  Leopard has wide range of habitats, strikes with incredible speed. (Wings also emphasize speed.)  Alexander ascended the Macedonian throne at the age of 20 and had the whole civilized world at his feet 10 years later.

24. Leopard – Grecian Empire – Daniel 7:6  Leopard is Macedonian (Greek) representing Alexander the Great’s Dominion.  Leopard body represents this empire before it was split up and divided among four heads.  Four heads – Alexander’s four generals divide his kingdom up upon his death: Ptolemy, Lysimachus, Seleuchus & Cassander

26. Alexander’s Divided Kingdom “…and for it came up four notable ones.” (four heads of the leopard) – Daniel 8:8 Alexander’s kingdom is divided: 1. Lysimachus – Thrace, Asia Minor 2. Cassander – Macedonia, Thessalia, Greece 3. Ptolemy – Egypt, Cyprus, Phoenicia, Jordan 4. Seleuchus – Syria, Babylonia

27. Daniel’s Vision – The Fight between the Ram & the Goat

28. Daniel’s Visions Continued Further Details on the Leopard Kingdom of Brass (Daniel 8:1) 3. “Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns; and the two horns were ; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. 3. “Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns; and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. 4. I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great. 4. I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great. 5. And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.” Daniel 8:3-5

30. Daniel’s Visions – Ram & Goat Powers Identified “The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia; and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.” Daniel 8:20-21 RAM WITH 2 HORNS – Mede and Persian kings HE GOAT – King of Greece – GREAT HORN – Alexander the Great

31. Ram Power – Daniel 8:3-4  Represents Medes & Persians – Daniel 8:20  Excellent symbol as Persian kings wore crowns shaped like a ram’s head.  Two horns – Medes & Persians  “two horns were high” – Medes & Persians conquered more territory than the Babylonian kingdom  “But one was higher than the other” – at first Medes dominated, but along came Cyrus and the Persian rulers rose in influence.

32. Accurate description of Alexander the Great – Daniel 8:5 “And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.”

33. He Goat – Grecian Empire & Alexander the Great – Daniel 8:5  Goat symbol – Caremus (1 st king of Macedonia) established his throne in the city of Aegeoe i.e.“goat’s town”  Alexander named his son Alexander Aegus or “son of the goat”

34. Alexander the Great – Daniel 8:5 “…and touched not the ground…”  Alexander moved with incredible speed catching his enemies off guard and unprepared. “…a notable horn between his eyes.”  First king (v.21) was Alexander. In 12 years he overran the civilized world.

35. Alexander’s Sweeping Victories 6. “And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. 7. And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns; and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him; and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. 8. Therefore the he goat waxed very great; and when he was strong; the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.” Daniel 8:6-8  Granicus – 334 BC  Issus – 333 BC  Arbela – 331 BC  Conquered Syria, Phoenicia, Cyprus, Tyre, Gaza, Egypt, Babylonia, Persia, Media, Hyrcania, and moved into India.

37. Alexander’s Battles with the Ram Power  336 BC Alexander chosen by Greece to fight Persians (Darius) – Daniel 8:6  334 BC Alexander defeats Persians who outnumbered him 5 to 1 at Granicus  “and ran into him in the fury of his power” Daniel 8:6 - Alexander developed the Phalanx (20 foot long spears)  “and I saw him come close to the ram” Daniel 8:7 – Alexander advanced to Issus to fight Darius III and defeat him. Then turned his sights to Tyre.

38. Alexander destroys Tyre – 332 BC Ezekiel 26:7-12 7. For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings,from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people. 8. He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field; and he shall make a fort against thee, and cast a mount against thee, and lift up the buckler against thee. 9. And he shall set engines of war against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers.

39. 10. By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee; thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach. 11. With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets; he shall slay thy people by the sword, and thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground. 12. And they shall make a spoil of thy riches,and make a prey of thy merchandise: and they shall break down thy walls, and destroy thy pleasant houses: and they shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the water.”

41. Alexander’s Victory Over Tyre – Zechariah 9:1-8 1.The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof; when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD. 2. And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise. 3. And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets. 4. Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire. 5. Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.

42. 6. And a foreigner shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. 7. And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth; but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite. 8. And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth; and no oppressor shall pass through them any more; for now have I seen with mine eyes. Zechariah 9:1-8

43. Alexander Contrasted with the Lord Jesus Christ “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold thy King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Zechariah 9:9 Zechariah 9:9

44. Alexander’s Destruction “Therefore the he goat waxed very great; and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.” Daniel 8:8 At the height of his power, Alexander died at the age of 33 in Babylon Alexander would have no heir, his son was killed along with his wife and mother. “his kingdom shall be broken and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity. “ Daniel 11: 3,4 Daniel 11: 3,4

45. Alexander’s Life : Foretold by God’s Word God’s word prophecies his rise and unexpected death God’s word prophecies his rise and unexpected death Alexander’s empire influenced and prepared the way for the next metal of Nebuchadnezzar’s image.( iron = Rome) Alexander’s empire influenced and prepared the way for the next metal of Nebuchadnezzar’s image.( iron = Rome) Alexander’s life speaks to the accuracy of Bible Prophecy !! Alexander’s life speaks to the accuracy of Bible Prophecy !!

46. Purpose of Prophecy “ Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare : before they spring forth I tell you of them. Who among you will give ear to this? Who will hearken and hear for the time to come ?” Isaiah 42: 9, 23