The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1

II. Sulpicius Severus-Herald of Clay Mingled With Iron

SULPICIUS SEVERUS (c. 363-c. 420), an ecclesiastical historian, was born in Aquitania. He received the best education in jurisprudence the times afforded, and gained a high reputation at the bar as an advocate. The untimely death of his wife, daughter of a wealthy consul, altered the current of his life, and he turned to Martin of Tours for advice. Forsaking the life of the past (about 393), he spent the remainder of his days in monastic retirement at Toulouse, in Aquitania. In this he braved the anger of his father and the flouts of his friends, becoming a disciple of Martin of Tours. PFF1 434.3

Severus held high rank as a scholar and author in his generation, representing the culture of southern France. His Chronicle, or Sacred History (c. 403), is an attempt to give a concise history of the world from creation to A.D. 400. The first portion was really an abridgment of the Scripture narrative. Reaching the time of the Babylonian captivity, Severus gives an interesting interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the succession of empires. False teachings concerning the coming of Christ called forth Severus’ exposition of the Antichrist ⁵ PFF1 435.1

1. ROME’S DIVISION IN ACTUAL PROCESS OF FULFILLMENT

After describing the metallic image and the succeeding stone, of Daniel 2, Severus not only traces the four world powers of prophecy, as symbolized by the four metals, but declares that the period of permanent division indicated by the separation into clay and iron is in actual process of fulfillment. PFF1 435.2

“The iron legs point to a fourth power and that is understood of the Roman empire? which is more powerful than all the kingdoms which were before it. But the fact that the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, indicates that the Roman empire is to be divided, so as never to be united. This, too, has been fulfilled, for the Roman state is ruled not by one emperor but by several, and these are always quarreling among themselves, either in actual warfare or by factions.” ⁶ PFF1 435.3

This, be it observed, is a new note, revealing clear contemporary recognition and application of a new step in prophetic fulfillment in the great prophetic outline. This is as significant as was the earlier identification of Rome as the fourth world power. PFF1 435.4

2. CLAY ALREADY INTERMINGLING WITH IRON

Discoursing further upon the mingling but nonadherence of the foreign nations then beginning to occupy the territory of Rome, he ventures the observation that the world has entered upon the “last times.” PFF1 435.5

“Finally, by the clay and the iron being mixed together, yet never in their substance thoroughly uniting, are shadowed forth those future mixtures of the human race which disagree among themselves, though apparently combined. For it is obvious that the Roman territory is occupied by foreign nations, or rebels, or that it has been given over to those who have surrendered themselves under an appearance of peace. And it is also evident that barbarous nations, and especially Jews, have been commingled with our armies, cities, and provinces; and we thus behold them living among us, yet by no means agreeing to adopt our customs. And the prophets declare that these are the last times.” ⁷ PFF1 436.1

3. STONE KINGDOM TO SUPPLANT EARTHLY KINGDOMS

Declaring the smiting stone to prefigure Christ and His everlasting kingdom yet to be established, Severus says that this is a point of stumbling to those who concede the past but not the future. PFF1 436.2

“But in the stone cut out without hands, which broke to pieces the gold, silver, brass, iron, and clay, there is a figure of Christ. For he, not born under human conditions (since he was born not of the will of man, but of the will of God), will reduce to nothing that world in which exist earthly kingdoms, and will establish another kingdom, incorruptible and everlasting, that is, the future world, which is prepared for the saints. The faith of some still hesitates about this point only, while they do not believe about things yet to come, though they are convinced of the things that are past.” ⁸ PFF1 436.3

Such is the clear understanding and witness of Sulpicius Severus. Now let us turn to Jerome. PFF1 436.4