Empires

John the Baptist gave a powerful discourse in John chapter 3. Included in it was the following, spoken when John's disciples brought to his attention that Jesus was gaining followers:
"John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven."   Jn. 3:27
God's hand in the great empires of history is an intriguing thing to see. Kings have their agenda, and God has His, which He accomplishes in the most amazing ways.
Alexander the Great, like Julius Caesar, was one of the great conquerors of history. At the time, Greece was a group of separate states, each ruled by their own kings and governments. Alexander's father, Philip, king of Macedon, intended, by negotiation or aggression, to overthrow the various states' kings, in order rule over the whole peninsula. Alexander joined his father's efforts when he was only sixteen years old. Up until that point, he was being educated by Aristotle. Philip was successful, and formed The League of Corinth, which consolidated rule under himself over the city-states of Greece, with the exception of Sparta. When Philip was assassinated in 336 BC, Alexander was twenty years old. He ascended to his father's position. Alexander set his sights to conquering, with the main goal being the defeat of the existing and widespread Persian Empire. He achieved that goal and more, even reaching to Northern Africa, the Middle East, northward to what we call Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, and further eastward across the continent, beyond the Indus River into India.
As he pushed through India, he was about to cross the Ganges River, when his troops begged him to stop. Waiting on the other side of the river was an opposing army of 200,000 footmen, 80,000 horsemen, and 6,000 war elephants. Alexander's men were too exhausted and battle weary to face such a huge challenge. Alexander reluctantly granted his army's demand, and turned back to return to the king's palace in Babylon, captured when he had defeated the Persians. From there, Alexander began making plans to invade Arabia, but he died at the young age of 32 in 323 BC, before he could accomplish that. His empire at the time covered 2,000,000 sq. miles.
It is very interesting to note that while Alexander and his armies conquered the territory all around Jerusalem, he spared that city. The historian Josephus wrote that as Alexander entered the area, he was shown the Book of Daniel. In it, he saw the prophecies concerning a great king who would conquer the Persian Empire. Josephus said that this is the reason that Alexander spared Jerusalem. It seems very possible because Alexander wasn't a man who spared cities.
Many have also speculated about Alexander's private life, but the official record states that he was married to three women, two of whom were daughters of kings, and he had children.
After his death, the huge empire that he had established fell apart under different power factions.
Although Alexander's empire broke apart, Greek culture and influence was still very strong over these foreign lands for 200-300 years. The Roman generals, who arose with great power during the first century BC, were great admirers of Alexander and studied his military campaigns and strategies.
So, what part of God's plan was accomplished in this young conqueror's rise and fall? After all, his empire fell apart shortly after his death. However, for the first time in history, following the fall of the Tower of Babel, a universal language was spread throughout the "known" world. The language was Greek-not the classical Greek of Homer that only the highly educated of the day knew, but a common, everyday form of the Greek language of that day, called Koine. It was the form of the Greek language used by the general population in the carrying out of average, daily tasks.
Even after the Romans conquered, and established their own empire a couple of centuries later, this form of the Greek language was still around. The Romans, being very practical rulers, understood the value of having a universal language that could be used to govern and do business throughout their empire. Therefore, along with Latin, Greek became the other officially accepted language of the Roman Empire.
The LORD used the existence of this Greek language to publish His Word, translated into the Septuagint, and to spread the Gospel of Christ throughout the then nations of the world. Every time we open a Concordance, we are referencing Alexander's working legacy. As Alexander swept across the face of the earth, feeling compelled to accomplish his plan, he was really fulfilling God's plan.
When we look at the sometimes perplexing rise and fall of men from the past, of the present day, and into the future, God assures us of the following:
"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings..." Dan. 2:20-21
"...the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men."  Dan. 4:17
"But God is the judge: He puts down one and exalts another."  Ps. 75:7
Pilate said to Jesus, "Do you not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?" Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above..."   Jn. 19:10-11
The LORD, through His servant Moses, said to Pharaoh: "...But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power (in) you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth..."    Ex. 9:16
"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God."  Rom. 13:1
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes."   Prov. 21:1
"...The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"   Rev. 11:15

Our Father rules over the kings and kingdoms of the earth.

Silent Monks Sing "The Hallelujah Chorus"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRhjWdr-LAA