Daniel 2

Daniel 2:24-49

Utley writes - "It is very important to realize that the coming of the Messiah will be during the fourth kingdom. This is why I believe that it refers to the incarnation of Jesus at Bethlehem during Roman occupation of Palestine; therefore, "those kings" would refer to Roman Caesars of the first century and not future kings." (Daniel 2) (Bolding mine) The problem with Utley's view is that at no time were there 10 contemporaneous (or simultaneous) Roman Casesars. There was one Roman emperor when Jesus was born! Beloved, if you refuse to accept a literal interpretation of Scripture, you will be forced to come up with interpretations that spiritualize some of the specific details. In support of the fact that all 10 kings/kingdoms (confederacy) are in existence at the same time is the fact that the parallel passage in Daniel 7 makes it very clear that the so-called "little horn" arises from the 10 king stage (Da 7:7-8 where Daniel says a little horn "came up among them" that is to say he came up among the 10. Notice it says among and does not say after the ten! Thus Utley's interpretation is clearly faulty, as are all attempts to spiritualize the literal truth of Daniel 2! A kingdom - It is interesting to note that our Lord alluded to His kingdom in His first coming declaring… Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm (i.e., it is not advanced by human weapons - but it is advanced by the "spiritual weapon" of truth as goes on to explain)." Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice (i.e., all who are born again - which is also how His kingdom expands - not politically but spiritually!)." (John 18:36, 37) Comment: At this time Jesus was referring not to an earthly, political kingdom but to spiritual kingdom. Every time a person is born again they are transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light in a spiritual sense (cp Col 1:13-note, Jn 3:3). When Jesus returns this spiritual kingdom will become His literal earthly kingdom for 1000 years in which He reigns as the Supreme King of kings. It is this latter phase of His kingdom which serves as the fulfillment of this prophecy. One might say that in view of the fact that the Roman Empire (the fourth kingdom in the statute) was in power when Jesus made this declaration regarding His kingdom, there is in a sense a partial fulfillment of this prophecy. In any event the perfect fulfillment will occur in the time of the ten nation confederation of the "revived Roman empire" in the last days. C I Scofield gives an excellent Scriptural summary of Kingdom of God in the Old Testament beginning with Israel in the Old Testament and terminating in the future kingdom described in Daniel 2. It would be helpful to take a few moments and study these related passages to gain a good sense of the concept of "kingdom" as it refers to God's Kingdom (in contrast to the kingdoms of man, which began in Genesis 10:8, 9, 10 under a king named Nimrod whose name literally means something like "let us rebel", this rebellion being quickly manifest in Ge 11:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 resulting in the LORD's confusing their language and scattering men over the face of the earth Ge 11:7, 8, 9). I. Dominion over the Earth before the Call of Abraham. (1) Dominion over creation was given to the first man and woman (Ge 1:26, 27, 28). Through the fall this dominion was lost, Satan becoming "prince of this world" (Mt 4:8, 9, 10; Lk 4:5, 6, Jn 14:30, cp Heb 2:5,6,7,8,9) (2) After the flood, the principle of human government was established under the covenant with Noah (Ge 9:6; Ge 9:16). Biblically, this is still the charter of all government. II. The Theocratic Kingdom in Israel. (See also 1Sa 8:7) The call of Abraham involved, with much else, the creation of a distinctive people through whom great purposes of God toward the human race might be worked out (see Israel, Ge12:1, 2, 3; Ro 11:26-note). Among these purposes is the establishment of a worldwide kingdom. The history of the divine mediatorial rule in Israel: (1) Its establishment under Moses (Ex 19:3, 4, 5, 6, 7; cp. Ex 3:1-10; 24:12). (2) Its administration under leader-judges (Jos 1:1, 2, 3, 4, 5; Jdg 2:16, 17, 18). (3) Its administration under kings (1Sa10:1,24; 16:1-13; 1Ki 9:1, 2, 3, 4, 5). (4) Its end at the captivity (Ezek 21:25, 26, 27; cp Je 27:6, 7, 8; Da 2:36, 37, 38) III. The Future Restoration of the Theocratic Kingdom. (Click for more detailed description of the Millennium) (1) The Davidic Covenant (2Sa 7:8-16, 16, cp Ro 1:3 "descendant of David" = Messiah; Ps 89:3, 4,20, 21,28-37). (2) The exposition of the Davidic Covenant by the prophets (Isa 1:25, 26 to Zech 12:6, 7, 8). They describe the kingdom as follows: (a) It will be Davidic, to be established under David's heir who is to be born of a virgin, therefore truly man, but also "Immanuel," "Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isa 7:13, 14; 9:6, 7; 11:1; Jer 23:5; Ezek 34:23, 24, 37:24; Hos 3:4, 5). (b) It will be a kingdom heavenly in origin, principle, and authority (Da 2:34, 35,44, 45), but set up on the earth, with Jerusalem as the capital (Isa 2:2, 3, 4; 4:3,5; 24:23; 33:20; 62:1-7; Jer 23:5; 31:38, 39, 40; Joel 3:1,16, 17). (c) The kingdom is to be established first over regathered, restored, and converted Israel, and is then to become universal (Ps 2:6, 7, 8; 22:1-31; 24:1-10; Isa 1:2, 3; 11:1,10, 11, 12, 13; 60:12; Jer 23:5, 6, 7, 8; 30:7, 8, 9, 10, 11; Ezek 20:33-40; 37:21, 22, 23, 24, 25; Zech 9:10; 14:16, 17, 18, 19). (d) The moral characteristics of the kingdom are to be righteousness and peace. The meek, not the proud, will inherit the earth (Mt 5:5); longevity will be greatly increased; the knowledge of the LORD will be universal; beast-ferocity will be removed; absolute equity will be enforced; and open sin will be visited with instant judgment; whereas the enormous majority of earth's inhabitants will be saved (Ps 2:9; Isa 11:4,6, 7, 8, 9; 26:9; 65:20; Zech 14:16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21). The NT (Rev 20:1-5) adds a detail of immense significance -the removal of Satan from the scene. It is impossible to conceive to what heights of spiritual, intellectual, and physical perfection humanity will attain in this, its coming age of righteousness and peace (Ps 72:1-10; Isa 11:4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9). (e) The kingdom is to be established by power, not persuasion, and is to follow divine judgment upon the Gentile world powers (Ps 2:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; Isa 9:7; Da 2:35,44, 45; 7:26, 27; Zech 14:1-19, Zech 6:11). (f) The restoration of Israel and the establishment of the kingdom are connected with the advent of the LORD, yet future (Dt 30:3, 4, 5; Ps 2:1-9; Zech 14:4). (g) The chastisement reserved for disobedience in the house of David (2Sa 7:14; Ps 89:30, 31, 32, 33) fell in the captivities and worldwide dispersion. Since that time, though a remnant returned under prince Zerubbabel, Jerusalem has generally been under the political authority of Gentiles. The Davidic Covenant has not been abrogated (Ps 89:33, 34, 35, 36, 37), however, but is yet to be fulfilled (Acts 15:14, 15, 16, 17). Related Resource: Daniel's Seventieth Week - in chart format Daniel 2:45 "Inasmuch as you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold, the great God has made known to the king what will take place in the future; so the dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy." saw: Da 2:24,35 Isa 28:16 Zec 12:3 Mt 21:24 without hands: Da 2:34 Lk 17:20 2Co 10:4,5 the great: Dt 10:17 2Sa 7:22 1Ch 16:25 Neh 4:14 9:32 Job 36:26 Ps 48:1 Ps 96:4 135:5 145:3 Jer 32:18,19 Mal 1:11 Rev 19:17 make known, Ge 41:28,32 Mt 24:35 Rev 1:19 4:1 THE GREAT GOD'S TRUSTWORTHY REVELATION OF THE FUTURE You saw… a Stone - Da 2:35. Symbolizes Christ. Appartently even Jewish commentators such as Rashi and Eben-Ezra interpreted this as Messianic. Without hands - Repeated from Da 2:34, emphasizing the supernatural aspect of the stone. The great God has made known - In other words this interpretation is not Daniel's per se but that of "the great God". What will take place in the future - Although these notes are written with the assurance that Daniel penned this book between 605-536BC, the so called "higher critics" believe Daniel was a forgery written around 164BC. In light of this belief, they interpret the four kingdoms as Babylon, Media, Persia and Greece. The Apologetics Study Bible however notes that… The traditional interpretation (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome) conforms to the text of Daniel, which considers the Medo-Persian Empire as one (e.g., "law of the Medes and Persians" in Da 6:8, 12, 15; cp. Da 8:20). It is supported by other OT testimony (2Chr 36:22, 23; Ezra 1:1, 2, 3, 4), the historical record, and more than two millennia of Jewish (Talmud, medieval Jewish commentators, etc.) and Christian (Church fathers, Jerome, Calvin, etc.) interpretation. (The Apologetics Study Bible: Understanding Why You Believe) TRUTHS ABOUT GOD'S FINAL KING & KINGDOM IN DANIEL 2 1) Stone ( = Christ - cp Isa 28:16, 1Pe 2:4, 5, 6, 7,8) not made by human hands - not natural = supernatural (Da 2:34, 2:45) 2) Stone struck the single great statue on its feet of iron and clay (Da 2:34) 3) Stone crushed the feet of iron and clay and the iron, clay, bronze, silver and gold all at the same time 4) Stone that struck the statue became a great mountain (Da 2:35, Mountain = Kingdom in Da 2:44, cp Rev 17:9,10, Isa 2:2) 5) The Kingdom (Great Mountain) filled the whole earth (Da 2:35) 6) The Kingdom will never be destroyed (Da 2:44) 7) The Kingdom will not be left for another people (Da 2:44) 8) The Kingdom will endure forever (Da 2:44) 9) This Kingdom will be set up in the future (Da 2:45) Daniel 2:46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did homage to Daniel, and gave orders to present to him an offering and fragrant incense. fell: Lk 17:16 Ac 10:25 14:13 28:6 Rev 11:16 19:10 22:8 fragrant incense - Lev 26:31 Ezra 6:10) NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S REACTION TO THE UNFOLDING OF THE FUTURE Fell on his face - Nebuchadnezzar in so doing was recognizing that what Daniel had done was not the result of the ordinary human spirit (cp. Da 4:8, 5:11, Ge 41:38). And if you read the rest of the story on Nebuchadnezzar, I believe it becomes clear that he actually becomes a believer (cf Da 4:34-37+) THOUGHT - Here is the takeaway - Teaching of prophecy is not to make a person a smarter sinner, but to make a miserable sinner into a mighty saint! On more than one occasion, as I have taught prophecy, men have been saved from the guttermost to the uttermost. I am convinced that teaching prophecy (from a literal approach) stirs people's hearts deeply and convicts them to acknowledge that there is a God and that He is in control of these events (many of which have been fulfilled, especially in Daniel) and that this reaction calls for a response. Some will reject the Gospel but some will receive the Gospel, because their hearts were "prepared" by these great prophetic truths about God's Plan for the Ages! Did homage - The Septuagint translates this Aramaic verb with the Greek word translated in the NT as worshiped (proskuneo [word study]). But I don't think Nebuchadnezzar is truly worshipping Daniel or at least that Daniel does not perceive it as "worship" for he is the same young man who did not seek credit for the dream interpretation (Da 2:29, 30+). And although he did have access to the book of Acts, he clearly knew the principle that a believer was not to accept worship from another human being (Acts 10:25, 26+, cp Acts 14:14, 15+). Donald Campbell - Certainly it is not possible for us to understand how every event of our day fits into God's plan, but we know that history is not drifting aimlessly on. Rather, God is ordering all things to the consummation that He has planned. Let us never forget that what is true for the world at large is also true for us as individuals. The sovereign Lord has a plan for our lives—and there is no true satisfaction till we find it and fulfill it! (Borrow Daniel Decoder of Dreams - aka God's Man in a Secular Society page 26) Daniel 2:47 The king answered Daniel and said, "Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery." a God: Da 11:36 Dt 10:17 Jos 22:22 Ps 136:2 Lord: Da 2:37 4:17,32 Job 12:19 Ps 2:10,11 72:11 82:1 Pr 8:15,16 1Ti 6:15 Rev 1:5 17:14 19:16 reveal: Da 2:19,28 4:8,9 Ge 41:39 Am 3:7 The king answered Daniel - Notice that Daniel's exaltation of the Lord as the revealer of mysteries was clearly understood by Nebuchadnezzar, who gives the glory to Daniel's God ("your God"). We need to maintain the same God exalting response to any praise or honor others would seek to bestow on us. (We need to continually remember 2 Cor 3:5, 6-note, Pr 15:33-note, Pr 18:12, 22:4). Surely your God - How did he know about Daniel's God? In this section Daniel had clearly pointed not to men (Da 2:27) but to the "God in heaven Who reveals mysteries" (Da 2:28), a truth he immediately reiterated in Da 2:29 followed by a "disclaimer" that there was nothing special about him to warrant reception of this divine revelation. It's as if he had a giant "white board" and drew all lines pointing to God as the source of the dream and the interpretation. Had Daniel taken credit for the revelation, the only one the king would have honored would have been Daniel. Although Daniel had never heard the Sermon on the Mount, he obviously understood and practiced the spirit of Jesus' call to… Let your light shine (aorist imperative = command to do this now. Do it effectively. Don't delay.) (Where?) before men (How?) in such a way that they may see your good works (Not self serving but God glorifying - the king saw, or better, heard Daniel's "good works"), and glorify (doxazo - in simple terms means to give a proper opinion of the invisible God by your visible good, supernatural works) your Father Who is in heaven. (Mt 5:16-note) What paradox - not seen and yet seen! God is invisible and visible through His children's "good works" initiated and energized by His Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, cp Jn 15:5, Jn 6:63). Donald Campbell illustrates the truth that God is sovereign over the affairs of men but rarely recognized as such "A European ruler of a previous generation heard a Bible teacher who was touring the Continent and speaking on prophetic themes. He invited him to his palace, examined his charts concerning the future, and then asked him, "Are you telling me that Christ is to come as King and all kingdoms are to be subject to Him?" The Bible teacher replied, "Yes, that's exactly right!" "But," said the sovereign, "that can't be. Why, it would interfere with all my plans!" (Borrow Daniel Decoder of Dreams - aka God's Man in a Secular Society page 26) God of gods… Lord of kings - Compare Daniel's similar address to the human king (Da 2:37, 38). Nebuchadnezzar was a polytheist and as such worshiped many so-called gods in Babylon. He is here acknowledging not that Jehovah is the ONLY living God (which He of course is) but that He is the supreme among a pantheon of lesser gods. In short he is saying Daniel's God is greater than his gods. By Daniel 4 we begin to see this "seed" of truth take root and bear "eternal fruit" (Read Daniel 4:34, 35, 36, 37). SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE TRUTHS ABOUT GOD IN DANIEL 2 Da 2:18 - He is “the God of heaven” Da 2:19 - He reveals the mysteries Da 2:20 - Wisdom and power belong to Him Da 2:21 - "He… changes the times and the epochs” Da 2:21,37,38 - “He removes kings and establishes kings” Da 2:21 - “He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding.” Da 2:22 - "He … reveals the profound and hidden things” Da 2:22 - “He knows … the darkness, And the light dwells with Him.” Da 2:44 - He “will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.” Da 2:45 - He knows the future Da 2:47 - He “is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries” Daniel 2:48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. great: Da 2:6 5:16 Ge 41:39, 40, 41, 42, 43 Nu 22:16,17 24:11 1Sa 17:25 25:2 2Sa 19:32 2Ki 5:1 Job 1:3 Jer 5:5 ruler: Da 5:29 6:1,2 chief: Da 4:9 5:11 FAITHFUL SERVANTS OF GOD WILL BE REWARDED EITHER NOW AND/OR IN ETERNITY The king promoted Daniel - Daniel is honored just as was Joseph after he had interpreted Pharaoh's dream (Ge 41:25-37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44). The compassionate God now had "His man in Babylon" and in a position to be of benefit to the Jews in captivity. Donald Campbell - It would have been too bad if Daniel had compromised when he first arrived in the court. The fact that he didn't gives a strong clue to the subsequent success of his career. He was the kind of man God uses. (Borrow Daniel Decoder of Dreams - aka God's Man in a Secular Society page 26) Daniel 2:49 And Daniel made request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego over the administration of the province of Babylon, while Daniel was at the king's court. Appointed: Da 2:17 1:17 3:12-30 Pr 28:12 sat: Es 2:19,21 3:2 Jer 39:3 Am 5:15 And Daniel made request - An important test of character is how do you accept praise and exaltation? Proverbs says "The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, And a man is tested by the praise accorded him." (Pr 27:21) In the Daniel remains humble and submissive, not haughty and presumptuous! Enabled by God's Spirit, may we become imitators of Daniel. Amen (Heb 6:11-12-note) Recall what happened when the chief cupbearer was restored and forgot Joseph (Ge 40:21-23)? A man of character remembers! At the king's court - What a radical change from almost slain with the wise men (Da 2:13) to all powerful ruler over the wise men. While clearly this is a reflection of the providential, sovereign good hand of the Lord watching over His children, the children did their part -- they prayed! O divine mystery of prayer! We'll have to wait until heaven to find out what would have happened had the 4 Jewish boys not interceded with the Almighty God! RESOURCES ON PRAYER: Pithy Prayer Phrases Prayer - Greek Words for Prayer Prayer Devotionals and Illustrations Prayer Hymns and Poems Prayer Quotes Life Application Study Bible - A competent leader never does all the work alone; he or she knows how to delegate and supervise. Moses, Israel's greatest leader, shared the burden of administration with dozens of assistants. (This story is in Ex 18:13-27.) Daniel 3 Commentary