The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. Chapter 2. For you have enabled me to understand the kings dilemma., 2:24 Then Daniel went in to see Arioch (whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon). Old Testament Survey says that 36 yrs or longer may have elapsed since Dan 3. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We should not spend a disproportionate amount of time and energy trying to fill in the blanks God has left. Since the last kingdom and the prophecies associated with it have not yet been fulfilled, we must in some way be a part of that kingdom. No wonder this vision causes Daniel such distress. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but an extension of life was granted to them for an appointed period of time. He said to Daniel, Your God is beyond question the God of all gods, the Master of all kings. See John F. Walvoord, Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation (Chicago: Moody Press, 1971), p. 149. The dream and the visions you had while lying on your bed are as follows. Sabbath The vision comes to Daniel in Belshazzars first year.78 A subsequent and related vision comes to him in this kings third year (see 8:1). A large rock strikes the brittle feet of the statue, smashing the material and setting off a chain reaction that shatters the metals from bottom to top, reducing the entire structure to dust. (3) The finest commentary on the prophecy of Daniel 7 comes from our Lord Himself. Note that the doxology in Dan. 9. [24] Daniel 2:2023 emphasizes the Divine as a repository of wisdom and the controller of the destiny of kings; such hymns and prayers are typical of postexilic biblical narratives. The second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, according to the Babylonian system of reckoning, would begin March/April 603 BC. So Nebuchadnezzar's dream would have occurred before Daniel and his friends had even completed their three-year training program as "wise men," which (presumably) began in 605 BC or a bit later. Take me to the king and Ill interpret his dream., 25 Arioch didnt lose a minute. Priesthood Let the name of God be praised forever and ever. 37 You, O king, are a king of kings. Nebuchadnezzar captured Daniel and his buddies Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah when they were very young men (probably mid-teens), and we see glimpses of Daniel working in the palace until hes well over eighty years History has shown this to be true in the past, and prophecy assures us that it will be true in the future. The woman endures in the view of the final outcome of the process. 2:41 In that you were seeing feet and toes partly of wet clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom. God is eternal, and so is His plan for all creation. We provide the highest quality of service and utmost personalized level of support to our clients. What do I do about calling a priest father at my Catholic University? As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were greatly alarming me and my face grew pale, but I kept the matter to myself.. Centuries must therefore pass before the prophecies of Daniel are fulfilled. The saints of the Highest One are given all the kingdoms of the earth for an everlasting kingdom. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:1-8). The kings confession in Dan. Dan. [22] Giant figures were frequent in ancient dream records, and parallels can be drawn from Greek (Hesiod's Works and Days), Latin (Ovid's Metamorphosis) and the Persian Bahman Yasht. The king said to Daniel, Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. 35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011. Consequently, it is little wonder that in the events recorded in Daniel 5, Belshazzar was ignorant of Daniel and the abilities God had given him. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy., 46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. Our deliverance from the power of sin and the penalty of death has been accomplished by our Lord, who suffered in our place. Daniel does not say he can interpret the dream he says God can interpret the kings dream and humbly explains to King Nebuchadnezzar that there is a God in heaven who reveals such mysteries. In the end it will crush the other kingdoms and finish them off and come through it all standing strong and eternal. But it will stand forever. Providence 34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. I encourage you to compare the statements of Daniel 2:21-22, 44, 47; 4:3, 34-35, 37; 6:26 with the content and declarations of Daniel 7. Daniel was told that the beasts are kings, but he was not told the identity of any of the kings. Indeed, the king did much to construct Babylon, as he was known primarily as a builder, not as a warrior. Humanly speaking, it was impossible for them to have a child. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the entire earth. Daniel 2 tells how Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzars dream, in which God provided an overview of world events in the millennia yet to come. WebIn the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, is troubled by a dream. (6) Prophecy is written to sober the saints. Belshazzars rise to power and ascent to the throne seems to have inaugurated a new age for Babylon. In many of the verses, Daniel refers to we instead of I and us instead of me. Dan. Thou art this head of gold. Are we supposed to discover their identity? Given Nebuchadnezzars repeated interaction with Daniel and his friends, why do you think he did not become a believer earlier (cf. Daniel immediately 2:31 You, O king, were watching as a great statueone of impressive size and extraordinary brightnesswas standing before you. 48 Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. 81 See Ezekiel 29:21 for a similar use of the imagery of making a horn grow to describe a kings promotion to power. When the court sits for judgment, his dominion is taken from him and he is destroyed forever. The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer (1 Peter 4:7). As Daniel continues to watch, someone descends with the clouds of heaven, one like a Son of Man. He is presented to the Ancient of Days, and to Him is given dominion, glory, and the eternal kingdom. Covenant 11 Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire. 2:42 In that the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, the latter stages of this kingdom will be partly strong and partly fragile. (8) The four beasts are all different, with the last standing apart from the first three. 2:29 As for you, O king, while you were in your bed your thoughts turned to future things. When that day comes for them, it is too late to repent. Unsubscribe at any time. 2:43 And in that you saw iron mixed with wet clay, so people will be mixed with one another without adhering to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. Second, the prophecies of Daniel are to be understood in the light of the entire Book of Daniel, of the Old Testament, and of the Bible as a whole. WebThe Dream: Nebuchadnezzar saw a giant image that looked very powerful and shone brightly. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. The head of gold represents Nebuchadnezzar. We get it. Introduction 40 And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others. The day of judgment is still future and has not yet been fulfilled. This surprise seems to be over the raw fact of what God would do to Nebuchadnezzar. That night his life and his kingdom came to an end. It was like scraps of old newspapers in a vacant lot in a hot dry summer, blown every which way by the wind, scattered to oblivion. This was the dream and now we will interpret it for the king. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth. Is it possible to understand history apart from knowledge of God and a Judeo-Christian worldview. You have things to do. Persecution Love of Neighbor In the latter days, an unusually powerful and evil king will arise, who will blaspheme God and oppress the people of God. King Nebuchadnezzar died apparently nine years before Belshazzar came to power. Daniel made the dream and its interpretation known to Nebuchadnezzar, but first he provided context. These kings will rise to power and dominate the earth. 24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them,81 and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings. The Son of Man was also Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8). Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzars Dream: The Final Kingdom In our last two studies in Daniel 2, we have discovered that Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar about his dream. First is a great tree that filled the earth. As the saints suffer at the hands of the wicked, it may appear all hope is lost. 24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation. From the context, it would seem that Daniels distress is the result of the wickedness and oppression of the world kingdoms which are represented by the beasts, and by the knowledge that the saints will be oppressed and even overcome for a period of time. The saints should expect to suffer because of their faith, especially as the last days for the kingdoms of men draw near. In his vision, Daniel observed the sea being stirred up into a raging storm by the four winds of heaven. This signifies that the events which follow have been ordained by God. WebNebuchadnezzars dream to him. In his vision, the statue collapsed and disappeared, because a mysterious stone struck it at its feet. The New King James Version. While conservative, evangelical scholars believe the prophecies in Daniel are true, their interpretations differ greatly. 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 it will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. (4) This is the first prophecy in the book revealed directly to Daniel. He surpasses those before him by speaking boastfully, then blaspheming, and finally seeking to overthrow Gods order. 8:58; 1 Cor. He distinguishes himself by his ability to overcome the whole earth, crushing it under foot. Prophecy is always practical and relevant to the person(s) receiving it. Note that the description of the beasts is written in prose, while the description of the heavenly court in verses 9-10 and of the Son of Man in verses 13-14 is written in poetry form. FAQ [14], The Book of Daniel is an apocalypse, a literary genre in which a heavenly reality is revealed to a human recipient; such works are characterized by visions, symbolism, an other-worldly mediator, an emphasis on cosmic events, angels and demons, and pseudonymity (false authorship). 2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. 4:3437 reports Nebuchadnezzars return to power. 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. The Cross And Separation From The World (1 Peter 4:1-6), 7. But the stone that hit the statue became a huge mountain, dominating the horizon. He summons his magicians and astrologers to interpret it, but demands that they first tell [18] The plot of such tales (another example is the story of Joseph and Pharaoh in Genesis 41) is as follows: a person of low status is called before a person of high status to answer a difficult question or to solve a riddle; the high-status person poses the problem but none present can solve; the person of low status solves it and is rewarded. When He came with His kingdom, they would be sure to recognize Him (24:27). Daniel is born. WebInstead of using the lesson ideas for teaching Daniel 2:128, you could show the portion of the video that depicts the events related to Daniels interpretation of Nebuchadnezzars dream (time codes 6:1713:49).As students watch the video, invite them to look for what Daniel did when he needed wisdom and guidance. He wants to know more about this dreadful beast, different from the rest, especially in the destruction he wrought. What role do they play in relation to the four beasts? The vision recorded in chapter 8 took place in the third year of Belshazzar. 2:49 And at Daniels request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the administration of the province of Babylon. It seems safe to assume the interpreter was an angelic being; at least this is the case in chapter 8 (8:15-26). He lavishes gifts on Daniel and makes him chief of all the wise men and ruler over the province of Babylon. It struck the statue on its iron and clay feet, breaking them in pieces. No wonder interpreters differ about the details. He is letting King Nebuchadnezzar in on what is going to happen in the days ahead. Q. 43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. Daniel praised God and said: Praise be to God forever; wisdom and power are his. We are in harmony with God when our declarations conform to his. Nebuchadnezzar has a dream of a huge tree. Note that it was common in Babylonian literature to represent a king with a tree. 3640 And now well interpret it for the king. (Matthew 22:41 22:46), The parable of the bags of gold (Jesus tells the parable of the talents) (Matthew 25:14 25:30). About Us, Bible Blender Jesus applied this text to them, not as those who would enter into His kingdom, but as those who would be judged at His return. Fasting [4] The lack of linguistic continuity (the switch from Hebrew to Aramaic at verse 4), and of continuity with other parts of Daniel (e.g., the king needs an introduction to Daniel despite having interviewed him at the completion of his training in Daniel 1:18), as well as various instances of repetitiveness (see verses 2830), are sometimes cited as evidence that later hands have edited the story, or as signs that the author was working from multiple sources. But here in chapter 7, as in Psalm 80:17, the son of man is more than just a man, He is the Messiah. Life lessons, Bible study, Christian news, and more. Note these general observations about our passage before we turn to a more detailed study. Thirdly (and most importantly), the prophecies of Daniel mean exactly what God says they mean, nothing more and nothing less. 25 And he will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. 45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. The emphasis of this brief interpretation falls not on the enemies of God, their power, their brutality, nor their boasting, but on the kingdom of God, its certainty and its permanence for all the saints forever. Now there's much for us to learn in the story of Nebuchadnezzar's confession and open letter in this dream which is recorded here in verses 10 through 18. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. Neither is prophecy written to make us happy or to feel good. [27] Jewish scholars interpret the mixed materials forming the feet as the kingdom of Rome alongside kingdoms under Islamic rule. Listen and subscribe to The Redeemed Mind Podcast on your favorite podcasting app or website. And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to it, Arise, devour much meat! 6 After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. A keen reader will notice that the value of the metals decreases from head to feet (i.e. 4:19). Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. The interpretation of the events Daniel witnessed in his vision is given in its most concise form in verses 17 and 18: The four beasts were four kings, who will arise from the earth. What God says, He will do. Who is the Son of Man? 49 Also Daniel petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat in the gate of the king. They believed that the Messiah would come to establish the kingdom, to bless the Jews and to condemn the Gentiles. The lord answered Daniel's prayers and those of his companions by showing him the dream and interpretation in a night. Kingdom of God English. 7 After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. 80 During my school teaching days, I tried to make my students think I had eyes in the back of my head so that no matter what they did--even if my back was turned--they could not escape my all-seeing eyes or my discipline. When he came to the Ancient of Days he would be given dominion, and glory, and a The Son of Man had the power to forgive sins, as well as to heal a paralytic (Matthew 9:6). 26 But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. However, this peaceful state was broken when in his sleep he had a troubling dream. God would strike him down suddenly too and bring his kingdom to a swift end. 3136 What you saw, O king, was a huge statue standing before you, striking in appearance. WebCare or concern. 31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. 40 Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as ironfor iron breaks and smashes everythingand as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others. Teacher: Show your modern-day letter, and where it is signed. WebDaniel was the one who informed him that he could do this. Daniel explains, as Nebuchadnezzar likely already understood, that the tree represented him (cf. Daniels response is testimony to this reality. The ten horns, Daniel is told, represent ten kings who will emerge out of the fourth kingdom. 20 Daniel answered and said. 3 And four great beasts were coming up from the sea, different from one another. Also notice that he does not talk about the dream. "[32], The traditional interpretation of the dream identifies the four empires as the Babylonian (the head), Medo-Persian (arms and shoulders), Greek (thighs and legs), and Roman (the feet) empires.[33]. Ceremonial Laws Passover Now that Daniel has told Nebuchadnezzar the dream he had, he now begins to interpret the dream. 18 But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come. 19 Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet, 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three of them fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts, and which was larger in appearance than its associates. The phrase used to describe Daniel and his friends is young men. Its a word that usually refers to boys Developed by. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. By 650 AD they were block-printing prayers. In New Zealand, you can study for internationally-recognised qualifications at a wide range of educational institutions. Evangelist Andrew Palau Joins Dozens of Churches in Austin, Texas for Historic SXSW Outreach Event. Whether liberal or conservative, our conclusions grow out of the premises and presuppositions governing the process and the product of our interpretation. Sanctification His actions reveal that he had not learned the lessons of his first dream which God had caused him to have. According to verse 1, the written record of the revelation Daniel received in his first night vision is but a summary of the prophecy he received. He gave orders to offer sacrifice and incense to him. It is at this time that all human kingdoms will become subject to God and to the saints in the eternal kingdom, which the Son of Man will establish when He comes to the earth to judge and to rule. No wise man, enchanter, magician, or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. Their perception is wrong, for suddenly and without warning their day of destruction will come upon them. We dare not ignore that which is revealed nor do we dare go too far afield in speculating about what is concealed (see Deuteronomy 29:29; 1 Timothy 1:4; 2 Timothy 2:23). Or Daniel could be referring to himself and his friends (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) whom he urged to pray to God for understanding of the kings dream. Nothing has caused him to panic or depart from his faith and practice as a godly Jew. The ten horns are of interest to him, but most of all that final horn which arose, surpassing and replacing three others and speaking boastfully. Daniels action was a very Christlike gesture. He granted him authority over the entire province of Babylon and made him the main prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. 4445 But throughout the history of these kingdoms, the God of heaven will be building a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will this kingdom ever fall under the domination of another. 79 Compare Jeremiah 49:14-22, 28, where Nebuchadnezzar is compared to a lion and an eagle. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. The rock that smashes the feet of the iron kingdom represents God. 30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. As the destruction of the last beast and the blaspheming horn came as a complete shock to them, so the Lords coming will catch unbelievers unprepared as well (24:27-39). Worship, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window). Since Daniel goes to great lengths to attribute his ability to interpret dreams to God, it is possible he is referring to himself and God to divert credit from himself. 32 The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. This was your dream. Angels the dates below seem not to fit. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. A look through the Scriptures shows that Daniels response to the prophecies he received was not unique. 37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for mthe God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. Dan. We have a range of family categories to help partners, dependent children and parents of New Zealand citizens or residents to come to live in New Zealand. Daniel uses the expression Son of man twice. We see a gapan almost insurmountable gapbetween suffering and glory; God does not. Blessed be the name of God forever and ever. 31 You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! As National Day of Prayer approaches, Pope suggests we spend time with Jesus every evening to reflect on the day. Dan. It would be but a very few years until Cyrus would come to power and assist the Jews to return to Jerusalem and the land of Israel. Some of the strength of iron will be in it, for you saw iron mixed with wet clay. This is an accurate telling of the dream, and the interpretation is also accurate., 4647 When Daniel finished, King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face in awe before Daniel. It seems there is more of a sense of urgency in seeking the meaning of the second dream. We do not act on what we see so much as on what God has said. Clearly, the king knew of Daniels abilities and even had made him chief of the magicians (Dan. The ruler changed The New International Version. 74 The personal cost of receiving divine revelation is never underestimated in the Old Testament (cf. The silver chest and arms are a future ruler that will be inferior to Nebuchadnezzar. 2:47 The king replied to Daniel, Certainly your God is a God of gods and Lord of kings and revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery! 2:48 Then the king elevated Daniel to high position and bestowed on him many marvelous gifts. Having related the dream, Daniel then interprets it: it concerns four successive kingdoms, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar, which will be replaced by the everlasting kingdom of the God of heaven. ; The NET Bible. 4:1012; 2022). Earlier in Daniel, we are told how Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had besieged Jerusalem, took their king Jehoiakim captive and scuttled precious religious artifacts from the Great Temple. Some of his alarm arose from his not yet having been given the interpretation of his vision. The beast also was given a mans mind. God's Judgment We know that Jesus came the first time to die and that He will come again to subdue His enemies and establish His kingdom. Astonished and troubled. WebDaniels Interpretation: Daniel 2.37-43: You, O king, are a king of kings. Daniel, along with his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (later named Shadrach, Meshach, and The vision plays on before Daniel, almost as though in answer to his desire to know more. Daniel 2:26-45: 589 BC: Nebuchadnezzar begins siege of When Daniel approaches Arioch the executioner, with urgency he tells him, Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. The Skilled Migrant Category is a points system based on factors such as age, work experience, your qualifications, and an offer of skilled employment. sees in the darklight spills out of him! 21 And He changes the times and the seasons; And knowledge to those who have understanding. And have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have made known to us the kings demand., 24 Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. In spite of all these beasts do and say, in spite of their power and even their success, neither they nor their kingdoms will last. (4) Suffering is to be expected by the saints, before they enter into the glorious kingdom of God. He ran to the king, bringing Daniel with him, and said, Ive found a man from the exiles of Judah who can interpret the kings dream!, 26 The king asked Daniel (renamed in Babylonian, Belteshazzar), Are you sure you can do thistell me the dream I had and interpret it for me?. Then a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule in all the earth. With iron-like teeth, horns (some with eyes), and feet, it is utterly destructive. A striking component of Daniels interpretation of Nebuchadnezzars dream is that when he first heard the dream, he was astonished (Dan. It devoured and crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.
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