If not, he could never have become airborne again. Now we will set forth before the king its interpretation. Our text challenges such a conclusion, and later prophecies in Daniel further document that the coming of the King and of the kingdom will be some time further in the future. 30 But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for our sakes who make known the interpretation to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart. When the iniquity of the blasphemous horn reaches full bloom and his appointed time to rule is fulfilled, God will destroy him, casting his body into the fire. In my opinion, the most dramatic reference of our Lord to His identity as the Son of Man comes as the Lord Jesus stands on trial before the Sanhedrin and the high priest: 59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, in order that they might put Him to death; 60 and they did not find it, even though many false witnesses came forward. Rom. Chapter 2. In his vision, the statue collapsed and disappeared, because a mysterious stone struck it at its feet. (7) No identification is made of the saints as Jews or Gentiles. There seems to be no Jewish nationalistic emphasis here, as there will be later.75. Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. The prophecies of Daniel 7 speak of a future day of reckoning, foreshadowed by the actions of Belshazzar and the judgment of God on him and his kingdom. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More. Dan. Take me to the king and I will interpret his dream for him., Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means., The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?. The king and Daniel, the wise courtier (, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 06:58. Moreover, at Daniels request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court. Nebuchadnezzars polytheist beliefs left room for many gods, including Daniel. The lord answered Daniel's prayers and those of his companions by showing him the dream and interpretation in a night. Prophecy is revealed to men to change their perspective, to urge them to see things as God sees them rather than as they appear to the human eye. As we will soon see, despite saving their lives, the courts wise men did not appreciate Daniels sudden rise. 13 And he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. The boastful beast becomes even more aggressive, waging war with the saints and even overpowering them. It is a testimony to his faithfulness to God that over a decade into Daniels court service to the king, Nebuchadnezzar still knew his real name (cf. (4) Suffering is to be expected by the saints, before they enter into the glorious kingdom of God. Daniel is born. The beasts are hardly worthy of prose, but the court of heaven deserves a description of the finest words. However, the Son of Man must first suffer at the hands of men (17:22; 20:18). Looking about with its numerous eyes, no one can escape his look or hide from him.80 With its mouth, the beast continues to speak boastfully. In many of the verses, Daniel refers to we instead of I and us instead of me. We get it. God is able to raise up kings and put them down. This fourth beast seems to regenerate in the form of subsequent kings and kingdoms. Let us listen then, and be sober, enduring the sufferings and trials sent our way, looking expectantly and certainly for His kingdom to come. Unsubscribe at any time. Parables of Jesus 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. (5) Prophecy is not written as hype but revealed to produce the hope of glory and endurance in present tribulation. It was a dream of a great statue with a head of gold, arms and chest of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, legs of iron, and feet of mingled iron and clay. Bible lessons blended with science, theology, modern-day life lessons and logic. The final words of verse 25 are carefully chosen to let the reader know that while this king appears to be successfully opposing God, all he does is a part of the divine plan for the last days. The emphasis is positive. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which he constructed for his wife, was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. 40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. If, in Gods eyes, a day is as 1,000 years and 1,000 years as a day (2 Peter 3:8), then the coming of our Lord has only been a few days from beginning to end. But later on two came forward, 61 and said, This man stated, I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days. 62 And the high priest stood up and said to Him, Do You make no answer? All scholars agree that the statues head of gold represents Babylonian rule. So Daniel praised the God of heaven, 2:20 saying. 15 And there was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast might even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed (Revelation 13:4, 11-15). [3] Chapter 2 in its present form dates from no earlier than the first decades of the Seleucid Empire (31263 BCE), but its roots may reach back to the Fall of Babylon (539 BCE) and the rise of the Persian Achaemenid Empire (c. 550330 BCE). Daniel 5 is an illustration and a prototype of what will happen in the end times, as described in the prophecy of Daniel 7. Even the fate of this fourth beast is different than his three predecessors, as his life and his kingdom seem to end at the same moment. 2:49 And at Daniels request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the administration of the province of Babylon. Those of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar, and Darius all agree with the prophecy of Daniel 7. He questioned His disciples so that they could confess that He, the Son of Man, was the Messiah (16:13f.). 3136 What you saw, O king, was a huge statue standing before you, striking in appearance. The inter-relationship between the prophecies of chapters 2 and 7 is demonstrated on the following page: Deterioration: Gold to iron mixed with clay, Deterioration: Nearly human to blaspheming beast. 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. 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. Usually it refers to a person as a human being. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. 2:46). 4:9). Daniel showed true love for the men, despite their abhorrence to God. 9. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. After destroying the iron kingdom, Gods rule over earth will endure forever. [21] The secret of Nebuchadnezzar's dream is called a "mystery," a term found in the scrolls from Qumran indicating a secret that can be learned through divine wisdom; appropriately, Daniel receives the divine wisdom as a "vision of the night", a dream. Given Nebuchadnezzars repeated interaction with Daniel and his friends, why do you think he did not become a believer earlier (cf. 4:19; Ezk. Would Belshazzar toast the gods of gold, silver, wood and stone with the sacred temple vessels? How interesting! Prophecy becomes necessary from time to time to remind men of those things God has planned for the future which He will surely fulfill. His followers too must be alert and ready for His return (24:44). 145:13. Belshazzar came to power several years after the death of Nebuchadnezzar and seems to have turned completely away from the God of Israel. 2:40 Then there will be a fourth kingdom, one strong like iron. When Jesus came, He embraced this expression as a designation for Himself, giving the term meaning vastly beyond that previously held by any Jew. 2345 Charles Ave. 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. [1], It is generally accepted that the Book of Daniel originated as a collection of folktales among the Jewish community in Babylon and Mesopotamia in the Persian and early Hellenistic periods (5th to 3rd centuries BCE), expanded in the Maccabean era (mid-2nd century) by the visions in chapters 712. Within this view, the arrival of the kingdom of God (the rock) is symbolic for the arrival of Jesus. This chapter is actually a letter. 2 Daniel said, I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. Clearly, the king knew of Daniels abilities and even had made him chief of the magicians (Dan. Ohio man charged with attempting to burn down church that planned to host drag show events. So it was for our Lord (1 Peter 1:10-12), and so it will be for us. There are conflicting views of which countries are represented by the enormous statues remaining components silver chest and arms, bronze belly and thighs, and iron legs. (Numbers 23:19). 36 This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king. 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. WebIn the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, is troubled by a dream. 3:253:50 lines 279361 Daniel B: lines 1-71 Harbus, Antonina. Neither peer opposition nor the king's new law (chapter 6) greatly disturbed Daniel. God's Sovereignty 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. 4:89). he provides both intelligence and discernment. 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. 45 This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human handsa rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces. The fact that wicked men will prosper and prevail and that the righteous will suffer is hardly pleasant news. 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. 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. Later, he began having visions from the Lord about the end times. The God of heaven has given you the works: rule, power, strength, and glory. Nebuchadnezzar died in 562 B.C., some 9 years before Belshazzars reign began. There are three main components to the dream. You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king., Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the Kings wise men, and said to him, Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Daniel was given wisdom and the ability to interpret the dream by God. God would strike him down suddenly too and bring his kingdom to a swift end. WebNebuchadnezzar is a real person. 34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out fwithout hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were greatly alarming me and my face grew pale, but I kept the matter to myself (verse 28). Verses 15-28 contain the divine interpretation of this vision. Blessed be the name of God forever and ever. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints (Revelation 13:1-10). Note the change between the first and second dreams is how Nebuchadnezzar sought an interpretation, as here he freely reiterated his dream. 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. 31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. He will rule over all nations forever. Law and Gospel Prophecies are given so that we may look at history, especially events occurring in our own lifetime, from Gods perspective. While most of those in this kingdom may not have had a true conversion, at least they tolerated the Jewish faith as the religion of the state. 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. In a similar way, Belshazzar becomes blasphemous and is suddenly removed by God for his wickedness. The dream makes clear that the kingdom of God is going Election In Gods economy, things are not what they appear to be. While you were looking at this statue, a stone cut out of a mountain by an invisible hand hit the statue, smashing its iron-ceramic feet. [7], In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, is troubled by a dream. 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. In the end it will crush the other kingdoms and finish them off and come through it all standing strong and eternal. He went and said thus to him: Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; take me before the king, and I will tell the king the interpretation., 25 Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king, and said thus to him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, who will make known to the king the interpretation., 26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its interpretation?. Daniel was told that the beasts are kings, but he was not told the identity of any of the kings. While conservative, evangelical scholars believe the prophecies in Daniel are true, their interpretations differ greatly. 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. Daniel 2 tells how Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzars dream, in which God provided an overview of world events in the millennia yet to come. What God determined to reveal to Daniel should be enough for us. The fourth beast appears to differ from the other three in that he is more beastly, more powerful, more destructive, and more arrogant. The fourth beast receives greater attention and is of the most interest to Daniel. The expression, son of man, is not new to Daniel nor to the Jews of his day. The New International Version. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. He wants to know more about this dreadful beast, different from the rest, especially in the destruction he wrought. Prophecy is not a pep rally, which generates a great burst of short-term enthusiasm but does little to inspire faith and endurance in the midst of suffering. WebNebuchadnezzar was shocked by Daniels telling and explaining his dream. (9) The interpretation of Daniels vision comes in two parts, beginning with a general interpretation and then a more specific one based on Daniels questions. The first thing Daniel does when God reveals the dream is to pray and then bless God. Sign up for the Bible Blender newsletter and receive the latest on science and tech news, new product notifications, exclusive features, and more. Suffering is an inseparable part of the process which leads to glory. How easily we turn from what is revealed to speculate about what has been concealed (see Deuteronomy 29:29). Listen carefully to your inner thoughts and take note of the revelations revealed to you. The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy., King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered than an offering and incense be presented to him. The words of Daniel which applied to the beasts now found application to them. Daniel uses the expression Son of man twice. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. God stirred up the sea, and from its foaming, raging waters came forth four horrifying beasts. 39 After you, another kingdom will arise, inferior to yours. We are not told precisely what it is that troubles Daniel. WebNebuchadnezzar's Account of his Dream Daniel 4:4-18 Nebuchadnezzar begins by stating he was secure at rest and was prosperous (flourishing) in his palace. The great God has made known to the king what will occur in the future. This vision was an interactive vision, as Daniel was not only present in the vision but was able to approach one standing by to ask the meaning of what he saw. The beast also was given a mans mind. 2:33 Its legs were of iron; its feet were partly of iron and partly of clay. [8] Modern scholars agree that Daniel is a legendary figure;[3] it is possible that this name was chosen for the hero of the book because of his reputation as a wise seer in Hebrew tradition. Note that it was common in Babylonian literature to represent a king with a tree. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. At its root, it was wisdom. 9:1; 12:1, AV, RV), and the book of Daniel insists here and in subsequent chapters (8:27; 10:1, 10, 11, 15, 18) on the anxiety and psychological turmoil involved in receiving, even at Gods hand, understanding of the future course of history. Joyce C. Baldwin, Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1978), p. 143. FAQ 41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 45 Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the goldthe great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay. (5) What do the four beasts represent? The kingdom of God will be established and the saints will possess it forever. Up to this time, it was simply a synonym for being human, a son of man. Just what this means is unclear, but it suggests this arrogant king not only speaks against God, but, like Satan, he aspires to change the order God has established. It seems there is more of a sense of urgency in seeking the meaning of the second dream. 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). (6) None of the kings or the kingdoms are identified. Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. 76 It is not altogether accurate to refer to chapters 1-6 as historical and 7-12 as prophetic. 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. 4:1516, 25, 33 is known as lycanthropy. The fulfillment of the prophecy of Belshazzars demise underscores the certainty of the fulfillment of Daniels vision in the last days. 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. The statue has four parts; there are four beasts. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. We provide the highest quality of service and utmost personalized level of support to our clients. In his interpretation of the dream, Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar he was the head of gold. When the child is born, the pains of suffering are quickly lost in the joys of seeing a new life. Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13). Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. But here in chapter 7, as in Psalm 80:17, the son of man is more than just a man, He is the Messiah. In chapter 2 the king was troubled because he did not understand his dream (cf. Prophecy is not revealed in a historical vacuum. In Dan. 4:3437 is majestic as he admits Gods power and justice, as well as his own sin and divine dependence. Child-bearing is a process which involves suffering and glory. New Zealands business migration categories are designed to contribute to economic growth, attracting smart capital and business expertise to New Zealand, and enabling experienced business people to buy or establish businesses in New Zealand. Not a trace of them could be found. But it will stand forever. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. (9) What is the relationship between Daniels vision in chapter 7 and the events described in Daniel 5? WebDaniel was the one who informed him that he could do this. The saints should expect to suffer because of their faith, especially as the last days for the kingdoms of men draw near. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8.
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