These beasts, each different from the other, are described in verses 4-7. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these: 29 As Your Majesty was lying there, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen. The words of verse 1 point to the relationship between the prophecy Daniel received and its historical setting and context. The head of gold represents Nebuchadnezzar. In more detail, the outline would be as follows: (2) The Divine Interpretation verses 15-28. 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. 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. (2) Chapters 7 and 8, while written in different languages, are written during the reign of Belshazzar and somehow linked by the author in Daniel 8:1. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven. They will serve and obey Him forever. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. His followers too must be alert and ready for His return (24:44). 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. As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. Whether liberal or conservative, our conclusions grow out of the premises and presuppositions governing the process and the product of our interpretation. 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. Old Testament Survey says that 36 yrs or longer may have elapsed since Dan 3. Yet, the most important event in this passage, is Nebuchadnezzars conversion that occurred when the Lord sovereignly returned the kings understanding to him. The fourth beast receives greater attention and is of the most interest to Daniel. (1) Prophecy is necessary because God has chosen to settle His accounts with men slowly. Ohio man charged with attempting to burn down church that planned to host drag show events. Nebuchadnezzar has a dream of a huge tree. When we expect it least, the Lord will return, the wicked will be punished, and the kingdom of God established forevermore. He is letting King Nebuchadnezzar in on what is going to happen in the days ahead. 4:1927 Daniel gives a clear interpretation of Nebuchadnezzars dream. [21] An inscription of the historic Babylonian king Nabonidus, for example, tells of a dream he had of his great predecessor Nebuchadnezzar, mentioning a young man who appeared in the dream to reassure him that it was not an evil portent. Dan. In Ezekiel, and even in Daniel (8:17), it is used in reference to a prophet. Verses 15-28 contain the divine interpretation of this vision. You must also be aged 55 or under, and meet English language, health, and character requirements. WebCare or concern. The words of Daniel which applied to the beasts now found application to them. 10 A river of fire was flowing And coming out from before Him; Thousands upon thousands were attending Him, And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; The court sat, and the books were opened. 2:32 As for that statue, its head was of fine gold, its chest and arms were of silver, its belly and thighs were of bronze. The saints must believe and behave according to what God has promised about the future the righteous will possess the kingdom of God forever. He had been charmed, but not changed. Election A more broad look at the verses however, indicates Arioch is simply excited and is not making a move to impress the king. 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. 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. Dan. WebDaniel was the one who informed him that he could do this. 2:30 As for me, this mystery was revealed to me not because I possess more wisdom than any other living person, but so that the king may understand the interpretation and comprehend the thoughts of your mind. 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. Our attention should be given to what is clearly and emphatically said. The scene of the four beasts arising from the sea, which Daniel saw in his night vision, is strikingly similar to the account found in the 13th chapter of Revelation: 1 And he stood on the sand of the seashore, and I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. Life lessons, Bible study, Christian news, and more. Unity 3 While they are saying, Peace and safety! then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. The day of judgment is still future and has not yet been fulfilled. [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. God has revealed in this interpretation what He wants us to know and has kept back that which we need not know. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. The transfiguration of our Lord was but a foretaste of His coming glorious kingdom (16:28). 2:25 So Arioch quickly ushered Daniel into the kings presence, saying to him, I have found a man from the captives of Judah who can make known the interpretation to the king. 2:26 The king then asked Daniel (whose name was also Belteshazzar), Are you able to make known to me the dream that I saw, as well as its interpretation? 2:27 Daniel replied to the king, The mystery that the king is asking about is such that no wise men, astrologers, magicians, or diviners can possibly disclose it to the king. 31 You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! 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. Thirdly (and most importantly), the prophecies of Daniel mean exactly what God says they mean, nothing more and nothing less. (3:130) Daniel's three friends in the fiery furnace, C. (4:137) Daniel interprets a dream for Nebuchadnezzar, C'. He would, after His death, burial, and resurrection come in His glory, rewarding men according to their deeds (16:27). Nebuchadnezzar died in 562 B.C., some 9 years before Belshazzars reign began. 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. As the beast continues to boast, a second scene commences in Daniels vision, and for a period of time both scenes run simultaneously. 2:31 You, O king, were watching as a great statueone of impressive size and extraordinary brightnesswas standing before you. 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. 15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within me, and the visions in my mind kept alarming me. At one point in Chapter 9, Daniel understood from the scriptures that the desolation of Jerusalem would last 70 years.. 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. Daniel 2. They protest that no man can do such a thing, and Nebuchadnezzar orders that they all be executed. 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). Sign up for the Bible Blender newsletter and receive the latest on science and tech news, new product notifications, exclusive features, and more. The rock that smashes the feet of the iron kingdom represents God. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. (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 second and third beasts are briefly described in verses 5 and 6. Quite clear, however, is the identity of the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man.. The Ancient of Days is a designation for God, not found elsewhere in the Bible. 4:27). It will break in pieces and bring about the demise of all these kingdoms. 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. Nebuchadnezzars dream concerned the latter days (the days of the future or the end). Both series of four kingdoms begin well and end badly. The Greek view proposes the silver chest and arms are the Median Kingdom, brass belly/thighs are the Persian Empire, and iron/clay legs are the Greek Empire. (3) This chapter contains the major segment of Daniel, which is primarily prophetic, although it does not contain the first prophecy in the Book of Daniel. Previously, the king had accused his wise men of stalling for more time. With the commencement of Belshazzars co-regency may have come not only a rejection of the Jewish faith and worship, but a new wave of persecution directed toward it. WebNebuchadnezzar was shocked by Daniels telling and explaining his dream. We do not act on what we see so much as on what God has said. What God determined to reveal to Daniel should be enough for us. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. [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. Miracles 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. A great stone, not cut by human hands, fell on the feet of the statue and destroyed it, and the rock became a mountain that filled the whole world. Webweb aug 19 2015 daniel 1 opening activities 1 give kids several old up daniel s interpretation to nebuchadnezzar s dream in daniel 2 32 45 especially because it s written in the first person he dreams about a tree New transgender policy for public schools empathizes with those with gender dysphoria while being steadfast in opposing gender ideology. Belshazzar came to power several years after the death of Nebuchadnezzar and seems to have turned completely away from the God of Israel. Then a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule in all the earth. He also presented an offering and incense to Daniel, most likely indicating that he viewed him as the representative of God (Dan. 620 BC. 2:39 Now after you another kingdom will arise, one inferior to yours. (5:131) Daniel interprets the handwriting on the wall for Belshazzar, A'. 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). History has shown this to be true in the past, and prophecy assures us that it will be true in the future. [7], In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, is troubled by a dream. It is striking that upon having a second dream, Nebuchadnezzar again called the wise men for an interpretation. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors. 4849 Then the king promoted Daniel to a high position in the kingdom, lavished him with gifts, and made him governor over the entire province of Babylon and the chief in charge of all the Babylonian wise men. It is virtually the opposite of the term beast. The expression, Son of man, is not new to Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar may have started badly, but by the time we read of him in Daniel 4 he seems to be a true believer in God, urging the citizens of his kingdom to worship and serve Him. The king and Daniel, the wise courtier (, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 06:58. The first thing Daniel does when God reveals the dream is to pray and then bless God. They believed that the Messiah would come to establish the kingdom, to bless the Jews and to condemn the Gentiles. The death of this king brings about the end of his kingdom. (1) Why does Daniel indicate the historical setting of the vision he receives in chapter 7? Nevertheless, Daniel tells no one, keeping the matter to himself and suffering a quiet agony over the future events God has revealed to him. Finally, Nebuchadnezzars dream may not be a literal, complete history of the world but rather, a synopsis representing a series of earthly civilizations who will ultimately fall before being assimilated under the rule of God. 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. Astonished and troubled. Arrogant, boastful, and even blasphemous kings will reign over the nations, opposing God and oppressing His saints. But it will stand forever. He has put you in charge of men and women, wild animals and birds, all over the worldyoure the head ruler, you are the head of gold. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.. We are not to base our thinking and actions on circumstances, but upon the Scriptures. The silver chest and arms are a future ruler that will be inferior to Nebuchadnezzar. In the euphoria of this grand event, someone might well conclude the kingdom of God was to be established within the lifetime of those returning to Israel. Some of his alarm arose from his not yet having been given the interpretation of his vision. While God tells neither Daniel nor us that this beast represents Nebuchadnezzar, He does reveal that the head of gold in the vision of the great statue was Nebuchadnezzar (2:36-38). The second scene portrays the establishment of the thrones on which the Ancient of Days and those holding court are to be seated to pronounce judgment. English. These kings will rise to power and dominate the earth. He ordered the offering of sacrifices and burning of incense in Daniels honor. Sin distorted this authority with this particular disease, even turning man into an animal. Deut. This is what we need to know from Daniels vision, rather than the identity of the beasts. When Jesus came, He embraced this expression as a designation for Himself, giving the term meaning vastly beyond that previously held by any Jew. Slavery in the New Testament Bible what the Bible really says about slavery. 48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. 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. Copyright 2021 Bible Blender. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him., 25 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., 26 The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?. The saints should neither believe nor behave on the basis of how things appear to be (the wicked prospering and prevailing over the righteous). First, God enabled him to explain several of the kings dreams. 9 I kept looking until thrones were set up, And the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow, And the hair of His head like pure wool. Unlike the king of Nineveh who repented when warned by Jonah, Nebuchadnezzar did not heed Daniels warning. Generally, it is agreed that this beast represents the Babylonian empire and king Nebuchadnezzar in particular. In a similar way, Belshazzar becomes blasphemous and is suddenly removed by God for his wickedness. When that day comes for them, it is too late to repent. They are far from pleasant but an unavoidable part of the process. He changes the seasons and guides history. Unfortunately, the king did not heed the dreams warning, and his kingdom was taken away for a time. 26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof? Je. We take great care to develop a strong client relationship, coupled with efficient communication. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. Blessed be the name of God forever and ever. For the time, it was these Jewish leaders who were beastly, arrogant, and blasphemous, and because of this they would suffer divine judgment. And terrifying. 44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. For this reason, I wish to clearly state the foundational presuppositions and principles on which this exposition of Daniel is based. In his vision, the statue collapsed and disappeared, because a mysterious stone struck it at its feet. The destruction of the Great Temple and the signs of the end times (Matthew 24:1 24:35), The Song of Moses and Miriam attributes of God that are equally applicable to every Christian follower today. Prophecy [5] On the human level Daniel is set against the Babylonian magicians who fail to interpret the king's dream, but the cosmic conflict is between the God of Israel and the false Babylonian gods. Passing over the first three beasts, his questions focus on the last beast. That kingdom wont bond, wont hold together any more than iron and clay hold together. The saints should also expect the wicked to prosper, for a season. The reign of Belshazzar was, in some measure, a foretaste of what was yet to come in full measure during the reign of the fourth beast, especially of the eleventh horn. The vision recorded in chapter 8 took place in the third year of Belshazzar. 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. Those of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar, and Darius all agree with the prophecy of Daniel 7. The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. 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. 2:34 You were watching as a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. Given the events surrounding Nebuchadnezzars first dream, why do you think he again asked the wise men to interpret it? 2:49 And at Daniels request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the administration of the province of Babylon. [10] The first three verses of chapter 2 and part of verse 4 are in Hebrew. A person should not take credit for what God does through him. 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. 4:9). Daniel 2:26-45: 589 BC: Nebuchadnezzar begins siege of Desiring a more detailed explanation, he apparently asked for one and received it. 78 A subsequent and related vision comes to him in this kings third year (see 8:1). Web180 views, 12 likes, 2 loves, 26 comments, 3 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from PCCC- Parker County Cowboy Church: PCCC- Parker County Cowboy Church was live. 42 As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. (5) Above all, the prophecy in this chapter means precisely what God says it means in this text, nothing more and nothing less. [13], Chapter 2 in its present form dates from no earlier than the first decades of the Seleucid empire (late 4th/early 3rd centuries BCE), but its roots may reach back to the fall of Babylon and the rise of the Persian Achaemenid empire, and some scholars have speculated that the dream of four kingdoms was originally a dream of four kings, Nebuchadnezzar and his four successors. He will rule over all nations forever. The beasts emerge out of chaos and confusion; the heavenly court is calm and dignified. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all, you are this head of gold. However, the kings retrospective confession in Dan. And hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: For thou hast now made known unto us the kings matter. 49 Then Daniel requested of 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. When the Lord Jesus came to the earth, He often referred to Himself as the Son of Man, gradually making it clear that He was the Messiah who was God incarnate. Both sets of kingdoms are brought to a sudden end and are replaced by an eternal kingdom. [16] Daniel, the book's hero, is a representative apocalyptic seer, the recipient of the divine revelation: has learned the wisdom of the Babylonian magicians and surpassed them, because his God is the true source of knowledge; he is one of the maskil, the wise, whose task is to teach righteousness. [20] In Daniel 2 these two merge, and the claim of God's sovereignty extends beyond the immediate story to take in all of history. The revealer of mysteries has made known to you what will take place. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; 38 and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them allyou are this head of gold. Verses 1-14 contain the vision which God gave to Daniel. 16 I approached one of those who were standing by and began asking him the exact meaning of all this. 37 Your Majesty, you are the king of kings. Daniel showed true love for the men, despite their abhorrence to God. Wealth and Poverty 4:1018 the king describes his dream to Daniel. When the child is born, the pains of suffering are quickly lost in the joys of seeing a new life. [25] Finally Nebuchadnezzar prostrates himself before Daniel and commands that offerings and incense be offered to him, suggesting that he views Daniel as divine; nevertheless, although he acknowledges and respects the god of Daniel, he is not a convert.
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