THE BOOK OF DANIEL
CHAPTER TWO (Part Two)

THE GREAT IMAGE.

This chapter easily divides itself into four divisions:
	Daniel’s Perils:		2:1—13
	Daniel’s Prayer:		2:14—23
	Daniel’s Prophecy:		2:24—45
	Daniel’s Position: (promotion): 2:46—49

Remember the two verse that seems to hold the key to this chapter, as well, as to the whole book of Daniel.

“But there is a God is heaven that revealeth secrets, —Daniel 2:28

“And in the days of these kings shall the God, of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed:” Daniel 2:44

We concluded the first part of this chapter with Daniel and the three Hebrew Men showing us how to face crises in our lives:

We are to face the crises in our lives with a rational mind, not jumping to conclusions before we understand what is what;

We are to face the crises in our lives with: a prayerful mind, seeking the face of God for divine wisdom;

We are to face the crises in our lives with a worshipping heart, worshipping and praising God from whom all wisdom flows.

We will in this lesson take a glance at what the Book of Daniel says about the image of Nebuchadnezzar.

III. DANIEL’S PROPHECY. ~ Daniel 2:24—45

Daniel, after finding out what the problem was went to the king that if the king would give him time, he would give him the meaning to his dreams. (2:16; 2:24)

Daniel explained to the king that his dreams concerned him and his future, as well, as the kingdoms that were to follow. (2:29)

Daniel explained also that these dreams were for the latter days, which would be the days when the prophecy would be fulfilled with the coming of the “stone” that would fill the whole earth with a kingdom that would not be destroyed. (2:44—45)

A. The man of the interpretation. Daniel 2:24—30

What excitement must have filled the land, especially the king’s household and the king’s heart, when Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard said, “I have found a man.” (2:25)

The sentence of death hung heavily in the kingdom, men’s hearts were grieved over the king’s decree, but then in the midst there came the cry “I have found a man.”

What joy is to fill our hearts, because every born-again believer can shout the cry of “I have found a man” and his name is Jesus.

1. The man was a merciful man. Daniel 2:24

Daniel was not of the same class, religiously speaking nor socially speaking, as the wise men of the land were, and because they were magicians and astrologers they deserved to die according to the law of God, but Daniel was not a man with hatred in his heart for his enemies.

With all of these wise men gone, Daniel could have exalted himself without any competition, but Daniel was not the kind of man to use others as a stepping stone.

2. The man was a vise man. Daniel 2:25—29

Daniel was considered ten times wiser than all the wise men of the land by the king.	(1:20)

But Daniel was very careful in not taking credit unto himself.

(a) He was careful in not discrediting others: (2:27)

How careful we ought to be in questioning the integrity of others.

(b) He was careful in giving God His proper place and praise: (2:28)

The gods of the land were unable to give a meaning to the dreams, but the God of heaven is the revealer of secrets.

(c) He was careful in relating the dreams and the true meaning, properly: (2:29)

Since the king had forgotten the dreams and couldn’t interpret them, then, Daniel could have easily taken an advantage of him.

But a very important lesson is taught to us here, always, ALWAYS, handle the Word of God truthfully, honestly, sincerely, and humbly.

(d) He was careful in not taking credit to himself; (2:30)

Daniel didn’t place himself above others, and it was also for their sakes that Daniel had received and was sharing the secret with the king.

How sad it would have been, :many would have died, if Daniel had kept the message to himself.

Paul said, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:” II Cor. 4:3

3.  The man was an honest man Daniel 2:30

He was honest in that he gave the credit for knowing and understanding the dreams to the proper source, God, as well, as for why the dreams were given.

The integrity of Daniel was outstanding in every given circumstances because in chapter 1:8, Daniel purposed in his heart.

B. The meaning of the interpretation. Daniel 2:31—43

The image speaks of the kingdoms that were to be on earth until the coming of Christ.

This image speaks of the Gentile governments that would span a total of about 2600 years. That is, from the time of Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom until the Lord comes to establish His kingdom would be a period of some 2600 years.

How many years since Nebuchadnezzar first set up his kingdom? About 2600 years.

So look up, your redemption draweth nigh.

How do we arrive at this conclusion?

Every 2000 years a great event takes place according to the Bible.

From Creation to Abraham 2000 years Gen. 1:1 - Gen. 12:1

From Abraham to Christ 2000 years. Gen. 12:]. - Matt. 1:1

From Christ to His Second Coming 2000 years

Matt. 1:1 - Rev. 20:4 (This is believed to be by Bible students as it fulfills the six days of the working week of Bible prophecy.

While the seventh is the Sabbath, or the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth.)

1. The Head. Daniel 2:32

Babylon’s kingdom was the head of gold. (2: 36—38)

Nebuchadnezzar was the head of gold, he was the 1st of these kingdoms and kings. 606 — 539 B.C.  About 67 years

2. The Breast and Arms. Daniel 2:32

Media - Persia kingdom was the breast and the arms of silver. (2:39a)

This kingdom would be inferior to the 1st kingdom. As silver is inferior to gold. This kingdom was not as rich, powerful, or victorious. It was founded by Darius the Mede, and Cyrus the Persian, in alliance with each other, and therefore represented by two arms, meeting in the breast.

Cyrus was a Persian by his father, and a Mede by his mother.
539 — 330 B.C. About 210 years.

3. The Thigh of Brass. Daniel 2:32

Greece would be the kingdom of the thigh of brass. (2:39b)

The belly and thighs of brass signified the kingdom of the Grecians, founded by Alexander the Great, who conquered Darius, the last of the Persian emperors.

This is the third kingdom, it is of brass, inferior to both, the gold and silver.,

This kingdom shall “bear rule over all~’ the earth” and Alexander boasted that he had 
conquered the whole world, and then sat down and cried because he had not another world to conquer.  330 — 150 B.C.  About 180 years.

4. The Legs of Iron. Daniel 2:33

Rome follows as the two legs of iron.  (2:40)

If the two arms speaks of two division but yet united, then, the two legs would speak of the divisions of the Roman Empire.

This Empire did divide into the Western and the Eastern Division.

This took place around 364 A.D. and. still remains so even today.

The Eastern Division is known as the Greek Orthodox Catholic Church.

The Western Division is known as the Roman Catholic Church.

The Roman Catholic Church be the most aggressive of the two.

The Roman Empire had its beginning in strength and was able to subdue all things. It was at the height of this kingdom that Christ was born, lived, and died. The church had its beginning in the days of Christ and began to sweep its way into all nations of the world.

It was Constantine, the Emperor of the Roman Empire from 306 - 337 A.D. and his reign that was to mark one of the great turning points in church history.

Constantine engaged in several wars with competitors in order to establish himself firmly on the throne. On the eve of one of those battles at Milvath Bridge, just outside of Rome, on October 27, 312 A.D., he had a vision and saw in the sky a flaming cross and above it the words, “By this sign thou shalt conquer”. He interpreted this to mean he 
should become a Christian. He decided to fight under the banner of Christ, and he won the battle.

(See pages 15 — 16 in the booklet “The Trail of Blood)

He then passed the law that everyone should become a Christian and many of the churches of his day joined with him, but the Baptist remained apart. He open persecution upon those who didn’t join with him, and, thus, the Universal Church, a State-church was formed, which is still in essence, the old Roman Empire.

The Baptist, and the reformation which gave birth to the Protestant Churches, have caused a weakening in the authority of this church over nations of the world.

The Democracy Government of America has also contributed much to the weakening of this church’s influence in the world. And with the traveling pope that the church now has, and the trend toward the New World Order spoken of by President Bush, the influence of the old Roman Empire will be revived.

Just how much of a role will the pope play in this new World Order, that remains to be seen.

150 B.C. — 500 A.D.  About 650 years.

This is when it held its greatest sway over the world, but yet it has remain, somewhat in a weaker state, even to this very day.

It will be this empire that will be revived and from it, will come the Antichrist, the last World Gentile Empire.

Revelation 18:8 seems to speak of this Empire as being one that ceased, and is now alive.

Take note of the diagram of Daniel and Revelation Compared; It shows the toes of the image stretching from before the days of Christ, all the way through the church age and the Tribulation age, being crushed at the Second coming of Christ.

5. The Feet of Iron and Clay. Daniel 2:33

The feet of iron and clay, a brittle mixture, represented the kingdoms at the end of time, it is a continuation of the Roman Empire. But here it is divided up into ten kingdoms, represented by the ten toes. (2:41-43)

There will be a federation of nations, or a Untied States of Nations that twill consist of the Old Roman Empire that will be the ten kings. (Daniel 7:7-8)

Three kings shall be destroyed and their authority given to another making him the most powerful of them all. He will be the Antichrist.

The head of the Empire will be the Antichrist.

Daniel helps us to see and to know of his character and efforts: Daniel 7:23-26

Paul helps us to see and to know of his character and efforts: II Thessalonians 2:3-10

John helps us to see and to know of his character and efforts: Revelation 13: 1-18

Daniel also helps us to see the length of this government and how it will be brought to an end:
Daniel 2:34-35
Daniel 2:44-45

John gives us a clear picture of the Antichrist being defeated by the coining of Christ:
Revelation 19: 11-12
Revelation 20:1 10

6. The Stone.
Daniel 2:34-35

Christ is the Stone that will come at the end of these kings reign.  (2: 44-45)

In reality, there are four kingdoms, and four is the number of man in the Bible. Man has governed himself for thousands of years, but in every case, he has failed because he has left out God:

He has left out God in his 
entertainment: 
education: 
economics:

and he has only gone deeper and deeper into the pit of depravity.

But the fifth kingdom, is one of graces it is Christ Himself who will come to earth and rule and reign for a thousand years from Jerusalem, and to His kingdom there will be no end.

Because when the time comes for the world to be destroyed, He will take His kingdom home with Him:

“Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father.” I Cor. 15:24

Note: The Stone was cut out without hands: it was not of man, (2:34), not formed by man, nor created by man.

The Stone broke in pieces the whole image; it brought to (2:34-35) naught completely all the Gentile Kingdoms. Revelation 11:15)

The Stone filled the whole earth with its presence, (2:35).

The Stone shall establish a kingdom that will never be destroyed, (2:44).

The Stone shall never leave the kingdom to another, (2:44).

This kingdom of God will be set up in the days of the kings (2:44), that is, the ten kings of Daniel 7:7-8.

The only date we have is that it is near, even at the doors.

The signs of the times are all around us, but we need not to rely on them, we stand on His promise, He promised to come again, and He will keep His promises, so look up.

C. The Mercy Op The Interpretation Daniel 2:46 49

In studying this lesson you see the words of Jesus as they relate to Daniel, “Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,

Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.” Luke 18:29 - 30.

God displayed His mercy once again upon Daniel and the three Hebrew Men, and even the wise men of Babylon were benefactors of God’s mercy.

The world today doesn’t realize that the blessings that they enjoy are bestowed upon them because of God’s people.

1. The King’s Promise. Daniel 2:6

He had promised honor and gifts to the One who would give him the meaning of the dreams.

Me kept his promise and gave Daniel great honor (2:46, 48)

2. The King’s Praise. Daniel 2:47

He declared that Daniel’s God was the God of all gods, and the Lord of kings, which shows that the king understood clearly, but yet his heart was not changed.

He worshipped Daniel instead of the God of Daniel: (2:46)

He exalted Daniel before the people instead of the God of Daniel: (2:48)

He never turned from his own self-righteousness:	 (3:1)

His lips gave praise;
His heart had none.

3. The King’s Promotion. Daniel 2:48-49.

The king made Daniel a great man, that is before the people and in the kingdom; The king gave Daniel many great gifts, no doubt Daniel became wealthy;

The king made Daniel ruler over the whole providence of Babylon;

The king made Daniel chief of the governors of the wise men;

The king sat Daniel in his gate, that is, in a place of great authority.

It is wonderful to see the humbleness manifested in Daniel. He was exalted, but he didn’t forget about his partners, his companions.

Daniel made a request for them to be exalted also, and the king sat them over the affairs of the province.

CONCLUSION:

Daniel started off right in this foreign land in that he purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s meat nor the king’s wine.

Daniel didn’t have it easy, and he faced death several times, but the Lord never forgot him and always blessed him, until he became the most important man in the kingdom.

Daniel was a man who knew what it meant to be dedicated to the truths of the Lord.

Daniel was a man who knew what it meant to be found faithful in all things.

Daniel was a man who knew what it meant to be low in spirit and then to be lifted up to a place of authority, but never compromise his convictions.

Lot sat in the gate but he also went the way of the community, not so with Daniel.

Again, may we examine our own hearts and purpose in our hearts that we are going to be a Daniel for our Lord’s glory.

Dare to be a Daniel.

PRACTICAL

There are some practical things that we see in this chapter that would be a blessing to us as we look at them from a practical view-point in order to apply them to our own heart and life.

The problem that most people have in studying the Bible is that they fail to see the practical lessons that are taught for their good. This lesson deals with art event in history, but it was written for our learning. We can learn from these men how we can live for His glory in the midst of a wicked world.

Paul teaches us that all things were written for our admonition.
Romans 15:4
I Corinthians 10:6, 11.

This lesson teaches us the ABSOLUTENESS OF GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY IN THE AFFAIRS OF MAN.

(Daniel 2:21: Psalm 75:6—7: Jer. 27:5)

God is in charge absolutely, and He sets up kingdoms and takes them down, man is not a god within himself, nor can he govern the ways of the Almighty.

This lesson teaches us the ABSOLUTENESS OF MAN’S DEPENDENCY UPON GOD.

(Daniel 2:18, 23: I Cor. 2:9-16: Matt. 16:16-18)

God reveals His truths to man, man in His own ability can never know the 1st step to truth, let alone the whole body of truth.

This lesson teaches us the ABSOLUTENESS OF THE BELIEVER’S RESPONSIBILITY to depend upon God and to worship Him in spirit and truth.

(Daniel 2:19—23: John 4:24.)

Man is to worship and to praise God, for a little wisdom that man has that is godly, has come from Him. Man never arrives at truth in and with his own ability.

This lesson teaches us the ABSOLUTENESS OF MAN’S DEPRAVITY.

(Daniel 2:28: 2:44:)

Man is left to govern himself but as we can see in the deterioration of the material in the image, that he goes from worse to worse and is never able to improve himself.

It is a very important thing for the believer to, see and to understand that God is fully in charge and nothing, no not one thing, is out of His control. Thus, when things seems to be going wrong in our government, remember that God will somehow, someday and in some way bring it out to His glory.

The only thing that we need to know is that we are One of His and that we are in His will, then, we are on the winning side.