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. As the wicked prosper in their sin, it seems as though they can continue in sin without any fear of divine judgment (see Psalm 73:1-11; 2 Peter 2:3-4). We are not to base our thinking and actions on circumstances, but upon the Scriptures. We should note Daniels distress in chapter 7 before turning to the other prophecies in Daniel, where we will find that prophecy very often produces distress. But the stone that hit the statue became a huge mountain, dominating the horizon. All scholars agree that the statues head of gold represents Babylonian rule. For the time, it was these Jewish leaders who were beastly, arrogant, and blasphemous, and because of this they would suffer divine judgment. Consider the birth of a child, remembering that Gods deliverance and salvation is likened to birth. Blessed be the name of God forever and ever. 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. Interpretations of Daniels prophecies differ widely. Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar's Dream - Adventist.org 76 It is not altogether accurate to refer to chapters 1-6 as historical and 7-12 as prophetic. Daniels Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzars Dream With iron-like teeth, horns (some with eyes), and feet, it is utterly destructive. Did Daniel interpret dreams? - In a world of unknown You have things to do. No wonder interpreters differ about the details. His final offspring, so to speak, is the little horn which becomes the great blasphemer, whose life and kingdom is suddenly cut off by the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man. 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. 2 Daniel said, I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. The day of judgment is still future and has not yet been fulfilled. His vision in chapter 4 should have produced more distress than it did. God grants this king success and his saints suffering, but only for an appointed time. However, the kings retrospective confession in Dan. he provides both intelligence and discernment. 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. The coming of the Son of Man is represented as one coming, and not two. This fourth beast has the distinction of ten horns. Daniels response to the vision was far from assuring or calming. It seems safe to assume the interpreter was an angelic being; at least this is the case in chapter 8 (8:15-26). Escort me to the king, and I will disclose the interpretation to him!. 2:38 Wherever human beings, wild animals, and birds of the sky livehe has given them into your power. His disciples were promised that they would share in His reign as King (19:20). Abraham had to believe and behave on the basis of Gods promises, rather than on the basis of his perception. (5) Above all, the prophecy in this chapter means precisely what God says it means in this text, nothing more and nothing less. 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. [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). Public sentiment was turning against this foreign religion, and the Babylonians, including Belshazzar, wanted a return to their old time religion the pagan worship of the gods of Babylon. 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. The king is told that all of these earthly kingdoms would be destroyed by the stone not fashioned by human hands, and that an eternal kingdom would take the place of these temporal kingdoms. 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. Dan. Burleson, TX 76028. The first thing Daniel does when the Kings dream is revealed to him is to acknowledge that God revealed the dream and thank God for giving him insight. It is virtually the opposite of the term beast. The expression, Son of man, is not new to Daniel. [17], Daniel 2 exhibits both these genres, but it is also made up numerous subgenres: a court tale, a dream report, a legend, an aretalogy, a doxology, and a midrash. Daniel Leading film production company Cinedigm acquires Dove.org and Christian Cinema. The vision comes to Daniel in Belshazzars first year. English. [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. Deut. The transfiguration of our Lord was but a foretaste of His coming glorious kingdom (16:28). 28:28; Rom. 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. FAQ Your Majesty looked, and there before you stood a large statue an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance. We are not told precisely what it is that troubles Daniel. Each of the four beasts represent a king and thus a resulting kingdom. We should not spend a disproportionate amount of time and energy trying to fill in the blanks God has left. 4:1516, 25, 33 is known as lycanthropy. Peterson, Eugene H. The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. Jesus warns against hypocrisy the greatest threat to Christianity today (Matthew 23:1 23:12). They believed that the Messiah would come to establish the kingdom, to bless the Jews and to condemn the Gentiles. James 1:5 tells us if we ask God for wisdom, he will provide it generously. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; 29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. Yet, contact with believers alone does not convert. But your rule will be taken over by another kingdom, inferior to yours, and that one by a third, a bronze kingdom, but still ruling the whole land, and after that by a fourth kingdom, ironlike in strength. 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). 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. [27] Jewish scholars interpret the mixed materials forming the feet as the kingdom of Rome alongside kingdoms under Islamic rule. Rom. God will establish His kingdom, and that kingdom, unlike the kingdoms of men, is eternal. Daniel 2. This description certainly fits the account of Nebuchadnezzars plunge from power and sanity in chapter 4. [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. The saints should also expect the wicked to prosper, for a season. 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. 4:1315, 23). This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. WebThe Dream: Nebuchadnezzar saw a giant image that looked very powerful and shone brightly. Daniel, along with his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (later named Shadrach, Meshach, and The first time in Daniel 7:13, he is referring to Messiah, who will sit on the eternal throne of His father, David. Salvation 27 Daniel replied, No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. 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. The Son of Man was also Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8). 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. 31 Your Majesty looked, and there before you stood a large statuean enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance. At its root, it was wisdom. In the context of the coming of His kingdom and the suffering and trials which precede it, soberness is a vitally important quality which prophecy promotes: 1 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints (Revelation 13:1-10). Now that Daniel has told Nebuchadnezzar the dream he had, he now begins to interpret the dream. The God of heaven has granted you sovereignty, power, strength, and honor. [28] The concept of four successive world empires is drawn from Greek theories of mythological history, while the symbolism of the four metals is drawn from Persian writings. 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. Tang Dynasty (618-907AD) marks the birth of paper money. Chapter 7 reveals in broad terms what the future holds. 15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within me, and the visions in my mind kept alarming me. He also makes great assumptions that Daniel is going to be able to do this. In an unprecedented turn of events, King Nebuchadnezzar reversed his decision to execute his advisors. The wicked will prosper and appear to get away with their opposition toward God and His saints. [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. Just so, Christs suffering and glory is but a part of one coming. Considering this text has changed my opinion about the gap in the prophecies of the Old Testament. 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. 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. WebNews Bulletin 04 - Daniel Interprets Statue Dream. Peter heals a lame beggar at the Temple (Acts 3:1 3:10). For instance, Daniel says, you have made known to us the dream of the king and this was the dream and now we will interpret it for the king. These are the things Daniel sees in the vision. The saints should expect to suffer because of their faith, especially as the last days for the kingdoms of men draw near. In the Psalms and also in Daniel 7, the expression Son of Man begins to take on a more technical meaning, referring to the Messiah, who will sit on the throne of His father, David, to rule over men forever. With the death of Nebuchadnezzar comes a change in the peoples attitudes, especially their leaders toward Judaism. 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?. 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. The Holy Bible: King James Version. 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. 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). Suddenly, the boasting beast is silenced by death, and his body is cast into the burning fire. Until Gods eternal kingdom is established, kingdoms will progress from bad to worse. (Numbers 23:19). He will also send forth His angels to gather those who do not belong in His kingdom (12:41). This beast is also unique among the four in that he grows 11 horns. The saints should neither believe nor behave on the basis of how things appear to be (the wicked prospering and prevailing over the righteous). But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth. At the outset of the account of his vision, Daniel wants his reader to know the historical context in which this prophecy was given and to consider its interpretation and application in the light of that context. 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. 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. The point of this prophecy is not to tell us who future kings will be, but rather what they will be like. We are in harmony with God when our declarations conform to his. All Rights Reserved. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. Spiritual Gifts The ruler changed Daniel boiled down his vision to its essence, so we would not fail to understand the message he meant to convey to us. The day and hour of Jesus return are unknown to all but God (Matthew 24:36 24:51). 4:8). Biblical Studies Press, 2006. 42 As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. 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. A look through the Scriptures shows that Daniels response to the prophecies he received was not unique. 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. 4:5), he knew his future (cf. (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. 27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Daniel 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. 145:13. Character WebDaniel and his friends complete their three years of learning. In more detail, the outline would be as follows: (2) The Divine Interpretation verses 15-28. Those who rejected the Lord Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of Man, would mourn when they saw Him returning in the clouds: And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30). 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 We do not act on what we see so much as on what God has said. 2:33 Its legs were of iron; its feet were partly of iron and partly of clay. 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. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. Specifically, the account of The Bad News at Belshazzars Banquet (not a bad title for that lesson) in chapter 5 was given to us so that we could better understand the prophecies of chapters 7 and 8. WebNebuchadnezzar is a real person. 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. 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. Angels He also presented an offering and incense to Daniel, most likely indicating that he viewed him as the representative of God (Dan. Daniel (Old English poem The emphasis is positive. The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. Chapter 2. New transgender policy for public schools empathizes with those with gender dysphoria while being steadfast in opposing gender ideology. The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. Old Testament Survey says that 36 yrs or longer may have elapsed since Dan 3. In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. Our Lords first coming happened over a period of more than 30 years, and yet we view this as one coming. (4) This is the first prophecy in the book revealed directly to Daniel. In the second scene, heaven calmly prepares for court, which will determine that the time for judgment has come. 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. And now youve shown us what we asked for. First is a great tree that filled 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. In chapter 5, King Belshazzars dream should have greatly alarmed him, but apparantly it did not. 27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. iron legs are worth less than the gold head) but the durability of the metal increases (i.e. [30] Verses 41b-43 give three different interpretations of the meaning of the mixture of iron and clay in the statue's feet, as a "divided kingdom," then as "strong and brittle," and finally as a dynastic marriage. He said, Call off the execution! What it does not destroy or consume with its teeth, it crushes under foot, much like a bull in a china shop. (how can this be, 36 + 7 = 43, no room to be restored after 7

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