The History of the World Revealed to Daniel

Daniel 2 King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that even he could not remember He demanded that his wise men tell him the dream

“Wise Men” of Babylon Who were these “wise men” serving in the court of Nebuchadnezzar? “Enchanters” – trained to keep the gods happy “Magicians”/ “sorcerers” – kept people happy by warding off demons/evil spirits “Astrologers” – studied stars and predicted future “Chaldeans” – general term for elite ruling class of Babylon

Daniel 2 The magicians told him, “That is too difficult for men. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they DO NOT LIVE AMONG MEN!” v. 11

Daniel 2 The king declared that all the wise men in the kingdom should be put to death (including Daniel and his three friends) Daniel approached the servant of the king and then the king himself and asked for time to interpret the dream Then Daniel and his friends pleaded with God for mercy and for help – v. 18

Daniel 2 Symbol: human wisdom without the Word of God is meaningless. The Word of God is LIVING and ACTIVE. Heb. 4:12 Isaiah 8:20 – To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

Daniel 2 Daniel receives the interpretation from God and praises God with a beautiful poem: verses 20-23.

Daniel 2 Daniel goes before the king Daniel tells him that only God can reveal dreams and tell the future! 2:27,28,30

Daniel 2 Daniel tells him that he saw an image in his dream

Daniel 2

Daniel 2 God is kind enough to even interpret the dream for him: Head of gold – Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar Chest and arms of silver - kingdom after Babylon Belly and thighs of bronze – kingdom that will rule the whole world

Daniel 2 Legs of iron – a strong kingdom that smashes everything Feet and ten toes of iron and clay – a kingdom that will be divided with some of the remaining strength of the iron – partly strong and brittle – will never be united Rock – Kingdom of God – will break all the other kingdoms and reign forever

Daniel 2 The king was very happy with Daniel and awarded him and his three friends high positions in his kingdom

Daniel 2 Was prophecy fulfilled? What happened after Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon?

Daniel 2 Babylon was conquered by Cyrus the Great (Medo-Persian kingdom) in 539 B.C. and ruled the “world” until 331 B.C.

Daniel 2 331 B.C. Alexander the Great and the Greeks conquered the Medes and the Persians and ruled until 168 B.C.

Daniel 2 In 168 B.C. Rome became dominate and ruled the “world” until 476 A.D. They were very violent and “smashed” other countries

Daniel 2 After Rome, 10 tribes divided up the western Roman empire and became present-day Europe: Ostrogoths 6. Visigoths Franks 7. Vandals Suevi 8. Alamanni Anglo-Saxon 9. Heruli Lombards 10. Burgundians

Daniel 2 These tribes would never “join together” Has anybody tried to unite Europe? 1. Charlemagne (8th century AD) 2. Charles V (16th century AD) 3. Napoleon (19th century AD) 4. Kaiser Wilhelm II (20th cent. AD) 5. Adolph Hitler (20th century AD) 6. European Union (present)

Daniel 2 Then the rock comes and sets up the kingdom of God Has this happened?

Daniel 2 Who is the Rock? 1 Corinthians 10:4 – the Rock was Christ Isaiah 28:16, Luke 20:17,18 – Jesus is the “cornerstone”

Daniel 2 God’s kingdom: Jesus preached that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17, 10:7 Did Christ’s kingdom come already when Jesus died on the cross? John 6:1-15 – the people then wanted Jesus to bring an earthly kingdom – and defeat the Romans

Daniel 2 Somebody once asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come, and Jesus said, “The kingdom of God does not come visibly… for the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20,21 Jesus said that the kingdom of God is like yeast that a woman stirs into the bread or like seeds in a field. Matt. 13:13, Mark 4:26-29

Daniel 2 However, the kingdom that Daniel saw came after Europe – and Jesus lived before Europe Matthew 25:31,34 – the Son of Man will come in His glory and sit on His throne Matthew 26:29 – Jesus will be with us again in His Father’s kingdom

Daniel 2 The Rock breaking the image represents the second coming of Christ

Daniel 2 - Review Head – Babylon (605-539 B.C.) Chest – Medo-Persia (539 –331 B.C.) Waist – Greece (331-168 B.C.) Legs – Rome (168 B.C.-476 A.D.) Feet – Europe (476 A.D. – present) Rock – Second coming of Christ

Daniel 2 The next event in history that the Bible foretells is the second coming of Christ. Are you preparing for that day?

Second Coming of Christ Jesus said that it will be as it was in the days of Noah at the second coming. Matt. 24:37

Second Coming of Christ God gave warnings through Noah for over 100 years – but people refused to obey the command to go in the ark

Second Coming of Christ Have you heard Christ knocking on the door of your heart? Rev. 3:20 God does live among men. Isaiah 7:14

Next lesson Is it possible to unite the whole world into one religion? Does God love earthly rulers? Daniel 3 and 4