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The Greatest Story Ever Told How To Read And Understand THE PROPHETS (Daniel, Part 2)

The Purpose Of The Prophets Prophets are God’s spokesmen, God’s messengers “They were like ambassadors from the heavenly court, who relayed the divine sovereign’s will to the people.” (Fee, 170) What was their main job? Remind Israel to keep their covenant with God

Daniel -- The Book Author: Daniel Historical context: Exile in Babylon Written in two languages: Hebrew, Aramaic Written in two parts Chapters 1-6: Heroes of faith (Daniel and friends) Chapters 7-12: Visions of God’s power in the end times Big idea: God is sovereign over history and empires. His kingdom will endure forever!

Daniel -- The Man Hebrew royalty: taken captive as youth in 605 BC Young exile in a foreign land Gifts: Understanding mysteries, interpreting dreams Character: Courageous, loyal to his God, man of prayer, God gave him wisdom and high political standing in the empire God’s ambassador to heathen rulers “God placed Daniel at the heathen court in order that he might declare to successive monarchs that the kingdoms of this world are temporal and fleeting but that the kingdom of God shall endure forever.” (Young, 18)

King Nebuchadnezzar Most powerful earthly ruler in the entire bible Famous in Near Eastern culture and history Rule marked by power and magnificence Under his rule, the Babylonian empire reached largest size it would ever attain Very Proud- “by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty” (Ch.4) Not just full of hot air

Hermeneutical Key See Jesus! Guards us against misinterpretation Guides us To the main thing What is God doing? Hermeneutics The science and art of biblical interpretation

Trivial Pursuit (Art & Culture) Who is the oldest man in the Bible? What’s the name of Henry Huggins’s dog? What does the flag wave over in all three verses of The Star Spangled Banner? What’s the name of the tiger who pursues Mowgli in The Jungle Book?

Kings Dreams Daniel 2:1-11 Having Dreams Troubled No Sleep Demands Interpretation “Not a man on earth who can meet the kings demands”

Mystery Revealed Daniel 2:12-30 Decree of death Daniel seeks mercy from God Mystery revealed Brought before the king “There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.” Daniel 2:28

THE king’s dream Head (Gold) Chest & Arms (Silver) Waist (Bronze) Legs & Feet (Iron/Clay) Stone (Becomes A Great Mountain)

What God Has Given You (v 37) Something Great- (Kingdom, Power, Might, Glory, etc.) V38- an illusion to Genesis 1- All authority and dominion has been given by God It is Temporary (vv ) – God has given us something great… but its only for a time. As though God is saying… REJOICE but be Reminded!

God is Setting up a Kingdom (v 44) That will never be destroyed and will break into pieces all other kingdoms and bring them to an end 1 st kingdom is temporal 2 nd kingdom is eternal.

The Stone Psalm 118:22 “The stone that the builders rejected has become the corner stone” 1 Peter 2:4-8 “…a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious Acts 4:10-12 “… Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone..”

The Stone- Luke 20:9-18 But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? [18] Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” (Luke 20:17-18)

KING OVER ALL 1. The Eternal Kingdom is the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ This kingdom was preached about at the first coming of Christ (Mark 1:15, Matt. 12:28,24:14) but does not come in its fullness until his second coming 2. What was Jesus’ message? “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; Repent and believe in the gospel” Mark 1:15

KING OVER ALL Those Who Reject Jesus Reject God’s Kingdom and Will be Crushed to pieces If we are on the wrong side of the stone we will be dashed into pieces. Jesus Christ is the stone and the only way to the eternal kingdom. We can know and tell the greatest story ever told We get to re-tell the message that Daniel, Isaiah, David and many others got to foretell!

KING OVER ALL “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belongs wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings…” (Daniel 2:20-21)

podium Table for water/OJ Table for coffee/food table Starting Point 2010 and forward 14 chairs