THE GREAT IMAGE.
King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which troubled his spirit. He tested his magicians, astrologers and sorcerers to tell him the dream and its interpretation. If they couldn`t the king said he would have them killed.
The king`s counsellors said that no one but the gods could know such a thing. The decree went out to kill all the counsellors, even Daniel and his friends. So Daniel went into the king to ask him for time that he might tell the king the interpretation.
After seeking God for the interpretation Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
`Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him. I thank you and praise you, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for You have made known to us the king`s demand.` (Dan. 2: 20 - 23)
Daniel then went and told the King that his vision was of a great Image standing in front of him in Babylon.
“You, O king were watching; and behold, a great image! This great Image whose splendour was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome.” (Dan. 2: 31)
Daniel then explained that each part of the great Image represented other world rulers and that there would be five Gentile World Rulers throughout history starting with the King of Babylon.
Looking in God`s word and from history we can name these 5 world rulers.
Babylon - `You (King of Babylon) are this head of Gold.` (Dan. 2: 38)
Medes & Persians - `Darius the Mede received the kingdom,`(Dan. 5: 31)
Greece - `the male goat is the kingdom of Greece.`(Dan. 8: 21)
Rome - `a decree went out from Caesar Augustus (Rome) that the whole world should be registered.` (Luke 2: 1)
Divided Kingdom - Then the Assyrian (Islam) shall fall by a sword not of man.`(Isa. 31: 8)
Daniel then explained that this Gentile system of Government would be done away with and God would establish His own kingdom rulership. God would set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed.
`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 these kingdoms; and it shall stand forever.` (Dan. 2: 44)
`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 gold - the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him.
The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.` (Dan. 2: 45 - 47)
The king promoted Daniel as ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.
King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which troubled his spirit. He tested his magicians, astrologers and sorcerers to tell him the dream and its interpretation. If they couldn`t the king said he would have them killed.
The king`s counsellors said that no one but the gods could know such a thing. The decree went out to kill all the counsellors, even Daniel and his friends. So Daniel went into the king to ask him for time that he might tell the king the interpretation.
After seeking God for the interpretation Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
`Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him. I thank you and praise you, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for You have made known to us the king`s demand.` (Dan. 2: 20 - 23)
Daniel then went and told the King that his vision was of a great Image standing in front of him in Babylon.
“You, O king were watching; and behold, a great image! This great Image whose splendour was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome.” (Dan. 2: 31)
Daniel then explained that each part of the great Image represented other world rulers and that there would be five Gentile World Rulers throughout history starting with the King of Babylon.
Looking in God`s word and from history we can name these 5 world rulers.
Babylon - `You (King of Babylon) are this head of Gold.` (Dan. 2: 38)
Medes & Persians - `Darius the Mede received the kingdom,`(Dan. 5: 31)
Greece - `the male goat is the kingdom of Greece.`(Dan. 8: 21)
Rome - `a decree went out from Caesar Augustus (Rome) that the whole world should be registered.` (Luke 2: 1)
Divided Kingdom - Then the Assyrian (Islam) shall fall by a sword not of man.`(Isa. 31: 8)
Daniel then explained that this Gentile system of Government would be done away with and God would establish His own kingdom rulership. God would set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed.
`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 these kingdoms; and it shall stand forever.` (Dan. 2: 44)
`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 gold - the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him.
The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.` (Dan. 2: 45 - 47)
The king promoted Daniel as ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.