Daniel 2
Tony Garland · Citado em PreceptAustin
Daniel 2:1-23
Garland writes - The situation before us is actually evidence of the genuineness of the book because a forgery would have no doubt attempted to smooth over the tension between this verse and Daniel 1:5, 18. "A forger would not introduce difficulties; the author did not then see any difficulty in the case." (A. R. Fausset)
Daniel 2:1-23
Garland - "For additional information on accession-year reckoning, see When Does a Year Begin?") This corresponds to the calculation of the king's reign according to Babylonian computation in Da 1:1 = third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, and according to Jewish computation in Jer 25:1, 46:2 = the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah. The following time frame is adapted from John Walvoord's book (Daniel 2 Nebuchadnezzar’s Vision Of The Great Image) based on the information from Wiseman's "The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings" (p159ff) and J. Finegan's "Handbook of Biblical Chronology" (p. 38). John Walvoord mentions a second possibility - "It is entirely possible that the vision of Daniel 2 and the interpretation of the dream occurred during the third year of Daniel’s training, before the formal presentation of the four youths to the king. This would take away all objections concerning the statement of Daniel 1:20, as it would make Daniel’s graduation after the events of Daniel 2. That the book of Daniel is not written in strict chronological order is evident from the placing of Daniel 5 and Daniel 6 before Daniel 7 and Daniel 8, out of chronological order." Garland notes that "Interpreters who suggest Daniel interpreted the dream prior to graduation include: Combs28 , MacArthur29 , McGee30 , Mills31 , Pentecost32 , and Walvoord33 . For even more interpretations of the "second year of Nebuchadnezzar" see Daniel Defended. Garland notes that Da 2:1 "is one of several verses providing clear chronological indicators within the book of Daniel (Da 1:1, 21; 2:1; 5:31; 7:1; 8:1; 9:1; 10:1). This occurred in 603 B.C. See Chronology of Daniel." May-June, 605 BC Babylonian victory by General Nebuchadnezzar over the Egyptians and remnants of the Assyrian army at the battle of Carchemish (ref) (3x in Scripture = 2Chr 35:20, Is 10:9, Jer 46:2) (Carchemish in Wikipedia) (Another map of Carchemish) June-August, 605 BC 1) Jerusalem falls to General Nebuchadnezzar 2) Daniel and his friends are taken captive and deported to Babylon. (Da 1:1) September 7, 605 BC 1) King Nabopolassar dies 2) General Nebuchadnezzar, son of Nabopolassar, becomes king of Babylon September 7, 605 BC to Nisan (March-April) 604 BC 1) Babylonian dating of king's reign = no "credit" to Nebuchadnezzar. 2) Jewish dating king's reign = first year of Nebuchadnezzar. 3) First year (of 3) for Daniel and his friends in "Babylon U" (Da 1:5, 18) Nisan (March-April) 604 BC to Nisan (March-April) 603 BC 1) Babylonian dating = First year of Nebuchadnezzar 2) Jewish dating = Second year of Nebuchadnezzar 3) Second year of Daniel in "Babylon U" Nisan (March-April) 603 BC to Nisan (March-April) 602 BC 1) Babylonian dating = Second year of Nebuchadnezzar 2) Jewish dating = Third year of Nebuchadnezzar 3) Third year of Daniel in "Babylon U" 4) Year of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Da 2:1) Had dreams - KJV is more literal rendering of the Hebrew which repeats "dream" = dreamed dreams - It is interesting that dreams is plural here and singular in Da 2:3. This could suggest that there was one primary dream that recurred over several nights, but that is speculation. To be sure, the King was pondering what would come to pass in the future (Da 2:29) and God "answered" with dreams! Eccl 3:11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. Garland - Dreams (plural) may refer to a single dream with many details or a dream extending over a long period56 or that the dream occurred on repeated occasions so as to become a continued distraction—perhaps even an obsession—with the king. (Daniel Defended) NET Bible on dreams in plural - The plural "dreams" has been variously explained. Some interpreters take the plural as denoting an indefinite singular. But it may be that it is describing a stream of related dreams, or a dream state. In the latter case, one might translate: "Nebuchadnezzar was in a trance." Geoffrey King rightly notes that "As is so often the case, the cares of the day became also the cares of the night. Now Nebuchadnezzar did a thing which no believer in God should ever dream of doing: Nebuchadnezzar took his problems to bed with him!" (Ed: Of course the author is being sarcastic!) (Daniel- Geoffrey R. King). Driver - In Assyria and Babylonia, as in Egypt, and other countries of the ancient world, dreams were regarded as significant, and as portending future events. The Assyrian inscriptions furnish several instances of deities appearing in dreams with words of encouragement or advice. (The Book of Daniel - Google Books) Clough - This dream in Daniel 2 didn’t happen out of thin air, it happened to a real man faced with a real historical situation. He was a ruler of a people and he knew just as the Assyrians had exalted themselves to mighty power and been brought down by my power and he was asking himself and he was tormented in his soul, how long will my kingdom last. Will the Babylonians kingdom be like the Assyrians that I just clobbered; will our kingdom be like the Egyptians at Carchemish two years ago; will my kingdom face the same limitations that other kingdoms have faced in history? So one of the things was that he was struggling with his own political, physical and social limitations… he is not really autonomous, even though he tries desperately to pretend he is. (Clough, Charles. Lessons on Daniel. Spokane - 81 minute Audio lecture on Daniel 2-3) Robert Dean - Every single human being comes to God-consciousness at some point in their life. With some people its earlier, as early as maybe two or three years of age, with others it may be later, some of it is determined by various factors such as culture, background, family life, whatever it may be, but we all have this eternity set in our thinking (Eccl 3:11) so that at some point we begin to realize that there’s something greater than us. At that point we can either be positive or negative, we can either say God I want to know more about this, I know that there’s something greater, I know that I’m a creature, I’m finite, I’m limited, I can’t make life work on my own, I can’t be the source of happiness, the details of life can’t give me happiness. Here’s Nebuchadnezzar, he has everything, more than any of us can ever imagine and he doesn’t have happiness. (Dean Bible Ministries) (Bolding added) Donald Campbell comments on the king's concern for the future - On the other hand, we commend the king as a man who was concerned about the future. Too often men and women of today are concerned only about the present and turn a deaf ear to those who would remind them of a God in heaven to whom they must give account and of a prophetic Word that sheds light on what is to come. Two men left the factory where they worked and approached a car belonging to one of them. 'What does that mean?" asked one man, pointing to a bumper sticker that read, "Maranatha!" The owner of the car, a Christian, replied, "It means 'The Lord is coming!" "I don't believe that!" his companion snapped. "Well," said the Christian, "I've got news for you. He's not coming for you!" That blunt reply awakened the man to a sense of responsibility and concern regarding the future and his preparation for it. (Ed: This "joke" is only for those who believe in a Rapture!) (Daniel: God's Man in a Secular Society - borrow same book different title Daniel, decoder of dreams)
Daniel 2:1-23
Garland adds an interesting insight based on the Hebrew verb form of Troubled in Da 2:1 - The hithpael stem denotes intensive reflexive action indicating Nebuchadnezzar “was in mental state of distress and worry relating to the situation”61 and was contributing to his own anxiety. His anxiety was caused by his desire to know the meaning of the dream. (Daniel Defended) Here is a man who was truly the king of the empire and who had what all men desire and yet he lacked one thing… peace. This same scenario occurred in the life of Joseph… Ge 41:8 Now in the morning his spirit (referring to Pharaoh) was troubled, so he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh… 15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, but no one can interpret it; and I have heard it said about you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” Sleep left him (NET Bible = and he suffered from insomnia) - more literally his sleep “was done for.” Although Daniel does not reference God, in context clearly the dream and its disturbing aspects which disturbed his sleep was ordained by God. Esther 6 records a dream that disturbed another king (See Esther 1:2, 3-note = King Ahasuerus; sleep disturbance Esther 6:1-note), a dream which God allowed in order to provide providential, miraculous deliverance of His people from utter destruction by the Persian king… During that night the king could not sleep (literally = "sleep fled away") so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. It was found written what Mordecai had reported concerning Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who were doorkeepers, that they had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. (Esther 6:1-2) (See also Ge 20:3) As
Daniel 2:1-23
Garland comments - Drugs are used in association with sorcery because they place the practitioner into an altered state of consciousness whereby he or she becomes more open to contact with the demonic realm. The following account of a shaman from the Yanomamo tribe illustrates the connection between drug use and the demonic realm—a connection well-known even among “primitive” peoples: "I recently interviewed a man who had spent most of his life communing with spirit entities. There is no doubt as to his “authenticity.” He was a shaman, a medicine man and chief of his Yanomamo tribe, which resides deep in the Amazonian rain forest of Venezuela. At odds with the lie promoted in anthropological circles that the lives of primitive tribes-people are pure, natural and Eden-like and therefore best kept from outside influence —Chief Shoefoot and his peoples' violent, fear-filled existence is documented in a book titled The Spirit of the Rain Forest, written by Mark Ritchie… As a young boy, Shoefoot was singled out as one sensitive to the spirit realm and subsequently initiated into the sorcerers world. Again, a shaman is one who, through knowledge and power obtained from the spirits, heals and guides his people. Although the initial process of enabling him to contact the spirits was brutal, involving days of food and water deprivation and having someone force hallucinogenic drugs into his system by blowing them up his nose, the spirits he met were at first benign and curiously captivating… Shoefoot increased his drug intake in order to go deeper into the spirit world to find more trustworthy and benevolent spirits. That led to even more wicked spirits (Luke 11:26+), greater frustration, and intense despair. (from The Berean Call) (A Testimony of Jesus Christ - Rev 9:21) Chaldeans (Da 2:2, 4, 5, 10) (NIV - translates them as "astrologers") - This word is used in the book of Daniel both in an ethnic sense (referring to the Babylonian people in general = Da 1:4, 5:30, 9:1) but in the present context (of the wise men/occultists) Chaldeans refers to a professional of Babylonian wise men which the NIV classifies as "astrologers" but we don't really know for certain what their specific role was in Babylon (Chaldeans is used in this sense in Da 2:2, 4, 5, 10; 3:8; 4:7; 5:7, 11).
Daniel 2:1-23
Garland comments on why Daniel went in (a dangerous thing to do without an invitation from an oriental king) - Being familiar with the Scriptural example of Joseph in Egypt and his God-given gift of interpreting dreams before Pharaoh (Ge 40:8; 41:15-16), Daniel may have been prompted by the Spirit to recognize this was a similar opportunity if he would but walk in confidence. (Leupold, Exposition of Daniel adds) "At the root of it all must have been the prompting of God’s Spirit, with whose gifts Daniel was so richly endowed. God’s Spirit it was that emboldened Daniel to think and to know that he had been ordained of God for an emergency such as this.” (Daniel Defended) (Bolding added) I agree with Garland and Leupold that the Holy Spirit was active in Daniel's life at this time of great crisis (not to mention that He was undoubtedly involved in all the life of this godly man - See Walvoord's Part 2: The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and Part 3: The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament). While there is not a single mention of the Holy Spirit in Daniel, it is abundantly clear that God's Spirit is surely effecting and impacting the demeanor of this righteous man, in Da 2:14-15 and Da 2:16 enabling him to speak boldly. This presumption is supported by Paul's teaching that the first indication of a person being filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18-note) is that they speak (speaking is the first word in Eph 5:19). In Acts 2:4+ Peter who denied Jesus three times (Mt 26:75) is filled with the Spirit and boldly proclaims Jesus (cp his accusation in Acts 2:36 to the Jewish audience of "this Jesus whom you crucified" - see Acts 2:14-40 where the result was 3000 souls saved Acts 2:41). In Acts 4:31-40+ we see that after praying the saints were "all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to SPEAK the Word of God in BOLDNESS." Finally, in Second Peter we read that "no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." (2Pe 1:21-note) Daniel was prophet and was clearly moved by the Spirit. Other Scriptures attest to the fact that it was no small thing to obtain an audience with an oriental king (Esther 4:11, 16, 5:1, 2, 3, cp Esther 8:1, 2, 3, 4). It's amazing how one individual "sold out" wholly to God and His purposes, can be used in such strategic ways that in turn affect countless numbers of individuals (true of both Daniel and Esther!). Herodotus informs us, that ever since the reign of Deioces, king of Media (Ed: The kingdom that followed Babylon), for the security of the king's person, it was enacted that no one should be admitted into his presence; but that if any one had business with him, he should transact it through the medium of his ministers. Requested of the king - Recall that when we last saw the king (Da 2:12), he was enraged to put it mildly. And so this easy entree and subsequent request reminds one of the wise saying by Solomon that "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Pr 15:1, cp Pr 16:7) In order that he might declare the interpretation - This is the confident language of one who is living by faith in the Most High God, not by sight (1Co 5:7). Surely Daniel was aware of the story of how God had shown favor and ability to interpret dreams to Joseph who like Daniel was also a captive under the prevailing pagan world leader Pharaoh (Ge 39:2, 4, 41) But note that Daniel speaks only of interpretation of the dream, not the description of the dream. Presumably the fact that he did not state "you must first tell me the dream" but stated directly and confidently he could interpret the dream if he was given time (and as it turns out the time he asked for was time needed to call a prayer meeting). Dwight Pentecost regarding Daniel's response to this crisis - Now this reveals a lot about Daniel’s confidence, his knowledge of God, that God would hear the petition, that God can deliver those who trust Him from these awesome circumstances, that the knowledge of the future belongs to God, that God does reveal Himself and His plans and His purposes to men. See all those things are inherent in Daniel’s approach to God. (Class Notes on Daniel, Dallas Theological Seminary.) Gleason Archer - "The stage was now set to show the reality, wisdom, and power of the one true God-Yahweh-as over against the inarticulate and impotent imaginary gods the magicians worshiped. It is the same general theme that dominates the remainder of the book and serves to remind the Hebrew nation that despite their own failure, collapse, and banishment into exile, the God of Israel remains as omnipotent as he ever was in the days of Moses and that his covenantal love remains as steadfast toward the seed of Abraham as it ever had been." (Ibid) Tony Garland on why the king heard Daniel - There are a number of reasons why the king acceded to Daniel’s petition. First, Daniel did not challenge the king’s request as being impossible. He knew, by faith, his God could provide the information if it were according to His inscrutable will to save Daniel and his companions. (“Daniel is able to obtain a grace period from the king precisely for the reason that the Chaldeans were not: he does not challenge the king’s insistence that his wise men must recount to him his dream itself before explaining its meaning.”—Steinmann, Daniel, Dan. 2:16.) Second, Daniel did not engage in stalling tactics like the other wise men. Instead, he seems to have requested only a single day (and perhaps only one night) in order to provide the dream and its interpretation. (“Although the king would not give his advisors more time, he granted Daniel’s request. The reason for this is that the king was already convinced of the Chaldeans’ duplicity, because they had sought the substance of the dream before they would interpret it. Daniel made no such stipulation in his petition … ”—Charles Lee Feinberg, A Commentary on Daniel: The Kingdom of the Lord; “It is possible that Daniel’s calm assurance that his God was able to help him somehow impressed the king that here was honesty and integrity quite in contrast to his fawning, older counselors.”—Walvoord, Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation, Dan. 2:16.) Third, the king may have recalled Daniel’s superiority over the other wise men at his earlier interview at the end of his three years of training (Dan. 1:18-20). (“Upon the sight of Daniel, he remembered him again, and how superior in wisdom he was to all his magicians and wise men; and besides, Daniel gave him hope, yea, assurance, of showing his dream, and the interpretation of it, which his mind was very eager after.”—Gill, Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, Dan. 2:26.) Fourth, if Daniel, his companions, and all the wise men were destroyed, then the king would lose all hope of obtaining an interpretation of his dream. (“the king was so much troubled with the dream, that he was so anxious to know its signification, and that he saw so clearly that if the decree was executed, involving Daniel and his friends, ‘all’ hope of recalling and understanding it would be lost, that he was ready to grasp at ‘any’ hope, however slender, of being made acquainted with the meaning of the vision.”—Barnes, Notes on the Bible, Dan. 2:1.(Daniel 2 Commentary) “Nebuchadnezzar knew that killing all the wise men would not bring him any closer to the one thing he really wanted, and that was to have his dream interpreted.”—Benware, Daniel’s Prophecy of Things to Come, Dan. 2:16.) Whatever the case may be, we can assume the king was subject to the providence of God. ( “But chiefly this subsiding of his wrath, and his indulging Daniel in his request, were owing to the overruling providence of God.”—Gill, Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, Dan. 2:26) (Daniel Defended) Related Resource: The Providence of God Daniel 2:17 Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter, friends - Da 1:7,11 3:12 Daniel Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DON'T PANIC… CALL FOR A PRAYER MEETING WITH KINDRED SPIRITS Then Daniel - Note the sequence of events - Daniel did not go back and consult the "magic" books of Babylon, but to call a prayer meeting to consult the Most High God of the Universe! Daniel 1:17 tells us he had been granted a special gift of understanding "all kinds of visions and dreams". And yet even with this gift, he still makes the wise choice to humble himself before the Giver of every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift and seek His face in prayer. Thomas Watson wrote "God is to be trusted when His providences seem to run contrary to His promises." Daniel 2:18 so that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon they might: Da 3:17 1Sa 17:37 Esther 4:15, 16, 17 Ps 50:15 91:15 Pr 3:5,6 Isa 37:4 Jer 33:3 Mt 18:12,19 Ac 4:24-31 12:4 Ro 15:30 2Ti 4:17,18 from the God of heaven - Ge 18:28 Mal 3:18 2Pe 2:9 Daniel Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries CRISIS TIME? DON'T PANIC! PRAY! Prayer is always more effective than panic! So that - Explains the purpose of their meeting. As an aside, always pause to ponder these strategic terms of purpose or result like so that, in order that, that, as a result. Might request - They did not know Mt 7:7 but they practiced it - Ask, seek, knock! One wanders what would have happened if they had not asked (cp James 4:2-3)? Notice that this is the first recorded "prayer meeting" in the Bible. Praying together is powerful and sadly seldom practiced in most American churches.
Daniel 2:1-23
Garland - Daniel and his companions could have confidence in such a passage because they had already demonstrated their obedience by avoiding defilement during their training (Da 1:8). They had shown themselves to be among those “who fear Him.” Clough - Now [the book of] Daniel is very, very heavy on sovereignty of God. The book of Daniel would be the Calvinist delight because of its absoluteness on the sovereignty of God. God is the final authority over every event of history. But I want you to notice that along with the sovereignty of God in Daniel is an element that amateur Calvinists always miss and it is the fact that the God of history is dynamic, He interacts with prayer; He is not a fatalistic God because the implication of verse 18 is that if they don’t pray they’re going to die, if they do pray they won’t. In other words, their future destiny does depend upon their response to the situation. If Daniel believed like some amateur Calvinists he would have sat around and said whatever is going to happen is going to happen and done absolutely nothing. But he does do something and he has this big long concerted prayer in response… [Daniel] wants God to personally respond to him. And whatever your belief about sovereignty is, if you’ve gotten to the point in your thinking where now you can’t pray because you keep getting hit with this idea of what’s the use of praying because God knows what I’m going to pray before I pray it so therefore I won’t pray it, if you get stuck in that you’re way off on your Biblical understanding of sovereignty. It’s incorrect and its unbiblical, somewhere along the way you’ve gotten off the track… If Daniel had been interpreted down through the years in fundamentalist circles as a wisdom book, the way it should be interpreted, then we would not have prophecy freaks misusing the contents of God’s prophecies as an excuse to sit around and do nothing, to mope and say the world is getting worse and worse, we can’t do anything so we’ll be spiritual dropouts, we won’t evangelize, we’re not interested in missions, we won’t bother with taking our citizenship responsibilities seriously, etc. Prophecy freaks are basically spiritually dropouts and they are dropouts because they fail to interpret Daniel in its framework. Daniel is a wisdom book. Each chapter in this book deals with a crisis in Daniel’s career and how he meets those particular crises. (Bible Framework) Garland - We will see this demonstrated again in chapter 9 when, in response to one of the most amazing prayers recorded in all of Scripture (Dan. 9:3-21), the angel Gabriel is dispatched to Daniel (Dan. 9:23) to reveal the famous revelation of the Seventy Sevens (Dan. 9:24-27). Even though Daniel knew from Jeremiah the desolations of Jerusalem would be limited to seventy years, he was still motivated to intercede fervently to bring this about. See commentary on Daniel 9:2. In chapter 10, a heavenly messenger will be sent to Daniel announcing, “I have come in response to your words” (Da 10:12). The prayers of the saints are not lost—they do not “fall to the ground” unheard. No, they come to the remembrance of God, as incense offerings moving Him to action (Rev. 5:8; 8:3). Within a few years of this night, the entire Jewish race will come under threat in Persia. In response, Mordecai, Esther, and the Jews of Persia fast and pray to obtain deliverance (Est. 4:15-16). Effective Biblical prayer is to be consistent (Dan. 6:6), persistent (Luke 18:2-8), fervent (Jas. 5:16), and offered by those who practice righteousness (Jas. 5:16).170 In the midst of stressful situations, those who avail themselves of this powerful tool are promised to find peace in the midst of the storm (Php. 4:6-7). (Daniel Defended) Illustration of Facing your problems with prayer - Some fifty years ago, one bitter January night, the inhabitants of the old town of Sleswick were thrown into the greatest distress and terror. A hostile army was marching down upon them, and new and fearful reports of the conduct of the lawless soldiers were hourly reaching the place. In one large, spacious cottage dwelt an aged grandmother with her widowed daughter and her grandson. While all hearts quaked with fear, this aged woman passed her time in crying out to God that he would "build a wall of defense round about" them, quoting the words of an ancient hymn. Her grandson asked why she prayed for a thing so entirely impossible as that God should build a wall about their house, that should hide it; but she explained that her meaning only was that God should protect them. At midnight the dreaded tramp was heard, an enemy came pouring in at every avenue, filling the houses to overflowing. But, while most fearful sounds were heard on every side, not even a knock came to their door; at which they were greatly surprised. The morning light made the matter clear; for, just beyond the house, the drifted snow had reared such a massive wall that it was impossible to get over it to them. "There!" said the good woman triumphantly: "do you not see, my son, that God could raise up a wall around us?" Daniel 2:19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; was revealed: Da 2:22,27, 28, 29 4:9 2Ki 6:8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Ps 25:14 Amos 3:7 1Co 2:9,10 in a night vision: Da 7:7 Nu 12:6 Job 4:13 33:15,16 Mt 2:12,13 Daniel Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A SPEEDY REPLY! Then - When is "then"? Or what is this time phrase associated with? Clearly the answer is that the revelation came when they prayed! The mystery was revealed - The "mystery" (secret or hidden truths) appears in OT only in the Aramaic section of Daniel (= "key word" = Da 2:18, 19, 27, 28, 29, 30, 47; 4:9), where raz (Aramaic) is given the translation of musterion [word study] ("mystery") by the Septuagint (LXX). The Lxx translates "revealed" with the verb apokalupto [note] (cp the noun which is the "title" of John's Revelation = apokalupsis [word study]) which means literally to "take the cover away from" and so to uncover, lay open that which had been veiled or covered up and so to disclose it. George Muller once made a statement that could well be applied to Daniel in this circumstance "If our circumstances find us in God, we shall find God in our circumstances." Mystery - as noted above mystery (raz) refers to a previously hidden truth now divinely revealed. The secret counsels of God remain hidden from the ungodly (to them they are a true "mystery" as the word is commonly used in English) but when these truths are revealed to the godly, they are understood by them. The mystery is not in the fact that the truths are difficult to interpret, but that they are impossible to interpret until their meaning is revealed at which time the truth becomes plain. Mysteries in the Scripture fall into two categories. Some have already been revealed, and among these are the incarnation of Christ and the salvation of sinners. Others are yet to be seen, such as the general resurrection, the coming Antichrist, and the evil of the last day. It is comforting to realize that all the mysteries which bear on our salvation are already revealed to readers of Scripture. In a night vision - Not a dream but a supernatural, nocturnal revelation. A vision represents a visual (or it could be auditory) event that reveals some truth which is otherwise unknown. DANIEL'S FIRST REACTION! Then - Then what? Then he expresses his gratitude. The context suggest this is his immediate response (Oh, how I need to learn from Daniel). He did not run to Arioch but to God. Daniel seems to always maintain a proper divine perspective. In fact in the following passages we see this takes the form of a hymn of praise and adoration. Guzik makes an interesting statement - Our level of faith is often indicated by how long it takes us to start praising God. If we won’t praise Him until the answer is in hand, then we don’t have much faith. Greater faith is able to praise God when the promise is given and received. (Daniel 2 Commentary) Daniel blessed - (cp Ps 113:1,2, Ps 103:1,2, cp He 13:15-note) (barik) conveys the idea of offering worship and praise while on one’s knees Barik in this context means to give honor to or to speak good of. Thus we see Daniel speak many good words about God, specifically declaring 7 things that give Him the glory. The important point is that Daniel first gave credit to the One to Whom all credit (glory) belongs. THOUGHT - Do we receive answers to prayer and get so excited over the answer that we forget to thank the Giver? Are we like the one cleansed leper who returned to give thanks to Jesus or like the 9 who never returned? (Lk 17:12-19+)
Daniel 2:1-23
Garland notes the reaction of the group to praise God after being delivered this "fiery trial" "demonstrates one of the reasons why God allows trials: they strengthen our faith while providing a deeper reservoir of worshipful praise out of the depths from which He rescues us… Daniel’s view of God differs from much worship one hears in Christian media and churches nowadays. The common fare today is man-centered worship. It is “all about me” and “what God did for me.” As we’ll see in the next verse, Daniel’s worship is God-centered. He extols the greatness of God’s attributes and God’s qualities. Of course we are blessed and thankful when we receive benefits from His hand, but mature worship seeks His face, not His hand! Daniel 2:20 Daniel said, "Let the Name of God be blessed forever and ever, for (term of explanation) wisdom and power belong to Him. Blessed: Ge 14:20 1Ki 8:56 1Ch 29:10,20 2Ch 20:21 Ps 41:13 50:23 Ps 72:18,19 103:1,2 113:2 115:18 145:1,2 for wisdom: Da 2:21, 22, 23 1Ch 29:11,12 Job 12:13,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Ps 62:11 147:5 Pr 8:14 Jer 32:19 Mt 6:13 Jude 1:24 Rev 5:12 Daniel Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries The Name - God's Name speaks of all He is encompassing all of His attributes. It represents His self-revelation, an expression of His revealed character (see on site studies on His various Names which show different facets of His character - Name of the LORD is a Strong Tower: Summary) In short, the Name of God includes many names, each of which indicates a vital truth concerning Him. To study these Names is to grow in knowledge and understanding of God (see Name of the LORD is a Strong Tower: Why Should You Study It?). W. H. Griffith Thomas discusses the importance of the Name of God in his paper on John's Gospel writing that… The sphere in which life becomes ours and is enjoyed by us is found in the words in His name (Jn 1:12, 2:23, 20:31). The word name is characteristic of John, and the two prepositions (eis and en) in connection with it are also among the features of this Gospel. The name stands in Holy Scripture for the nature or revealed character of God, and not a mere label or title. It is found very frequently in the Old Testament as synonymous with God Himself in relation to man. It is found very frequently in the Old Testament as synonymous with God Himself in relation to man; for example: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower” (Pr 18:10-note). “In the name of the Lord will I destroy them” (Ps 118:10); and: “Shall the enemy blaspheme thy name?” (Ps 74:10). In the New Testament the same usage is perfectly clear. For example: “In the name of Jesus” (Php 2:10-note), “Baptizing them into the name” (Mt 28:19, Lk 24:47). In the fourth Gospel we have “Into the name” (eis) as the object of faith (Jn 1:12; 2:23; 3:18, cp Ac 3:16). Then we have “In the name of the Father” (Jn 5:43 ; 10:25), referring to the divine authority and power with which our Lord came. The same phrase occurs no less than nine times in chapters fourteen through seventeen . Then our Lord is said to have manifested and made known His Father’s name to the disciples (Jn 17:6, 26). These passages clearly show the importance and significance of the name as standing for the revealed character and will of God in Christ. Thus, to have life in His name (Jn 20:31) is to have it in union with what we know of Him and of His manifested character and revealed will. Life is thus “in Christ” and not outside or apart from Him. (The Purpose of the Fourth Gospel - Pt1 - W. H. Griffith Thomas - Bibliotheca Sacra Vol 125:499, Page 262, July, 1968) J C
Daniel 2:1-23
Garland - This is a direct reference to the Sequence of Kingdoms revealed as the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Nebuchadnezzar was raised up by God (Da 1:2; 2:37), but was slow to learn he would also be removed by God (Da 4:25, 31+; 5:21). The last ruler of Babylon, Belshazzar, failed to learn this lesson (Da 5:21, 28)… God turns a king’s heart wherever He wishes (Pr. 21:1). He will soon make use of Cyrus to release the Jews after the Medo-Persian empire overthrows Babylon. Yet Cyrus did not know Him (Isa. 44:28; 45:1-4). At the time of the last Gentile kingdom, God will turn the hearts of the ten toes (ten horns) to give the authority of their kingdoms to the beast (Rev. 17:17-note). (Daniel Defended)
Daniel 2:1-23
Garland adds that "Paul used the phrase to describe the coming of the day of the Lord as a thief on an unsuspecting world (1Th. 5:1-2-note "Now as to the times [chronos] and the epochs [kairos]"). In his brief period as a “little-god,” the little horn (Da 7:8-note) will intend to change “times (Ed: Aramaic = iddan; Lxx = kairos) and law” (Da 7:25-note). (Daniel Defended) (Bolding and notes added) This description speaks especially of God's attributes of sovereignty, omnipotence and providence over the history of mankind. How interesting to see the little horn (the coming antichrist) try to change times (Da 7:25-note) Things don't just happen to those who love God, They're planned by His own dear hand, Then molded and shaped, and timed by His clock; Things don't just happen--they're planned. --Fields Providence is derived from the Latin word providere meaning to foresee or to attend to. The word providence according to Noah Webster's 1828 English Dictionary means "Foresight; timely care; particularly active foresight or foresight accompanied with the procurement of what is necessary for future use, or with suitable preparation. In theology, the care and superintendence which God exercise over His creatures. He that acknowledges a creation and denies a providence, involves himself in a palpable contradiction; for the same power which caused a thing to exist is necessary to continue its existence. Some persons admit a general providence, but deny a particular providence, not considering that a general providence consists of particulars. A belief in divine providence, is a source of great consolation to good men. By divine providence is often understood God himself." Excellent article by Walter A. Elwell - Providence of God Providence Calvin may have been correct when he uttered the following statement "There is nothing of which it is more difficult to convince men than that the providence of God governs this world." Job spoke of God's sovereignty (and omnipotence) when he declared "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted." (Job 42:2) David - The LORD has established His throne in the heavens; and His sovereignty rules over all. (Psalm 103:19) C H
Daniel 2:24-49
Garland on single - The indefinite article, “a,” is from צְלֵם [ṣelēm] which can also denote “one and only one”—emphasizing the unity of the image. And so it is rendered in the LXX and OG, eikon mia , “an image one.” (Daniel Defended) Clarence Larkin notes that "In the time of Nebuchadnezzar gigantic statues were common. We find them today among the ruins of Egypt. Now Nebuchadnezzar had just returned from Egypt, having conquered it. What more natural then than having seen the gigantic statues of Egypt, erected by the Kings of Egypt to commemorate their memory. Nebuchadnezzar, before he fell asleep had been thinking of such a method of preserving his own memory. But the difference was that the “Image” that Nebuchadnezzar saw was of metal, while the images of Egypt were of stone." (The Book of Daniel - scroll down to page 12) Its appearance was awesome (Aramaic = dechal used 6x - Da 2:31; 4:5; Da 5:19; Da 6:26; 7:7, 19) - The Septuagint translates it with the adjective phoberos meaning inspiring fear, terrible, formidable, frightful. Standing in front of you - Nebuchadnezzar was directly before this fearful, terrifying sight, which helps us understand why his spirit was troubled (Da 2:1, anxious = Da 2:3). Daniel 2:32 "The head of that statue was made of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, head: Da 2:37,38 Da 4:22,30 Da 7:4 Isa 14:4 Jer 51:7 Rev 17:4 breast: Da 2:39 Da 7:5 Da 8:3,4 Da 11:2 belly: Da 2:39 Da 7:6 Da 8:5-8 Da 11:3-20 DESCRIPTION OF THE METALS The head… fine gold - Gold = Da 2:32, 38 = Lion Da 7:4 = Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon) (It began approximately 605BC when Nebuchadnezzar defeated the Assyrians and the Egyptians at the Battle of Carchemish and it fell in 539 BC - See Da 5:28, cp Da 8:20, 21, 22) (See Wikipedia article Neo-Babylonian Empire) Breast and its arms - Silver = Da 2:32,39; Bear = Da 7:5; Ram = Da 8:6, 20 = Media & Persia (539-331 BC) Its belly and its thighs - Bronze = Da 2:32, 39; Leopard Da 7:6; Male, Shaggy Goat = Da 8:8,21 = Greece under Alexander the Great (331-63 BC) Daniel 2:33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. Da 2:40, 41, 42, 43 7:7,8,19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Legs of iron - Note (1) Decreasing value or preciousness of metals with each succeeding division (2) Decreasing specific gravity (of ? significance) (3) Increasing strength (of the empires) as one descends in the statute and if one looks on a map, each succeeding kingdom is larger than its predecessor. Fruchtenbaum observes that the metals "increase in strength; but second, they decrease in value. The fulfillment will be in the decrease of the character of authority and rule: Babylon was an absolute monarchy with the monarch above the law; with Medo-Persia the monarch was not above the law and he did not have the authority to change his own decrees (cp Da 6:8, 11, 12, 15); the Hellenic kings had no dynastic or royal right to rule, and ruled by force of conquest and personal gifts; and Roman imperialism was a republic which degenerated into mob rule merging with the imperial form of government. Yet there will be an increase in strength of one empire over the other." (Fruchtenbaum, A. G. The Footsteps of the Messiah: A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events. 2003. Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries) Partly of clay - (Da 2:33-35, 41, 43, 45) Baked clay would be hard but would also be fragile. Think of it as like tile work that was woven into the image, and certainly Babylonian architecture made frequent use of tile. Note the most fragile component of the statute is located at the strategic stabilizing base, the feet. Daniel 2:34 "You continued looking until a stone was cut out without hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them. Stone: Da 2:44,45 7:13,14,27 Ps 118:22 Isa 28:16 Zec 12:3 Mt 16:18 Ac 4:11 1Pe 2:7 Rev 11:15 cut: Da 8:25 Zec 4:6 Jn 1:13 2Co 5:1 Heb 9:24 without hands - Da 2:45 which - Ps 2:8, 9, 10, 11, 12 110:5,6 149:6, 7, 8, 9 Isa 60:12 Zec 12:3 Rev 17:14 Rev 19:11-21 A STONE CUT WITHOUT HANDS Until - This is an expression of time which describes something existing (or happening) up to the time of something else which follows and comes into existence (or happens). In this case until signals the end of the Gentile kingdoms, which is synonymous with the terminus of the "times of the Gentiles." (Lk 21:24) Those "times" will continue UNTIL the stone strikes the statute. After that the Gentile kingdoms will cease to exist (Da 2:35). A Stone - Comparing this Stone with other Scriptures that mention stone in the Old and New Testaments (see discussion below), it is clear that this is not just any Stone, but a supernatural Stone, the Stone of God, the Messiah (mashiach), the Rock of our salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:16-note). This prophecy could speak of no other, for none other than Christ, the Messiah, could accomplish the formidable task of striking and crushing all remnants of Gentile world power, forever and ever. Amen. Stone (069)(eben related to Hebrew eben = stone) can refer to literal stones -- used to re-build the destroyed Temple of God in Jerusalem (Ezra 5:8, 6:4), used of the stone used to close Daniel in with the lions (Da 6:17-note). In Da 5:4, 23-note, eben describes idols as "gods of… stone." What a contrast with Da 2:34 where the Stone is a metaphor for the Messiah, the Living and True God (1Th 1:9-note). Eben (Aramaic) - 8x in 8v - Ezra 5:8; 6:4; Da 2:34-35, 45; Da 5:4, 23; Da 6:17. The first allusion to stone is found in Genesis. As the patriarch Jacob lay on his death bed, he described One Who was coming Who would be "the Shepherd, the Stone (Hebrew = eben; Lxx = lithos) of Israel." (Ge 49:24) In a fascinating, somewhat ironic episode Jesus is riding into Jerusalem at the beginning of Passion week and as He rode the crowd was crying out "Hosanna (Ps 118:25 - "do save we beseech") to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD (quoting Ps 118:26); Hosanna in the highest!" (Mt 21:9). In this same chapter Jesus Himself quotes from this same section of Ps 118 in response to the chief priests and elders (Mt 21:23) and asks them "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER [stone]; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES'? (quoting Ps 118:24-25) "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and be given to a nation producing the fruit of it. "And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust." (Mt 21:42-44) In Peter's first epistle he identifies Jesus as "a living STONE, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God" (1Pe 2:4-note). In clearly Messianic passages Isaiah refers to Jesus as a stone… Isa 8:14-note “Then He shall become a sanctuary; But to both the houses of Israel, a stone (Hebrew = eben; Lxx = lithos = stone) to strike and a rock to stumble over, [And] a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (Peter quotes this in part in 1Pe 2:8-note again referring to the Messiah). Isa 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone [for] the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes [in it] will not be disturbed. (Peter quotes this passage in 1Pe 2:6-note) And so there is no doubt that the STONE cut without hands is a clear reference to the Messiah, Who will return in Revelation 19:11-21-note, defeating all His foes, binding Satan for 1000 years (Rev 20:1-3-note) and setting up His Kingdom for 1000 years (Rev 20:4-6-note), a kingdom which the dream describes as "a great mountain which fills the entire earth." (How full? See Hab 2:14-note) In an interesting note on the identity of the Stone in Mt 21:42, Scofield writes "Christ as the Stone is revealed in a threefold way: (1) To Israel, Christ, coming not in Messianic glory but in the form of a servant, is a Stumbling Stone and Rock that leads to falling (Isa 8:14-15; Ro 9:32-33; 1Cor 1:23; 1Pe 2:7-8). (2) To the Church, Christ is the Foundation Stone and the Head of the corner (1Cor 3:11; Eph 2:20-22; 1Pe 2:4-5). And (3) to the Gentile world powers (cp Times of the Gentiles Luke 21:24; Rev 16:19), Christ is to be the Striking Stone of destruction (Dan 2:34). Israel stumbled over Christ; the Church is built upon Christ; Gentile world dominion will be crushed by Christ." Amen! Cut without hands - This detail is repeated in Da 2:45. Clearly, Daniel is using figurative language indicating that the cutting is not natural (normally one would cut a stone by hand to remove it) but clearly is supernatural. Although Daniel is using figurative language, remember that even figurative language always has a literal interpretation! (See Guidelines for Figuring our Figurative Language) Some figures of speech in God's Word defy dogmatic interpretation (e.g., the "locusts" in Rev 9:7-10), but in the case of the stone which is supernatural comparing Scripture with Scripture gives us an excellent clue as to the identity of the stone and the event to which this dynamic description points. As an aside, some have interpreted cut without hands as a reference to the virgin birth. While it is possible, that might be reading more into the text than the Spirit intended. Garland writes "Such an interpretation is certainly possible, but we notice mankind was involved in the virgin birth by way of Mary. It seems better to see “without hands” as speaking of the eternal origin of Christ (Isa. 9:6; Mic. 5:2; John 1:1; 8:58; 17:5; Rev. 22:13) as the final King and as denoting the origin of the final kingdom… The stone is produced without the effort or agency of man. Thus, it stands in stark contrast to the image of a man." (Ibid)
Daniel 2:24-49
Garland points out that "The separation of wheat (valuable) from chaff (discarded) often pictures the place of God’s judgment (2Sa 24:16; 1Chr. 13:9 1Chr. 21:15; Pr. 20:26; Isa. 21:9-10; Isa 27:12; 41:15; Jer. 51:33; Mic. 4:12; Mt. 3:12; Lk 3:17). THY KINGDOM COME! It is interesting to note that the fulfillment of this aspect of the prophecy will be a delayed answer to a prayer, a prayer that most of us quite likely have prayed many times! In short, the Stone striking of the statue brings about a great mountain (kingdom) which is the answer to the saints' pleas throughout the ages pleading with God - "Thy kingdom come" (Mt 6:10-note). The psalmist alludes to this event as God the Father promises His Son… 7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. 9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware (Ps 2:7-9-note)
Daniel 2:24-49
Garland - This is an important detail of the dream: it indicates the destruction of the image by the stone is 100% effective—as soon as the stone strikes. The pieces left over from the previous kingdoms do not gradually give way to the stone. No, they are immediately crushed and carried way such that no trace of them remains. The philosophies, cultures, and kingdoms of man are considered as leaven and are not allowed to infect God’s ultimate kingdom. (Daniel Defended) (Bolding added) But the Stone - The "but" highlights a striking contrast (see term of contrast) between the complete disappearance of the chaff and the eternal existence of the Stone. Became a great mountain - This must be figurative language because it would be difficult to conceive of a great mountain filling the whole earth! And by comparing Scripture with Scripture we know that mountain is sometimes used figuratively to depict a kingdom. In fact, if we compare Da 2:35 with Daniel's description in Da 2:44 clearly parallels great mountain with a kingdom which will never be destroyed. So while great mountain is clearly figurative (a metaphor), remember that figurative language always has a literal meaning. In this context mountain clearly refers to a literal kingdom that will fill the entire earth, a truth which argues against those systems of belief (eg, Replacement Theology) that teach this refers to an invisible spiritual kingdom. (See discussion regarding The Arrival of God’s Kingdom) Through the writing of the prophet Jeremiah Jehovah addresses the Kingdom of Babylon - “I will repay Babylon and all the inhabitants of Chaldea for all their evil that they have done in Zion before your eyes,” declares the LORD. "Behold, I am against you (Kingdom of Babylon), O destroying mountain, who destroys the whole earth,” declares the LORD, “And I will stretch out My hand against you, and roll you down from the crags and I will make you a burnt out mountain." (Jer 51:24-25) In Revelation 17 we see a clear association of mountains with kingdoms, John recording "Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits, 10 and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while." (Rev 17:9-10-note) Recall that the use of the word "king" implies a kingdom and so here the seven mountains are symbolic of these seven kingdoms. In the following passage Isaiah uses mountain in both a literal and figurative sense - Now it will come about that in the last days, (we are in the "last days" - see note on "Last days" and discussion of "Last Days" in Isa 2:2) the mountain of the house of the Lord (Literal mountain = the Temple Mount area) will be established as the chief of the mountains (here mountains ~ kingdoms or nations = Christ's kingdom will reign supreme over all other nations in the Millennium) and will be raised above the hills; and all the nations will stream to it. (Isa 2:2-note; cp parallel passage in Mic 4:1-note)
Daniel 2:24-49
Garland has an interesting comment on king of kings ("the king from (among other) kings") - This phrase designates the highest ruling authority on earth: not just any king, but the king among all kings. If we know the Scriptures, we immediately sense an historical tension because God previously promised this honor for a ruler seated upon the throne of David. "I have found My servant David; With My holy oil I have anointed him… I will make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth." (Ps 89:20, 27) If the Davidic rulers had been obedient to exercise righteous rule (1Ki 10:9; 2Chr. 9:8), this right would never have been transferred into Gentile hands. But, due to the ongoing sin of the rulers in the line of David, God had taken away their position as the highest king, invested with divine authority, and transferred it to Nebuchadnezzar. This is the condition prevailing during the Times of the Gentiles. At the end of the Times of the Gentiles, when the stone strikes the image, dominion will once again return to a man seated on the throne of David. The man’s Name is Jesus the Christ, Who is the only true Potentate, “the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1Ti. 6:15; Rev. 17:14-note; 19:16-note). Has given (cp Da 2:38, Da 1:2-note, Da 1:9-note, Da 1:17-note, cp Jer 27:6; 28:14) - A clear example of God as the one who changes the times and the epochs (Da 2:21-note) and establishes kings (Da 2:21-note) once again testifying to the fact that Jehovah is sovereign over all creation and all creatures. In Jeremiah Yahweh refers to King Nebuchadnezzar as "My servant" (Jer 25:8, 9 in the context of God's final judgment on Judah; cp Pr 21:1). Daniel 2:38 and wherever the sons of men dwell, or the beasts of the field, or the birds of the sky, He has given them into your hand and has caused you to rule over them all. You are the head of gold. beasts: Da 4:21,22 Ps 50:10,11 Jer 27:5, 6, 7 NEBUCHADNEZZAR HEAD OF GOLD God of heaven has given (Da 2:37)… He has given them into your hand… has caused you to rule over - Notice that God's sovereignty is repeatedly emphasized (cp Da 1:2-note, Da 1:9-note, Da 1:17-note, read Jer 27:4-8) Rule over - This recalls God's decree to Adam and Eve to "rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Ge 1:28+) John Walvoord notes Daniel's "fearless declaration that Nebuchadnezzar owes all his power to the God of heaven Who has revealed this secret to Daniel. How different this is from the subservient respect given by the other wise men. Here is a voice of truth which even Nebuchadnezzar must receive with submission." (Daniel 2 Nebuchadnezzar’s Vision Of The Great Image) You are the head of gold - Gold = Da 2:32, 38 = Lion Da 7:4 = Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon) (fell in 539 BC) Babylon was referred to as the "Golden City" because gold was used found all through the city in decorations of shrines, temples, and other public buildings. Related Resource: Daniel's Seventieth Week - in chart format Daniel 2:39 "After you there will arise another kingdom inferior to you, then another third kingdom of bronze, which will rule over all the earth. another kingdom - Da 2:32 5:28, 29, 30, 31 7:5 8:3,4,20 11:2 Isa 44:28 45:1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Third - Da 2:32 7:6,7,23 8:5-14 10:20 11:3-20 Zec 6:3,6 ANOTHER AFTER BABYLON: SILVER Keep in mind that the 4 kingdoms being described are Gentile powers who fulfill Jesus' prophecy of the times of the Gentiles (Lk 21:24) that will continue until the end of this age (cp Re 11:2-note for description of Gentiles still treading on Jerusalem in the last half of the 7 year period known as Daniel's Seventieth Week, equivalent to the last 3.5 years or 42 months known as the Great Tribulation). The power of the Gentiles will be finally and fully destroyed when the Stone strikes the great statue which represents Gentile power. At this time the Stone Christ Jesus crushes the Gentile powers so thoroughly that He utterly obliterates every trace of all previous past Gentile empires and their rule over the earth, at which time the Stone, Christ Jesus, assumes His throne in the Kingdom as the King of kings (cp Da 2:35, cp Ps 2:6, 8, 9, 12). Related Resource: God's Plan for Jerusalem - outlined in 5 distinct mountain (symbolic) peaks beginning in 586 BC After you - A very clear expression of time. After you means after Babylon. This specific time phrase also implies that Nebuchadnezzar would not lose his kingdom to a hostile force during his lifetime, a fact that should help remedy his insomnia! But just the fact that Babylon would pass off the stage as the dominant kingdom could have been enough to enrage this emotionally charged king. Even with that as a possibility Daniel was bold as a lion! (Pr 28:1) Jeremiah predicted Babylon's demise declaring that "all the nations shall serve him, and his son, and his grandson, until the time of his own land comes; then many nations and great kings will make him their servant." (Jer 27:7, cp Jer 25:12-14) As Henry