INTRODUCTION:
World Superpowers today - USA, RUSSIA, CHINA,
Superpowers in Bible times - EGYPT, ASSYRIA, BABYLON
RECAP:
Israel was to be in a covenant relationship with God, as an obedient people they were to worship God alone and live according to His good precepts in the land that their God had graciously led them into. They were to be an example to the nations and a light to the world.
But Israel sinned and rebelled against God. They worshipped other gods and violated the commandments of God.
For 5 centuries God patiently wooed his people through the prophets, but they refused to listen and God’s patience has finally run out.
The consequence for Israel is defeat, humiliation, death and exile.
- Israel is defeated.
- Jerusalem is sacked.
- The Temple is destroyed.
- The people are taken into exile.
But… God is gracious even in exile!
CHAPTER 2:
God’ Sovereignty from chapter 1 carries over:
God gave…
Jehoiakim into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar
The youths favor with the steward
Wisdom and understanding
A dream to king Nebuchadnezzar
Outline:
-A Troubled King
-When Human Wisdom Fails
-Daniel
-Prayer
-Praise
-The Dream
-The Interpretation
Daniel tells and interprets the dream - a prophecy in visual forms
5 Parts of the Statue:
Head of Gold
Breast and Arms of Silver
Belly and Thighs of Bronze
Legs of Iron
Feet of part Iron and part Clay
5 World Empires:
Daniel 2:37-43
Babylon - 605-539BC
Medes and Persians - 539-331BC
Greece - 331-146BC (Alexander equipped his soldiers with bronze swords and helmets)
Rome 146BC-395AD (Iron fist of the iron legions)
Revived Roman Empire (10 toes - 10 kings of Revelation)
The Kingdom of God:
Daniel 2 v.34-35 & v.44-45
The stone - the coming King JESUS
The mountain - the Kingdom of God
Cut without hands - supernatural and not man-made
God’s kingdom will be victorious and crush all the world’s empires.
The kingdom crushes gold and silver and bronze and iron and clay fine as chaff
Christ’s kingdom will never be destroyed (2:44)
JESUS:
Born under Roman rule
Lived during Roman occupation of Israel
Condemned by a Roman Governor
Executed on a Roman Cross
Buried in a tomb sealed by a Roman Seal
He rose conquering sin and death
He commissioned the church who conquered the Roman Empire with the message of the Gospel
Jesus is on the Throne today.
Jesus rules and reign today.
Jesus hears your prayers today.
Jesus is worthy of your praise today.
Jesus is coming back to conquer and to reign.
Jesus is coming back to restore and reward.
Do you know HIM?
Promotion:
Nebuchadnezzar honors Daniel’s God
Nebuchadnezzar promotes Daniel
Nebuchadnezzar promotes Daniel’s three friends