Day 5 – Alright, who threw that rock?
Read Daniel 2: 34 – 35; 44 – 45
Daniel’s interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream concludes with a vision of the end times. An image, symbolizing human dynasties, is crushed by a stone, Christ. This symbol gives us hope that the smitten Rock of our Faith, Jesus the Messiah, will one day establish His coming kingdom and he will be the unquestioned monarch over all we know. This passage in Daniel 2 teaches us that only one thing is certain, and that is this: The kingdoms of the earth are passing away, and the kingdom of Christ is the only hope we have of an eternal, universal, successful kingdom.
The King saw “a stone that was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.” This is the climax of the vision. Scripture frequently refers to Christ as a stone: a smitten stone (Exodus), a stumbling stone (Isaiah, Romans), a cornerstone (Matthew, Acts, Ephesians). Just as the stone is cut “without hands”, we know that the kingdom of Christ is not man-made, but is divinely originated. Man can make bricks to build a structure but only God can make a stone.
Jesus Christ is a supernatural King and He is coming back to set up a supernatural kingdom. Throughout history man’s kingdoms are built gradually on the ruins of another but Christ’s kingdom will come with a sudden and decisive blow (Matthew 24: 29 – 30). World empires frequently end in revolution and destruction; a new government or king comes on the scene to seize control. Christ’s kingdom shall know no decay. It shall never be in danger of revolution. It shall never be destroyed.
Q1. The Bible often refers to Jesus as the “Rock” or “Cornerstone.” What do the following passages say about Him: Deuteronomy 32:4, 15, 18. II Samuel 22: 1 – 3. I Corinthians 10: 1 – 5.
Q2. According to Matthew 24: 29 – 30, how quickly will Jesus’ kingdom be established?
Q3. What words are used in Daniel 2: 34 – 35, 44 – 45 to indicate Jesus’ kingdom will be severe? How does Revelation 19 picture this same kingdom?
Final thought: Increasingly, in our culture people look to world governments to solve societal problems. God establishes governments and allows them to work on his behalf to maintain order and administer justice. If we perceive problems, we sometimes think they will be solved if we just vote in a new government. Because of the depravity of the human heart, leaders abuse this power and eventually they are crushed and removed from power by our loving Father who is and has always been sovereign over the affairs of men.