The Promises of God - Lesson 10 To Establish His Kingdon - 1
Introduction:
1. To fully appreciate God's promises, we must keep in mind that: a. they are "exceeding great and precious" (2 Peter 1:4) b. they are "trustworthy" -- God "is not slack concerning His promise" (2 Peter 3:9) c. they are "effective" -- by them we can be "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). 2. To properly understand God's promises, we must keep in mind that some of them are "conditional." 3. In this lesson we are beginning a study of "God's promise to establish His kingdom." 4. We are concentrating on a key prophecy recorded in Daniel 2:44-45 that shows when God would establish His kingdom.
Discussion:
I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A. (1:1-2) Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, took control of Jerusalem. B. (1:3-5) Certain young Jewish people were taken and trained to serve in the king's palace. C. (1:6-7) Daniel was among those taken. D. (1:17) "Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." E. (2:1) Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him. F. (2:2-11) The king commanded his wise men to reveal his dream. G. (2:12-13) When they could not reveal the dream, Nebuchadnezzar became angry and issued a command for all the wise men to be put to death [this included Daniel and his friends]. H. (2:14-18) Daniel requested permission to talk with the king. (2:19) The information was revealed to Daniel in a vision. J. (2:25-30) Daniel gave God credit for revealing secret information relating to future events.
II. (2:31-35) DANIEL FIRST REVEALED THE DREAM
A. (vs.31-33) The dream was of a great image with its sections made of different materials. 1. The head was of gold. 2. The breast and arms were of silver. 3. The belly and thighs were of brass. 4. The legs and feet were of iron and clay. B. (vs.34-35) The dream also included a great stone. 1. It "was cut out without hands." 2. It broke the image to pieces. 3. It "became a great mountain." 4. It "filled the whole earth." C. After revealing the dream to the king, . . .
III. (2:36-45) DANIEL INTERPRETED THE DREAM
A. (vs.36-43) The different sections of the image represented different kingdoms. 1. (vs.37-38) The head of gold represented Babylon, ruled at that time by Nebuchadnezzar. 2. (vs.39a) The breast and arms of silver represented a kingdom that would rise to power; however, it would be inferior to Babylon [Medes and Persians -- 5:28, 30-31]. 3. (vs.39b) The belly and thighs of brass represented a third kingdom [Greece -- 8:20-21; 10:1, 20]. 4. (vs.40-43) The legs and feet of iron and clay represented a fourth kingdom [Rome -- ch.7]. B. (vs.44-45) The great stone represented God's kingdom. 1. (vs.44) God would set up His kingdom when the kings of the fourth kingdom ruled. 2. God's kingdom would break and consume all other kingdoms. 3. God's kingdom will never be destroyed -- it will stand forever.