Daniel 2 Part 2
Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective
Video lesson and downloadable PDF here
In Daniel 2:24-27, Daniel goes to Arioch to let him know that he had the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Arioch quickly brings Daniel before the king and even states that he (Arioch) found a man who could provide the information Nebuchadnezzar was seeking.
What Arioch did may sound arrogant, but Arioch was also taking a huge chance. If Daniel couldn’t do it, Arioch would suffer at the king’s hand as well as Daniel. After Nebuchadnezzar asks Daniel if he was able to provide him with the information he wanted, Daniel was very quick to note that no man on earth was capable of providing that information, but God only. Daniel immediately directed attention and glory to God.
Daniel then proceeds to tell Nebuchadnezzar what the dream was that he had dreamed. Daniel also noted that much of what Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed applied to the “latter days,” the times leading up to the physical return of Jesus. As we look back in history, we can clearly see that much of what Nebuchadnezzar dreamed has already occurred. However, some of his dream has not yet taken place and it remains future from our perspective in 2023. We’ll cover that.
In verse 28, let’s remember as we go through this dream and interpretation, that the term “latter days” is a reference to what would occur WAY down into the future; first appears in Genesis 49:1 and always means “end of time.” Daniel also makes it clear to Nebuchadnezzar that the dream had come to himfor the king’s benefit so he could understand what he dreamed and what the dream meant, as it not only related to him and his kingdom of Babylon, but what would occur afterwards.
Verses 31-35 point out exactly what Nebuchadnezzar dreamed. It included an awesome looking statue that was divided into several parts, each represented by a different metal.
Daniel also takes time to note that the entire statue, as awesome as it was, would ultimately be destroyed by a Rock cut without hands, as it smashed into the feet of the statue. The wind would take what was left and blow it away as the chaff from the threshing floor was removed by the same wind. In essence, there would be absolutely nothing remaining of the statue after the Rock smashed the feet of the statue. This signified total and complete destruction. However, prior to that, each kingdom would essentially be taken over by another kingdom and become part of that new empire. The difference in the four first kingdoms and the fifth kingdom (the Rock), was stark.
In Daniel 2:36-41, Daniel finished retelling the dream and then moved into the interpretation of the dream. Daniel notes that the various portions of the statue represented by different metals represented specific kingdoms. The first – head of gold – represented Nebuchadnezzar and his reign over Babylon. Babylon goes all the way back to the Tower of Babel but it was Nebuchadnezzar who was able to establish such a kingdom because unlike Nimrod, God gave Nebuchadnezzar the ability to do that. In fact, Daniel points out that Nebuchadnezzar was “…a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all—you are this head of gold” (verses 37-38).
In essence, had he wanted to, Nebuchadnezzar could have easily expanded his kingdom, but he didn’t. In spite of that though, the king still had been given authority over children of men and the beasts of the field, as well as the birds of the heaven. This ultimately means that Nebuchadnezzar was the absolute authority over the Kingdom of Babylon. In fact, Nebuchadnezzar himself, while he could make any law he wanted to make, was not subject to those laws at all. However, rulers of various kingdoms after him were under the laws that were made and sealed with their signet rings. They had to obey them, unlike Nebuchadnezzar.
One of the interesting things is that starting with Nebuchadnezzar, the kingdom of Babylon was the most valuable, yet gold is a soft metal. Each successive kingdom decreased in character but increased in strength (see figure above). When the kingdom finally reach the feet and ten toes stage (v 41), while that kingdom is powerfully strong, there is little coalescence. Ultimately, as Daniel points out in verses 42-44, the kingdom never quite mixes as Daniel notes that iron and clay do not mix.
Ultimately, this final phase of the fourth kingdom will be the one that’s destroyed when Jesus returns to this earth physically, in fulfillment of so many passages throughout Scripture like Zechariah 9:10.
I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
And the horse from Jerusalem;
The battle bow shall be cut off.
He shall speak peace to the nations;
His dominion shall be ‘from sea to sea,
And from the River to the ends of the earth.’
The above description follows verse 9, where we learn of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey. Just as verse 9 was literally fulfilled, so too will verse 10 be literally fulfilled. His reign will never end once He physically begins that reign on earth, as He reigns from Heaven now.
To recap so far, through this dream and interpretation, God shows Nebuchadnezzar the full sweep of history future from Babylon to the end of time! –Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom is the head of gold and he is the only king who had absolute power over the earth (Jeremiah 27:6-7, 14). –God referred to Nebuchadnezzar as “king of kings” in Ezekiel 26:7, yet God had bestowed that on the king. –Another inferior kingdom will come after Babylon and yet another inferior kingdom will rise up after the next one. –The final kingdom will be as strong as iron and will crush everything that came before it.
What Nebuchadnezzar saw was essentially what the Bible calls the Times of the Gentiles. This period will be – we later learn – 490 years with a gap between the 69th and 70th “week” or years. We will cover that when we get to Daniel 9. The entire length of the 70 “weeks” (490 years), is covered by the first four kingdoms, which include:
- –Head of Gold
- Breast and Arms of Silver
- Belly and Thighs of Brass
- Legs of Iron
- Feet and Toes Part Iron/Part Clay
The identities of the empires has been universally agreed upon by Bible scholars and history has verified Daniel 2. Because of the unqualified accuracy of the identification of these empires, some within the last century or so have stated that Daniel was actually written after the fact by an imposter.
Nebuchadnezzar saw the statue in his dream. It was not a real statue, but represented something that would become real. The question we need to ask ourselves is what is the literal meaning of this image that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream?
Daniel informs the king that his kingdom – Babylon – is the first kingdom, represented by the head of gold. The second empire, though not named in the text (but discerned from history since it followed Babylon), is composed of the two arms of silver united into the breast or chest of silver on the statue. The two arms and chest represent two nations: the Medes and Persians (v. 39a, Medo-Persian Empire).
As noted, this empire is declared inferior to Babylon and one of the reasons for that is due to the fact that it lacked inner unity as Babylon had been unified.
The third empire, represented by the belly and two thighs of brass is the Greek (Hellenistic) Empire (v. 39b). Some think it may represent Syria and Egypt as they arose from the Greek Empire and also controlled Jewish territory and Jerusalem, but it’s more likely it refers to the Greek Empire led by Alexander the Great.
The fourth empire follows and is unique because it does not follow the same pattern as the previous kingdoms. Note the two legs down to the two feet and ten toes. What we see is that this empire goes through several stages:
- United Stage (v. 40)
- Two Division Stage (v. 41), has strength of iron
- Ten Division Stage (vv. 42-43), iron and clay–
The first three empires of Daniel 2 and 7. Note 3rd Empire – Grecian – breaks into four parts. Under one of those generals, Antiochus Epiphanes IV creates the abomination of desolation in 168 BC.
Part of this fourth empire is strong, while part is weak and simply will not coalesce. –This fourth empire totally subdues and crushes all that precedes it. While it incorporates or swallows up the empires that came before it, it subdues and crushes it completely. However, what is interesting is that Alexander’s Grecian Empire continued to have its effect on the empire that followed it (Roman), through language, culture and philosophical and religious beliefs. This is why, for instance, the New Testament was written in Koine Greek, the prevalent language at the time in spite of the fact that the Greek Empire had been swallowed up by the Roman Empire. –This empire is particularly emphasized in the text regarding the Times of Gentiles.
As far as the Roman Empire is concerned, as we look at history, we can see that both the United Stage and Two Division Stage has already occurred. Prior to the division of the Roman Empire into an east and a west, it was a united empire. However, though some believe that the “ten division stage” (ten toes), has already occurred in history, in my opinion and that of other conservative biblical scholars, it has not yet appeared. In essence, we are still waiting for that empire to position itself on the world’s scene. As we’ve noted numerous times previously, we believe that this is what is in process right now through various efforts of globalists who march to Satan’s drum beat. Text in Revelation 13:1-2 informs us of this coming “ten toes” (or in Revelation, ten kings/crowns/horns, as its the same thing).
Then [John] stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
The description of the coming “beast rising up out of the sea” is from John the apostle’s perspective and that part of the beast was still in the future. Even though Rome eventually died out (in the Middle Ages), numerous biblical scholars and historians maintain that in some respects, Rome did not die out because of Roman Catholicism. During the days of Constantine, the Roman Empire (the state), became married to the church headquartered in Rome. Roman Catholicism remains to this day and is literally its own country of one square mile. The Vatican reaches back into history and connects with the Roman Empire of Constantine’s day. So, did the Roman Empire fully die out? Not really if we consider this aspect of it.
We can also see that this particular Pope is busy changing the meaning of Scripture constantly. It’s almost as though he changes the times and the seasons but we cannot say that at this point. However, he clearly exercises authority over God’s Word rather than allowing God’s Word to exercise authority over him. This is confusing to many Roman Catholics, but it continues.
Will we see a revived Roman Empire of sorts rise up in the current EU or another iteration? Eventually. If/when we do, we will also see the rise of ten “kings” who will each share in ruling a specific portion of this world. Sounds far-fetched? Not really, considering the Club of Rome has already divided the world into ten sections and every country on earth falls into one of them.
The Bible indicates that Antichrist will rise among these ten rulers (but will not be part of them). He will eliminate or subdue three and the remaining seven will pledge loyalty to him. Ultimately, he will be the 11th (outside the original group of 10), but will become the 8th after subduing three (Daniel 7:24).
Following the return of Jesus, who steps down on the Mount of Olives, He will begin to set up His Millennial Kingdom, or what the text in Daniel 2:44 refers to as the Rock cut without hands and that Kingdom will last forever.
And 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 all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
A summary of Daniel 2 regarding the kingdoms goes like this:
- –The Babylonian Empire #1
- The Medo-Persian Empire #2
- The Hellenistic (Greek) Empire #3
- The Roman Empire #4
- United Stage
- Two Division Stage
- Ten Division Stage
- Messianic Kingdom #5
We will move onto Daniel 3 with our next installment. The video class as well as a downloadable PDF of the PowerPoint is available at the link at the top of this article.
Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective
Source: https://studygrowknowblog.com/2023/10/16/daniel-2-part-2/
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