Dreams in the Night

We can have Unshakable faith in Uncertain Times by trusting in the Sovereign Power of God, Resting in the Steadfast Purpose of God, and Hoping in the Sure Promise of God.

A Troubled King

Nebuchadnezzar was rising to the height of his power, yet there are some things he could not understand.

He could not predict the future, or control it.

A Terrified Kingdom

The brightest were called and given an impossible task.

Man’s wisdom has a limit.

Aunt Harriet woke up Uncle Irv one morning and said, “I just had a dream that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valentines Day. What do you think it means?” He replied, “Wait until tonight and you’ll find out!” That evening he handed her a package, which she excitedly unwrapped to find a book entitled, The Meaning of Dreams.

This is important to understand in the day and age of AI and technology.

“There is not a man on earth who can tell the kings matter…”

The king’s anger threatened his counselors.

A Trusting Saint

Daniel Appealed to God. He gathered his friends and they sought God’s mercy (compassion and love).

Daniel’s Response showed that his trust was in God and he praised Him!

God is the source of all wisdom and knowledge.

God is sovereign over every king and nation. (Psalm 75:6-7)

God is our salvation in any situation.

The Lord has revealed his secrets through His Word and has given us His Holy Spirit to understand. Like Daniel we can:

Trust in the Sovereign Power of God

Verse 28 - “There is a God in heaven...”. He removes and raised up kings (verse 21) and controls the seasons.

The purpose for revealing the dream was two-fold:

For the sake of those praying.

So they would be spared from destruction.

So they would be assured of Israel’s future.

For the sake of Nebuchadnezzar.

To show God’s power over all kingdoms of the earth.

To show God’s knowledge over man’s thoughts.

Hebrews 4:12 – “For the Word of God is quick and powerful…”

Rest in the Steadfast Purpose of God

The Secret of the Kingdoms revealed God’s purposes for not just Babylon, but more importantly, God’s plan for all the kingdoms of the earth, especially in relation to Israel.

· Gold – Babylon – conquered Jerusalem 586 BC

· Silver – Meads and Persians – conquered Babylon 539 BC

· Bronze – Greece – Alexander conquered Darius III 333-331 BC

· Iron – Rome – conquered Greece 146 BC – battle of Corinth

· Feet of clay and iron – ten kingdoms to come (Western Rome “fell” in 476 AD, Eastern Roman empire Byzintian ended 1453 AD) Revelation 17:12 “And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast.”

· The stone cut without hands (altar to God from stone were not to be cut, Exodus 20:25) – Jesus Christ whose kingdom will reign forever.

i. The stone which the builders rejected, has become the cornerstone.

Hope in the Sure Promise of God

Jesus prophesied of Jerusalem’s future and referenced Daniel, Matthew 24:15 ““So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),”

John prophesied that Jesus would come and take possession of all kingdoms . – Revelation 11:15 “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.””

Our prayer is to include looking forward to His Kingdom: Matthew 6:10 “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”