Untitled Sermon (30)

• No more chit chat. Daniel immediately launches into telling Nebuchadnezzar his dream.

Nebuchadnezzar was troubled as he lay in bed at night, wondering what the future held. Although he started out as a minor world player, he now finds himself the greatest world ruler. And his thoughts turned into a frightening, confusing dream. Daniel stated that the king had stood before and contemplated a great magnificent statue of a man.

started out as a minor world player, he now finds himself the greatest world ruler. And his

thoughts turned into a frightening, confusing dream. Daniel stated that the king had stood before

and contemplated a great magnificent statue of a man.

The word used here for "awesome" is translated as "terrible" in the King James Version. The Chaldean word is dechal, which literally means formidable, terrifying, dreadful and inspiring fear.

Chaldean word is dechal, which literally means formidable, terrifying, dreadful and inspiring fear.

It is no wonder Nebuchanezzar was so anxious to know about it. "Dechal" is a form of "zachal" in Hebrew and means literally to fearfully creep away from something, to crawl in a timid manner.

Hebrew and means literally to fearfully creep away from something, to crawl in a timid manner.

"Dechal" is only used in the book of Daniel, a number of times, to describe apparently very incredible, terrifying images seen in the various dreams and visions here. - this image elicited terror-it was awe-inspiring. It was glamorous, terrific, and stupendous.

incredible, terrifying images seen in the various dreams and visions here. - this image elicited

terror-it was awe-inspiring. It was glamorous, terrific, and stupendous.

Great images were something Nebuchadnezzar could relate to. Remember that Babylon is the cradle of all pagan religions, the occult and every other form of evil religious practice can be traced to Babylon. This image was not to be worshipped, but I am sure that Nebuchadnezzar had seen a few such things in his day. It was always the practice of pagan kings to have images erected to their own glory. There is a great deal of archeological evidence to support this. We have pictures of grand edifices and statues erected in honor of kings and great warriors. But this statue was more terrifying and fear-inducing than anything he had seen before.

all pagan religions, the occult and every other form of evil religious practice can be traced to

Babylon. This image was not to be worshipped, but I am sure that Nebuchadnezzar had seen a few

such things in his day. It was always the practice of pagan kings to have images erected to their

own glory. There is a great deal of archeological evidence to support this. We have pictures of

grand edifices and statues erected in honor of kings and great warriors. But this statue was more

terrifying and fear-inducing than anything he had seen before.

Remember also that God is speaking now to Nebuchadnezzar in his own language, the language of the Gentile world then. God wants Nebuchadnezzar to understand this dream, but He also wants the entire world to understand. This dream relates to the whole of Gentile history.

Gentile world then. God wants Nebuchadnezzar to understand this dream, but He also wants the

entire world to understand. This dream relates to the whole of Gentile history.

We may assume that there is probably some sort of relationship between this image and the one we'll see In Chapter 3. "King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon." () If chapter 3 is any indication, this bright metallic image may have been as tall as a ten-story building (3:1). It was, however, not only majestic, but also terrifying and troubling. What Nebuchadnezzar erected in chapter 3 probably does not compare with what he saw in his dream. This is no man-made image.

see In Chapter 3. "King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide,

and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon." () If chapter 3 is any

indication, this bright metallic image may have been as tall as a ten-story building (3:1). It was,

however, not only majestic, but also terrifying and troubling. What Nebuchadnezzar erected in

chapter 3 probably does not compare with what he saw in his dream. This is no man-made image.

31"This image's head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of..silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33"its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 3 "You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35"Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found.

31"This image's head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of..silver, its belly and thighs of

bronze, 33"its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 3 "You watched while a

stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke

them in pieces. 35"Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed

together, and became like chaff

from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found.

And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

• We can immediately see some very interesting facts about this strange image:

The image was composed of four different metals:

(1) the head was made of gold;

(2) the breast and arms of silver;

(3) the belly and thighs of bronze; and

(4) the legs of iron, with clay mixed in at the feet

• The image was top heavy. The atomic weight of gold (197.2) is far heavier than that of silver (107.88), or bronze which is composed mainly of copper (63.57) and tin {118.70). Iron's number on the periodic table is even less {55.85). In addition, these metals not only decrease in value from top to bottom, but also diminish in splendor and glory. However, they increase in overall strength, until the feet.

(107.88), or bronze which is composed mainly of copper (63.57) and tin {118.70). Iron's number on

the periodic table is even less {55.85). In addition, these metals not only decrease in value from

top to bottom, but also diminish in splendor and glory. However, they increase in overall

strength, until the feet.

• This image indicates a continual deterioration in world empires.

1. The quality of the metals: gold is finer than silver, and silver is finer that brass. Brass is

finer than iron, and iron is better than clay.

2. The specific gravity (and atomic weights) of the metals: each metal shows deterioration

3. The position of each metal: the head has more honor than the feet.

4. The specific statement of Scripture: "And after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to you" (v. 39). Scripture is clear that each kingdom is to be inferior to the one before it.

you" (v. 39). Scripture is clear that each kingdom is to be inferior to the one before it.

5. The division of sovereignty: the definite division of sovereignty denotes weakness.

Nebuchadnezzar is the head of gold, but there are two arms of the Medo-Persian Empire (2 arms are Medes and Persians, lots of infighting-first Medes ruled, then Persians). The Babylonian Empire was strong because there was no division. The Graeco-Macedonian (Greek) Empire begins with one, but soon is divided into four. Rome has two legs of iron (Roman Empire was subsequently split into "2" empires, or areas of one empire under different leaders, but it eventuates into ten toes which are composed of both iron and clay. The more divisions, the weaker a world power.

Medes and Persians, lots of infighting-first Medes ruled, then Persians). The Babylonian Empire was

strong because there was no division. The Graeco-Macedonian (Greek) Empire begins with one, but

soon is divided into four. Rome has two legs of iron (Roman Empire was subsequently split into "2"

empires, or areas of one empire under different leaders, but it eventuates into ten toes which are

composed of both iron and clay. The more divisions, the weaker a world power.

As each empire decreases in value and solidarity, they also INCREASE IN STRENGTH. This was true historically. Rome was the strongest, most barbaric and cruel of all.

historically. Rome was the strongest, most barbaric and cruel of all.

DEFINITE CORRELATION TO CHAPTER 7: Many commentators compare this statue at this point with the vision of the beasts in chapter 7. We don't want to cause confusion here with such acomparison. It is important that we completely understand this statue and its implications before we see the vision of Daniel in chapter 7. Right now, just keep in mind that they DO correlate.

vision of the beasts in chapter 7. We don't want to cause confusion here with such a

comparison. It is important that we completely understand this statue and its implications before

we see the vision of Daniel in chapter 7. Right now, just keep in mind that they DO correlate.

The The greatest distinction is that in chapter 2, the vision shows the kingdoms through a Gentile human's eyes -splendorous metals, shiny awesome terrifying image. In chapter 7, the same kingdoms are seen through God's eyes, much later in the time of the Jewish captivity, and they are portrayed as horrible beasts. Interesting contrast.

greatest distinction is that in chapter 2, the vision shows the kingdoms through a Gentile human's

eyes -splendorous metals, shiny awesome terrifying image. In chapter 7, the same kingdoms are

seen through God's eyes, much later in the time of the Jewish captivity, and they are portrayed as

horrible beasts. Interesting contrast.

" ... while a stone was cut out without hands ... " This phrase indicates that the stone is not of human making. It is not a human empire or government. This is God-made, or divine origin.

• WHAT, OR WHO, IS THIS STONE? From The Old to the New Testaments, the Messiah Yeshua is referenced as the "stone" and the "rock." Jesus is the Stone, the living Stone, the foundation of our faith: "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." () Deuteronomy chapter 32 is full of references to God being the Rock of our salvation. The ROCK-Jesus Christ - is found throughout scripture. Both in terms of safety and in terms of judgment. The Stone is one of many figures of speech in Scripture which speak of the Messiah in His office as both Saviorand Judge. He is the Rock of salvation, and He is the Rock of judgment.

referenced as the "stone" and the "rock." Jesus is the Stone, the living Stone, the foundation of

our faith: "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus

Christ." () Deuteronomy chapter 32 is full of references to God being the Rock of

our salvation. The ROCK-Jesus Christ - is found throughout scripture. Both in terms of safety

and in terms of judgment. The Stone is one of many figures of speech in Scripture which speak of

the Messiah in His office as both Savior

and Judge. He is the Rock of salvation, and He is the Rock of judgment.

--"I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he." (Deuteronomy 43:3-4)

works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is

he." (Deuteronomy 43:3-4)

--" Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; filled with food, he became heavy and sleek. He abandoned the God who made him and rejected the Rock his Savior. They made him jealous with their foreign gods and angered him with their detestable idols. They sacrificed to demons, which are not God- gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your fathers did not fear. You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth." ()

who made him and rejected the Rock his Savior. They made him jealous with their foreign gods and

angered him with their detestable idols. They sacrificed to demons, which are not God- gods they

had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your fathers did not fear. You deserted the Rock,

who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth." ()

- "There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our

God."()

()

-"He said: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn ofmy salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior..." (2 Samuel 22:2-3) (Read this whole chapter - it is a blessing.)

refuge, my shield and the horn ofmy salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior..." (2

Samuel 22:2-3) (Read this whole chapter - it is a blessing.)

--In the Rock is our fortress, our safety in times of trouble. ( mirrors the words of , , etc. all refer to Rock-throughout book of Isaiah, and many other places)

of , , etc. all refer to Rock-throughout book of Isaiah, and many other

places)

--In the New Testament, , we have the beautiful and practical story of building our houses either on sand or on the Rock. The scriptural concept of Jesus as the Rock of both salvation and judgment are commonly repeated throughout the Bible.

either on sand or on the Rock. The scriptural concept of Jesus as the Rock of both salvation and

judgment are commonly repeated throughout the Bible.

• Jesus is the Stone, and the Rock. Scriptures tell us that we can either fall on Him (that is to give ourselves completely to Him in faith and life) and be broken (a sinner, contrite, with nothing to offer) but also to be protected by Him, OR the Stone itself will fall on us, and we will indeed be broken, crushed and taken by the enemy.

give ourselves completely to Him in faith and life) and be broken (a sinner, contrite, with

nothing to offer) but also to be protected by Him, OR the Stone itself will fall on us, and we

will indeed be broken, crushed and taken by the enemy.

--Isaiah says this: "The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, And let Him be your dread. He will be as a sanctuary, But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To both the houses of Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble; They shall fall and be broken, Be snared and taken." ()

be your dread. He will be as a sanctuary, But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To both

the houses of Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them

shall stumble; They shall fall and be broken, Be snared and taken." ()

--Peter declares this and combines it with other Old Testament scriptures (this is the New Century Version, where Old Testament scriptures are identified in the text): "Come to the Lord Jesus, the "stone" that lives. The people of the world did not want this stone, but he was the stone God chose, and he was precious. You also are like living stones, so let yourselves be used to build a spiritual temple--to be holy priests who offer spiritual sacrifices to God. He will accept those sacrifices through Jesus Christ. The Scripture says: "I will put a stone in the ground in Jerusalem. Everything will be built on this important and precious rock. Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed." - This stone is worth much to you who believe. But to the people who do not believe, "the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." - Also, he is "a stone that causes people to stumble, a rock that makes them falL "- They stumble because they do not obey what God says, which is what God planned to happen to them." (

Version, where Old Testament scriptures are identified in the text): "Come to the Lord Jesus, the

"stone" that lives. The people of the world did not want this stone, but he was the stone God

chose, and he was precious. You also are like living stones, so let yourselves be used to build a

spiritual temple--to be holy

priests who offer spiritual sacrifices to God. He will accept those sacrifices through Jesus

Christ. The