Sermon Tone Analysis

Daniel 2:26-45 (Key 26-28)

INTRODUCTION

Daniel 2 it the key to God's entire prophetic program.

This is the ABC for prophecy and the book of Revelation is the XYZ.

We cannot get the XYZ until we understand the ABCs.

God reveals through Daniel His plan for the Gentile nations throughout history until the Second Coming of Christ.

1A.

The Image Described (31-35)

1B.

The dimensions of the image  (31)

Size: ~~90 foot  (3:1)

Brightness: metals "splendor was excellent"

Frightening: "awesome"

2B.

The deterioration of the image (39)

"inferior" = to move downward

3B.

The decline of the image (32)

Decline in value

Decline in weight

Everything goes down not up.

\\ 2A.

The Image Discussed (2:36-45)

1B.

Golden Head: Babylonian Kingdom (vv.36-38)

Babylon was called the "City of Gold"

(Isaiah 14:4 NKJV)  "that you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say: "How the oppressor has ceased, The golden city ceased!"

Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom lasted 66 years

2B.

Silver Chest and Arms: Medo-Persian Kingdom (v.39a)

(Daniel 5:26-28 NKJV)  ""This is the interpretation of each word.

MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; {27} "TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; {28} "PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.""

It would be inferior in authority

They had a broad and efficient taxation system, so they accumulated vast amounts of silver.

The Medo-Persian Kingdom lasted 208 years

3B.

Bronze Belly and Thighs: Grecian Empire  (v.39b)

The Greek army was the first to use Bronze\Brass armor

The were led by Alexander the Great

The Greek Kingdom lasted 185 years

They imposed the Greek language on all their territories.

\\ 4B.

Iron Legs: Roman Empire (40-41)

Rome was the strongest and largest of all the Gentile Kingdoms.

Ø       Rome developed a large and efficient highway system.

Ø       Rome had a well-trained and mobile army that could quickly move in and put down any rebellion.

They ruled with and iron hand.

Ø       Rome had a well-established legal system.

However, Rome had some serious weaknesses.

Ø       They suffered from moral decay = clay

Ø       They became amoral and materialistic and the government eventually collapsed upon itself.

The Rome Empire lasted 500 years

Between Verses 41 and 42 is a Gap in History

We are living in this gap now.

5B.

Iron & Clay toes: A Future Federation of Nations (vv.42-43)

There is a remnant of Roman Empire is still with us.

Ø       Much of our legal, governmental, educational systems can be traced to the Roman Empire.

Ø       This federation will be existing at the Second Coming.

The federation will be characterized by mixture of strength and disunity.

Ø       Iron = autocratic rule

Ø       Clay = people's democracy

Many have identified the European Common Market as a possible precursor of this federation.

\\ 6B.

The Stone: The Millennial Reign of Christ  (44-45)

The Stone speaks of the earthly reign of Christ

(Revelation 19:15 NKJV)  "Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations.

And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.

He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."

Ø       It assures the final victory of Christ

Psalms 2:9  "You will rule them with an iron scepter ; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.""

The Stone speaks of the various roles of Christ

Ø       Christ is the supernatural stone (45)

Ø       Christ became the smitten stone

(Exodus 17:6 NKJV)  ""Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink."

And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel."

Ø       Christ is the stone of our salvation

(1 Peter 2:7-8 NKJV)  "Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone," {8} and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.”

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed."

Ø       Christ is for those who do not believe a stumbling stone

(Matthew 21:44 NKJV)  ""And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.""

Ø       Jesus is the sovereign stone

(1 Corinthians 15:24-25 NKJV)  "Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.

{25} For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet."

\\ Application

Four of six of these kingdoms have come and gone.

God will fulfill the final two.

Do you believe the Word of God?

Are you a citizen of God’s kingdom?

\\ A View From The Top \\ Sunday, January 10, 1999 - Daniel 2:26-45

INTRODUCTION

God reveals through Daniel His plan for the Gentile nations, throughout history until the Second Coming of Christ.

1A.

The Image __________________ (31-35)

1B.

The dimensions of the image  (31)

 

2B.

The deterioration of the image (39)

 

3B.

The ____________ of the image (32)