The Book of Daniel

The Book of Daniel
“The Destiny of the Gentiles”
Daniel 2:1-49

Wayne J. Edwards, Pastor

  Daniel’s visions deal with the “times of the Gentiles” and their God-ordained role in His sovereign plan of redemption.

• “Gentiles” refer to all non-Jewish people–those who are not blood descendants of Abraham.
• “Times of the Gentiles” refers to the length of their God-allowed dominion over the Jewish people. (Luke 21:24, Romans 11:25)
• Nebuchadnezzar’s  gold, silver, bronze, iron, and clay statue represent the five successive Gentile kingdoms that will dominate the world until Jesus comes again. (Daniel 2;31-45, Daniel 7: 1-27, Daniel 8:1-26)
• The “times of the Gentiles” are the years between the Babylonian Empire and the return of Jesus Christ to establish His kingdom on this earth for 1000 years. (Revelation 19-20)
• As the nations of the world strive for power to rule and reign over the earth for a season, God is behind the scenes, carrying out His sovereign plan for the day of kingdoms of this world become the Kingdom of our Lord forever.

• In Chapter 1, Daniel said it was in the 3rd year of the reign of Jehoiakim, King of Judah, that Nebuchadnezzar’s armies invaded Israel, seized Jerusalem, and took some of the people captive, including Daniel and his three friends.
• In Chapter 2, Daniel said it was the 2nd year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, that Nebuchadnezzar had such troubling dreams he could not sleep.
• Nebuchadnezzar had risen to become the most powerful leader in the world, but he feared for his future and for his kingdom.

1. Nebuchadnezzar’s Nightmare–Daniel 2:2-13–

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream bothered him so much he demanded someone to interpret it for him.

• He summoned his counselors of magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers and commanded them to tell him what he had dreamed, and what it meant for his future.
• When they told Nebuchadnezzar that no man on earth could do that, he issued an edict that all of them should die, including Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
• Such a proclamation had two possible outcomes:
  • Fulfill Satan’s plot to destroy Daniel and deny his witness to King Nebuchadnezzar.
  • God’s way of making King Nebuchadnezzar receptive to the wisdom of Almighty God.

2. Daniel’s Devotion–Daniel 2:14-23–

In his prayer, Daniel thanked God for giving him:

• Counsel and Wisdom–the ability to see things from God’s perspective.
• Courage and faith–the ability to trust God with the temporal circumstances of his life.

“The divine care for all fear, anxiety, and undue concern of soul, all of which are closely akin to doubt and unbelief.”
The Necessity of Prayer
E.M. Bounds

3. Daniel’s Divination–Daniel 2:24-35–

“I saw a beast rise up out of the sea; having seven heads and ten horns,
and upon his horns ten crowns and upon his heads the name of blasphemy,
and the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as of the bear,
and his mouth as the mouth of a lion, and the dragon gave him his power,
and his seat, and his great authority.”
Revelation 13–Also see Daniel 7

• God will grant the Antichrist a measure of power for a limited time–42-lunar months.
• Revelation 13 represents the political government during the tribulation period–the ten kings subservient to the Antichrist.
• Revelation 17 represents the religious organization during the first half of the tribulation period that unites with the Antichrist to accomplish the goal of a new world order and the one world religion.
• Midway of the tribulation, the Antichrist will declare himself to be God, and to be worshipped as God.

4. Nebuchadnezzar’s Submission–Daniel 2:46-49–

• God honored Daniel’s commitment to not defile himself with the King’s food by revealing unto him Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
• Nebuchadnezzar–a polytheist, acknowledged Daniel’s God as the God of all Gods and the King of all Kings.
• Daniel was promoted to serve in the King’s court, and his three friends were placed in charge of the affairs of the kingdom.