King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that is in reality is a nightmare – and in Daniel Chapter 2he and three trusted friends pray regarding this situation.
They asked together. All four prayed. That is what mattered – but only one asked what they each asked for.
This could have been Daniel’s last night. As he lies awake, he has a picture. God gives him a vision. But, before rushing into the king to enjoy the blessing, he went back to his knees.
Here we see the prayer of - "please" - and then the prayer of "Thank You".
Daniel praises God that the answer has come. It is a prayer about God - then to God - then, "Thank You for giving me." Pray in fellowship and praise in fellowship.
Now we come to the second half of the Chapter - and there is real humour here - in the middle of something so very serious there is such humour.
Verse 25 . I have found a man - a typical little bureaucrat - hoping for promotion or rise. He wants the credit. And Daniel refuses to take any credit – verse 27 - no man can tell you - but there is a God in heaven Who can. Daniel wants God to get the glory. The dream is made up of a statue and a stone - a huge towering terrifying figure. This would appear about 90 feet high to Nebuchadnezzar.
It was shining and close - the head was gold - and from gold it goes right down to baked clay. What mixture - three things decrease - value goes down - weight decreases - and brilliance decreases. The feet are the weakest and most brittle. It collapses and the stone gets bigger.
This was exactly what Nebuchadnezzar saw. Daniel goes on to interpret it.
It is the passing of kingdoms and empires - of men - they will pass away.
Verses 36 to 38 . Nebuchadnezzar - you are the head. Then - the rule of Darius of Persia - then Alexander the Great - and then the Roman Empire. You are the most brilliant - even though you are a despot - God has given you this empire.
Next was the Medes and the Persians making laws together.
Then comes Alexander the Great who at the age of around 33died of syphilis - with no more empires to conquer - he was a man who could conquer people but could not conquer his own emotions and control himself.
And ROME - legs marching - trampling - crushing. God knew these would arise as mighty empires. But in what way are they inferior? In sovereignty they declined. Nebuchadnezzar ruled alone. But when the Medes and Persians were in control there were 120 governors - and the king was subject - it was an oligarchy.
Then the Greeks were ruled by the nobility - the aristocracy.
By the time of the Roman Empire, the Emperor was chosen by popular vote and thrown out by popular vote.
God looks poorly upon democracy - and the toes here is a symbol of the mixing of power and popularity.
History - like water - is running downhill rapidly - governments are going downhill. We are NOT rising. The stone - one of the titles of Jesus Christ - the Head Cornerstone - the Rock of ages - the stone is a symbol of Christ - and one day He will smash civilisations.
Jesus Christ will bring the Kingdom of God - Thy Kingdom come - but when? There are two answers. When Jesus Christ came that first time, he came to establish the Kingdom - to enter it - but the other empires are still around. There has been no real conflict as yet.
This is not the whole answer, but it will be when Jesus Christ comes the second time.
Daniel 7 and Revelation 19 . When Jesus Christ comes again, he will find a federation of 10 kingdoms - the ten toes - it all fits - it all makes sense.
Is there any sign in our day? Who took over from Rome? Who is the governing kingdom today? Is it the Arab world - the Moslems - will they present the final challenge to the God of Israel - and fighting against the people of God?
We are not yet at the feet. When we are, everything will fit in every detail. We shall see the unfolding purposes of God.
In Chapter 2 - we have Daniel - with Nebuchadnezzar - and God. Nebuchadnezzar was not changed - but Daniel was rewarded.
He says – verse 49 - I could not have told you if it were not for my three friends.
We see here the God Who answers prayer and reveals secrets.
He is the God Who knows the future and Who saves lives.
It is He Who controls history. See and learn these lessons from this passage. All human devices and constructions will be destroyed one day - and the Kingdom of God will come to stay. And Jesus shall reign!
“There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” – and through Jesus Christ, we have the privilege of coming before this God in prayer – our God – our Father – the only God there is – and we bow before You reverently and humbly and worshipfully. Thank You Father, for the richness of Scripture, and the riches we discover as we read Your Holy Word. Hear our prayers this day, as we bow before You in Jesus’ name.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.