WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.500 If you will go ahead and open up to Daniel chapter 2. 00:00:03.600 --> 00:00:05.620 ! We're going to be starting in verse 24. 00:00:05.620 --> 00:00:05.620 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.259 Daniel is in bondage for their sins as a punishment by God. 00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:44.259 In chapter 1, we saw Daniel and his three friends taken to the king's palace to be indoctrinated with Babylonian philosophy and religion. 00:00:45.799 --> 00:00:56.159 Daniel and his friends proved faithful to God by abstaining from pagan worship, yet all the while prove their wisdom, intellect, competency, their faithfulness. 00:00:56.159 --> 00:01:01.059 And this gains them access to the king because of their usefulness to him. 00:01:02.059 --> 00:01:10.340 In the first half of chapter 2, we saw God's sovereign control over the affairs of man, including powerful kings like Nebuchadnezzar. 00:01:10.840 --> 00:01:14.420 We saw the Babylonian king losing control in his rage. 00:01:15.199 --> 00:01:21.640 He's prepared to kill all the wise men in Babylon, since no one can tell him the interpretation of his dream. 00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:25.179 Nebuchadnezzar dreams many dreams. 00:01:26.159 --> 00:01:29.000 Daniel chapter 2, verse 1, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams. 00:01:29.099 --> 00:01:31.840 His spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. 00:01:32.500 --> 00:01:33.340 Notice the plural. 00:01:33.500 --> 00:01:36.399 He's having many dreams, and these dreams are bothering him. 00:01:37.579 --> 00:01:41.219 In response, Nebuchadnezzar gathers all the wise men of Babylon. 00:01:42.359 --> 00:01:44.560 And we have documents about these wise men. 00:01:44.900 --> 00:01:47.879 Apparently, they were very interested in dreams. 00:01:47.879 --> 00:01:52.659 So much so that they had libraries in which they kept track of people's dreams. 00:01:52.859 --> 00:01:56.699 And then they had other libraries as reference tools to interpret those dreams. 00:01:57.299 --> 00:01:59.119 So they were obsessed with dreams. 00:02:00.399 --> 00:02:03.379 Once these men were gathered, the most interesting thing happens. 00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:05.759 Nebuchadnezzar tells them, verse 3, 00:02:06.299 --> 00:02:07.859 I had a dream. 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:08.960 Singular. 00:02:10.240 --> 00:02:12.340 That's interesting because verse 1, it's plural. 00:02:12.340 --> 00:02:13.719 I had many dreams. 00:02:14.240 --> 00:02:16.560 But now he's saying, I had a dream. 00:02:16.659 --> 00:02:17.479 There's one dream. 00:02:17.580 --> 00:02:19.080 One dream that really troubled him. 00:02:19.180 --> 00:02:22.879 One dream that troubled him to the point that his sleep left him. 00:02:22.879 --> 00:02:32.139 So much so that he is willing to massacre a large number of people to express his bitter disappointment. 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:36.939 But Daniel enters the scene again, along with his three friends, 00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:40.840 and prays to God to reveal the dream and its interpretation to him, 00:02:41.460 --> 00:02:45.780 so that he may save the wise men of Babylon, including himself. 00:02:46.859 --> 00:02:50.979 The mystery of the dream was revealed to Daniel in chapter 2, verse 19. 00:02:50.979 --> 00:02:57.500 And Daniel acknowledged God's sovereignty, wisdom, and might in response to such grace. 00:02:58.719 --> 00:03:01.099 So Chad's sermon ended with verse 23. 00:03:02.179 --> 00:03:04.759 We never got to see that mystery revealed. 00:03:04.899 --> 00:03:06.199 We were left with a cliffhanger. 00:03:06.339 --> 00:03:11.699 But this takes us to our text this morning, beginning in verse 24, reading it together. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:17.759 Therefore, so in response to God revealing the mystery, in response to praising to God. 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:23.500 Therefore, Daniel went into Arioch, Babylon's chief executioner. 00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:27.620 He went to him whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. 00:03:28.519 --> 00:03:30.280 He went and said thus to him, 00:03:30.500 --> 00:03:32.599 Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon. 00:03:32.939 --> 00:03:37.120 Bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation. 00:03:38.419 --> 00:03:42.239 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him, 00:03:42.240 --> 00:03:48.659 I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation. 00:03:49.879 --> 00:03:52.900 The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, 00:03:53.240 --> 00:03:57.719 Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation? 00:03:59.040 --> 00:04:01.140 And Daniel answered the king and said, 00:04:01.139 --> 00:04:05.899 No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers, 00:04:06.539 --> 00:04:09.959 Can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked. 00:04:10.739 --> 00:04:14.179 But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, 00:04:14.759 --> 00:04:18.680 And he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. 00:04:19.639 --> 00:04:23.240 Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in your bed are these. 00:04:23.979 --> 00:04:27.519 To you, O king, as you lay in bed, came thoughts of what would be after this, 00:04:27.519 --> 00:04:31.439 And he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be. 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:35.419 But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, 00:04:35.839 --> 00:04:39.219 Not because of any wisdom that I might have, more than all the living, 00:04:39.719 --> 00:04:43.159 But in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, 00:04:43.799 --> 00:04:46.180 And that you may know the thoughts of your mind. 00:04:47.659 --> 00:04:52.000 So before we continue on in our text, I have two foundational points to make here. 00:04:52.639 --> 00:04:53.759 And once these are understood, 00:04:53.899 --> 00:04:56.779 We'll then be able to see the rest of the passage as it relates. 00:04:57.519 --> 00:04:59.259 But point number one, 00:05:00.180 --> 00:05:02.859 God is working to fill his covenants. 00:05:03.979 --> 00:05:07.120 So again, more preparation, but before we even dissect that, 00:05:07.339 --> 00:05:09.560 We have to remind ourselves of these covenants. 00:05:09.639 --> 00:05:11.740 So just three briefly that I want to remind you of. 00:05:12.539 --> 00:05:14.419 First, there is the Abrahamic covenant. 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:19.959 This covenant was progressively revealed through chapters 12, 15, and 17 of Genesis. 00:05:20.639 --> 00:05:22.939 And it essentially boils down to three things. 00:05:22.939 --> 00:05:30.339 First, God promised offspring, land, and universal blessing, meaning blessing over all the earth, to Abraham. 00:05:31.120 --> 00:05:32.879 Genesis 22, 18 says, 00:05:33.879 --> 00:05:36.180 And in your offspring, this is God speaking to Abraham, 00:05:36.680 --> 00:05:40.659 In your offspring, referring to Israel and ultimately Christ one day, 00:05:40.660 --> 00:05:45.280 Your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. 00:05:46.320 --> 00:05:47.520 So that's the Abrahamic covenant. 00:05:48.200 --> 00:05:49.900 Second, there is the Mosaic covenant. 00:05:50.460 --> 00:05:53.480 And this is established in Exodus chapters 19 through 24. 00:05:54.380 --> 00:05:58.540 The Mosaic covenant promises Israel will be God's people. 00:05:59.080 --> 00:06:03.379 And they will be a kingdom of priests mediating God's grace upon the earth. 00:06:03.379 --> 00:06:06.759 So you kind of see that Abrahamic covenant language coming back in. 00:06:06.839 --> 00:06:08.699 They're going to be a blessing to the earth. 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:13.759 And you recall Moses functioning this way at Mount Sinai when the people were in sin. 00:06:14.560 --> 00:06:15.920 And God's ready to destroy them. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:19.639 But Moses intercedes as a priest and prays that God would spare them. 00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:22.740 So again, a picture of the kingdom of priests. 00:06:22.920 --> 00:06:30.240 And further, the Mosaic covenant included the freedom of Israel from the bondage that they suffered under to Egypt. 00:06:31.480 --> 00:06:32.680 So it promised freedom. 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:35.639 The third covenant I want to mention is the Davidic covenant. 00:06:35.899 --> 00:06:38.180 And this covenant can be found in 2 Samuel 7. 00:06:39.040 --> 00:06:41.240 And the Davidic covenant essentially boils down to this. 00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:47.219 It promises a king from the line of David who will rule a kingdom that will last forever. 00:06:48.139 --> 00:06:49.040 It will never end. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:54.199 And furthermore, the other covenants will all find their fulfillment through the Davidic covenant. 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:56.759 So these covenants are all building on one another. 00:06:56.879 --> 00:06:59.199 They're three distinct things, and yet they're working together. 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:01.060 They're all leading to something. 00:07:01.060 --> 00:07:05.139 So that leads me to this question. 00:07:06.019 --> 00:07:10.680 Does anyone see a problem in Daniel 2 with all this covenant stuff going on? 00:07:10.680 --> 00:07:18.699 It would seem the Abrahamic covenant is not getting fulfilled because Israel is in exile. 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:20.579 They have no land. 00:07:20.579 --> 00:07:33.060 It would seem that the Mosaic covenant is not being fulfilled because the so-called kingdom of priests who are meant to mediate God's grace to the earth are themselves being punished for their sins. 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:37.000 God used Babylon to punish them for their sins. 00:07:37.079 --> 00:07:38.780 Isaiah 47.6. 00:07:39.439 --> 00:07:42.100 God says concerning Babylon and Israel, he says, 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:45.019 I was angry with my people Israel. 00:07:45.660 --> 00:07:47.139 I profaned my heritage. 00:07:47.300 --> 00:07:52.939 I, God, gave them into Babylon's hand, and you showed them no mercy. 00:07:52.939 --> 00:08:00.819 So how on earth can priests mediate before the judge if the priests themselves are worthy of judgment? 00:08:01.899 --> 00:08:08.100 And isn't it awfully sad to consider that while Israel was freed from bondage to Egypt, here they are. 00:08:08.300 --> 00:08:10.980 They've returned to bondage under Babylon. 00:08:10.980 --> 00:08:17.360 And finally, it would also seem that the Davidic covenant is not being fulfilled. 00:08:18.280 --> 00:08:22.920 Not only do they not have a land, but they have a country no longer in existence. 00:08:23.280 --> 00:08:27.560 This land that was supposed to exist forever did not exist anymore. 00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:29.759 Babylon conquered it. 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:36.240 And Israel was not bowing before the son of David, who was meant to be their king at this time, 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:41.379 but rather they're bowing to this pagan, Gentile, faithless man named Nebuchadnezzar. 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:46.960 So then how is God bringing his covenants to fulfillment in Daniel 2? 00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:49.080 And I don't want to mislead you. 00:08:49.159 --> 00:08:53.200 Daniel 2 is not the climactic moment where all of this comes to fruition. 00:08:54.100 --> 00:08:58.539 But what we want to know is how is God bringing fulfillment of these covenants to be, 00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:02.700 even in the midst of this, even in the midst of exile, even in the midst of punishment. 00:09:02.700 --> 00:09:10.759 And in verse 24, Daniel chapter 2, we see a whisper of this covenant work still happening. 00:09:12.020 --> 00:09:17.360 The king had appointed the wise men to die, but Daniel intervenes or mediates. 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:25.000 Similar to a priest, Daniel is making a way for these wise men, including himself, to be spared by the king. 00:09:25.820 --> 00:09:30.080 Verse 24, he pleads, do not destroy the wise men of Babylon. 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:35.340 And I cannot imagine the number of men that make up these wise men. 00:09:35.900 --> 00:09:43.720 All the enchanters, all the magicians, all the astrologers would be slaughtered and add in their families. 00:09:44.300 --> 00:09:46.540 And we're talking about a massive massacre. 00:09:47.940 --> 00:09:49.400 But here comes the grace. 00:09:50.259 --> 00:09:57.240 God is partially fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant in that he's using Daniel as a blessing to the nations. 00:09:57.240 --> 00:10:00.799 Daniel is stepping up to save Gentiles. 00:10:01.560 --> 00:10:08.500 And that blessing is a picture of the salvific priestly work that the Mosaic covenant promises. 00:10:09.460 --> 00:10:12.919 Again, God is partially fulfilling the Mosaic covenant. 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:18.680 And also catch this, the wisdom, righteousness, and faithfulness of holy God, 00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:23.899 and that he's faithful to his covenants, even in the midst of punishing Israel for their sins. 00:10:23.899 --> 00:10:29.480 The very exile is a means by which Israel is blessing the nations. 00:10:31.079 --> 00:10:35.039 Now, we're going to revisit the Davidic covenant in a moment shortly. 00:10:35.480 --> 00:10:38.819 It plays a major role in the dream that we are wanting to see revealed. 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:43.639 I'm going to table that for now and get through our second point, which is also going to set us up for the dream. 00:10:44.579 --> 00:10:45.679 And that's this, point two. 00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:51.879 God alone gives and reveals the dreams to Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel. 00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:56.879 We know that God is sovereign over all things. 00:10:57.659 --> 00:10:58.679 Paul tells us, 00:10:58.679 --> 00:11:21.379 King Solomon put it this way. 00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:21.779 He said, 00:11:21.779 --> 00:11:23.379 The lot, the dice, right? 00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:28.340 The lot is cast into the lap, but it's every decision is from the Lord. 00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:30.399 Proverbs 16, 33. 00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:35.320 God's sovereignty includes the dreams of kings like Nebuchadnezzar. 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:37.639 Proverbs 21, 1 says, 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:41.059 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord. 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:44.379 God turns it wherever he will. 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:48.000 So he uses kings to do what he will. 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:54.039 So clearly, when considering the whole counsel of scripture, God gave Nebuchadnezzar his dreams. 00:11:55.519 --> 00:11:58.779 Further, God gave the dream in its interpretation to Daniel. 00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:01.980 Daniel did not do anything to receive this. 00:12:02.100 --> 00:12:04.080 He did not do anything to earn this knowledge. 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:07.559 He simply received it from God by grace. 00:12:09.240 --> 00:12:13.059 This is why you will not hear me dare you to be a Daniel this morning at any point. 00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:15.179 Daniel is not the hero of this story. 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:17.840 God is the hero of this story. 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:21.120 Verse 26, the king asked Daniel, 00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:25.399 Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen in its interpretation? 00:12:25.700 --> 00:12:28.980 That's a question about Daniel's ability, Daniel's competency. 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:36.360 And Daniel's response makes it painfully clear that he has no ability to do this. 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:37.419 He says in verse 27, 00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:41.120 No wise men, no enchanters, no magicians, nor astrologers. 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:46.600 In other words, nobody can show the king the mystery that the king has asked. 00:12:48.139 --> 00:12:51.600 But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, 00:12:52.060 --> 00:12:56.759 and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. 00:12:56.759 --> 00:13:01.360 So this is one of the many famous but God moments in the Bible. 00:13:02.299 --> 00:13:06.740 By Daniel's own admission, it is entirely a work of God alone. 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:09.179 He adds later on in verse 30, 00:13:09.299 --> 00:13:14.279 This mystery has been revealed to me not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living. 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:16.139 It has nothing to do with Daniel. 00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:19.860 Again, it is clearly the work of God alone. 00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:25.939 And I'm stressing sovereignty because I want you all to see something wondrous in this text. 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:32.080 God is sovereign over Daniel, the righteous, obedient Israelite, a man of faith. 00:13:33.019 --> 00:13:41.240 But God is also sovereign over Nebuchadnezzar, the unrighteous, disobedient, pagan Gentile, a man of wickedness. 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:46.919 And God is using both to bring about his glory and his kingdom. 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:53.320 So symbolically, we know from the Apostle John that the world is divided in two, 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:56.100 the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light. 00:13:57.240 --> 00:14:02.980 Still here, we see God sovereignly and meticulously controlling both, and yet without sin. 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:07.360 Some of you are perhaps uncomfortable with that language, 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:12.220 but Scripture does not hesitate to claim this truth over and over again. 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:14.560 Hear God in his own words. 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:19.940 He says, I, this is God talking, I, form light and create darkness. 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:22.919 I make well-being and create calamity. 00:14:23.519 --> 00:14:26.700 I am the Lord who does all these things. 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:31.180 Shower, O heavens, from above and let the clouds rain down righteousness. 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:36.000 Let the earth open that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:38.659 Let the earth cause them both to sprout. 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:41.299 I am the Lord, and I have created it. 00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:46.399 Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots. 00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:52.539 Does the clay say to him who forms it, what are you making, or your work has no handles? 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:54.919 Isaiah 47, 7 through 9. 00:14:56.120 --> 00:15:03.500 The most famous instance recorded in the Bible of God using both the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light is the cross. 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:08.899 Peter preached this at Pentecost and said in reference to Christ and the cross. 00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:15.220 He said, this Jesus delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God. 00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:16.960 So he's saying, God planned this. 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:18.659 God brought this crucifixion about. 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:19.940 God did this. 00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:22.419 And then in the same breath, he doesn't hesitate. 00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:25.980 He says, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:27.720 Kingdom of darkness. 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:29.180 So hear that. 00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:30.879 Peter is saying, God planned and brought it. 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:33.840 And then he used lawless men to do it. 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:38.080 Thus exercising authority over kingdom of light, kingdom of darkness. 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:42.340 All to bring about his plans and his purposes. 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:50.340 We see clearly that God is using Nebuchadnezzar just as much as he is using Daniel to bring about his purposes. 00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:54.019 And this sets us up nicely for a third point. 00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:56.500 We're looking at verses 31 through 45. 00:15:57.320 --> 00:15:59.300 We are finally going to see the dream. 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:02.379 The text so far has been building to this moment. 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:03.639 You've been anticipating it. 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:04.840 And here we are. 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:08.660 What was this dream that kept Nebuchadnezzar up at night? 00:16:09.660 --> 00:16:11.519 So picking back up in verse 31. 00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:18.139 Daniel says, you saw, O king, and behold, a great image. 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:22.559 This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you. 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:24.580 And its appearance was frightening. 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:27.399 The head of this image was of gold. 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:29.480 Its chest and arms of silver. 00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:32.220 Its middle and thighs of bronze. 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:33.379 Its legs of iron. 00:16:34.460 --> 00:16:37.639 Its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:41.799 As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand. 00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:46.500 And it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay and broke them in pieces. 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:53.940 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold all together were broken in pieces. 00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:57.919 And became like the shaft of the summer threshing floors. 00:16:58.519 --> 00:17:01.879 And the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them could be found. 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:06.460 But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:08.819 This was the dream. 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:11.700 And now we will tell the king its interpretation. 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:20.259 You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and glory. 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:29.720 And into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all. 00:17:30.879 --> 00:17:32.359 You are the head of gold. 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:36.440 Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you. 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:40.279 And yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. 00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:46.700 And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. 00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:51.259 And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these. 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:58.879 And as you saw the feet and the toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom. 00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:04.240 But some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:10.759 And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:15.960 As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so they will mix with one another in marriage. 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:21.180 But they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay. 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:31.599 And in the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. 00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:38.059 It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever. 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:47.419 Just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. 00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:52.219 A great God has made known to the king, but shall be after this. 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:55.699 The dream is certain, and its interpretation true. 00:18:59.019 --> 00:19:00.980 This brings us to our third point. 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:02.699 Point number three. 00:19:04.419 --> 00:19:10.579 The world, in all its kingdoms, will fall before Christ establishing his kingdom. 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:16.399 So as Christ brings about his kingdom, he will destroy all other kingdoms. 00:19:17.719 --> 00:19:21.359 So who is this multi-metaled man that Nebuchadnezzar is dreaming about? 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:28.019 The text makes it plain that each metal piece on the one body is a different kingdom. 00:19:28.399 --> 00:19:29.839 Many have asked, what kingdoms? 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:33.819 And if you ever investigate this, there are all kinds of answers. 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:36.559 Some say they represent different kings in Babylon. 00:19:36.919 --> 00:19:41.539 Some say different kingdoms throughout world history, and all those lists disagree with one another. 00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:45.539 The first kingdom is clearly Babylon, verse 38. 00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:48.619 Daniel says of Nebuchadnezzar, you are the head of gold. 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:50.639 So we get a clear answer on that one. 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:56.960 The second kingdom is most certainly Meadow Persia, which we're going to read about later on in Daniel. 00:19:57.840 --> 00:20:00.600 And the last three kingdoms are the ones that are really disputed. 00:20:01.120 --> 00:20:02.740 I'll tell you quickly what I think they are. 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:07.140 I think they're Greece, Rome, and a revived Rome, which is yet to occur. 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:12.800 But ultimately, I think we're missing the point of this passage if we get lost in the weeds with this. 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:13.980 So let me explain. 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:19.099 As we already established, there are really only two kingdoms throughout all of Scripture. 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:22.339 The kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light. 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:26.440 All the kingdoms throughout history fall into one or the other. 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:29.360 And there's only one on the kingdom of light, and that's God's kingdom. 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:34.180 And the rest, whether it be Rome, Babylon, Russia, America, whoever, 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:39.039 are actually all part of the one kingdom, the kingdom of darkness. 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:45.440 This is why in the dream it is not multiple men running around that represent multiple kingdoms. 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:49.279 Rather, we have one man, one body, one organism. 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:53.460 It is the world comprised of many kingdoms. 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:58.119 And that somewhat sounds like its counterpart kingdom, the kingdom of heaven, 00:20:58.220 --> 00:21:00.659 which is one body, one spirit, and so on. 00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:06.519 These kingdoms of the multi-meddled man all follow Satan, Ephesians 2.2. 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:12.259 And the other reason I think we miss the point of this text if we get in these weeds is because I do not think. 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:15.579 It is so much focusing on the various kingdoms' identities. 00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:23.319 Rather, it is focused on the conflict between those kingdoms and the stone that appears in verse 34. 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:28.400 We should be asking what or who is this stone? 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:37.540 And the stone is Jesus Christ upon whom he is building his kingdom and destroying all other kingdoms. 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:46.680 Verse 34 describes the stone as one that was cut out by no human hand, meaning it must have been cut out by God. 00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:51.380 And I think this is a broad reference to everything miraculous about Christ, 00:21:51.660 --> 00:21:55.040 his virgin birth, his miraculous healings, his resurrection. 00:21:55.039 --> 00:22:01.420 All these things could never be accomplished by mere man, but only by God, our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:22:02.899 --> 00:22:05.879 The stone has been long anticipated as the Messiah. 00:22:06.639 --> 00:22:10.399 Genesis 49.24 prophesies concerning Christ the stone. 00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:12.339 Genesis says, 00:22:12.899 --> 00:22:14.700 Yet his bow remained unmoved. 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:18.240 His arms were made agile by the hands of the mighty one of Jacob. 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:22.139 From there is the shepherd, the stone of Israel. 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:24.740 The psalmist writes, 00:22:24.860 --> 00:22:28.620 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 00:22:28.820 --> 00:22:30.020 Psalm 118.22. 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.420 It's Christ. 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:35.740 Isaiah 8.14-15. 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:42.100 And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, 00:22:42.300 --> 00:22:45.140 a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:47.480 And many shall stumble on it. 00:22:47.560 --> 00:22:49.040 They shall fall and be broken. 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:51.200 They shall be snared and taken. 00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:54.700 Even the New Testament picks up this imagery. 00:22:54.860 --> 00:22:56.640 Luke 20.18. 00:22:57.600 --> 00:23:00.920 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces. 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:04.300 And when it falls on anyone, it will crush him. 00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:10.660 The stone in Daniel 2 is the stone we have just surveyed all throughout Scripture. 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.240 Jesus. 00:23:12.380 --> 00:23:15.880 Who is prophesied to strike the image of the multi-metaled man. 00:23:16.280 --> 00:23:16.900 Verse 34. 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:19.980 The stone struck the image on its feet. 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:23.400 In light of what we've seen, this is massive. 00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:28.660 Christ is destroying not a few kingdoms, not certain kingdoms, but all kingdoms. 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:31.099 This is the language of judgment. 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:39.220 Verse 35 depicts the wicked kingdoms being destroyed like shaft of the summer threshing floors. 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:43.400 And the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them could be found. 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:50.059 Jesus references this passage when describing his judgment on the earth that is coming. 00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:50.720 He says, 00:23:50.720 --> 00:24:08.740 John depicts this battle in his revelation. 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:10.740 Revelation 17.14. 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.120 He says, 00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:13.859 They will make war on the Lamb. 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:14.859 Lamb being Christ. 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:16.680 And the Lamb will conquer them. 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:19.720 For he is Lord of lords and King of kings. 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:23.700 And those with him are called and chosen and faithful. 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:26.019 Revelation 17.14. 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:32.220 Nebuchadnezzar is not the true king of kings, as verse 37 would lead you to believe. 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:35.720 But King Jesus will make that abundantly clear. 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:43.359 He is clearing the way for his perfect heavenly and righteous kingdom to have dominion over the whole earth, 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:45.299 fulfilling his covenant. 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:47.539 Verse 35. 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:53.379 But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. 00:24:53.380 --> 00:24:55.800 The mountain referring to the kingdom. 00:24:56.560 --> 00:24:58.640 And it fills the whole earth. 00:24:59.840 --> 00:25:01.560 Verses 44 through 45. 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:07.080 And in the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:10.000 nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. 00:25:10.760 --> 00:25:14.200 It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:16.240 and it shall stand forever. 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:20.480 Just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:25.279 and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold, all the kingdoms. 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:30.059 A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:33.779 The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure. 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:39.000 So recall the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants. 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:45.539 We see here Nebuchadnezzar's dream foretells the kingdom of God having dominion over all the earth. 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:47.079 Talking about land. 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:53.140 This kingdom will be comprised of the faithful, the chosen, the spiritual offspring of Abraham. 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:57.859 And this kingdom will be perfect as it is ruled by our perfect God. 00:25:58.700 --> 00:26:02.759 And since it covers the whole earth, it will be a universal blessing. 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:07.480 Thus, the Abrahamic covenant will be fulfilled. 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:13.539 We also see that God's people will be freed from their bondage to any worldly power, 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:15.480 be it Babylon, Egypt, whoever. 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:21.120 A spiritual exodus from any influence or power of the kingdom of darkness. 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:25.740 And this kingdom will be in right relation to God as priests. 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:28.120 Thus, the Mosaic covenant will be fulfilled. 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:31.059 And so here we return to the Davidic covenant. 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:31.940 What about it? 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:33.279 How does it fit in? 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:36.940 Jesus is the son of David, Matthew 1, 1. 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:39.259 And the true king of kings. 00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:44.899 As the stone in Daniel 2, he will set up his kingdom that will stand forever. 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:46.079 Verse 44. 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:49.660 Thus, the Davidic covenant will be filled. 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:53.259 The son of David will sit on the throne and rule forever. 00:26:53.259 --> 00:27:04.960 So even in a moment as dark as exile in Babylon, God is not thwarted, slowed, or stalled in any way when it comes to carrying out his plans, his purposes, and his promises. 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.759 Because he is sovereign. 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:16.740 You know, unlike secular historians, we study history as Christians both with the beginning and the end in mind. 00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:19.799 We know what was before and what is to come. 00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:24.019 And in the rest of this text, we are going to see the purpose for such an ending. 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:27.500 So picking back up in verse 46. 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:32.440 Verse 46. 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:43.220 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:53.000 So in response to this dream being revealed, in response to the gifting that Daniel is exercising in front of the king, Nebuchadnezzar is falling on his face. 00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:53.720 He's paying homage. 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:57.759 In verse 47, the king answered and said to Daniel, 00:27:58.420 --> 00:28:07.440 Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery. 00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:20.120 Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:29.139 Daniel made a request of the king and appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:32.819 But Daniel remained at the king's court. 00:28:34.159 --> 00:28:35.699 This leads me to point four. 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:40.619 All will recognize Christ's lordship and glorify him. 00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:49.539 We see this chapter wrap up with Nebuchadnezzar, the pagan, Gentile, wicked man, recognizing God's glory. 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:53.599 He says, Truly, Daniel's God is a God of gods and Lord of kings. 00:28:55.079 --> 00:29:02.219 Long before Nebuchadnezzar does this, Daniel praised God with his faithful friends, which Chad preached on, verses 20 through 23. 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:09.779 Though Nebuchadnezzar is an unbeliever and Daniel a believer, both recognize God rightly. 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:17.839 And the day is coming when all will recognize him rightly, either joyously as believers or begrudgingly as unbelievers. 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:25.799 Paul writes, Therefore God has exalted him, Christ, and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:32.220 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:38.200 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:39.980 Philippians 2, 9 through 11. 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:44.399 That is the purpose for all of history. 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:49.879 It is all pointing toward the worship of Christ and his exaltation to the glory of God the Father. 00:29:49.880 --> 00:29:57.680 And in light of such judgment that we know is coming, in light of the end of days when Christ will return to set up his kingdom 00:29:57.680 --> 00:30:05.780 and destroy all other kingdoms, judging them, sending them to eternal torment as a righteous judgment of their sin, 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:12.420 there's only one thing that can be done in response, and that is repent and believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:30:13.560 --> 00:30:18.300 There's no other way to become a citizen of the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of light. 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:20.839 There's no other way to gain admittance. 00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:26.059 There's no other way to please God, other than to be found in our high priest, Jesus. 00:30:28.399 --> 00:30:30.440 So there's just a couple closing applications. 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:36.039 In the midst of so much turmoil regarding our state, the state of our nation, 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:41.500 we should recall that God is sovereign, and he controls the hearts of our nation's leaders, 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:43.079 whether they be good or evil. 00:30:43.659 --> 00:30:47.940 Every senator, every governor, every president, vice president, whoever, 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.940 he controls their hearts. 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:52.599 He directs them as he will. 00:30:54.099 --> 00:30:58.159 We are sinful to be anxious about these matters or any other matter. 00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:03.680 Anxiety is merely us expressing our doubt and disbelief in the sovereignty of God. 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:11.340 And we would do well to put off anxiousness and put on faith, trusting in the character and power of God, 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:13.019 for this pleases him. 00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:15.940 And we have every reason to be confident. 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:20.640 He comes through on his promises every time, even in dark moments like in exile, 00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:22.060 we see he is working. 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:24.140 He's staying true to his word. 00:31:24.140 --> 00:31:30.400 A second application is to strive to improve the world around us. 00:31:31.100 --> 00:31:33.580 And I do not mean this in a post-millennial sense, 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:38.600 but as salt and light of the earth, we are to preserve the earth as best we can. 00:31:39.140 --> 00:31:42.360 And we do that chiefly through sharing the gospel, by saving souls. 00:31:42.580 --> 00:31:44.940 There's no better preservation than salvation. 00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:48.940 But secondary to that, improving the earth. 00:31:50.180 --> 00:31:50.420 Right? 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:53.920 This means doing things like mowing your yard, taking out the trash, 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:58.840 being a good steward of all that God has given you, cleaning the laundry, everything. 00:32:00.820 --> 00:32:06.160 Verses 48 through 49, we get a picture of this salt and light work happening. 00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:12.019 We see Daniel being put in charge of all the wise men as a ruler of the province of Babylon. 00:32:12.019 --> 00:32:17.420 It also shows his friends receiving promotions to oversee the affairs of Babylon. 00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:22.079 They were government workers seeking the welfare of the state. 00:32:23.139 --> 00:32:27.019 And it is tempting to think that because God is going to destroy this world, 00:32:27.139 --> 00:32:28.099 we should neglect it. 00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:30.500 But that is not the biblical teaching. 00:32:31.579 --> 00:32:33.879 Rather, as servants of the Most High, 00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:40.000 we are to still carry out the great dominion and cultural mandates from Genesis to worship God. 00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:45.700 And then one final application, and there are many more you can draw from this text, 00:32:45.819 --> 00:32:48.140 but for the sake of time, one final application, 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:52.180 is to give God the glory in everything that you do. 00:32:52.900 --> 00:32:55.720 In contemporary terms, give credit where credit is due. 00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:58.460 If you do something that is excellent, 00:32:59.099 --> 00:33:02.640 something that is good, righteous, or honorable this week, 00:33:02.640 --> 00:33:08.259 it is not because of anything inherent in you or anything that you've brought to the table. 00:33:08.620 --> 00:33:10.180 It's not the work of your hands. 00:33:11.100 --> 00:33:14.480 It is purely a work of God in you, despite yourself. 00:33:15.780 --> 00:33:21.160 Just as Daniel recognized that it was entirely God's doing that allowed Daniel to know and interpret the dream, 00:33:21.860 --> 00:33:28.440 so we too should confess our complete and utter dependence on God's work in and through us. 00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:29.820 Let's pray.