Lesson-8

"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries

Lesson 8

TAKING A LOOK AT PROPHECY--Part 2

Introduction: In this lesson we will study the dream of Daniel 2 and its interpretation and what meaning it has for us. We will learn how history helps us to understand better and to have more faith in the Word of God.

1. How did Daniel begin to tell the king of his dream? Verses 29,30. Note: Here is brought out one of the commendable traits of Nebuchadnezzar’s character. Unlike some rulers, who fill up the present with folly and debauchery without regard to the future, he thought forward upon the days to come, with an anxious desire to know with what events they should be filled. His object in this was, doubtless, that he might the better know how to make a wise improvement of the present. For this reason God gave him this dream, which we must regard as a token of the divine favor toward the king, as there were many other ways in which the truth involved in this matter could have been brought out, equally to the honor of God’s name, and the good of His people both at that time and through subsequent generations. Yet God would not work for the king independently of His own people; hence, though He gave the dream to the king, He sent the interpretation through one of His own acknowledged servants.

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2. How did Daniel describe the image in the king’s dream? Verses 31-35.

1. Head of ___________________________.

2.Breast and arms of_________________________.

3. Belly and thighs of__________________________.

4. Legs of_______________________.

5. Feet part of_____________________and part of________________________.

Note: In verses 31-35 Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar exactly what he saw in his dream. Then in verse 36 he begins the interpretation which was a prophecy of the time from Nebuchadnezzar to the end of time. God used the image of a man to foretell the future, and He used the various metals to depict the strength and quality of each kingdom. As we study these verses we shall discover more about these kingdoms and how much of the prophecy has already been fulfilled.

Nebuchadnezzar, practicing the Chaldean religion, was an idolater. An image was an object which would at once command his attention and respect. Moreover, earthly kingdoms, which, as we shall see later, were represented by this image and were objects of esteem and value in his eyes. With a mind unenlightened by the light of revelation, He was unprepared to put a true estimate upon earthly wealth and glory, and to look upon earthly governments in their true light. Hence the striking harmony between the estimate which he put upon these things, and the object by which they were symbolized before him. To him they were presented under the form of a great image, an object in his eyes of worth and admiration.

As the king listened with the closest attention to every particular, he knew it was the very dream over which he had been troubled. Thus his mind was prepared to receive the interpretation with favor.

3. As Daniel explained the dream, what became clear that he was talking about? Verses 37-43. Note: He was talking about world powers that began with Babylon, the head of gold, and those who would follow down to the end of time. The first four kingdoms were world powers, that is , in succession they dominated the world.

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4. As Daniel began the interpretation, to Whom did he point the king as the One in control of his life? Then what announcement did he make? Verses 37,38. Note: The kingdom of Babylon was the golden kingdom of the golden age. Its capitol was the fabulous city of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the world with its beautifully terraced hanging gardens. Never before had the earth seen a city like it, and never since has it seen its equal. It was not just a power, but a kingdom of magnificence.

______________________________________________________________________________

5. How does Daniel tell of the second and third kingdoms? Verse 39. Note: The second kingdom eventually became strong enough and wise enough to conquer Babylon. But Medo-Persia was not a golden kingdom. Babylon came to its end in 538BC, after having been a power since about 1270BC. Darius, the Mede, became the first king of the new kingdom. See Dan. 5:31. But he died two years later. Then his nephew, Cyrus, the Persian, who planned and carried out the conquest of Babylon, became king. The same year Cyrus’ father, Cambyses, king of Persia, died, so Cyrus became king of the dual kingdom, Medo-Persia.

The brass kingdom of Greece, under the leadership of Alexander the Great, at the time of the fall of Medo-Persia in 331BC, was the next world power. It was a weaker power, and, although Alexander won victory after victory, yet he could not gain victory over self, and died from excessive drinking at the early age of 31. After his death, the kingdom of Greece led a troubled existence which ended in 168BC.

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6. How is the fourth kingdom described? Verse 40. Note: Gibbon, following the symbolic imagery of Daniel, thus describes this empire: -- “The arms of the Republic, sometimes vanquished in battle, always victorious in war, advanced with rapid steps to the Euphrates, the Danube, the Rhine, and the ocean; and the images of gold, or silver, or brass, that might serve to represent the nations or their kings, were successively broken by the iron monarchy of Rome.” He further stated, “The empire of the Romans filled the world.” It conquered Greece in 168BC.

It will be noticed that at first the kingdom is described unqualifiedly as strong as iron. And this was the period of its strength, during which it has been likened to a mighty Colosses, bestriding the nations, conquering everything, and giving laws to the world. But this was not to continue. Luxury, with its accompanying degeneracy, the destroyer of nations as well as individuals, began to corrode and weaken its iron sinews, and thus prepared the way for its subsequent disruption into ten kingdoms.

______________________________________________________________________________

7. As we come to the feet of the image, there was still iron, but with what was it mixed, and what did this signify? Verses 41-43. Note: The first four kingdoms came along in the right order, fulfilling all the specifications, and so as the Roman power broke down, we look for the division of the ten toes, and, right on time Rome is overrun by ten main kingdoms, namely, the Huns-Alemanni, Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Vandals, Suevi, Burgundians, Heruli, Anglo-Saxons, and Lombards. These ultimately became the nations of Europe, but, despite all efforts, are not united. They do not “cleave one to another,” and some are strong and some are weak.

______________________________________________________________________________

8. What is the final part of the prophecy? Verses 44,45. This is what we are waiting for, God’s everlasting kingdom, everlasting peace. It’s about time!

______________________________________________________________________________

In Dan. 2:21 we read, “He removeth kings and setteth up kings.” The power exercised by every ruler on the earth is Heaven-imparted; and upon his use of the power thus bestowed, his success depends. To each the word of the divine Watcher is, “I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me.” Isa. 45:5, and to each the words spoken to Nebuchadnezzar of old are the lesson of life: “Break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility.” Dan. 4:27.

The Word of God clearly shows that the strength of nations, as of individuals, is not found in the opportunities or facilities that appear to make them invincible; it is not found in their boasted greatness. It is measured by the fidelity with which they fulfill God’s purpose.


	"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries home \| Bible Studies Lesson 8 TAKING A LOOK AT PROPHECY--Part 2 Introduction: In this lesson we will study the dream of Daniel 2 and its interpretation and what meaning it has for us. We will learn how history helps us to understand better and to have more faith in the Word of God. 1. How did Daniel begin to tell the king of his dream? Verses 29,30. Note: Here is brought out one of the commendable traits of Nebuchadnezzar’s character. Unlike some rulers, who fill up the present with folly and debauchery without regard to the future, he thought forward upon the days to come, with an anxious desire to know with what events they should be filled. His object in this was, doubtless, that he might the better know how to make a wise improvement of the present. For this reason God gave him this dream, which we must regard as a token of the divine favor toward the king, as there were many other ways in which the truth involved in this matter could have been brought out, equally to the honor of God’s name, and the good of His people both at that time and through subsequent generations. Yet God would not work for the king independently of His own people; hence, though He gave the dream to the king, He sent the interpretation through one of His own acknowledged servants. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. How did Daniel describe the image in the king’s dream? Verses 31-35. 1. Head of ___________________________. 2.Breast and arms of_________________________. 3. Belly and thighs of__________________________. 4. Legs of_______________________. 5. Feet part of_____________________and part of________________________. Note: In verses 31-35 Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar exactly what he saw in his dream. Then in verse 36 he begins the interpretation which was a prophecy of the time from Nebuchadnezzar to the end of time. God used the image of a man to foretell the future, and He used the various metals to depict the strength and quality of each kingdom. As we study these verses we shall discover more about these kingdoms and how much of the prophecy has already been fulfilled. Nebuchadnezzar, practicing the Chaldean religion, was an idolater. An image was an object which would at once command his attention and respect. Moreover, earthly kingdoms, which, as we shall see later, were represented by this image and were objects of esteem and value in his eyes. With a mind unenlightened by the light of revelation, He was unprepared to put a true estimate upon earthly wealth and glory, and to look upon earthly governments in their true light. Hence the striking harmony between the estimate which he put upon these things, and the object by which they were symbolized before him. To him they were presented under the form of a great image, an object in his eyes of worth and admiration. As the king listened with the closest attention to every particular, he knew it was the very dream over which he had been troubled. Thus his mind was prepared to receive the interpretation with favor. 3. As Daniel explained the dream, what became clear that he was talking about? Verses 37-43. Note: He was talking about world powers that began with Babylon, the head of gold, and those who would follow down to the end of time. The first four kingdoms were world powers, that is , in succession they dominated the world. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 4. As Daniel began the interpretation, to Whom did he point the king as the One in control of his life? Then what announcement did he make? Verses 37,38. Note: The kingdom of Babylon was the golden kingdom of the golden age. Its capitol was the fabulous city of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the world with its beautifully terraced hanging gardens. Never before had the earth seen a city like it, and never since has it seen its equal. It was not just a power, but a kingdom of magnificence. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 5. How does Daniel tell of the second and third kingdoms? Verse 39. Note: The second kingdom eventually became strong enough and wise enough to conquer Babylon. But Medo-Persia was not a golden kingdom. Babylon came to its end in 538BC, after having been a power since about 1270BC. Darius, the Mede, became the first king of the new kingdom. See Dan. 5:31. But he died two years later. Then his nephew, Cyrus, the Persian, who planned and carried out the conquest of Babylon, became king. The same year Cyrus’ father, Cambyses, king of Persia, died, so Cyrus became king of the dual kingdom, Medo-Persia. The brass kingdom of Greece, under the leadership of Alexander the Great, at the time of the fall of Medo-Persia in 331BC, was the next world power. It was a weaker power, and, although Alexander won victory after victory, yet he could not gain victory over self, and died from excessive drinking at the early age of 31. After his death, the kingdom of Greece led a troubled existence which ended in 168BC. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 6. How is the fourth kingdom described? Verse 40. Note: Gibbon, following the symbolic imagery of Daniel, thus describes this empire: -- “The arms of the Republic, sometimes vanquished in battle, always victorious in war, advanced with rapid steps to the Euphrates, the Danube, the Rhine, and the ocean; and the images of gold, or silver, or brass, that might serve to represent the nations or their kings, were successively broken by the iron monarchy of Rome.” He further stated, “The empire of the Romans filled the world.” It conquered Greece in 168BC. It will be noticed that at first the kingdom is described unqualifiedly as strong as iron. And this was the period of its strength, during which it has been likened to a mighty Colosses, bestriding the nations, conquering everything, and giving laws to the world. But this was not to continue. Luxury, with its accompanying degeneracy, the destroyer of nations as well as individuals, began to corrode and weaken its iron sinews, and thus prepared the way for its subsequent disruption into ten kingdoms. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. As we come to the feet of the image, there was still iron, but with what was it mixed, and what did this signify? Verses 41-43. Note: The first four kingdoms came along in the right order, fulfilling all the specifications, and so as the Roman power broke down, we look for the division of the ten toes, and, right on time Rome is overrun by ten main kingdoms, namely, the Huns-Alemanni, Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Vandals, Suevi, Burgundians, Heruli, Anglo-Saxons, and Lombards. These ultimately became the nations of Europe, but, despite all efforts, are not united. They do not “cleave one to another,” and some are strong and some are weak. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 8. What is the final part of the prophecy? Verses 44,45. This is what we are waiting for, God’s everlasting kingdom, everlasting peace. It’s about time! ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ In Dan. 2:21 we read, “He removeth kings and setteth up kings.” The power exercised by every ruler on the earth is Heaven-imparted; and upon his use of the power thus bestowed, his success depends. To each the word of the divine Watcher is, “I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me.” Isa. 45:5, and to each the words spoken to Nebuchadnezzar of old are the lesson of life: “Break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility.” Dan. 4:27. The Word of God clearly shows that the strength of nations, as of individuals, is not found in the opportunities or facilities that appear to make them invincible; it is not found in their boasted greatness. It is measured by the fidelity with which they fulfill God’s purpose.