320.    DANIEL'S OUTLINE OF WORLD HISTORY

"God maketh known to the King Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days"

The fact that God guides the destiny of nations is well illustrated in the dream which God gave Nebuchadnezzar and the interpretation thereof. As Nebuchadnezzar mused upon his bed about the future, he was shown that human kingdoms with all their might would be judged and made subservient to God's kingdom.

Human glory was thus shown to be transient. Though Nebuchadnezzar imagined himself to be the arbiter of his own destiny, he was made to realise that he was but an instrument in the hand of Yahweh.

Our aim in this lesson is to see that God knows everything from the beginning, and, being in control of the affairs of this world, He is bringing to pass His purpose.

Daniel 2

THE KING'S TEST (Daniel 2:1-9).

Nebuchadnezzar was concerned about "what should come to pass hereafter" (v.29), and God through a dream revealed "what shall be in the latter days" (v.28). The dream left the King in a state of shock, and in consternation he called his advisers together. He had made up his mind how to solve the mystery. To be certain that the solution was correct, he demanded a description of the dream as well as its meaning.

The so-called wise of this world were thrown into confusion and pleaded for information about the dream. But the King was adamant € "I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is sure" (v.8 R.S.V.). Threatened with death for failure, the advisers faced a real crisis. The King knew that if the gods could give them power to predict the future, they could just as easily recall the past, in this case the King's dream. They were indignant that the King should make such an unreasonable request, but by this they only admitted to their own quackery (vv.10, 11).

This divinely contrived crisis served to emphasise that "the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God" (1 Cor. 3:19; 1:19-29; Isa. 29:14; 44:20, 25; Job 4:17-21). The future advent of Christ and the education of Truth will cause many to admit that their "fathers have inherited lies and vanity" (Jer. 16:19; Zech. 10:2).

DESTRUCTION OF WISE MEN DECREED (Daniel 2:10-16).

This reaction to his request enraged Nebuchadnezzar and he ordered the immediate execution of all the wise men. This involved Daniel too, for although he and his three companions had yet to finish their three-year training, they were counted in the number (cf. 1:5 with 2:1). Being absent at the time the decree was issued, they were surprised at the visit of Arioch, the chief of police. Daniel's assurances that he would declare the dream persuaded the King to allow an extension of time, although an earlier request from the Chaldeans, the clergy of Babylon, had been refused (v.8).

THE POWER OF PRAYER (Daniel 2:17-23).

Daniel and his companions made their need a matter of prayer together (v.17). As Yahweh had blessed them in their stand against defilement (1:8-17), so too they believed He would reveal "His secret unto his ser vants the prophets" (Amos 3:7). We can have the same confidence in the promise of God to hear our pleas (Matt. 7:7), and to grant wisdom (Psa. 25:14; Jas. 1:5). They prayed that they might "not perish with the rest of the wise men" (v. 18)

Again through a dream (v.19), God revealed to Daniel the King's dream and its interpretation. Immediately Daniel responded in praise, not because his life would no longer be in jeopardy, but to extol the wonderful name of Yahweh, His wisdom and power in controlling the destiny of the Kingdoms of men. Let us take a closer look at this outstanding prayer.

v.20 "Blessed be the Name of God" € Daniel acknowledges the glorious character of God as revealed in His name (Ex. 34:6-7). "Wisdom and might are his" € Yahweh has the wisdom to design His purposes and the might to implement His purpose (cf. Jer. 32:15).

v.21 "He changeth the times and the seasons" € Cf. "in faith we perceive that the ages have been so thoroughly adjusted by God's command . . ." (Heb. 11:3 Diag.). He alters the course of history to conform to His purpose (Acts 17:26; Psa. 75:2 mg.). There are "set times" (Psa. 102:13), not chance coincidences, in God's timetable of world events.

"He removeth kings and setteth up kings" € Yahweh raises nations and humbles them, guiding their destinies as a Supreme Controller, e.g. Nebuchadnezzar "My servant" (Jer. 27:5-7), and Cyrus "My shepherd . . . shall perform all My pleasure" (Isa. 44:28-45:1 see also 1 Sam. 2:7-8; Job 12:16-21; Psa. 75:6-7; 113:7-8; Lk. 1:51-52). "He giveth wisdom to the wise" € Not to the worldly wise, e.g. the Chaldeans, but to seekers of divine wisdom such as Solomon (1 Kgs. 4:29; Prov. 2:6-7; Deut. 17:18-21).

"Knowledge to them that know understanding" € "Understan ding" has the idea of "to separate" or "distinguish". Knowledge will be given to such as can distinguish truth from error (cf. Heb. 5:14).

v.22 "He revealeth deep and secret things" € These are unknown to the world, but revealed to men like Joseph (Gen. 41:16, 25, 28, 39) and the Prophets (Amos 3:7).

"He knoweth what is in the darkness, and light dwelleth with him" € He is omnipresent (Psa. 139:11-12; Jer. 23:24); arevealerof secret actions (Ezek. 8:12; Lk. 12:2-3; Heb. 4:13); and in His light is life (Psa. 36:9; 104:2; 1 Tim. 6:16; Jas. 1:17; 1 Jn. 1:5).

Daniel felt a deep sense of gratitude when God answered him. He had revealed Himself as he did to the patriarchs in former days. Daniel called Him the "God of my fathers" and thanked Him. Let us be similarly appreciative of the Scriptures and the power of prayer in our lives.

BEFORE THE MIGHTY KING (Daniel 2:24-30).

Daniel was ushered into the presence of the King, but before describing the dream and its interpretation he was careful to attribute his knowledge to the God of heaven (v.28). This knowledge was in contrast to the ignorance of the King's advisers (v.27; cf. Isa. 41:21-24). Daniel confidently explained that the dream centred around events "hereafter". In fact the limitation of the Babylonian dynasty had been already prophesied (Isa. 13:19; Jer. 51:37, 43, 58), and the most significant feature now revealed was the fall of the composite image "in the latter days" (v.28).

THE DREAM (Daniel 2:31-35).

Daniel described the object of the dream as a colossal human statue of awesome, majestic appearance. It was composed of metals successively inferior from head to toes. An unhewn stone cut out without human agency, struck the image at its feet causing it to collapse. The metals were broken together and reduced to dust, but the stone grew into a great mountain and filled the earth.

THE INTERPRETATION (Daniel 2:36-45).

1.     THE BABYLONIAN EMPIRE.

Although Nebuchadnezzar vainly imagined that he personally was responsible for his power, Daniel revealed to him that "the God of heaven had given him a kingdom, power, strength and glory" (v.37). God had made him a ruler over all nations (v.38; Jer. 27:4-5), and as the impersonation of that golden city (Isa. 13:19; 14:4), he was appropriately described as the "head of gold". Later he was described as a lion (7:4).

2.     THE PERSIAN EMPIRE.

Babylon was taken by Darius the Mede in conjunction with Cyrus the Persian in the year 539 B.C. The river Euphrates was diverted and the forces of Darius entered via its course through the city and Babylon fell (Dan. 5; Isa. 45:1-3). Thus the Babylonian dynasty was succeeded by the breast and arms of silver, the inferior Kingdom of the Medes and Persians, also symbolically described as a bear (7:5) and a ram (8:3). Its glory was inferior to the Babylonian empire, but it lasted some 200 years.

3.     THE GRECIAN EMPIRE.

This Medo-Persian dynasty was in turn succeeded by "another third kingdom of brass, which bore rule over all the earth" (v.39). The "belly and thighs of brass" are synonymous with the "leopard" of 7:6 and the "he-goat" of 8:5, and answer to the Grecian empire. In two decisive battles, of Granicus and Issus in B.C. 334 and 333, Alexander the Great of Greece overthrew the power of Persia and rapidly extended his dominion. The added detail of this empire bearing "rule over all the earth" is descriptive of Alexander and his "brazen-coated Greeks", triumphing over all opposition until, as legend has it, "he wept because there were no more worlds to conquer". After the sudden death of Alexander, four generals of his army divided his empire: Seleucius (Syria), Ptolemy (Egypt), Lysimachus (Pergamum) and Cassander (Macedonia and Greece).

4.    THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

Pergamum was bequeathed to Rome in B.C. 133 by Philometer. Rome took advantage and came into Pergamum. Thus they moved eastwards. In B.C. 65 Pompey moved south and conquered Syria for Rome. Gradually Rome rose to the ascendancy, as "strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these shall it break in pieces and consume" (v.40). The Roman legions brought Europe, Britain, Spain and the Mesopotamian countries under their heel. The Jews too were under the dominance of Rome at the time of Christ (Deut. 28:48-57). But one beneficial effect of Imperial Rome was the building of roads into Asia and Europe, enabling the extension of the gospel in the name of the risen Christ. The then-known world was turned "upside down" by the power of this message (Acts 17:6), leaving an imprint upon mankind far surpassing the power of Rome.

Up to A.D. 324 the empire had its centre in Rome, but between then and A.D. 476 (when the western empire fell), the power was divided bet ween Rome and Constantinople. Christianity also fell into apostasy and became superimposed upon the imperial system, thus forming the Holy Roman Empire, while the orthodox churches continued in the Eastern or Byzantine Empire centred in Constantinople.

This political and later ecclesiastical division answers to the two legs of the image.

It is interesting to note that no world-empire conquered Rome. The empire disintegrated: it became divided into tribal factions, until 10 small nations became the foundations of the community of nations in modern Europe.

The 10 kingdoms answer to the 10 toes of the image. Some of these nations are weak, others strong, and this is indicated by the composition of the feet and toes, iron and clay (v.42). The fact that iron and clay do not mix is made, in the prophecy, to symbolise the fact that though these nations would cleave one to another, there would be no true union between them (v.43). This is illustrated today by the divided state of Europe and the prevailing nationalism, despite attempts at unification.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

In addition to this outline of world history, we are shown the image standing up on its feet, only to be broken to pieces together by the stone. There is yet to be therefore a latter day confederation of nations under the control of one autocratic power, gaining ascendan cy over all the territories hitherto known as the Babylonian, Persian, Grecian and Roman empires. Prophecies such as Ezek. 38; Dan. 11; Joel 3; Zech. 14, etc., together with Dan. 2, all demonstrate Yahweh's determined purpose to sanctify Himself in the eyes of all nations at the overthrow of the kingdoms of men and, in particular, the destruction of the Russian confederacy (Ezek. 38:2-7).

This fearsome colossus led by Russia will seem invincible. But despite its lion-like power, its bear-like fierceness, its leopard-like swiftness, and its ambition for world dominion, it will totter and fall to ruin at the hand of the stone power. He shall come to his end. He shall be broken "by no human hand" (Dan. 8:25 R.S.V.).

Who is the stone-power? None other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Note carefully Daniel 2:44 where the interpretation is given. Com pare the following "stone" prophecies fulfilled in Jesus Christ:

• The shepherd, the STONE of Israel made strong by the hand of God (Gen. 49:24).
• The precious corner and foundation STONE of Zion (Isa. 28:16).
• A STONE of stumbling and a rock of offence to both houses of Israel (Isa. 8:14).
• The STONE rejected by men, but chosen of God (Psa. 118:22; Matt. 21:42; Mk. 12:10-11; Acts 4:11-12).
• The corner STONE of his ecclesia (1 Pet. 2:4-8; Eph. 2:20-22).
• The smiting STONE of the Kingdom of God (Matt. 21:43-44; cf. Dan. 2:34).

The stone cut out of parent rock by divine operation identifies the destroyer of the image with the Son of God who was "the only begotten of the Father" (Jn. 1:14; Lk. 1:35; cf. Ex. 20;25; Deut. 27:5; Heb. 13:10). Though of humble aspect (cf. Isa. 53:2) the stone would nevertheless triumph over the powerful form of the image. The stone power represents Christ and the saints as the nucleus of the Kingdom of God by whom the nations will be subjugated (2 Thess. 1:8; Acts 17:31; Rev. 11:15). The threshingfloor of the dream (v.35) appropriately describes Armageddon where the nations shall be, as the name signifies, "a heap of sheaves in a valley for judgment" (see Mic. 4:11-13; Joel 3:9-14; Rev. 16:16; Isa. 41:16). This judgment will give way to the extension throughout the world of the righteous laws emanating from Zion (Isa. 2:2-4).

LESSONS FOR US:

• As Daniel concluded, "the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure" (v.45). Let us acknowledge with Nebuchadnezzar that our God is a God of gods, and a Lord of Kings, and a revealer of secrets (v.47).
• Daniel 2 gives us a key to the understanding of prophecy. We are living in the closing days of the Gentiles, when current events vividly demonstrate the accuracy of the prophetic Word.
• God will soon consummate the times of the Gentiles with the dramatic advent of His Son. Our participation is invited.
• We should diligently prepare now for the time when "the kingdom and dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High" (Dan. 7:27).

REFERENCE LIBRARY:

"The Story of the Bible" (H.P. Mansfield) € Vol. 6, No. 10, Pp. 148-154

"Exposition of Daniel" (J. Thomas) € Sections 1-2

"Elpis Israel" (J. Thomas) € Part Third, Ch. 1

"Daniel" (M. Stewart)

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

1.    What lessons do we learn from Daniel's example when the lives of the wise men were threatened by Nebuchadnezzar?

2. Outline the historical significance of the feet and toes made of clay and iron in Nebuchadnezzar's image of Daniel 2.
3. How does Daniel 2 show that God rules in the kingdom of men?
4. Identify the stone power in Daniel 2 and describe its mission.

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1.    Demonstrate from the story in Daniel 2 how "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16).

2. Sketch a picture of the image of Daniel 2, with brief notes explaining the interpretation of the parts of the image.
3. Show how the image of Daniel 2 is an outline of world history.