“Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold—the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.” (Daniel 2:45)
King Nebuchadnezzar had a remarkable dream that is recorded in the second chapter of Daniel. The king’s committee of mystics could not tell him what he dreamt. Finally, the Jewish captive Daniel was called in. God not only disclosed the king’s dream to him, but also gave him its interpretation. Daniel was a humble servant of God!
What was the king’s prophetic dream? It was of a human statue comprised of four metals, symbolising a succession of human empires. It started with a head of gold, representing Babylon. Next would come the Medo-Persian empire, represented by the chest and arms of sliver. After that, the Grecian empire would come, represented by the belly and thighs of bronze. This would be followed by the Roman empire, represented by the legs of iron. However, Rome too would fail, barbarian tribes would break it up into divisions. This was represented by the statue’s feet of iron and clay.
Therefore, the king was told, to his chagrin, that his kingdom would not last. Great was his territory, but it was temporary. In fact, the human kingdoms coming after it, no matter how vast or powerful, would be temporary as well. God “removes kings and raises up kings” (Daniel 2:22). God knows the future and holds the destiny of nations in his hands. As Christians, this should bring us much comfort.
In fact, a huge stone appeared in the king’s dream that smashes the statue, ending all human empires. This stone was “cut out without hands”. What does the rock represent? Christ and his kingdom (1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Peter 2:4-6). When Jesus returns, the reign of earthly kingdoms will end. Jesus’ eternal kingdom will rule instead.
We should be comforted in this, because it shows that God is in full control. Although oppressive powers rise, they will not last, they will all fall. We should be comforted because we know how the flow of historical events end. Christ will triumphantly reign! How will you end up? It depends on whether you have fallen on the rock or not (Matthew 21:44)?
In Daniel 4:28-34, we find proud Nebuchadnezzar humbled by God. He fell on the rock and was broken of his pride and self-dependency. He ends up glorifying the Creator, where once he had exalted himself. However, his grandson’s pride failed to be broken and thus the rock fell on him (Daniel 5:18-22,30). Unfortunately, the pride that propels oppressive worldly kingdoms resides within each of us. Humbling and yielding ourselves to Christ, allows the Spirit to smash that internal fiefdom of self. Therefore, we each need to fall on the rock. Do so daily, that the worldly kingdom will pass you by.
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