The Future Revealed

Daniel 2:32 This image' head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.

HEAD OF GOLD

Daniel 2:38 Thou art this head of Gold.

NOTE: The king was regarded as the head of the state. This is why Nebuchadnezzar represented Babylon, the empire that began the prophecy. Neo-Babylon ruled the world from 612-539 B.C.. as one of the mightiest empires of antiquity. Notice that the prophecy begins with Daniel's time.

BREAST AND ARMS OF SILVER

Daniel 2:39 After thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee.

NOTE: Just as silver is inferior to gold, so the kingdom that followed Babylon enjoyed diminishing glory. Led by Cyrus in 539 B.C.., the Medo-Pershin empire conquered Babylon and reduced it to ruins. They were the world ruling empire from 539-331 B.C.. During there reign, all taxes had to be paid in silver.

BELLY AND THIGH OF BRASS

Daniel 2:39 Another third kingdom of brass shall bear rule over all the earth.

NOTE: The brass kingdom of Greece came into power when Alexander the Great conquered the Medes and Persians at the battle of Arbela in 331 B.C.., and Greece remain in power until about 168 B.C.. Greece soldiers were called "brazed coated" because their armor was all bronze. Note how each succeeding mineral depicted in the image is less valuable, yet more enduring than the one before it.

LEGS OF IRON

Daniel 2:40 The fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron.

NOTE: The iron monarchy of Rome conquered the Greeks in 168 B.C.. and enjoyed world supremacy until Rome was captured by the Ostragoths in A.D.. 476. Rome is the kingdom that dominated the world when Jesus Christ was born. Notice how Daniel foretold a thousand years of world history with unerring accuracy. The rise and fall of these four world empires-Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome-are clearly foretold in the Bible and proven by history books.

WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE FALL OF ROME ?

Daniel 2:41,42 The kingdom shall be DIVIDED. ....As the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.

NOTE: When the Roman Empire began to crumble in A.D... 476, it was not overtaken by another world power. Instead, barbarian tribes conquered the Roman Empire and divided it-just as Daniel prophesied. Ten of these tribes evolved into modern Europe. They were the Ostrogoths, Visigoth, Franks, Vandals, Alemannian, Sueves, Anglo-Saxons, Heruls, Lubards,and Burgundians. Seven of them still exist today in Europe. For example, the Anglo-Saxons became the English, the Franks became the French, the Alemannian became the Germans, and the Lombards became the Italians.

WOULD THESE 10 KINGDOMS EVER SUCCEED IN UNITING ?

Daniel 2:43 They shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall NOT CLEAVE one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.

NOTE: That is clear, Though marriage, alliances, and treaties, men have vainly attempted to reunite the European continent. All through history, leaders such as Charlemagne, Napoleon, Kaiser Wilhelm, Mussolini, and Hitler have fought to build a new European empire; but words of scripture have stopped every single would-be world ruler. Revelation 13 tells us there will be another attempt to establish a universal religion, but Daniel's prophesy clearly states that the world will remain politically divided for the rest of earths history.

WHAT DOES THE STONE DO TO THE OTHER WORLD KINGDOMS?

Daniel 2:34, 35 A stone was cut without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces. ...And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filed the whole earth.

NOTE: The stone that was cut without human hands represents God's kingdom. It will not be a conglomeration of earthly kingdoms, but a total replacement (Revelation 21:1). The Scriptures declare that when Jesus Christ returns to earth, He will completely consume all the kingdoms of earth and establish an everlasting kingdom (Daniel 2:44). What exciting news! Jesus Christ is coming again! All history is moving toward this climactic conclusion, when the Son of God shall return in majesty to bring in the kingdom of everlasting righteousness. King Nebuchadnezzer may have thought that he had defeated the true God when he besieged Jerusalem and plunderer the temple (Daniel 1:1,2), but he was shown very quickly that God is ruler over all. Human events are under His control, and ultimately He will win the conflict. Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and the 10 divisions of the Roman Empire may have sought to usurp divine authority and destroy the people of God, but all earthly kingdoms will eventually be crushed by the coming of Christ. Thank God, He will win the great controversy.

The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is,

that your God is a God of Gods, and Lord of kings, and a

revealer of secrets

The conflict over false worship

God showed to Nebuchadnezzar that he is in control of human events. Remember that the focal point of the book of Daniel is the time of the end. Therefore, the events, stories and conflicts in the book of Danial are to have an impact on us who are living in these last times. There is two issues of controversy that arises in the book of Daniel. These are the issues of worship and obedience. These two will be clearly illustrated in the historical portion of Daniel.

How do the prophecies of Daniel foretell the issue of worship and obedience? Daniel 7:25.

"He shall speak great words against the most High."
"Think to change times and laws."

NOTE: These two prophecies pertain also to us in these times as illustrated in the little horn power of Daniel 7 as he speaks great words against the most high. We see the issue of obedience illustrated in the little horn power of Daniel 7 as he think to change times and laws. The book of Daniel is concerned with these vital issues.

Going back to the story of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar was amazed at the time line that this statue represented. He was proud to be the first kingdom and proud to be the head of gold. But as the prophecy foretold he was to think to change "times". The king thought to him self "If I am the head of gold of the statue, maybe I can change the timeline by making the whole statue gold and I shall rule forever." And so he did. Daniel 3:1 "Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up."

NOTE: There had recently been a rebellion in Babylon and the king questioned the loyalty of his subjects. The dedication of the image would be an opportunity for everyone to pleage loyalty to the government. Not to bow down would be treason. Perhaps there were other Jews present, as well. But only three stood firm for God.

The king now declaired in verse 6 "at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image ."

What commandment forbade false worship?

Exodus 20:4-5 "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them."

NOTE: You will find in Revelations the same comparison in the last days when true worship will be forbiden. People will be commanded to worship contrary to God's commandments, but no matter what we must be obedient.

Their were 3 hebrews, unshooken by the decree. They stood up and obayed God's Commandments, rather than man's. Their name's were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Daniel 3:14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? 15Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made;

How did the king threaten the people if they did not bow down?

but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? 16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17If it be so , our ........God whom we serve is able to deliver us ........from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18..........But if not.............., be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

NOTE: What a tremendous testimony of faith! This is the key verse in the entire passage. That if God delivered them, that would be fine, but if he did'nt, they would still serve him. Their faithfulness to God did not depend upon their deliverance. Theirs was not a selfish obedience to God, but an obedience that sprang from a principle. So it will be with God's people in the last days. Weather God delivers them from persecution or even certain death is not the key factor. The only thing that really matters is that they love God and are obedient to him. John 14:15 "If ye love me keep my commandments."

How did Nebuchadnezzar respond to the Hebrews?

Daniel 3:19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

The heat was so hot it killed the soldiers that threw them in.

Daniel 3:23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

What did the king see inside the furnace?

Daniel 3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 25He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt;

NOTE: The only thing destroyed in the furnace was the robes that bound them. And now he saw four men in the furnace.

Who was this fourth person in the furnace?

Daniel 3:25 and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

NOTE: What a beautiful truth! God did not free the three Hebrew youths from the fire, but walked with them through it. That's the kind of God we have . We may undergo many trials in our lifes, there may be many difficulties, but the assurance of scripture is that the Son of God walks with us through the fire. In the last days when God's people go through the terrible trials that will come, they can have the same assurance that the three Hebrews had and know that the Son of God will walk through the fire with them.

How did the king address Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when he called them out?

Daniel 3:26 "ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither."

After witnessing God's power, what decree did Nebuchadnezzar make?

Daniel 3:27-30 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. 30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.

NOTE: God does not accept forced worship. Even if the government decrees that everyone should worship God, the only service acceptable to God is that which springs from a heart filled with love. God does not want people to worship Him because the government says so, but only because they have fallen in love with Him. Stay strong through the fire, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego God will be with us and delivere his servants that trusted in him. So stand up, and be accounted for, keep God's commandments and not the traditions and commands of men. There is two issues:

To view video's Right-Click subject and select "Open In New Window".

The Battle for the Throne

The Great Pretender

Forever Marked

Let Freedom Ring

WORSHIP AND OBEDIENCE

WHO'S SIDE ARE YOU ON?


					The Future Revealed


	HOME \| VIDEO LECTURE on the dream

	Share \| Daniel 2:1-49 One night as King Nebuchadnezzar layed in his royal bed he was woundering, "how long will this golden era last? and what will happen to this kingdom when im gone?" As he was woundering he fell asleep. That night God revealed the future of his kingdom and also ours. Stardaled, the king jumped out of bed and shouted "call all the magicians and astroligers to come at once, I must know the meaning of this dream!" Daniel 2:3 One of the false prophets responded "Tell your servent the dream, and we will give the interpretation." The problem is that the king did not remember it so ha ask "you tell me the dream, and the interpretation, and you shall be rewarded, otherwise I will cut you to pieces and turn your homes into dumps!" Now knowing that these magicians and astrologers were frauds and fakes, the king made a command that all wise men of Babylon be gathered for execution. However, there was a true prophet still living in Babylon, one that worshipped the true God in heaven, a prophet by the name of Daniel. And since the king knew this, he to was to be executed along with his companions, Hannaniah, Mishael, and Azariah. Now Daniel learning about this decree VERSE 2:16 Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king his dream. Daniel 2:17, 18 Then Daniel went to his house and made the thing known to Hannaniah, Mishael, and Azariah that they would desire mercies of God of heaven concerning this dream. That night God heard there prayers and showed Daniel the dream and the interpretation, and Daniel praised God: I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers There is a God in heaven that reavilith secrets THE DREAM Daniel 2:31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold, A GREAT IMAGE. Daniel 2:32 This image' head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Daniel 2:34 Thou, sawest ... that a STONE was cut with out hands. The first image was made up of the following mineral elements: The head was of gold. The breast and arms were of silver. The belly and thighs were of brass The legs were of iron The feet of iron and clay Next came a stone that was cut with out hands and smote the image Now before we get to the interpretation, lets remember that the only safe way to interpret the Bible and prophesy is to allow the Bible to explain it self. The Interpretation HEAD OF GOLD Daniel 2:38 Thou art this head of Gold. NOTE: The king was regarded as the head of the state. This is why Nebuchadnezzar represented Babylon, the empire that began the prophecy. Neo-Babylon ruled the world from 612-539 B.C.. as one of the mightiest empires of antiquity. Notice that the prophecy begins with Daniel's time. BREAST AND ARMS OF SILVER Daniel 2:39 After thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee. NOTE: Just as silver is inferior to gold, so the kingdom that followed Babylon enjoyed diminishing glory. Led by Cyrus in 539 B.C.., the Medo-Pershin empire conquered Babylon and reduced it to ruins. They were the world ruling empire from 539-331 B.C.. During there reign, all taxes had to be paid in silver. BELLY AND THIGH OF BRASS Daniel 2:39 Another third kingdom of brass shall bear rule over all the earth. NOTE: The brass kingdom of Greece came into power when Alexander the Great conquered the Medes and Persians at the battle of Arbela in 331 B.C.., and Greece remain in power until about 168 B.C.. Greece soldiers were called "brazed coated" because their armor was all bronze. Note how each succeeding mineral depicted in the image is less valuable, yet more enduring than the one before it. LEGS OF IRON Daniel 2:40 The fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron. NOTE: The iron monarchy of Rome conquered the Greeks in 168 B.C.. and enjoyed world supremacy until Rome was captured by the Ostragoths in A.D.. 476. Rome is the kingdom that dominated the world when Jesus Christ was born. Notice how Daniel foretold a thousand years of world history with unerring accuracy. The rise and fall of these four world empires-Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome-are clearly foretold in the Bible and proven by history books. WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE FALL OF ROME ? Daniel 2:41,42 The kingdom shall be DIVIDED. ....As the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. NOTE: When the Roman Empire began to crumble in A.D... 476, it was not overtaken by another world power. Instead, barbarian tribes conquered the Roman Empire and divided it-just as Daniel prophesied. Ten of these tribes evolved into modern Europe. They were the Ostrogoths, Visigoth, Franks, Vandals, Alemannian, Sueves, Anglo-Saxons, Heruls, Lubards,and Burgundians. Seven of them still exist today in Europe. For example, the Anglo-Saxons became the English, the Franks became the French, the Alemannian became the Germans, and the Lombards became the Italians. WOULD THESE 10 KINGDOMS EVER SUCCEED IN UNITING ? Daniel 2:43 They shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall NOT CLEAVE one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. NOTE: That is clear, Though marriage, alliances, and treaties, men have vainly attempted to reunite the European continent. All through history, leaders such as Charlemagne, Napoleon, Kaiser Wilhelm, Mussolini, and Hitler have fought to build a new European empire; but words of scripture have stopped every single would-be world ruler. Revelation 13 tells us there will be another attempt to establish a universal religion, but Daniel's prophesy clearly states that the world will remain politically divided for the rest of earths history. WHAT DOES THE STONE DO TO THE OTHER WORLD KINGDOMS? Daniel 2:34, 35 A stone was cut without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces. ...And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filed the whole earth. NOTE: The stone that was cut without human hands represents God's kingdom. It will not be a conglomeration of earthly kingdoms, but a total replacement (Revelation 21:1). The Scriptures declare that when Jesus Christ returns to earth, He will completely consume all the kingdoms of earth and establish an everlasting kingdom (Daniel 2:44). What exciting news! Jesus Christ is coming again! All history is moving toward this climactic conclusion, when the Son of God shall return in majesty to bring in the kingdom of everlasting righteousness. King Nebuchadnezzer may have thought that he had defeated the true God when he besieged Jerusalem and plunderer the temple (Daniel 1:1,2), but he was shown very quickly that God is ruler over all. Human events are under His control, and ultimately He will win the conflict. Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and the 10 divisions of the Roman Empire may have sought to usurp divine authority and destroy the people of God, but all earthly kingdoms will eventually be crushed by the coming of Christ. Thank God, He will win the great controversy. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of Gods, and Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets The conflict over false worship God showed to Nebuchadnezzar that he is in control of human events. Remember that the focal point of the book of Daniel is the time of the end. Therefore, the events, stories and conflicts in the book of Danial are to have an impact on us who are living in these last times. There is two issues of controversy that arises in the book of Daniel. These are the issues of worship and obedience. These two will be clearly illustrated in the historical portion of Daniel. How do the prophecies of Daniel foretell the issue of worship and obedience? Daniel 7:25. "He shall speak great words against the most High." "Think to change times and laws." NOTE: These two prophecies pertain also to us in these times as illustrated in the little horn power of Daniel 7 as he speaks great words against the most high. We see the issue of obedience illustrated in the little horn power of Daniel 7 as he think to change times and laws. The book of Daniel is concerned with these vital issues. Going back to the story of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar was amazed at the time line that this statue represented. He was proud to be the first kingdom and proud to be the head of gold. But as the prophecy foretold he was to think to change "times". The king thought to him self "If I am the head of gold of the statue, maybe I can change the timeline by making the whole statue gold and I shall rule forever." And so he did. Daniel 3:1 "Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up." NOTE: There had recently been a rebellion in Babylon and the king questioned the loyalty of his subjects. The dedication of the image would be an opportunity for everyone to pleage loyalty to the government. Not to bow down would be treason. Perhaps there were other Jews present, as well. But only three stood firm for God. The king now declaired in verse 6 "at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image ." What commandment forbade false worship? Exodus 20:4-5 "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them." NOTE: You will find in Revelations the same comparison in the last days when true worship will be forbiden. People will be commanded to worship contrary to God's commandments, but no matter what we must be obedient. Their were 3 hebrews, unshooken by the decree. They stood up and obayed God's Commandments, rather than man's. Their name's were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Daniel 3:14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? 15Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; How did the king threaten the people if they did not bow down? but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? 16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17If it be so , our ........God whom we serve is able to deliver us ........from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18..........But if not.............., be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. NOTE: What a tremendous testimony of faith! This is the key verse in the entire passage. That if God delivered them, that would be fine, but if he did'nt, they would still serve him. Their faithfulness to God did not depend upon their deliverance. Theirs was not a selfish obedience to God, but an obedience that sprang from a principle. So it will be with God's people in the last days. Weather God delivers them from persecution or even certain death is not the key factor. The only thing that really matters is that they love God and are obedient to him. John 14:15 "If ye love me keep my commandments." How did Nebuchadnezzar respond to the Hebrews? Daniel 3:19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. The heat was so hot it killed the soldiers that threw them in. Daniel 3:23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. What did the king see inside the furnace? Daniel 3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 25He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; NOTE: The only thing destroyed in the furnace was the robes that bound them. And now he saw four men in the furnace. Who was this fourth person in the furnace? Daniel 3:25 and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. NOTE: What a beautiful truth! God did not free the three Hebrew youths from the fire, but walked with them through it. That's the kind of God we have . We may undergo many trials in our lifes, there may be many difficulties, but the assurance of scripture is that the Son of God walks with us through the fire. In the last days when God's people go through the terrible trials that will come, they can have the same assurance that the three Hebrews had and know that the Son of God will walk through the fire with them. How did the king address Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when he called them out? Daniel 3:26 "ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither." After witnessing God's power, what decree did Nebuchadnezzar make? Daniel 3:27-30 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. 30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon. NOTE: God does not accept forced worship. Even if the government decrees that everyone should worship God, the only service acceptable to God is that which springs from a heart filled with love. God does not want people to worship Him because the government says so, but only because they have fallen in love with Him. Stay strong through the fire, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego God will be with us and delivere his servants that trusted in him. So stand up, and be accounted for, keep God's commandments and not the traditions and commands of men. There is two issues: To view video's Right-Click subject and select "Open In New Window". The Battle for the Throne The Great Pretender Forever Marked Let Freedom Ring WORSHIP AND OBEDIENCE WHO'S SIDE ARE YOU ON?