Discussions in Daniel (9) Daniel 2:31-45
Daniel 2:31-45 Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar what he dreamt and gives the interpretation
Nick: I saw the Rock (Jesus) as where our focus needs to be. It doesn’t matter how strong the metal is in each section of our lives, when the Rock comes He will smash what’s been built. Neb’s focus is on the greatness and powerful image of the statue, but the Rock has the power. I can reflect on this as the 40yrs I had before Christ came was what I had allowed the enemy to build, finally getting smashed into smithereens by Jesus instantaneously in an encounter of His grace and greatness. This intense dream Neb has is a picture of what we all build in our lives. The reference in my Bible I loved was from isa 28:16 “therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’ The stone has been laid, the only sure foundation you can build on JESUS .
Mary: I hadn’t seen the statue in terms of personal application before, but Nick’s analogy works, especially in the way Christ has shattered the false empires that once reigned in his life.
It’s not as dramatic for all of us, but it’s wonderful to see lives transformed by the Rock.
On the larger scale, there are possibly elements of all of those kingdoms represented by the statue that are still at work today, which is why the Rock comes in the end to shatter first the iron & clay and then the others, until finally reaching the gold.
I’d not thought of this until now, but it’s the head of gold – Babylon – that features in the end time battle in Revelation (not Persia, Greece or Rome).
There’s a lot to think about here, but the appearance of the Rock is the reminder that we all need that however things appear, God is sovereign and the Rock (aka the Lamb) wins.
Julian (11): ‘ I will build my church on this rock ‘. Can you not see how this verse from the New Testament links to Nebuchadnezzar’s dream! All the kingdoms of this world will fall, but his words will never pass away.
Ian: When Jesus was tempted to bow down to Satan in return for all the kingdoms of the world, He knew those kingdoms would become weaker and weaker until finally shattered by His Second Advent, when He appears as a Rock to crush them. Mt 21:44 – “All who stumble on this rock of truth shall be broken, but those it falls on will be scattered as dust.”