Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

DANIEL - CHAPTER 2

THE DREAM OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR

Verses 1-13:

Verse 1 recounts that in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, he dreamed dreams with his spirit, dreams that troubled, frustrated or disturbed him repeatedly, so that he found no rest in efforts to sleep, Genesis 41:8; Ezra 6:1. As chapter one showed God’s people in heathen captivity, with a remnant who, like Daniel, were unwilling to pollute themselves or bow to idolatrous practices and found glory and triumph in it, (Sleep is a gift from God, and absence a curse, Psalms 127:2), So chapter two shows how Nebuchadnezzar, at the height of the glory of heathenism, found his glory and that of Babylon fade like a leaf and fall, Daniel 1:21; Daniel 5:30-31.

Note: Three years had passed since Nebuchadnezzar took Jerusalem, but he first ruled as subordinate to his father Nabopolassar, Daniel 1:5, explaining the year of difference. The dream came from God to a heathen, as in Joseph’s case down in Egypt, but God used His righteous man to interpret it, for His glory, before the heathen; He was God’s vice-gerant; See also v. 37; Jeremiah 25:9; Ezekiel 28:12-15; Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1; Romans 13:1.

Verse 2 recounts that the king sent first for his Chaldean priest-. magicians with peculiar dress, representing their heathen gods, that could not see, hear, understand, or speak; A vain source they were of "hoped for" help, as described Psalms 115:4-9; See also Genesis 41:8; Exodus 7:11. Along with them were called their astrologers and sorcerers, also lying fakes, deluders, and deceivers, empowered by deranged demon powers, as ministers of Satan’s deception, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

Verse 3 reports that this "triad" or "triad-band" of do-gooders came to stand dutifully before the king. The king related to them that he had dreamed a dream that troubled him, caused him to be so shook up that he could not sleep. And his spirit was troubled, anxiously troubled, to know exactly what the dream concerned. In the midst of power and grandeur, the mighty are troubled without God, Isaiah 57:20-21.

Verse 4 relates that the triad of pseudo-Chaldean dream interpreters challenged him in the Syriac language, to just relate the dream to them in the best detail he could, and they said, "we will show the interpretation." The "O, king live forever" phrase was much as that of Bathsheba to David, 1 Kings 1:31.

Verse 5 discloses that the king replied to them that "the thing is gone from me." Apparently after a "hassle" from them, as lying deceivers, the king mandated. "If you all do not make known to me, call to my mind what the dream was, and give the meaning of it, you will be cut to pieces and your houses or residences will be made a dunghill, dumpheap, or rubble, as he cut them in pieces, as Samuel did Agag, 1 Samuel 15:33. See 2 Kings 10:27; Ezra 6:11; Daniel 3:29. From here, through chapter 7, the Chaldean languages portion of Daniel’s experience and message to the Gentile powers is given. The remainder of Daniel is in the Hebrew language. See also Jeremiah 39:5-7; Jeremiah 52:9-11; Ezekiel 16:40.

Verse 6 promises that if these pseudo-interpreters of dreams would recall or relate to him the dream that he had had, and interpret it to him, he would give them gifts, rewards, and great honor. He then appealed to them to show him the dream, or describe it vividly, so that he would recognize it; Then give him the meaning of it, to allay or drive away his fears and depression. The term "rewards" means "presents poured out in a lavish manner," Daniel 5:17.

Verse 7 describes the fearful plea of the fraudulent triad of interpreters of dreams. They appealed for a second time for the king to relate to them the dream, then they pledged to interpret it; For they intended to "manufacture a meaning" for the dream; if they could get him to relate it, v. 4.

Verses 8, 9 relate the fury of disgust Nebuchadnezzar had at their evident effort to play for time to "cook up" a meaning for a dream that he had seen, that disturbed him so that he could no longer sleep at night but he could not recall what the dream was. He then demanded for a second time, as politically licensed magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers, that they tell him the dream and give him the interpretation, to drive away his fear and depression, or there was but one decree for each of them. And that was a decree of death, that he had already spoken, v. 5. For Nebuchadnezzar plainly charged that if they could not do for him what they had claimed they could do through his empire for others, they would demonstrate that they were fakes, frauds, and lying corrupters, worthy of death; He would not let them go on putting him off, day after day, 1 Kings 22:6; 1 Kings 22:22; Proverbs 12:9; Isaiah 44:25; Ezekiel 13:6. He simply said, "put up or shut up."

Verse 10 recounts the strong protests of the Chaldean, charlatan magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers, who plied their trade among his kingdom of people. They derided the king for the request and demand he had made of them, which was no greater than they had previously publicly acclaimed that they could do. They told the king that no man on earth could tell or interpret his dream, nor would any king, ruler or lord ask such of any magician; But in this claim they too lied, v. 22, 22; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

Verse 11 continues their practical charge that Nebuchadnezzar had become a "nut," mentally deranged person, to require them to recall and interpret the dream that had "gone from him," v. 5. They contended that the kings requirement was a "rare thing," and only the gods who did not dwell among men or communicate with men might relate and interpret the dream. They simply, under a plea to save their lives, admitted that their gods were lifeless, deaf, dumb, blind and therefore unable to see, hear, or speak; They were empty "quacks," Psalms 115:4-9.

Verse 12 certifies that because of their concessions of impotency to help the king he was furiously angered and commanded that they all be destroyed throughout Babylon. For surely, if they could not help the king in trouble, they could not help his people, Psalms 94:20; Proverbs 28:15.

Verse 13 asserts that the decree went forth that the wise men (of this world) should be slain. For the "wisdom of this world is moronic, in comparison with the wisdom of God," 1 Corinthians 3:19-20. Under this decree Daniel and his three comrades, Meshech, Shadrach, and Abednego too were sought out for slaughter, Daniel 1:17-20; But God was with them. Psalms 34:7; Hebrews 13:5.

PRAYER FOR WISDOM UNDER PRESSURE

Verses 14-18:

Verse 14 begins Daniel’s response to his death sentence that was brought to him by Arioch, captain of the king’s guard. His name had been included in the list of all the wise men of Babylon who were to be slain or executed by this captain of the king’s executioners, v. 24; Much as that one of Pharaoh, Genesis 37:36; 1 Kings 2:25; 2 Kings 6:8.

Verse 15 relates that Daniel asked Arioch, the king’s executioner, for an explanation of why the decree had come so hastily from the king. And Arioch related the whole story to Daniel, a matter about which he had had no previous knowledge, Jeremiah 39:13. Why, Daniel wanted to know, had he not had an opportunity to confer with His God and the king before he had been sentenced to be executed. His was a reasonable redress of grievance, See?

Verse 16 certifies that Daniel’s inquiry and complaint was carried to the king and the king granted Daniel an interview to hear the king’s problem. When he heard it, he assured the king that if he would grant him a reasonable time he would both tell him the dream and give him the meaning thereof in detail. He did not beg the issue, as the fake magicians had done, v. 10, 1. There is a God who supplies the needs of His own under all their testings, 1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 4:19.

Verses 17, 18 declare that when king Nebuchadnezzar had granted a hearing, and then a stay of execution for a time to Daniel, he went directly to his three Jewish colleagues, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; And he requested them to pray for Divine mercies from the living God for them, that Daniel might know the vanished dream and unknown meaning of it, so much desired and required by Nebuchadnezzar. They prayed for God to be revealed through Daniel, and in order that they might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. And the "effectual fervent prayer" of those righteous men did avail much, James 5:16. See also Daniel 4:37; Daniel 5:23; The same use of Prayer delivered Peter from prison and magnified God, Acts 12:5-12.

THE SECRET DREAM REVEALED TO DANIEL

Verses 19-30:

Verse 19 declares that then, in response to the prayers of Daniel and his three devout Hebrew colleague friends, God revealed the secret to him in a vision by night, to magnify God, preserve their lives, and to relieve the king of his tormenting sleepless fears, v. 1; Job 33:15-16; See also Genesis 45:7-8; Genesis 50:20.

Verse 20 relates that immediately Daniel blessed or praised the God of heaven, the living God, because wisdom and might were inherent in His being; It was a wisdom and power He was willing to grant to those who asked Him for it, James 1:5; James 5:16-17. See also Psalms 115:18; Psalms 136:12-13; Jeremiah 32:19.

Verse 21 continues to witness that the living God also: 1) repeatedly changes the times and the seasons, Daniel 7:25; Daniel 11:6; Daniel 2) He repeatedly removes kings and sets up kings, as set forth Job 12:18; Psalms 75:6-7; Daniel 4:17; Daniel , 3) He doles out wisdom to the wise, with knowledge to those who have understanding, or comprehensive ability, Job 12:23; Psalms 25:14; James 1:5.

Verse 22 adds that He unveils the deep and secret or covert things, because He knows what is or exists in the darkness; For both it and the light reside or dwell in Him, in the power of His control, Job 12:22; 1 Corinthians 2:10; Ephesians 1:17-18; Psalms 139:11-12; Hebrews 4:13; James 1:17; John 1:5.

Verse 23 relates Daniel’s praise and thanksgiving to God for answering the prayers of him and his three colleague Hebrew brethren in this hour of captivity crisis; He acknowledged that the covenant God of his fathers had disclosed or made known to him, by wisdom and might, in a supernatural way, what he and they had requested of the Lord, regarding the demand of the king against them, that their lives might be spared, Amos 3:7; Daniel acknowledged that the revelation of the vision which Nebuchadnezzar had forgotten, was now made known to him, by Divine Grace, not for any merit of his own, Titus 3:5. See also Psalms 106:45; Wicked men are often forced to eat their words, v. 10.

Verse 24 discloses that Daniel then went to Arioch, the king’s executioner, and interceded to him not to destroy the wise men of Babylon, Psalms 119:46. He too requested that he again have an immediate meeting with the king, assuring that he was now prepared to tell him the dream, giving the meaning of it all, as he pledged, v.16.

Verse 25 recounts that Arioch, captain of the king’s executioners, v. 14, carried Daniel with his message to the king, immediately or with haste, without delay. In formal delight, Arioch related to the king that he had found a man of the captives of the Jews who was ready to make known his dream and all he wanted to know about its message.

Verse 26 relates king Nebuchadnezzar’s direct inquiry of Daniel to whom he had given the heathen god name of Belteshazzar, god of Bel, whether or not he was now able to relate both his forgotten dream and its interpretation; See Mark 13:9. It required of Daniel an open commitment and testimony of truthfulness, under the blade of the sword; He would witness of the Lord, not himself, Isaiah 43:10; Acts 1:8.

Verse 27 states that without dodging, or evading, or equivocating, Daniel responded that the secret that the king had demanded be told was not, did not exist, in the power of any of the astrologers, magicians, or soothsayers to comprehend; for they had no live God to whom they could resort for any information. And Dead, blind, deaf gods can help no one, Psalms 115:4-9; 1 Corinthians 8:5-6. Daniel was trained in the "fore" of their gods and knew their vanity, Daniel 1:1-4.

Verse 28 adds that Daniel then declared that there existed a living God, (Elohim) in heaven, who held and revealed or disclosed secrets or concealed things and was making known to Nebuchadnezzar the king things that were to be or exist in the latter days, v. 29, about which he was now prepared to advise him, n a definitive way, Genesis 40:8; Amos 3:7; Daniel 4:13. The "latter days" alludes to the end of the Messianic days, Genesis 44:1; Isaiah 2:2; He hen proceeded to tell Nebuchadnezzar the dream and visions; conceptions he had in his mind in the dream was as follows:

Verse 29 explains to the king that the things that came into his mind, while he had lain upon his bed, concerned things that were to occur first, regarding the future of his empire. And Daniel asserted hat what he was about to tell the king did not come from his own mind but as a revelation from the living God. He witnesses by faith,

John 5:4; 2 Peter 1:5; Matthew 10:32. For the relating of the dream, and its meaning, Daniel disavowed any desire for credit.

Verse 30 adds that the relating of the secret that Daniel was to ell to Nebuchadnezzar was not because of any of his own super wisdom that he had any more than any other living person; True men of wisdom always ascribe it to the Lord, as Joseph did, Genesis 41:16; and as Peter did, Acts 3:12. The revelation of the secret was for the benefit of Nebuchadnezzar who had been so long sleeplessly burdened, that he might know of the true God and his own heart and his future, on which he had been meditating when the dream came before him; See 2 Chronicles 32:31; Luke 2:35.

THE DREAM TOLD--RELATED TO THE KING

Verses 31-35:

Verses 31 relates that in the vision Nebuchadnezzar had seen a great image, of excelling brightness, that stood up before or confronted Nebuchadnezzar. It was a thing so terrible that he apparently was overcome or passed out in shock. He was frozen with fear when the whole image was blanked from his mind. It was this scene, the "thing that went from him," that had caused him near insanity, with a long depression of sleepless fear, v. 1, 2. This great image signified world powers, the Gentile governments of the world, in various stages of disarray, from their origin at the tower of Babel, to the return of the Redeemer and the king of Peace to His throne, Genesis 11:1-9; Luke 1:32-33; Revelation 5:9-10.

Verses 32, 33 describe the colossal image that Nebuchadnezzar saw as consisting of four parts of a human body, as follows:

1. First, the head was of gold (fine gold) symbolizing the embodiment of Gentile world government as then centered in Babylon, the center of the wealth and power of that day, then under Nebuchadnezzar.

HERE IN THE HARDBOUND COMMENTARY IS A CHART OF FOUR GENTILE EMPIRES

2. Second, the upper "torso", part of the body, the breast and the arms were silver, symbolizing the then developing one world Medo­-Persian Gentile Empire that was to succeed or overthrow the Babylonian Empire.

3. Third, the lower "torso" of the colossal image, its belly and two thighs of brass, were a symbol of the later, but soon to rise, Graeco-Macedonian Gentile Empire. Yet each succeeding Gentile had in it the nature of that first anti-God Gentile government that was organized and the Lord scattered from Babel, Genesis 11:1-9.

4. Fourth, the legs of that monstrous image were of iron and its feet were of iron and clay. It was the last organized one world Gentile Empire, known as the Roman Empire, scattered, in disarray, yet to be regathered in rebellion against God, even as it originated of Babel. This seems to be the most clear or accurate basis for interpreting the mammoth heathen image that God caused to come before this Gentile king for His Hebrew prophet to interpret; As Joseph the Hebrew interpreted dreams for Pharaoh down in Egypt, that came to pass as he interpreted them, Genesis 41:1-44; so shall this come to pass as "the times of the Gentiles," Luke 21:24; Revelation 16:19.

Verse 34 explains that as Nebuchadnezzar beheld that colossal image held before him for a frightful moment in his dream, a "stone" was cut out, without hands, human hands, or without human ingenuity, a stone that moved toward and- against the huge four part image, with a mighty smash upon his feet, to obstruct any further movement or development of the image and the powers of her Gentile one world ruling domination or predominant jurisdiction over the earth. When this stone struck the feet of the image, the iron and clay portion, it shattered them, so that the entire image with her metals and parts also crumbled; Such symbolized the power of Jesus Christ that Stone who came to call out and set up His church, from among the Gentiles; The church, though one, is now scattered, as are the Jews, among all nations, till the "times of the Gentiles be fulfilled;" At the coming and with the ministry of our Lord the fourth phase of a one world organized Gentile Empire began its crumble. Though it will have a temporary reorganization, to which head the Antichrist will come, at the end of the Gentile age. A summary of this prophesy is as follows:

1. That stone was Jesus Christ, cut out "without hand," human planning and instrumentality, to stand forever, v. 44.

a) In His virgin birth, Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35.

b) As the seed of woman, Genesis 3:16-17; Romans 4:4-5; Luke 1:31-35.

c) As the foundation of redemption and of His church, Acts 4:11-12; 1 Peter 2:8; Matthew 16:18-19; Ephesians 2:20 reads, "Jesus Christ himself being (existing as) the chief corner stone," Romans 9:32-33.

2. That stone smote, broke or disintegrated and scattered the whole image, organized one world Gentile Empire, from the feet upward, causing it to be crumbled and scattered, without a centralized head, as it 1) began from Babel, Genesis 11:1-9, and reappeared in each of the four parts of this image just described, and 2) will be revised by a reintegrated or resurrected as a one­headed-Gentile world government, at the end of this age, Rev ch. 13-17.

3. Note this stone broke this whole image, represented in its mixed iron-clay strength Roman Empire form, from the feet upward. This occurred when the stone first came, bringing salvation, calling His church from among the Gentiles, as a people for His name’s sake, Matthew 4:15-20; John 15:16; John 15:27; Acts 10:37; Acts 15:14; Acts 15:14; Luke 1:17. He then mandated them to go into every nation, dispersed Gentile government, and preach His gospel to every creature, to the end of the Gentile age, Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:46-50; Acts 1:8; While the Jews too are scattered among the scattered Gentile nations, the church is also to be scattered to preach to the Gentiles, to every creature, till the time of both the Gentile one world Empire, and the time of the Jewish dispersion is fulfilled, Luke 21:23. The wise of this age are the "children of light," the church, who understand and look for the coming of Jesus, the true king, near the regathering of Israel and resurrection of a one world Gentile government, headed by the Antichrist, Daniel 9:24-27; 2 Thessalonians 2:4-11; Daniel 12:9-10; Matthew 25:5; Romans 13:12-13; Hebrews 9:27; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10.

Verse 35 adds that then, at that point, when the stone struck the feet portion of that monstrous image, organized form of Gentile world powers under one leader, in rebellion against God, the image (organized form) with her gold, silver, brass, iron and clay was scattered over the earth by the impact, influence of that rock or stone Christ Jesus. But the ultimate destruction of Gentile world powers of heathenism will be finally destroyed at the second coming of Jesus, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords; No one-world, Gentile Empire has existed, since shortly after our Lord’s first coming. Like chaff in the wind small Gentile governments have risen and fallen; That stone that smote the image did institute a great "kingdom of heaven", as a mustard seed, Matthew 13:31; to become as a mountainous church government, which He built and empowered and sent into all nations, and has borne His message for near 2,000 years, still exists, obediently carrying His message, Matthew 16:18; bearing witness to Him, to cover the earth till He comes to subdue it. Then He will set up His earthly government, to subdue yet existing nations, or heathen people and governments, with His church as His queen in that Great Golden era, Luke 1:32-33; 1 Corinthians 15:23-28; Revelation 5:9-10; Ephesians 3:21.

THE INTERPRETATION OF THE IMAGE--FOUR PARTS

Verses 36-43:

Verse 36 asserts that this is the body or torso of the dream. Then Daniel modestly asserted that he would gladly tell the interpretation or meaning thereof, especially as it related to Nebuchadnezzar, or in language that Nebuchadnezzar could understand what part applied to him.

Verses 37, 38 are a direct address of Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar. In it Daniel explained that Nebuchadnezzar was a "king of kings," to whom the living God had granted a kingdom with: 1) power, and 2) strength, and 3) glory. Wherever men of the human race dwelt, over all the earth; Even the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, God had given into Nebuchadnezzar’s hand. God had made him ruler over them all, Daniel certified. Then He added, "you are this head of gold," on this monstrous image. You are a cruel steward, king, ruler of all the people who worship images of lifeless gods, see? Psalms 115:4-9; 1 Corinthians 8:5-6. Nebuchadnezzar’s jurisdiction was the first organized one-world-wide-empire. It was soon to fall.

Verse 39 proceeds to describe or interpret that after Nebuchadnezzar, the head of gold kingdom, there should arise another kingdom, a second kingdom of world wide Gentile dominion, inferior to the first of Nebuchadnezzar--this second was that one of silver breast and arms, the Medo-Persian one, v. 32; Daniel 7:5; And yet another, a third kingdom of Gentile world wide dominion, of brass, that too was to "rule over all the earth," the Grecian or Graeco-Macedonian kingdom, v. 32; Daniel 7:6. Note each of these, and the fourth, was and is a pseudo-usurped-kingdom, that disregarded the living God, whose Son is to be the true ruler over all God’s earth, Luke 1:32-33; Revelation 5:9-10.

Verse 40 asserts that the meaning of the feet part of this great image represents a fourth and final form of a one-world heathen or Gentile government, originating from the tower of Babel, builders who sought to build a name for themselves, a tower that would reach to the heavens; It was to be a source of their own salvation, be a protection for them. They all and each left God (the living God) out of all their plans, Genesis 11:1-9. So should this fourth one world representative of that tower of Babel, original Gentile Government building concept, go forth strong as iron, but without embracing the living God.

This fourth kingdom (the Roman Empire) was to be a ruthless one, strong, breaking or destroying, and subduing, breaking, and bruising or destroying people, all things in her path, until the stone, cut out without hands, the virgin born one came to strike the feet (the progress) or ongoing of that mighty empire, to break and scatter the one world Gentile government that it espoused.

Though shattered and scattered that fourth empire is to be revived again for total destruction at the coming of our Lord. It is still dispersed through that stone Jesus Christ. Today His church, called from among the Gentiles, yet sent through the earth, as a witness to all Gentiles, the nations, will one day be an instrument of our Lord in ruling and reigning over all nations, Matthew 4:13-22; John 15:16; John 15:27; Acts 10:37; Acts 15:13-14; Ephesians 3:21; Revelation 5:9-10; Luke 22:30; 1 Corinthians 15:23-28

Verses 41-43 explain that this fourth one world Gentile kingdom was different from the first three parts of the image, designed to symbolize a different lesson, Daniel 7:7; Daniel 7:23. This lower, last feet-part was formed by a mixture of iron and clay, signifying that when struck by that special stone, the potter’s clay and iron toes and feet should be shattered and scattered, divided but not destroyed or totally put out of existence, at the time of the striking, as the first three kingdoms had been. In this fourth kingdom the iron mixed with miry clay or buttle clay, so the kingdom should be partly strong and partly broken. These elements of clay and iron of the fourth kingdom, the Roman Empire, after broken should "mingle themselves," as small heathen or Gentile governments, "with the seed of men," after being broken up as a one world kingdom. But note v. 43 asserts "they shall not cleave" one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. Since shortly after our Lord’s first coming that Roman Empire has been broken, scattered, neither a one world government, while scattered and shattered, nor yet completely subdued. Such awaits our Lord’s second coming, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords or living Lord overall, all people, all nations and all things.

BEGINNING AND END OF FINAL WORLD EMPIRE

(The Kingdom of Heaven To Supplant It)

Verses 44, 45:

Verse 44 asserts that "in the days of these kings," those kings who were subjects of the Roman Emperor of the fourth "one world government," when Herod was king in Judea, "the God of heaven," Jesus Christ Himself, "shall set up a kingdom," "which shall never be destroyed."

Note: God the Father sent two persons from heaven, "to prepare" and to institute, set up, or establish a new order of government, "which should never be destroyed." This alludes to: 1) First, the sending of John the Baptist to prepare a way and a people for the Lord, Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; Luke 1:76-79; John 1:6; John 1:33; Matthew 3:1-2) Second, Jesus who is here called "the God of heaven," did set up, institute, or establish "the kingdom of heaven," Himself, in person, Mt ch. 13, referred to as "my church," Matthew 16:18; Which He chose and called, "from among the Gentiles," as a people for "His name’s sake," Matthew 4:13-22; John 15:16; John 15:27; Acts 10:37; Acts 15:13.

Of this people, new order of "worship and service," which He called "from among the Gentiles," as cited above, then sent to the Gentiles, as a witness to Him, among all nations; It is called "the kingdom of heaven," set up by Jesus, the God of heaven, more than 30 times by Matthew; The Kingdom of heaven parables of Matthew 13:1-52, all allude to the church that Jesus set up, for which He will one day return, John 14:1-6; Revelation 19:7-9. It is asserted, pledged, or covenanted that "It shall never be destroyed," Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:20; Ephesians 3:21.

As a "prepared people" for His church, His name’s sake it was composed of saved, and baptized, and committed followers of Him, not of the sum total of the saved, as "the kingdom of heaven" is generally interpreted to be, by protestants and "protestant-baptists."

Observe that the kingdom that the "God of heaven" was to, and did, "set up", institute, or establish would not only "never be destroyed," but also it was not to be "left to other people," to establish or administer. He did not leave it to be "set up by proxy," on Pentecost; Hebrews 1) set it in order, as king; 2) gave it laws to guide it; 3) promised to send the Holy Spirit; His vice-gerent to empower it, and 4) convenanted to be with it to the consummation of the age, among the broken and scattered nations of the Gentiles of the Roman Empire that was to be disintegrated.

As J.R. Graves held, four things only are necessary to the existence and function of a kingdom: 1) a king, 2) subjects, 3) laws, and 4) a territory; Jesus a King established and left such a people, His church, with a world-wide mandate to preach to the scattered Gentiles in all nations, with a pledge to return to and receive her unto Himself, for special honors and service in the golden millennial age when as King of kings and Lord of lords He shall sit on David’s throne, establishing His earthly reign over Israel and the Gentile kingdoms, for the "restitution of all things," to the Father, Acts 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:23-28.

This first established "Kingdom of heaven," the church, with one province, at Jerusalem, where it was empowered, Acts 2:1-4; was to "break in pieces, and be scattered," was to divide, establishing local witnessing bodies, churches through all nations, as a witness to Jesus, till He returns, after which, under Him, it will consume, (subdue) all these gentle kingdoms, in the millennial era. And it shall stand forever, or exist forever, John 15:16; John 15:27; Ephesians 3:21.

Verse 45 summarizes, explaining that as Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel had seen first, the "stone" (Jesus Christ) "cut out of the mountain without hands," in a supernatural way, even by the virgin birth, as the seed of woman, as prophesied and certified, Genesis 3:16; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:30-35; Galatians 4:4-5; Second, that as it brake in pieces the monstrous image, from the feet up, causing the Gentile governments from Babel to Rome, the iron, brass, silver, and gold empires to be scattered over all the earth, that the church, "kingdom of heaven" of heaven’s origin, with heaven’s laws, heaven prepared people, and heaven empowerment, called from all nations, among the Gentiles to preach the gospel, might witness to all nations, among the Gentiles, till the king returns to set up, not the kingdom of heaven, but the Davidic Kingdom, using 1) the church and 2) the 12 apostles in His millennial labors, Luke 22:28-30. Jesus said to this church people, "I appoint to you all a kingdom," present tense, to eat and drink and do my labors, in this age among the Gentiles, and in the millennial era to "sit on twelve thrones," with me, adjudicating over the twelve tribes of Israel.

Daniel then concluded to Nebuchadnezzar that "the dream is certain and the interpretation thereof sure."

Let it be observed that the God of heaven, Jesus Christ, did set up, institute, or establish His kingdom of heaven or church; It has borne His new covenant, ambassadorial message to the scattered nations. Note protestantism has made "the kingdom of heaven" to mean "all the saved," a universal church, and too many protestant­baptists have been influenced by it. Let such a position be reexamined, in the light of this passage, as interpreted in contextual setting. For when a major (first premise) is misinterpreted such leads to later perversions, distortions, and misapplications of Divine truth. Much of the universal church heresy originates from a misapplication of this passage of Daniel’s prophecy.

DANIEL PROMOTED

Verses 46-49:

Verse 46 relates that Nebuchadnezzar was so emotionally overcome by Daniel’s definitive recall, description, and interpretation of the meaning of the dream and monstrous image that came, then went from him, that he fell down to worship Him, Acts 10:25; Acts 14:13; Acts 28:6. He too impulsively commanded those about him that they should offer an oblation sacrifice and incense of sweet odor of worship to Daniel, Ezra 6:10. Though Daniel had already disavowed any personal honor for revealing and interpreting the dream to Nebuchadnezzar, v 27, 28, 30; So shall the world one day fall down to worship the Lord, Philippians 2:10.

Verse 47 adds that Nebuchadnezzar then testified that Daniel’s God was surely, unquestionably, incontestably, of a truth, God of gods, Lord of kings, a revealer (uncoverer and- discloser) of secrets;" At the last the world will acknowledge this, Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16; Daniel had revealed this secret so thoroughly that Nebuchadnezzar knew that it was of the living God, not "little dead gods" of his heathen empire, that this matter was made known, v. 22; Genesis 41:45; Job 15:8; Psalms 25:14; Proverbs 3:32; Matthew 6:6; Daniel 4:9.

Verse 48 discloses that as a result of this vision king Nebuchadnezzar gave Daniel many great gifts, such as befit royalty, and made him a great man to be ruler or governor over the whole province of Babylon proper, where Daniel’s captive Jewish brethren were being held, Proverbs 14:35; Proverbs 21:1. In this capacity he was also made chief or administrator over all the governors, over all the wise men and educators of Babylon, Genesis 41:40; Daniel 4:9. Thus Daniel was in a condition to be a helper to, and relieve much oppression over, his own people, as Joseph did down in Egypt before him, as described Genesis 41:1-44.

Verse 49 explains that at the request of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, his colleague Jewish brethren, as a cabinet of advisors and administrators over the affairs of the province of Babylon. Examine Genesis 40:23; Ecclesiastes 9:15-16; Amos 6:6. But Daniel sat or resided as a judge and administrator in the gate of, or entrance of, the palace of the king, where courts of justice and equity were administered. Where Lot was a compromiser, Daniel was inflexible for truth, Genesis 19:1. Such was his elevation, to motivate all believers after him, to be true to the word of God and the God of the word, whatever befalls them and in all circumstances of life, Ezra 2:19; Job 29:7; Galatians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Hebrews 13:5.