Daniel 2

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream represents the times of the Gentiles.

  2. The stone in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream represents the return of the Lord.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Decide to be a Daniel.

QUESTIONS

  1. What time span is covered in this dream of Daniel 2?

  2. What are the “times of the Gentiles” referred to in Luke 21:24?

  3. How did the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream represent the empires in the times of the Gentiles?

  4. Review how vestiges of these empires remain even to this day.

  5. List three reasons the stone and mountain in verses 44-45 represent the Second Coming of Christ and His worldwide millennial kingdom.

ANSWERS

  1. It takes us from Daniel’s time in the Babylonian Empire to the return of Christ and the establishment of His worldwide earthly kingdom.

  2. The times of the Gentiles began with the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem and will continue until the Lord returns and delivers Jerusalem from Gentile domination at the end of the future Tribulation Period.

  3. The head of gold represents Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire The check and arms of silver represent the Medo-Persian Empire The stomach and thighs of bronze represent the Greek Empire The legs of iron represent the Roman Empire – the two legs probably represent its east and west divisions

  4. a. Babylon is represented in modern day Iraq b. Persia is represented in present day Iran c. Syria is a vestige of the Greek Empire after Alexander the Great d. Rome is represented in Europe and the West

  5. a. At the first coming of Christ there were not ten subkingdoms of the Roman Empire. b. In the dream the stone comes in and crushes the statue suddenly. This is not the way the Lord came at His first coming. c. The Church has not taken over the world.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Review the empires represented by the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Draw a diagram and label it! Which of these empires have already occurred in history; which will be established in the future?

  2. The book of Daniel contains much significant biblical prophecy, and you may benefit from some extra study and discussion of these passages. Discuss which verses are the most difficult for you to understand and be prepared to discuss them further next time.

CHALLENGE

  1. Daniel is a great model of a faithful believer. He gave all the credit to the Lord when he interpreted the king’s dream. He remembered his friends when he was being promoted. You can decide to be a Daniel by following his example of good and godly decisions.

KEY VERSES

  • “But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.” Daniel 2:28

  • “Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.” Daniel 2:48



Daniel, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsDaniel 2