The Interpretation Of King Nebuchadnezzar s Dream Daniel 2:30-49 Message by Michael J. Barnard January 24, 2016 Teaching Aim: To examine Daniel s interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar s dream. To see the historical implications of the dream and realize that four of the five kingdoms predicted in Daniel 2 have already been fulfilled historically. To understand we can trust our Bibles; Bible prophecy continues to be fulfilled right down to the minutest detail. To understand the fifth and greatest kingdom (the Kingdom of God) is yet to come. DIGGING DEEPER INTO GOD S WORD (BIBLE STUDY) Part I: Daniel reveals the details of King Nebuchadnezzar s dream (Dan. 2:30-36) 1. As we join our story today, Daniel is but a teen most likely between 16-18 years old. What can we learn about the spiritual maturity of Daniel from verse 30? Like Daniel, do you give the glory to God when you are praised for something you ve done? According to verse 30b, why did God give Nebuchadnezzar this dream? What do you think Nebuchadnezzar had been thinking of that led to this dream? 2. What is the meaning of the word colossus? (See Dictionary) According to Daniel, what did Nebuchadnezzar see in his dream (vs. 31)? 3. According to verses 32 & 33, what made this statue even more unusual? What clue do we find in verse 34 that indicates the stone in the vision was of supernatural origin? What happened to the massive statue once the stone crashed into its feet (vs. 35a)? What unusual supernatural act occurred after the stone destroyed the huge statue (vs. 35b)? 4. King Nebuchadnezzar assigned the wise men two tasks, what were they (vs. 5)? How did Daniel fulfill the first task (See verses 30-36)? 1
Part II: Four Empires leading up to the birth of Christ (Dan. 2:37-43) 1. Why do you think Daniel called King Nebuchadnezzar king of kings (vs. 37)? King Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful king in the world. Was he powerful because of his own worthiness or because God had gifted him with his abilities? Are you using your giftedness today to the glory of God? What are your gifts? 2. According to verse 38, how extensive was Nebuchadnezzar s earthly reign? Does our own country have control over the animals living within our borders today? If so, how? 3. In verse 32 Daniel said the head of the colossus was made of gold. According to verse 38b, who did this head of gold represent? If this is the case, which kingdom is represented here? During what years did this kingdom reign? Why do you think the imagery of this kingdom was gold? How does King Nebuchadnezzar relate to the period known as the times of the Gentiles? (See Luke 21:24) 4. What precious metal represented the second kingdom (vv. 32,39)? What can we learn about this kingdom from verse 39? Who did the image of this kingdom represent historically? During what years did this kingdom reign? 5. What precious metal was used to represent the third kingdom (vs. 39)? According to verses 32 & 33, what part of the statue s body was covered in bronze? Which kingdom did bronze represent and who was its powerful leader? What makes this leader so unusual? During what years did this kingdom reign? 6. In verse 40, the fourth of five kingdoms is mentioned, what can we learn about this powerful kingdom from the verse? Which kingdom does verse 40 refer to historically? Which kingdom oversaw the brutal crucifixion of our Lord Jesus? 2
7. Many believe verse 41 refers to a revised Roman Empire, one in which the ten toes represent a ten nation confederacy. What can we learn about this revised Roman Empire from verse 42? Who will be its leader? (See 2 Thess. 2:1-12) When will the revised Roman Empire rise to power? What can we learn from verses 42 & 43 about the political leaders of this confederacy? Part III: The Kingdom of God prophesied and Nebuchadnezzar s response to Daniel s interpretation of his dream (Dan. 2:44-49) 1. According to verse 44, what will be the fifth great kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar s dream? How long will this kingdom endure? Who will set this kingdom up and reign over it? What will this kingdom do to the others (vs. 44b)? 2. According to verse 45, what was God revealing to King Nebuchadnezzar in his dream? How certain is the fulfillment of this dream according to Daniel (vs. 45)? Has Daniel s interpretation been accurate historically? In light of the accuracy we ve seen so far, can we be confident the rest of the prophecy will be fulfilled in the future? Why? 3. Nebuchadnezzar was stunned by the revelation and interpretation of his dream. In what unusual way did the king of kings respond to the interpretation of this prophecy (vs. 46)? Why was this so unusual? According to Josephus, what did Alexander the Great do in a similar way to the Jewish High Priest? What was his explanation when questioned? 4. Was Nebuchadnezzar s confession of faith in verse 47 a true confession of faith? Why or why not? What is the difference between monotheism and polytheism? (See Dictionary) Who was monotheistic in Daniel 2? Who was polytheistic? Why would it have been easier for Nebuchadnezzar to confess faith in Yahweh than Daniel or even us today? 3
5. Nebuchadnezzar is true to his word. (See vs. 6) What gifts, rewards and great honor did Nebuchadnezzar bestow on Daniel after interpreting the dream (vs. 48)? The Babylonian Empire was divided up into provinces, which key province was Daniel made satrap (or a provincial Governor) of? Why would this location be critical in Daniel being able to influence King Nebuchadnezzar? 6. In what way was Daniel s new position similar to that of Joseph and Mordecai (vs. 48)? (See Gen. 41:37-44; Esth. 8:1-2) How do you see the sovereignty of God being demonstrated in each case? How were all three men and their positions used to protect the Hebrew people? 7. After being appointed Governor over the province of Babylon, who did Daniel request of the king to be his assistants (vs. 49)? Why? Why do you think it is important for people in leadership positions to have good people and a trusted team working with them? How would the appointment of these three friends help Daniel protect the Jewish people living in the province of Babylon? (See Jeremiah 29:4-7) Did this protection extend to the Jewish people rebelling against Babylon in Jerusalem? (See 2 Chron. 36:15-21) 8. What did the prophet Jeremiah warn Judah of just prior to the Babylonian Captivity? (See Jer. 38:17-23) Did they listen to this word from God? What happens to us when we refuse to listen to God s instructions in Scripture today? Can you think of an example in your own life when you didn t listen to God s Word? How did it turn out? 9. Name some ways that the sovereignty of God is at work in Daniel chapter 2? What can we learn about Bible prophecy from this chapter? 4
10. If you were to die today, would you be a citizen in the Kingdom of God? If so, on what basis? The Bible tells us there is only one-way to heaven: John 3:16; 14:6; Acts 4:12. Have you received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? If not why not repent and do so right now in prayer? MINER S CORNER ~ Manna to live by! The teenager Daniel refused to take any credit for himself; instead he gave all glory to God, so should we! The precious metals of the colossus decreased in weight and value; in the end the whole thing came crashing down. Earthly kingdoms may seem invincible, but all of them will fall before the Lord. The stone that brings the colossus down is a picture of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in judgment! The growing mountain is eternal and rock solid; it is symbolic of the Kingdom of God in the Millennium and throughout the Eternal State. God sovereignly arranged the details bringing Daniel into a position where he could help the Jewish people, much as He did with Joseph, Esther, Mordecai and Nehemiah. We can trust the Bible; God s Word is true right down to the minutest detail! 5