Daniel #5
C. Paul Willis
The Stone not made with hands
Daniel 2:45 - 49 (NKJV) 45Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold—the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.” 46Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. 47The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.” 48Then 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. 49Also Daniel petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.
I. The Stone was not the Church
A. Pentecost (the birth of the Church) came before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD while the Roman Empire was still in existence.
B. Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy Kingdom come” so the Kingdom of God has not yet been fully realized.
C. The Empire (Kingdom System) represented by the colossus did not crumble with the formation of the Church
D. The Church was a “mystery” not seen by Daniel and the Prophets
Romans 11:25 (NKJV) 25For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
Ephesians 1:7 - 12 (NKJV) 7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, £both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 5:32 (NKJV) 32This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Colossians 1:24 - 28 (NKJV) 24I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: £which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
E. The Rapture of the Church was a “mystery” not seen by Daniel and the Prophets
1 Thessalonians 4:15 - 18 (NKJV) 15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18Therefore comfort one another with these words.
II. The Stone cannot fall until the 10 Nation Gentile confederation is formed
A. Since the mixtue of iron and clay is an unnatural one it would seem to suggest that the federation is not brought about by force – this is in harmony with Rev 17:13
13These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
B. Since the stone did not fall with the birth, life, death, or resurrection – nor did it fall at Pentecost – it must relate to the second coming of Christ!
1. The Spiritualized view
The second coming is that “His second coming is fulfilled by His spiritual presence with His people”
This view denies the literal, bodily, personal, return of Christ to earth
2. The Postmillennial view
Through the preaching of the gospel the whole world will be Christianized and brought into submission to the gospel before the return of Christ.
3. The Premillennial view
Christ will return to earth, literally and bodily, before the millennial age begins and that, by His presence a kingdom will be instituted over which He will reign. This Kingdom is the “STONE” of Daniel at it will destroy all of the Gentile kingdoms
(Doctrines as to when the rapture, tribulation, battle of Armageddon, and the order of these events are beyond this dream – so we will leave them for other studies and other prophecies in the book of Daniel!)
II. Daniels promotion
A. Daniel wanted God to receive the glory
B. Daniel is placed in the “gate” – Authority
C. Daniel asked that his three friends share in his promotion
Conclusion: We will meet the same kingdoms in chapter 7- God sees them as wild beasts – He is not impressed with Gold, Silver or Brass – He sees the human heart!
