On this page we will study Daniel 2:43-49
Picking up from our last study of Daniel 2:39-42, lets recap.
We learned of the various kingdoms portrayed by the great dream image Nebuchadnezzar dreamed, a dream interpreted by Daniel, a prophet of God.
We also studied a bit on the various theories people have had concerning the ten toes of the image, toes of iron and clay combined.
Let it suffice us to say they do represent ten kingdoms, and we take the interpretation as literal and logical considering how all the previous kingdoms came into being.
The Ten Kingdoms—
Ten kingdoms which the Roman empire (legs of iron) were divided into.
The division was made between the years 351 AD and 476 AD, 125 years from the middle of the fourth century to the last quarter of the fifth century. Studying the works of the historians, none place the beginning of the division of the Roman empire before 351 AD. There is also a very general agreement that it closed in 476 AD.
Those dates are a precise timeline which each of the ten kingdom rose on the ruins of the Roman empire. There are some differences of view among historians which isn’t odd at all considering the entire period was one of great confusion. The map of the empire of Rome had many revision, very sudden and very violent changes as hostile conquerors entered their land and their paths were crossed time and time again, making for much confusion. All historians however agree that out of the land of Western Rome ten separate kingdoms were established. We can even assign these kingdoms safely between the established dates 351AD and 476AD.
These ten kingdoms, without concerning ourselves right now with the exact time of their individual establishment are as follows—Huns, Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Vandals, Suevi, Burgundians, Heruli, Anglo-Saxons, Lombards
The connection between these and some of the modern nations of Europe, is still traceable in the names, as England, Burgundy, Lombardy, France, etc. Such authorities as Calmet, Faber, Lloyd, Hales, Scott, Barnes, etc., concur in the foregoing enumeration. (Look up Barnes's concluding notes on Daniel 7- Barnes' Notes on the Old and New Testaments, 14 Volumes By: Albert Barnes)
Just a little note here, some like to object that Rome was divided before the ten kingdoms into and Eastern and Western divisions. Obviously the two legs symbolize this division, and the ten toes further divisions.
Let us continue on with Daniel. READ Daniel 2:43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they shall not (1)______ one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
Rome was the last Empire that was so all encompassing around the land God chose for His people. When Rome fell there followed nothing like it ever again. When the kingdom of Rome fell that power fell with it as well.
The iron of Rome was mixed with clay. There was no longer cohesiveness, and there will never be man ever able to unite all that territory again. History has proven this beyond a doubt. How long have we gone, right up until our present day without any one world kingdom, one world ruler? Can you even imagine such a thing? I can’t. The Bible certainly tells us prophetically that it will never happen- even if attempts are made towards that end.
Being part of iron and part of clay, the divided kingdoms, powers, countries would survive until the end when a stone not cut by human hands smite it’s feet, breaking it into pieces and scattering them to the wind, forever. Until that day however the toes would be partly broken and partly strong, iron mixed with clay. History denotes this without question. Shall any endeavors to unite the kingdoms into one succeed? No. Some have tried through marriage alliances, but the Bible says clearly-' They shalt not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.'
The history of Europe is a running commentary on the exact fulfillment of these words. From the time of Canute to the present age, it has been the policy of reigning monarchs, the beaten path which they have trodden in order to reach a mightier scepter and a wider sway. The most recognizable occurrence of this in history is none other than Hitler during his reign as he sought to conquer the surrounding lands and people and put to death those not fit for his kingdom, his dictatorship. Before him it was Napoleon. He ruled in one kingdom and wanted by alliance the others he could not get by force.
Iron mixed with clay- it’s just not a cohesive joining and it never will be, never. Many attempt has been made to mingle, but nothing has lasted- as prophecy so predicted.
It isn’t too surprising that mankind will forever seek to obtain a one world kingdom of sorts, not what we’d call it today. But even now people envision a future of one world union, a joining. It won’t happen. None of the powers are willing to give up their individuality, and none are strong enough to conquer by force no matter how they might try. The Bible will not be proven wrong.
READ Daniel 2:44-45 - And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven ___ up a kingdom, which shall never be (3) _________; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great (4)___ hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter; and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
Who would eventually set up a single Kingdom- it’s not man. God is to do so. The end of this prophecy takes us to the point where, as we pray the Lord’s prayer and this is so familiar to many- ‘Thy kingdom come’ God’s kingdom will come.
No longer will man rule in any manner. The great image is completely and utterly destroyed. In its place God sets up his kingdom for his righteous. But when is this kingdom to be established? God’s word doesn’t leave us in the dark. We might not know the exact date of His coming, but He gives us signs, and more prophecy to study so that we may get an approximation as to what generation may see this wondrous Godly kingdom ushered in. We’ve dates up to 476AD already with the establishment of the ten kingdoms. Kingdoms that will in some manner or form still exist when God sets up the final kingdom. It’s obvious that the kingdom God is to set up, isn’t Jesus’ coming. For the division of Rome didn’t take place until many years after that, and it’s more than obvious we still live in a world with many different countries. Even Jesus knows that the kingdom His Father will establish is not at hand during his life upon earth-
READ Matt 26:29- ‘But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s (5) _______.’
Christ did not set it up before his ascension either. READ Acts 1:6 - ‘When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the (6)________ to Israel?’
Flesh and blood cannot inherit it. READ I Cor. 15: 50- ‘Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.’ It is a promise to the apostles, and to all that love God.
READ James 2:5 –‘Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?’
The little flock receives a promise. READ Luke 12:32 – ‘Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Only by going through a lot of tribulation the saints are to enter the kingdom. READ Acts 14:22 –‘Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Christ shall judge the living and the dead and then it’ll be set up. READ 2 Tim. 4:1- ‘I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. Christ shall come in his glory with all his holy angels.
READ Matt. 25:31-34 - When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
READ Daniel 2: 46-49 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and (7)__________ Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odors unto him. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your (8)___ is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat in the (9)____ of the king.
We’ve taken four studies to get through the second chapter of Daniel, studying at length the interpretation of the dream which Daniel revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar. Here at the end of the chapter as Daniel concludes his interpretation just imagine the scene.
All those soothsayers, all the magicians, the Chaldeans, all the wise men of the king’s kingdom (we can only imagine how numerous they were), all of these men were unable to give the king what he wanted and there stands young Daniel, not even a Chaldean, not even from their lands but a captive trained up by them and this young man alone could answer the king.
Can you imagine what those man had to have been thinking when they saw the king fall on his face and worship Daniel? When the king commanded that they offer oblations and sweet odors to him? They had to be totally blown away by it all, there is no other way to imagine it taking place. The impossible had been made possible. You can be sure that they didn’t like being upstaged like that, no, not at all. The king was ecstatic. You might think he’d be otherwise, having been told his kingdom wasn’t going to last forever, but he was thrilled that Daniel made known this vexing dream, he couldn’t even remember, to him.
Obviously there was more said- the king goes on to tell Daniel that his God is the God of Gods. Daniel wasn’t going to take the glory upon himself, he definitely wanted God praised for it was He who had revealed it to Daniel. The king goes on to give riches to Daniel and not only riches, but power. Men are considered great when they have these two things, aren’t they? Daniel was made ruler over the whole province of Babylon, chief of the governors over all the wise men. Daniel was rewarded, but he hadn’t acted thinking he would be so. He wanted to reveal God to these people, and be God’s servant. As one who was faithful to God, he was as a result rewarded beyond anything he could have possibly imagined. Again, Daniel wasn’t selfish even after being given all that wealth and power. What did he do?
‘Then Daniel requested of 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.’
He asked the king that his fellow companions, those who had been with him since their initial captivity, those who had stood by him, prayed with him, he asked that they two share in this reward. At his request they were placed over all the goings on of Babylon, and Daniel himself sat in the gate of the king. The gate was the place where councils were held, and matters of chief moment were deliberated upon. The record is a simple declaration that Daniel became chief counselor to the king.
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This concludes our study on Daniel Chapter Two
May God Bless Us All!
(1) cleave Daniel 2:43
(2) set Daniel 2:44
(3) destroyed Daniel 2:44
(4) God Daniel 2:45
(5) kingdom Matthew 26:29
(6) kingdom Acts 1:6
(7) worshipped Daniel 2:46
(8) God Daniel 2:47
(9) gate Daniel 2:49
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