Week of September 13

We presently live in a dreadful and dramatic global era! Turmoil and uncertainty leave every person—at least those who are even remotely aware of the world today—with some concern about where culture is heading. Words like “injustice,” “war,” “crime,” and every dread known to humankind, seem to be prevalent and spreading like a bad virus. What hope may we have for our world today and in the future? Daniel has a word for our hearts to help.

If you are like me, then you are both fascinated and somewhat confused by Daniel 2. You are amazed at the prophetic wisdom that God gave to Daniel and his friends, as well as the favor they found with one of the cruelest tyrants in ancient world history. You are likely puzzled, too, by the incredible dream, with all its images the young man had to interpret. God helped Daniel to interpret the dream king Nebuchadnezzar had and, in so doing, provided a critical prophetic vision of coming history that offers great encouragement to all kingdom citizens. Our Bible is relevant today.

Global events never catch God off guard. The dream was so spectacular that only God could reveal its true meaning (2:31-35). Bible scholars have largely been able to agree upon several parts of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The four kingdoms include Babylon, the Medo-Persian dynasty, Greece, and then Rome. Some insert the Maccabean period of domination as one of the four, but the point that is of concern to us devotionally is that there would be a continued downward moral spiral of cultures until the time when God’s kingdom was established in the coming of Jesus Christ (cf. Miller, NAC). It is of great comfort to me to see, 600-plus years prior to the coming of our Savior, that God was making clear to the world what He was going to do. Nothing catches God off guard, so this reminder can bring us some peace. 

God’s kingdom has come and lasts. The climax of the dream is about God’s kingdom (2:44-45). This domain was symbolized by a “great rock” (cf. 2:45; 7:13-14, 18, 27). God’s reign would be established forever (2:44), in contrast to the four empires that were crushed by its coming, and those kingdoms would be turned to dust and blown away by the wind (2:35). Christ would be its King, and His reign would be inclusive of His earthly millennial reign and would extend beyond that period throughout eternity. 

Global events will never thwart God’s purposes. There will be a coalescing of nations before the second coming of Christ (cf. “10” as a literal or symbolic number). Daniel makes clear that these nations will rise out of the ashes of the ancient Roman empire. Bible scholars like Miller believe that this reference to Rome suggests that the group of nations will emerge from within Europe. Daniel 7 teaches us that the evil world leader of the last days will come from this empire. We know this leader commonly as the Antichrist. We also know well from millennial studies that there are those who see Christ as establishing an earthly reign at His second advent, while others interpret this coming as an invisible spiritual reign. The unifying point is that God will do this, and His purposes cannot be thwarted. The rock will destroy these earthly kingdoms (cf. Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 19:11-21). Therefore, we may live confidently and expectantly amid global uncertainty!

“I never thought that I’d see the day when . . .” has been a sentence on my lips all too often in recent years. For example, I never thought that I would see the day when foreign terrorists would infiltrate our national defenses and destroy the World Trade Center (recall September 11, 2001). Nor did I ever believe that people of the Bible, knowing passages like this one in Daniel, would become severely divided along political party lines. The prophet Daniel teaches us to bank on the Lord and His kingdom. We should live according to His will. We will flourish despite what is happening in the world around us.

1. It truly is difficult to discern the point at which we have allowed too much of the world to creep into our lives. However, we may ask the Lord to help us to recall the times when unsettling changes in the economy, in those who govern our nation, and/or in our military strength, have caused us deep internal fear. Kingdom citizens need not fear changes in world systems. Instead, believers should expect them, for they know they are not of this world. Follow Christ.

2. For Families: Daniel was such a marvelous servant of God - so courageous, strong, and full of faith. He is a favorite biblical character for every child’s admiration! Here is another chapter from Daniel’s life that shows how he remained faithful to God in a politically difficult situation. With enemies all around him, he trusted in God and showed his nation how powerful God is.

Here is a wonderful 26-minute animated video from the Superbook series based on Daniel and the Lion’s Den. This is the Daniel who stood up for God and did the right thing. Our kids can be like Daniel. Watch this short film together, and then have a conversation about what Daniel’s story teaches your kids about being strong for God. Click here to watch Daniel's Story.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock

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