Daniel 2
God had made Israel the center of a world of independent nations having their origin in the dispersion that followed the confusion of tongues (Genesis Chapters 10, 11) but, as we have seen in the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, they had become so sinful that He disowned and executed judgment upon them, and removed His throne from the earth. He then gave supremacy to a young nation, Babylon (see Jeremiah 27). The times of the Gentiles had now begun.
Chapter 1 is introductory; the second chapter begins the first section of the prophecy, presenting in substance the exterior history of the four successive Gentile empires; the second part, comprising chapters 7 to 12, consists of communications from God to Daniel in which His earthly people are directly concerned.
By means of a dream, God brought to the knowledge of Nebuchadnezzar the course of empire from his day forward, with the judgments that will introduce the universal dominion of Christ. He showed him, too, that though He had committed power to the king, His heart was with the captives of His people, and is them His mind was made known.
In the ordering of God, the king forgot the dream that had so deeply affected him, and he demanded of the wise men of his realm that they tell him what it was, and explain its meaning. They, of course, had to confess their helplessness before such a demand, and Nebuchadnezzar in anger ordered their execution.
Soon learning of what had happened, and that he and his young companions were included with those to be put to death, Daniel’s actions show the unfeigned faith that was in him, The first prayer meeting which the. Scriptures record (verses 16, 17) was followed by the answer given to Daniel, whose heart went out in praise to God ere he sought the presence of the king.
To Nebuchadnezzar Daniel spoke of a God whom the heathen ruler had not known, Who reveals secrets, and Who was making known to him things that were to be. As for himself, Daniel disclaimed any wisdom more than any others.
The image the king had seen represented dominion in the hands of men. Beginning at the head of gold (Babylonia) there would follow a second empire (Persia); a third (Macedonia or Greece); and a fourth (Rome). Chapter 5:28 marks the end of the first empire and the beginning of the second, and chapter 8:21 names the third empire, which had not begun when the Old Testament was completed. The fourth empire was in existence when the Lord was on earth (Luke 2:11And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (Luke 2:1)). It will reappear, but meet His judgment at His coming again.
The succeeding empires from Babylonia were inferior, each in turn, to what had gone before; this was not in the extent of their dominions, but in the limiting of the ruler’s power, and in the lessening splendor of the court.
In verse 44 the reference to “the days of these kings” has to do with the last (future) form of the Roman empire, when there will be both an emperor and subordinate kings.
ML 05/24/1936