Introduction
These few indispensable and valuable facts from the book of Daniel chapter 2 will help you to see the four kingdoms of the world and the Church as the Kingdom of God on earth. This chapter is the longest of 12 chapters with 49 verses. It contains many important things relating to dream and limited knowledge of mortal to reveal secret things. In addition, the book shows the great power of God to reveal deep and secret things, beyond human comprehension.
It reveals that God is the giver and taker at any time He wishes to both the Jews and Non-Jews. God is limitless in power, in understanding, in wisdom; indeed, in everything. He passes finding out by mortal! “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33).
Valuable Facts
The wise men in Babylon were Magicians, Astrologers, Sorcerers and Chaldeans (vs. 2, 5, 27). All quotations are from Daniel chapter 2, else quotations will be stated in full—book name, chapter and verse(s). Also, we ask you to read Daniel 2:1-49 to enjoy this discussion. Considered also as wise men were these Jewish captive young men: Daniel (Belteshazzar), Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach) and Azariah (Abednego). Being regarded as wise men, these four Hebrew young men were marked for destruction along with the Babylonian-based prudent men. Arioch was King Nebuchadnezzar Captain of the guard sent to slay the wise men in
Babylon (vs. 14, 24)
God is the owner of wisdom and might. it is a valuable facts to know that after answering the petition of Belteshazzar concerning King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel said, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His” (v.20). He gives wisdom to those who ask liberally. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
Again, God gives wisdom to the righteous. “For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God…” (Ecclesiastes 2:26). God also gives kingdom, power, strength and glory (v.37). Indeed, God gives strength and might to all His. There is no limit as to what God can give. There is no feebleness with God; all strength and power are His.
When we rely on God for help, success and blessings are certain. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). We can do all things easily through the direction He shows to us. Rely only on God, and not on any idols or gods!
In addition, God reveals profound and mysterious things to His people. “Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). Daniel said that God “reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him” (v.22). God knows everything and could reveal all things unhindered. Daniel recognized the unmatched power of God when he said, “There is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days…” (v. 28). God is not limited by space and time. God, unlike man, suffers not from lack of knowledge and wisdom. Indeed, God is All-Knowing! He is present everywhere! God is All-Powerful! That is why God is Omniscient, Omnipresent and Omnipotent. God is light; light dwells with Him and He gives light to the righteous (1 John 1:5). James wrote that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17).
Daniel means “Judgment of God”. The Babylonian name of Daniel is Belteshazzar (v.26), which means “Favoured by Bel” (William, 2002). Belteshazzar is not the same as Belshazzar. Belshazzar is the name of the son of King Nabonidus, the last King of the Babylonian Empire (B.C. 556-539). Belshazzar means “Prince of Bel” (William, 2002; DTB, 2011); He co-ruled with his father (DTB, 2011). Daniel has knowledge, skill and understanding in visions and dreams (1:17). He received these gifts from God. Daniel could narrate King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and also interpret it to the satisfaction of the King.
The King’s requests are two-fold: (a) That his dream be declared to him and, (b) That the interpretation be made known to him. All the prudent men in Babylon could not declare the King’s dream, let alone attempt any interpretation.
Daniel, for revealing and interpreting the Kings dream, was handsomely rewarded and elevated “Then 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. Also, 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” (v. 48-49). Daniel was not selfish, but caring and loving. He did not permit position to ostracize him from his colleagues… Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, rather he requested from the King for them, and they were set over the affairs of the province of Babylon. Great! Be your brother’s keeper. Extend hands of fellowship to your neighbours. Do not hide your skill, knowledge and understanding. Use them to build and not to destroy your human fellows.
The portion of the book of Daniel written in Aramaic language is from Daniel 2:4 to 7:1-28; and that of Ezra penned in Aramaic language are: Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-26. The rest 37 books of the Old Testament 39 books were written in Hebrew language. The entire New Testament, we should not forget, was written in Koine (Common) Greek.
The dream of King Nebuchadnezzar was about a great image (v.31). The interpretation of the great image that King Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream reveals that there would arise four earthly Kingdoms.
But there remains a Kingdom that is not of this earth that will crush all these four Kingdoms. Verse 44 reads thus: “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the Kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms, and it shall stand forever” (Daniel 2:44).
The Fifth Kingdom
This prophesied Kingdom in Daniel 2:44 is the Church. The Kingdom that shall break in pieces, yes, the fifth Kingdom, which shall consume all the four earthly Kingdoms and remain forever, is the Church. Through obedient faith one gains entrance into the Kingdom of God on earth, the Church. “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13).
The Church was promised by Christ in Matthew 16:18; and it was actualized on the Pentecost day when about 3000 souls (people) obeyed the gospel to be saved. The Pentecostal audience heard the gospel preached to them by Apostle Peter. They believed the message heard, which was about Christ’s death, burial and resurrection (Acts 2:14-39). Put together, this message was and is the gospel. Paul clearly defines the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 thus: “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you — unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures”.
The Fifth Kingdom
This prophesied Kingdom in Daniel 2:44 is the Church. The Kingdom that shall break in pieces, yes, the fifth Kingdom, which shall consume all the four earthly Kingdoms and remain forever, is the Church. Through obedient faith one gains entrance into the Kingdom of God on earth, the Church. “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13).
it is a valuable fact to know that the Church was promised by Christ in Matthew 16:18; and it was actualized on the Pentecost day when about 3000 souls (people) obeyed the gospel to be saved. The Pentecostal audience heard the gospel preached to them by Apostle Peter. They believed the message heard, which was about Christ’s death, burial and resurrection (Acts 2:14-39). Put together, this message was and is the gospel.
Paul clearly defines the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 thus: “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you — unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures”.
Alexander the Great, within his brief existence on earth, commanded great power and influence. The gospel of Christ, which is based on faith, is not “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6) that is based solely on meritorious works or law-keeping or faith plus law-keeping or faith plus meritorious works or faith plus meritorious works plus law-keeping. This “other gospel” is the perversion of the gospel of Christ. This is what Apostle Paul said concerning this “other gospel”, yes, “another gospel”: “Which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:7-9).
The gospel of Christ: Can be preached; can be heard; can be received. Besides, you can stand firmly in, and hold fast to, the gospel of Christ. O! Great God! Thank you for your “indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15) who died for our sins, buried in a new borrowed tomb and resurrected the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4)? Christ is the Grace of God who brings Salvation to all men (Titus 2:11) by shedding His precious blood on the Cross?
The gospel saves. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”” (Romans 1:16-17).
Alexander the great was a notable figure during his short days on earth. He conquered nations, possessed formidable army and erected structures, among others (David, 2015). You too can touch lives for Christ by preaching the gospel to other people. A soul positively touched with the gospel will shun sins, and obediently do the will of God daily. Have you preached the gospel today? “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). Put on humility and obediently reach out with the gospel to others. God is with you, so neither be afraid nor be dismayed (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).
The Pentecostal audience did not only repent of their sins, but they were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. Acts 2:38 shows that baptism in water is not to confirm Salvation, rather it is for the remission of sins. Let us read this passage: “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”. Therefore, before Salvation comes water baptism through which sins are forgiven to produce a new creature, and to put one in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 3:27).
In sum, the Steps to Salvation, then and now, are: These Steps to Salvation are the obedient faith required for entrance into the Church, the fifth Kingdom. The Church is not a building, but the “fold of God on earth; a manifestation of the kingdom reign of Christ on earth” You should know that the Church is:
- The Body of Christ (Colossians 1:18, 24; Ephesians 1:20-23).
- The Household of God (1 Timothy 3:15).
- When we contemplate its unity of function and our union with Christ, we see the church as the body of Christ (Romans 12:5).
When we think of warmth, support, and companionship which we receive as His church, we view it as the family of God (Ephesians 2:19). When we think of it from the viewpoint of the rule and reign of God, we recognize it as kingdom of God on earth (Matthew 16:16-18)”. “… The church is God’s earthly manifestation of His heavenly kingdom. Therefore, it referred to as the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:18, 19), the kingdom of God (John 3:5), and the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13)”. “… The church is God’s eternal kingdom on earth.
It is not fleeting or temporary; it is stable, unshakable, and everlasting” (Eddie, 1993). The Church cannot die, but the Church building can be renovated, destroyed and reconstructed.
- Ephesians 3:21 knocks off the idea of the Church being a building when it says, “To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:21). From this passage, we note that the name of God is glorified in the Church. A physical structure, an inanimate object, cannot glorify the Lord, can it? NO! It cannot! The Church thus is not a building, but the gospel-summoned people out of the world pollution to purity and holiness in Christ Jesus.
- The basic distinction between mystic religions or cults and the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is that the Church is Christ’s body (Young, 2005). Physical structure is not the body of Christ, therefore, the Church is not an inanimate object such as a building (Young, 2005).
- “The Church is not a building, a structure or an organization, but it is the people, the called out assembly of believers” (Randy, 2000). A business organization is quite distinct from the Church. Going further, Randy (2000), said, “The Church is the body of Chris and family of God. It deserves our attendance, participation, giving, loyalty and dedication. If we love Jesus, we will love His body, the Church!”
After Daniel revealed King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and gave the interpretation, the King was touched 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” (v.47).
Is the Lord known positively through you?
After his conversion, Apostle Paul said, “And they glorified God in me” (Galatians 1:24). Is the Lord known through you everywhere you go? By your speech and actions, is the Lord Jesus Christ manifested; and God the Father revealed as the true Creator of heavens and earth, capable of doing all things (Mark 1:37). If not, why not now? Stop cursing and lying (Romans 12:14; Ephesians 4:31-32).
Do not go about seeking juju or shrines or charms to help you solve your problems. Seek the Lord in prayer. “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (cf. 2 Chronicles 7:14; Matthew 7:7; 21:22). Is God, like in Paul’s case, glorified through you?
If you pray and fast, rain of blessings will fall for you. Be not tried to pray. “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2). In your trials, hang tenaciously to God and it shall be well with you. The promises of God still exist for His children today. In Psalm 91:15-16 we read: “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation”.
Conclusion
We have discussed some vital facts from the book of Daniel chapter 2 and learnt some vital lessons. These few indispensable and valuable facts have assisted you to know the four Kingdoms that ruled the earth before now; and the last Kingdom, the Church, which is in existence today. We enjoin you to read this chapter along with chapter 7 and note the differences, as well as the similarities. Allow your light to shine, so that God will be glorified through you (Matthew 5:16). The talent(s) you possess, use it for God’s glory and the benefits of mankind. “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer” (Romans 12:12).
