Read again the dream and its interpretation (Dan. 2:31-49). What does this teach us about God’s foreknowledge of world history?

The prophecy conveyed by Nebuchadnezzar’s dream provides a general prophetic outline and functions as the yardstick with which to approach the more-detailed prophecies of Daniel chapters 7, 8, and 11. Also, Daniel chapter 2 is not a conditional prophecy.

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It is an apocalyptic prophecy: a definitive prediction of what God foresaw and would actually bring to pass in the future.

1. The head of gold represents Babylon (626-539 B.C.). Indeed, no other metal could better represent the power and wealth of the Babylonian empire than gold. The Bible calls it “the golden city” (Isa. 14:4) and “a golden cup in the LORD’s hand” (Jer. 51:7; compare with Rev. 18:16). The ancient historian Herodotus reports that an abundance of gold embellished the city.
2. The chest and arms of silver stand for Media-Persia (539-331 B.C.). As silver is valued less than gold, the Medo-Persian empire never attained the splendor of the Babylonian. In addition, silver was also a fitting symbol for the Persians because they used silver in their taxation system.
3. The belly and thighs of bronze symbolize Greece (331-168 B.C.). Ezekiel 27:13 portrays the Greeks as bartering bronze vessels. Greek soldiers were noted for their bronze armor. Their helmets, shields, and battle-axes consisted of brass. Herodotus tells us that Psammetichus I of Egypt saw in invading Greek pirates the fulfillment of an oracle that foretold “men of bronze coming from the sea”.
4. The legs of iron aptly represent Rome (168 B.C.-A.D. 476). As Daniel explained, the iron represented the crushing power of the Roman Empire, which lasted longer than any of the previous kingdoms. Iron was a perfect metal to represent the empire.
5. The feet partly of iron and partly of clay represent a divided Europe (A.D. 476-Second Coming of Christ). The mixture of iron with clay provides a fitting picture of what happened after the disintegration of the Roman Empire. Although many attempts have been made to unify Europe, ranging from marriage alliances between royal houses to the present European Union, division and disunity have prevailed and, according to this prophecy, will remain so until God establishes the eternal kingdom.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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Every word of God proves true…Proverbs 30:5 NLT

God’s Word said “if you eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil you will die.” The serpent said, “You won’t die!” insinuating God is a liar. The serpent was talking so it appeared defiance to God actually gave him special powers. Eve believed in what she heard and saw from the serpent instead of believing God’s Word. Turns out God’s Word was true. She died.

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God told us through the prophet Daniel that Europe would never be reunited into a one-world empire after Rome fell. In World War 2 Arthur Maxwell’s superiors were so afraid Hitler would take over Europe that they asked him not to publish his article claiming, according to Daniel 2, that there was no way Hitler could win and take over Europe. Maxwell published his article anyways. Good thing he did, because it turned out God’s Word was true. Hitler lost. Europe has never been reunited into a one-world empire.

In the wilderness Satan wanted to tempt Jesus and make Him doubt He was the Son of God. After all He probably did not look the best after 40 days of fasting. Jesus said He did not need any signs, like turning stones to bread to prove He was God’s Son. He had already heard God call Him “Son” at His baptism. Jesus put His faith in God’s Word instead of appearances. Turns out God’s Word is true. Even the centurion knew Jesus was God’s Son.

A boy told a story about dying and going to heaven. The Bible says when you die you remain in your grave, unconscious until Jesus comes and resurrects us. Like Eve, many people put their faith in what they saw and heard instead of God’s Word. The boy later recanted his story. Turns out the Bible is true. Those who die sleep until Jesus comes.

The moral of my story is, whenever appearances, sight, sound and feeling all contradict God’s Word, God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures will prove true every time. Trust God. Trust His Word above anything you see, feel, or hear.

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Read Daniel 2:24-30. What does Daniel say here that’s so important for us always to remember? (See also John 15:5).

In response to prayer, God reveals the content of the dream and its interpretation. And Daniel does not hesitate to tell the king that the solution for the mystery comes from the “God in heaven”. Also, prior to reporting the content of the dream and its interpretation,

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Daniel mentions the unexpressed thoughts and concerns of the king as the latter lay sleepless in bed. This circumstantial information further emphasizes the credibility of the message, because such information known only to the king must have come to Daniel through a supernatural power. But as Daniel proceeds to report the content of the dream, he risks triggering another crisis, because the dream is not necessarily good news for Nebuchadnezzar.

Read Daniel 2:31-49. What does the dream say is the fate of Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom?

The dream consists of a majestic image with its head “of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay” (Dan. 2:32-33, NKJV). Eventually a stone “struck the image on its feet” (Dan. 2:34, NKJV), and the whole structure was destroyed and scattered like chaff on the wind. Daniel explains that the different metals represent successive kingdoms that will replace one another throughout the course of history. For Nebuchadnezzar, the message is clear: Babylonia, with all its might and glory, will pass away and be replaced by another kingdom, which will be followed by others until a kingdom of a completely different nature will replace them all: God’s eternal kingdom, which will last forever.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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The hymn that will be used as the theme for this quarter is from “The Church Hymnal, Official Hymnal of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church” which was surpassed by the “Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal” in 1985.In the ‘old’ hymnal, Number 497 – Standing by a Purpose True, that is, ”Dare to be a Daniel” will be the favourite. I do hope you are able to source this hymn and use it frequently during this quarters Sabbath School study time.

On Sabbath afternoon we learned of different winds driving icebergs, then looking at our lives we are able to see that God looks after the winds that swirl around us in
Hymn 519 “Give to the Winds Your Fears”. Like the four Hebrew young men,
”All My Hope on God Is Founded” Hymn 5 we see God’s help through change and chance.

On Sunday we find Daniel daring to request time from Arioch. I do hope you have
“Dare to be a Daniel” available for this study. Adding to that we find the Daniel asked for God’s leading:
Hymn 537 “He Leadeth Me”.

There are a number of hymns about Prayer (Sunday’s study) with the first choice being:
Hymn 501 “Tis the Blessed Hour of Prayer”. I am sure that Daniel and three friends said:
“At First I Prayed for Light” Hymn 488, then strength and faith to receive the dream of Nebuchadnezzar.

We find the rock/stone in Daniel 2:34, and following verses, is our God. This is found in:
Hymn 347 “Built on the Rock”. In Daniel 2:35 the stone becomes a mountain that we look forward to going to in
Hymn 450 “Beautiful Zion”.

God’s blessings as you enjoy your “Singing with Inspiration” this quarter.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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1. The immanence of God.How does the word, “immanence,” apply to the Christian concept of God? What do you think was the source of the multiple dreams that experts in Daniel’s day took seriously as warnings of approaching disaster? Imagine you are a “wise man” of Babylon. How would you feel when your fellow interpreters can’t explain this prophecy of unknown content, knowing that you are headed for the gallows because of your failure? How did Daniel feel about this and what did he do to turn things around? Do you think he knew that he and the other men would be rescued?
2. The prayer. Starting in Daniel 2:17 what kind of a meeting do Daniel and his four friends immediately call? Imagine if you can what they might have said in their first prayer, a prayer of petition. Besides answering this prayer of petition, what else does God reveal? Should we always take time to thank God for answering our prayers? Even if He doesn’t fill our requests? Why? Or why not?
3. The image, introduction. Would you describe the image presented to Daniel as a frightening presentation for the king? Or did he delight in the solid gold appearance of an image representing him, the king.
4. The image, interpretation. The explanation of the image is spelled out in our lesson for this week. Can you describe what each aspect of the vision represented?
   1. Head of gold
   2. Chest and arms of silver
   3. Belly and thighs of bronze
   4. Legs of iron
   5. Feet of iron mixed with clay
5. The Stone. Suddenly, instead of a gorgeous statue of valuable minerals, we have action. What happens to the stone? How does it change? Explain, if you can, how a mountain can fill the earth when the earth is round but the mountain is not? How do we interpret the mighty stone that arises on earth? How does this event fulfill Bible prophecy? Do you long to be on earth when the stone crashes to the earth? Why or why not? 

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