I was running down the street. I dared not to look over my shoulder because he might catch me. I felt his hot breath on the back of my neck and smell his foul odor. I heard his steps and he was gaining on me. I saw a restaurant that was open for business. I sprinted for the door. Inside I knew I would be safe. I got to the door. Put my hand on the door knob to open the door only to find it locked. I felt the gorilla’s paw touch my shoulder. I woke up from the dream and thought no more about it. Had I lived in Daniel’s time, I might have perceived this dream as a message from God. King Nebuchadnezzar did not dream about a gorilla chasing him but he dreamed about things not understood. He called upon Daniel to interpret his dream when his own astrologers could not. Daniel interpreted the King’s dream and gave God the credit. The King honored both Daniel and Daniel’s King because he realized that Daniel’s God was a god in control of the world’s empires.
Daniel later had a dream of four animals and God revealed these animals represented the four world empires of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Both dreams were futuristic looks at the rise and fall of powerful kingdoms. Each of these kingdoms would rule the inhabited earth however each of them would be conquered and fall. Ultimately, the visions revealed the only eternal and lasting kingdom would be God’s - Jesus’ Kingdom. In this eternal kingdom, Jesus will sit on the throne and reign for ever more.
When you think about it, the rise and fall of these four world empires in these visions has been it. The last of the four world empires was Rome. Rome was the world empire at the time of Jesus’ ministry on earth. Once Rome fell, there was not been a true world empire. Several leaders have tried. Both Napoleon and Hitler tried and failed. Through our history studies of the world’s empires, we can clearly see that Daniel’s interpretations of these visions were correct. No one is in control but the almighty God. The one true God began all of the early history and He controls when and how this world’s history will end.
Daniel’s dreams and visions are important. First, they show that God is in control. Secondly, we know these four world empires were based on evil. Their rulers were not concerned with the citizens. Third, we see they were immoral and corrupt and these traits led to their downfall. Fourth, Daniel, an ordinary person, was used mightily by God. And most importantly, we are shown that a kingdom will come and shall last forever.
After Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness, satan took Him up to the mountain top and showed Him the worldly kingdoms in all their glory. Satan told Jesus all these kingdoms were His if He would only bow down and worship him. Satan wanted Jesus to be the political ruler of the world’s kingdoms instead of continuing with God’s plan for the Kingdom to come. Satan is able to deceive and offers us the same things today if we follow him and not Jesus. Satan can only offer materialistic desires because the world itself is not his to give; it is God’s. Satan has a great influence over evil leaders today. In some countries today the leader’s lead lavish lifestyles while the people of the country suffer in poverty.
Jesus knew lawlessness and sinfulness of the kingdoms satan offered. Jesus knew the rise and fall of all earthly empires was over. Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come. Jesus’ response was "the Kingdom of God is within you". Through parables, Jesus taught of a Kingdom which is opposite of what mankind thinks a kingdom is. Jesus’ Kingdom is not one of a geographical kingdom but a spiritual kingdom where God rules.
Is the Kingdom of God within you? It begins with your acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah. Worldly empires have run their course and will be no more. The empires of the world have crumbled and disappeared. The Kingdom of Jesus, however, will stand forever not like the four world empires ruled by man. Trust in Jesus and follow Him. When you do that, you become a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven and on the day that God brings all His children home, you too will sit at the foot of Jesus’ throne and worship Him in person!!!
Papa Joe Mac's Commentary:
I was running down the street. I dared not to look over my shoulder because he might catch me. I felt his hot breath on the back of my neck and smell his foul odor. I heard his steps and he was gaining on me. I saw a restaurant that was open for business. I sprinted for the door. Inside I knew I would be safe. I got to the door. Put my hand on the door knob to open the door only to find it locked. I felt the gorilla’s paw touch my shoulder. I woke up from the dream and thought no more about it. Had I lived in Daniel’s time, I might have perceived this dream as a message from God. King Nebuchadnezzar did not dream about a gorilla chasing him but he dreamed about things not understood. He called upon Daniel to interpret his dream when his own astrologers could not. Daniel interpreted the King’s dream and gave God the credit. The King honored both Daniel and Daniel’s King because he realized that Daniel’s God was a god in control of the world’s empires.
Daniel later had a dream of four animals and God revealed these animals represented the four world empires of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Both dreams were futuristic looks at the rise and fall of powerful kingdoms. Each of these kingdoms would rule the inhabited earth however each of them would be conquered and fall. Ultimately, the visions revealed the only eternal and lasting kingdom would be God’s - Jesus’ Kingdom. In this eternal kingdom, Jesus will sit on the throne and reign for ever more.
When you think about it, the rise and fall of these four world empires in these visions has been it. The last of the four world empires was Rome. Rome was the world empire at the time of Jesus’ ministry on earth. Once Rome fell, there was not been a true world empire. Several leaders have tried. Both Napoleon and Hitler tried and failed. Through our history studies of the world’s empires, we can clearly see that Daniel’s interpretations of these visions were correct. No one is in control but the almighty God. The one true God began all of the early history and He controls when and how this world’s history will end.
Daniel’s dreams and visions are important. First, they show that God is in control. Secondly, we know these four world empires were based on evil. Their rulers were not concerned with the citizens. Third, we see they were immoral and corrupt and these traits led to their downfall. Fourth, Daniel, an ordinary person, was used mightily by God. And most importantly, we are shown that a kingdom will come and shall last forever.
After Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness, satan took Him up to the mountain top and showed Him the worldly kingdoms in all their glory. Satan told Jesus all these kingdoms were His if He would only bow down and worship him. Satan wanted Jesus to be the political ruler of the world’s kingdoms instead of continuing with God’s plan for the Kingdom to come. Satan is able to deceive and offers us the same things today if we follow him and not Jesus. Satan can only offer materialistic desires because the world itself is not his to give; it is God’s. Satan has a great influence over evil leaders today. In some countries today the leader’s lead lavish lifestyles while the people of the country suffer in poverty.
Jesus knew lawlessness and sinfulness of the kingdoms satan offered. Jesus knew the rise and fall of all earthly empires was over. Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come. Jesus’ response was "the Kingdom of God is within you". Through parables, Jesus taught of a Kingdom which is opposite of what mankind thinks a kingdom is. Jesus’ Kingdom is not one of a geographical kingdom but a spiritual kingdom where God rules.
Is the Kingdom of God within you? It begins with your acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah. Worldly empires have run their course and will be no more. The empires of the world have crumbled and disappeared. The Kingdom of Jesus, however, will stand forever not like the four world empires ruled by man. Trust in Jesus and follow Him. When you do that, you become a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven and on the day that God brings all His children home, you too will sit at the foot of Jesus’ throne and worship Him in person!!!