Ok, listen up, fellow God seekers!  We know God is at work among His uniquely-called people (Jews), but don’t forget that He has given us a mission as well!  Yesterday’s diagram is a skeleton and we will spend the rest of this week putting meat on the bones.  Let’s start with God’s plan for the Gentiles.

During the time of Jewish captivity in Babylon, the prophet Daniel remained faithful to God and became an interpreter of dreams for King Nebuchadnezzar. In doing so, Daniel asked God to reveal His plan of the future and God obliged! That account is recorded in Daniel 2 and Daniel 7. Take some time to read those chapters, then we’ll dive into the meaty portion!

Study tips:

• Daniel 2:1-30 sets the stage. Daniel reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and convinces the king he has supernatural ability to interpret.
• The interpretation and explanation of the dream occur in verses 31-45.
  • Describe the statue as best you can.
  • What empires did each body part represent?
• These are successive empires that prophetically came to be:
  • Head of gold = Babylon, the greatest empire of the day. Gold signifies power and influence.
  • Breast of silver = Medo-Persia, a two-armed empire (Medes and Persians) who conquered Babylon. Silver became the medium of exchange during this kingdom reign.
  • Belly and thighs = Greece, under Alexander the Great, who conquered the entire known world at that time. Abs and thighs are emblems of strength and the Greeks worshipped the body, but fell because of their desire for things.
  • Legs of iron = Roman empire that trampled down and crushed nations, including Israel. Rome was never conquered, but disintegrated into eastern and western empires…the two feet.
  • Feet of iron and clay = A revived Roman empire that will exist in end times. 10 toes represent the 10-nation confederation that will unite to produce the antichrist. Iron and clay don’t mix well and will ultimately fail.
• Daniel mentions another kingdom in verses 44-45. Any idea what kingdom that will be?  Hint: what kingdom on the diagram will God set up and rule as indicated in these verses?  (Yes, the Millennial Kingdom!)

Daniel had a dream of his own in chapter 7 of Daniel, and it corresponded to the dream he interpreted for the king. 

Study tips:

• Review Daniel 7:1-8.
  • Do you recognize any correlations?  Here are a few:
  • Lion with wings = Babylon was characterized by strength and ability, and Babylon was symbolized in history as a lion.
  • Lopsided bear with 3 ribs in his mouth = Medo-Persia. Persia, the “raised up” portion, was much stronger than the Medes. Together, they conquered 3 kingdoms, represented by the ribs.
  • Leopard with 4 wings and heads = Greece. Alexander the great very swiftly conquered the world. 4 wings and heads represent 4 division established after his death.
  • Terrifying beast with iron teeth = Roman empire that trampled and crushed the rest. 10 horns represent the 10-nation confederation still to come in the revised Roman empire (end times) and the little horn refers to the antichrist.

Not once, but twice Daniel accurately interpreted the succession of empires to follow Babylon. By the way, our diagram in lesson 1 begins with the Church Age and Roman was in power then.  A revived Roman empire will rise again and bring forth the antichrist, which will launch the 7-year tribulation seen on our diagram!

Friends, God has been at work shaping the future of Jews and Gentiles throughout history.  We currently live in the Church Age, the time of the Gentiles, and it is our duty to join God where He is at work drawing others to Himself.  Soon His attention will return solely to the Jews (following the rapture of the church).  Will we join Him where He is at work right now? Take some time to consider these truths, then jump right back into God’s plan for the Jews tomorrow!