THE KINGDOM THAT WILL NEVER END

DANIEL 2:1-49

      A recurring dream about the future (things to come) troubled King Nebuchadnezzar (Ps. 127:2). God gave only Daniel the interpretation of the dream. Writing 2,500 years ago, Daniel described the future “times of the Gentiles” (Lk. 21:24) from Nebuchadnezzar to Anti-christ. God, not man, determines the times.

      Keil wrote, “It begins (Daniel 2) and ends (Daniel 7) with a revelation from God regarding its historical unfolding in four great world-kingdoms following each other, and their final overthrow by the kingdom of God, which shall continue for ever.”

  I. Mystery (2:1-28)

      A. Concealed (1-11; wisdom of this age)

      B. Revealed (12-28; secret of the Lord)

Ps. 25:14 [HCSB]. The secret counsel of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He reveals His covenant to them.

          1. Prayer (Jas. 1:5)

          2. Praise (Prov. 21:1)

 II. History (2:29-43)

      A. Explanation (29-35)

      B. Interpretation (36-43)

      The statue indicated the four successive world kingdoms. The materials indicated the progressive deterioration and collapse of human government. The statue, like civilizations, toppled at the foundation.

•          Dan. 2:36-38, Babylon (606-539 B.C.): head of gold (Is. 14:4)

•          Dan. 2:39, Media-Persia (539-330 B.C.): arms and chest of silver (Dan. 5:28, 8:20)

•          Dan. 2:39, Greece (330-150 B.C.): thigh of brass (Dan. 8:21, 11:2; cf. shields)

•          Dan. 2:40, Rome (150 B.C. to A.D. 500): legs of iron (Lk. 2:1; symbol of strength)

•          Dan. 2:41-43, Anti-christ (tribulation): ten toes of iron and clay (Rev. 17:12)

•          Dan. 2:44, Jesus Christ (forever): stone that crushes

      Rome divided as an empire into West and East. Unlike the other powers, Rome collapsed from within. Yet, Roman influence and ideals continue through western civilization. In the last days a confederacy of nations will arise from the ruins of the ancient Roman empire. This will be the last attempt at one-world domination. The Most High rules in the kingdoms of men. Daniel taught Nebuchadnezzar that God ruled in heaven.

III. Prophecy (2:44-49)

      A. Kingdom (44; mountain–Is. 2:2, 11:9)

          1. Day of grace

Is. 61:1-2 [ESV]. to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;

              a. Mystery of the church (Col. 1:24-28)

              b. Mystery of the kingdom (Mt. 13:36-43)

          2. Day of vengeance (Ps. 2; Is. 63:1-4; Rev. 19:11-16)

      When Christ returns, He will strike the feet of the statue (anti-christ) in the last attempt at one-world rule.

      B. King of Kings (45-49; rock)

Phil. 2:10-11. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;

 11. And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

      Jesus Christ is the Rock that became a mountain.

•          Supernatural rock (without human hands)

•          Smitten rock (Ex. 17:6)

•          Corner rock (Eph. 2:20)

•          Stumbling rock (Rom. 9:32-33; 1 Cor. 1:23)

•          Rejected rock (Ps. 118:22; Mt. 21:42)

•          Chief rock (Acts 4:11-12)

•          Crushing rock (Mt. 21:44)

      Keil said, “This kingdom is not founded by the hands of man, but is erected by the God of heaven, and shall for ever remain immoveable, in contrast to the world-kingdoms, the one of which will be annihilated by the other.”

      Christ’s kingdom will never end (Is. 9:6-7; Dan. 7:14; Zech. 14:9; Lk. 1:32-33; Rev. 11:15).

NIV

 1. In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams (Gen. 28:12, 37:5, 40:5, 41:1, 42:9; 1 Kg. 3:5; Jer. 23:25; Dan. 1:17, 2:1-2-3); his mind was troubled (Gen. 41:8; Dan. 2:1-3) and he could not sleep (Gen. 31:40; Est. 6:1).

 2. So the king summoned the magicians (Gen. 41:8-24; Ex. 7:11-22; Dan. 1:20, 2:2), enchanters (Dan. 1:20, 2:2), sorcerers (Ex. 7:11, 22:18; Dt. 18:10; 2 Chr. 33:6; Dan. 2:2; Mal. 3:5) and astrologers (Dan. 1:4, 2:2-4, 9:1) to tell him what he had dreamed (Gen. 28:12, 37:5, 40:5, 41:1, 42:9; 1 Kg. 3:5; Jer. 23:25; Dan. 1:17, 2:1-2-3). When they came in and stood before the king,

 3. he said to them, "I have had a dream (Gen. 28:12, 37:5, 40:5, 41:1, 42:9; 1 Kg. 3:5; Jer. 23:25; Dan. 1:17, 2:1-2-3) that troubles (Gen. 41:8; Dan. 2:1-3) me and I want to know what it means. "

 4. Then the astrologers (Dan. 1:4, 2:2-4, 9:1) answered the king in Aramaic, "O king, live forever! Tell (Dan. 2:4-6-7-9-10-11-16-24-27) your servants the dream (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-26-28-36-45, 4:5-6-7-8-9-18-19, 5:12, 7:1), and we will interpret (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16) it."

 5. The king replied to the astrologers, "This is what I have firmly (Dan. 2:5-8) decided: If you do not tell me what my dream (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-26-28-36-45, 4:5-6-7-8-9-18-19, 5:12, 7:1) was and interpret (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16) it, I will have you cut into pieces (Dan. 2:5, 3:29) and your houses turned into piles of rubble (Ezra 6:11; Dan. 2:5, 3:29).

 6. But if you tell (Dan. 2:4-6-7-9-10-11-16-24-27) me the dream (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-26-28-36-45, 4:5-6-7-8-9-18-19, 5:12, 7:1) and explain it, you will receive from me gifts (Dan. 2:6-48, 5:17) and rewards (Dan. 2:6, 5:17) and great honor (Dan. 2:6-37, 4:30-36, 5:18-20, 7:14). So tell me the dream and interpret (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16) it for me."

 7. Once more they replied, "Let the king tell (Dan. 2:4-6-7-9-10-11-16-24-27) his servants the dream (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-26-28-36-45, 4:5-6-7-8-9-18-19, 5:12, 7:1), and we will interpret (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16) it."

 8. Then the king answered, "I am certain (Dan. 2:8-45, 3:24, 6:12, 7:16) that you are trying to gain time (Dan. 2:8-9-21, 3:5-15, 4:16-23-25-32, 7:12-25), because you realize that this is what I have firmly (Dan. 2:5-8) decided:

 9. If you do not tell (Dan. 2:4-6-7-9-10-11-16-24-27) me the dream (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-26-28-36-45, 4:5-6-7-8-9-18-19, 5:12, 7:1), there is just one penalty (Ezra 7:12-14-21-25-26; Dan. 2:9-13-15, 6:5-8-12-15, 7:25) for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation (Dan. 2:8-9-21, 3:5-15, 4:16-23-25-32, 7:12-25) will change (Ezra 6:11-12; Dan. 2:9-21, 3:19-27-28, 4:16, 5:6-9-10, 6:8-15-17, 7:3-7-19-23-24-25-28). So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16) it for me."

 10. The astrologers answered the king, "There is not a man on earth who can do (Dan. 2:4-6-7-9-10-11-16-24-27) what the king asks (Dan. 2:5-8-9-10-11-15-17-23)! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked (Dan. 2:10-11-27) such a thing of any magician (Dan. 2:10-27, 4:7-9, 5:11) or enchanter (Dan. 2:10-27, 4:7, 5:7-11-15) or astrologer.

 11. What the king asks (Dan. 2:10-11-27) is too difficult. No one can reveal (Dan. 2:4-6-7-9-10-11-16-24-27) it to the king except the gods, and they do not live (Dan. 2:11, 4:25-32, 5:21) among men."

 12. This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution (Dan. 2:12-18-24, 7:11-26) of all the wise (Dan. 2:12-13-14-18-21-24-27-48, 4:6-18, 5:7-8-15) men of Babylon (Dan. 2:12-14-18-24-48-49, 3:1-12-30, 4:6-29-30, 5:7, 7:1).

 13. So the decree (Ezra 7:12-14-21-25-26; Dan. 2:9-13-15, 6:5-8-12-15, 7:25) was issued to put the wise (Dan. 2:12-13-14-18-21-24-27-48, 4:6-18, 5:7-8-15) men to death (Dan. 2:13-14, 3:22, 5:19-30, 7:11), and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.

 14. When Arioch, the commander of the king's guard, had gone out to put to death (Dan. 2:13-14, 3:22, 5:19-30, 7:11) the wise (Dan. 2:12-13-14-18-21-24-27-48, 4:6-18, 5:7-8-15) men of Babylon (Dan. 2:12-14-18-24-48-49, 3:1-12-30, 4:6-29-30, 5:7, 7:1), Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact.

 15. He asked (Dan. 2:5-8-9-10-11-15-17-23) the king's officer, "Why did the king issue such a harsh (Dan. 2:15, 3:22) decree (Dan. 2:9-13-15, 6:5-8-12-15, 7:25)?" Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel.

 16. At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked (Dan. 2:16-23-49, 6:7-12-13) for time (Dan. 2:16-21, 3:7-8, 4:36, 6:10-13, 7:12-22), so that he might (Dan. 2:4-6-7-9-10-11-16-24-27) interpret (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16) the dream for him.

 17. Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

 18. He urged them to plead (Dan. 2:18, 6:13) for mercy from the God of heaven (Dan. 2:18-19-28-37-44, 5:23) concerning this mystery (Dan. 2:18-19-27-28-29-30-47, 4:9), so that he and his friends might not be executed (Dan. 2:12-18-24, 7:11-26) with the rest of the wise (Dan. 2:12-13-14-18-21-24-27-48, 4:6-18, 5:7-8-15) men of Babylon (Dan. 2:12-14-18-24-48-49, 3:1-12-30, 4:6-29-30, 5:7, 7:1).

 19. During the night the mystery (Dan. 2:18-19-27-28-29-30-47, 4:9) was revealed (Dan. 2:19-22-28-29-30-47) to Daniel in a vision (Dan. 2:19-28, 4:5-9-10-13, 7:1-2-7-13-15-20). Then Daniel praised (Dan. 2:19-20, 3:28, 6:10) the God of heaven (Dan. 2:18-19-28-37-44, 5:23)

 20. and said: "Praise (Dan. 2:19-20, 3:28, 6:10) be to the name of God (Dan. 2:20, 4:34) for ever and ever (Dan. 2:20-44, 6:26); wisdom (Dan. 2:20-21-23-30, 5:11-14) and power (Dan. 2:20-23) are his.

 21. He changes (Ezra 6:11-12; Dan. 2:9-21, 3:19-27-28, 4:16, 5:6-9-10, 6:8-15-17, 7:3-7-19-23-24-25-28) times (Dan. 2:8-9-21, 3:5-15, 4:16-23-25-32, 7:12-25) and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes (Dan. 2:21, 4:31) them. He gives (Dan. 2:21-23-37-38-48, 5:18-19-28, 7:6-14-22-27) wisdom (Dan. 2:20-21-23-30, 5:11-14) to the wise (Dan. 2:12-13-14-18-21-24-27-48, 4:6-18, 5:7-8-15) and knowledge (Dan. 2:21, 4:34-36, 5:12) to the discerning.

 22. He reveals (Dan. 2:19-22-28-29-30-47) deep and hidden things; he knows (Dan. 2:5-8-9-15-17-21-22-23-25-26-28-29-30-45) what lies in darkness, and light dwells (Dan. 2:22, 3:25) with him.

 23. I thank (Dan. 2:23, 6:10) and praise (Dan. 2:23, 4:34-37) you, O God of my fathers: You have given (Dan. 2:21-23-37-38-48, 5:18-19-28, 7:6-14-22-27) me wisdom (Dan. 2:20-21-23-30, 5:11-14) and power (Dan. 2:20-23), you have made known (Dan. 2:5-8-9-15-17-21-22-23-25-26-28-29-30-45) to me what we asked (Dan. 2:16-23-49, 6:7-12-13) of you, you have made known (Dan. 2:5-8-9-15-17-21-22-23-25-26-28-29-30-45) to us the dream of the king."

 24. Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed (Dan. 2:24-49, 3:12, 5:26) to execute (Dan. 2:12-18-24, 7:11-26) the wise (Dan. 2:12-13-14-18-21-24-27-48, 4:6-18, 5:7-8-15) men of Babylon (Dan. 2:12-14-18-24-48-49, 3:1-12-30, 4:6-29-30, 5:7, 7:1), and said to him, "Do not execute (Dan. 2:12-18-24, 7:11-26) the wise (Dan. 2:12-13-14-18-21-24-27-48, 4:6-18, 5:7-8-15) men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will (Dan. 2:4-6-7-9-10-11-16-24-27) interpret (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16) his dream for him."

 25. Arioch took Daniel to the king at once (Dan. 2:25, 3:24, 6:19) and said, "I have found (Dan. 2:25, 5:11) a man among the exiles (Dan. 2:25, 5:13, 6:13) from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16)."

 26. The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), "Are you able to tell (Dan. 2:5-8-9-15-17-21-22-23-25-26-28-29-30-45) me what I saw in my dream (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-26-28-36-45, 4:5-6-7-8-9-18-19, 5:12, 7:1) and interpret (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16) it?"

 27. Daniel replied, "No wise (Dan. 2:12-13-14-18-21-24-27-48, 4:6-18, 5:7-8-15) man, enchanter (Dan. 2:10-27, 4:7, 5:7-11-15), magician (Dan. 2:10-27, 4:7-9, 5:11) or diviner (Dan. 2:27-34-45, 4:7, 5:7-11) can explain (Dan. 2:4-6-7-9-10-11-16-24-27) to the king the mystery (Dan. 2:18-19-27-28-29-30-47, 4:9) he has asked (Dan. 2:10-11-27) about,

 28. but there is a God in heaven (Dan. 2:18-19-28-37-44, 5:23) who reveals (Dan. 2:19-22-28-29-30-47) mysteries (Dan. 2:18-19-27-28-29-30-47, 4:9). He has shown (Dan. 2:5-8-9-15-17-21-22-23-25-26-28-29-30-45) King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen (Dan. 2:28-29-40-41-42-45) in days to come. Your dream (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-26-28-36-45, 4:5-6-7-8-9-18-19, 5:12, 7:1) and the visions (Dan. 2:19-28, 4:5-9-10-13, 7:1-2-7-13-15-20) that passed through your mind as you lay on your bed are these:

 29. "As you were lying there, O king, your mind (Dan. 2:29-30, 4:19, 5:6-10, 7:28) turned to things to come (Dan. 2:29-45), and the revealer (Dan. 2:19-22-28-29-30-47) of mysteries (Dan. 2:18-19-27-28-29-30-47, 4:9) showed (Dan. 2:5-8-9-15-17-21-22-23-25-26-28-29-30-45) you what is going to happen (Dan. 2:28-29-40-41-42-45).

 30. As for me, this mystery (Dan. 2:18-19-27-28-29-30-47, 4:9) has been revealed (Dan. 2:19-22-28-29-30-47) to me, not because I have greater wisdom (Dan. 2:20-21-23-30, 5:11-14) than other living men, but so that you, O king, may know (Dan. 2:5-8-9-15-17-21-22-23-25-26-28-29-30-45) the interpretation (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16) and that you may understand (Dan. 2:5-8-9-15-17-21-22-23-25-26-28-29-30-45) what went through your mind (Dan. 2:29-30, 4:19, 5:6-10, 7:28).

 31. "You looked, O king, and there before you stood a large statue (Dan. 2:31-32-34-35, 3:1-2-3-5-7-10-12-14-15-18-19)--an enormous, dazzling (Dan. 2:31, 4:36, 5:6-9-10, 7:28) (Dan. 2:31, 3:22, 4:36, 5:12-14, 6:3, 7:7-19) statue (Dan. 2:31-32-34-35, 3:1-2-3-5-7-10-12-14-15-18-19), awesome (Dan. 2:31, 4:5, 5:19, 6:26, 7:7-19) in appearance (Dan. 2:31, 3:25).

 32. The head (Dan. 2:32-38) of the statue (Dan. 2:31-32-34-35, 3:1-2-3-5-7-10-12-14-15-18-19) was made of pure gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29), its chest and arms of silver (Dan. 2:32-35-45, 5:2-4-23), its belly and thighs of bronze (Dan. 2:32-35-39-45, 4:15-23, 5:4-23, 7:19),

 33. its legs of iron (Dan. 2:33-34-35-40-41-42-43-45, 4:15-23, 5:4-23, 7:7-19), its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay (Dan. 2:33-34-35-41-42-43-45).

 34. While you were watching, a rock (Dan. 2:34-35-45, 5:4-23, 6:17) was cut out (Dan. 2:34-45), but not by human hands (Dan. 2:34-45). It struck the statue (Dan. 2:31-32-34-35, 3:1-2-3-5-7-10-12-14-15-18-19) on its feet of iron (Dan. 2:33-34-35-40-41-42-43-45, 4:15-23, 5:4-23, 7:7-19) and clay (Dan. 2:33-34-35-41-42-43-45) and smashed (Dan. 2:34-35-40-44-45, 7:7-19-23) them.

 35. Then the iron (Dan. 2:33-34-35-40-41-42-43-45, 4:15-23, 5:4-23, 7:7-19), the clay (Dan. 2:33-34-35-41-42-43-45), the bronze (Dan. 2:32-35-39-45, 4:15-23, 5:4-23, 7:19), the silver (Dan. 2:32-35-45, 5:2-4-23) and the gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29) were broken (Dan. 2:34-35-40-44-45, 7:7-19-23) to pieces at the same time and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock (Dan. 2:34-35-45, 5:4-23, 6:17) that struck the statue (Dan. 2:31-32-34-35, 3:1-2-3-5-7-10-12-14-15-18-19) became a huge mountain (Dan. 2:35-45) and filled the whole (Dan. 2:35-39, 4:1-11-20-35, 6:25, 7:23) earth.

 36. "This was the dream (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-26-28-36-45, 4:5-6-7-8-9-18-19, 5:12, 7:1), and now we will interpret (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16) it to the king.

 37. You, O king, are the king of kings (1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 19:16). The God of heaven (Dan. 2:18-19-28-37-44, 5:23) has given (Dan. 2:21-23-37-38-48, 5:18-19-28, 7:6-14-22-27) you dominion (Dan. 2:37-39-40-41-42-44) and power (Dan. 2:37, 4:30) and might (Dan. 2:37, 4:30) and glory (Dan. 2:6-37, 4:30-36, 5:18-20, 7:14);

 38. in your hands he has placed (Dan. 2:21-23-37-38-48, 5:18-19-28, 7:6-14-22-27) mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds of the air. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler (Dan. 2:38-39-48, 5:7-16) over them all. You are that head (Dan. 2:32-38) of gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29).

 39. "After you, another kingdom (Dan. 2:37-39-40-41-42-44) will rise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze (Dan. 2:32-35-39-45, 4:15-23, 5:4-23, 7:19), will rule (Dan. 2:38-39-48, 5:7-16) over the whole (Dan. 2:35-39, 4:1-11-20-35, 6:25, 7:23) earth.

 40. Finally, there will be (Dan. 2:28-29-40-41-42-45) a fourth kingdom (Dan. 2:37-39-40-41-42-44) , strong (Dan. 2:40-42, 7:7) as iron (Dan. 2:33-34-35-40-41-42-43-45, 4:15-23, 5:4-23, 7:7-19)--for iron breaks and smashes (Dan. 2:34-35-40-44-45-, 7:7-19-23) everything--and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others.

 41. Just as you saw that the feet and toes (Dan. 2:41-42) were partly of baked clay (Dan. 2:33-34-35-41-42-43-45) and partly of iron (Dan. 2:33-34-35-40-41-42-43-45, 4:15-23, 5:4-23, 7:7-19), so this will be (Dan. 2:28-29-40-41-42-45) a divided kingdom (Dan. 2:37-39-40-41-42-44) ; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed (Dan. 2:41-43) with clay.

 42. As the toes (Dan. 2:41-42) were partly iron (Dan. 2:33-34-35-40-41-42-43-45, 4:15-23, 5:4-23, 7:7-19) and partly clay (Dan. 2:33-34-35-41-42-43-45), so this kingdom (Dan. 2:37-39-40-41-42-44) will be (Dan. 2:28-29-40-41-42-45) partly strong (Dan. 2:40-42, 7:7) and partly brittle.

 43. And just as you saw the iron (Dan. 2:33-34-35-40-41-42-43-45, 4:15-23, 5:4-23, 7:7-19) mixed (Dan. 2:41-43) with baked clay (Dan. 2:33-34-35-41-42-43-45), so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay.

 44. "In the time of those kings, the God of heaven (Dan. 2:18-19-28-37-44, 5:23) will set up a kingdom (Dan. 2:37-39-40-41-42-44) that will never be destroyed (Dan. 2:44, 4:23, 6:22-26, 7:14), nor will it be left to another people. It will crush (Dan. 2:34-35-40-44-45, 7:7-19-23) all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever (Dan. 2:20-44, 6:26).

 45. This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out (Dan. 2:34-45) of a mountain (Dan. 2:35-45), but not by human hands (Dan. 2:34-45)--a rock (Dan. 2:34-35-45, 5:4-23, 6:17) that broke (Dan. 2:34-35-40-44-45, 7:7-19-23) the iron (Dan. 2:33-34-35-40-41-42-43-45, 4:15-23, 5:4-23, 7:7-19), the bronze (Dan. 2:32-35-39-45, 4:15-23, 5:4-23, 7:19), the clay (Dan. 2:33-34-35-41-42-43-45), the silver (Dan. 2:32-35-45, 5:2-4-23) and the gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29) to pieces. "The great God has shown (Dan. 2:5-8-9-15-17-21-22-23-25-26-28-29-30-45) the king what will take place (Dan. 2:28-29-40-41-42-45) in the future (Dan. 2:29-45). The dream (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-26-28-36-45, 4:5-6-7-8-9-18-19, 5:12, 7:1) is true (Dan. 2:8-45, 3:24, 6:12, 7:16) and the interpretation (Dan. 2:4-5-6-7-9-16-24-25-26-30-36-45, 4:6-7-9-18-19-24, 5:7-8-12-15-16-17-26, 7:16) is trustworthy (Dan. 2:45, 6:4-23)."

 46. Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-15, 7:20) prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-12-14-15-18-28) and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him.

 47. The king said to Daniel, "Surely (Dan. 2:47, 4:37) your God is the God of gods (Dan. 2:11-47, 3:12-14–18, 4:8-9-18, 5:4-11-14-23) and the Lord (Dan. 2:47, 5:23) of kings and a revealer (Dan. 2:19-22-28-29-30-47) of mysteries (Dan. 2:18-19-27-28-29-30-47, 4:9), for you were able to reveal this mystery (Dan. 2:18-19-27-28-29-30-47, 4:9)."

 48. Then the king placed Daniel in a high position (Dan. 2:48, 4:22) and lavished (Dan. 2:21-23-37-38-48, 5:18-19-28, 7:6-14-22-27) many gifts (Dan. 2:6-48, 5:17) on him. He made him ruler (Dan. 2:38-39-48, 5:7-16) over the entire province (Dan. 2:48-49, 3:1-2-3-12-30) of Babylon (Dan. 2:12-14-18-24-48-49, 3:1-12-30, 4:6-29-30, 5:7, 7:1) and placed him in charge (Dan. 2:48, 3:2-3-27, 6:7) of all its wise (Dan. 2:12-13-14-18-21-24-27-48, 4:6-18, 5:7-8-15) men.

 49. Moreover, at Daniel's request (Dan. 2:16-49) the king appointed (Dan. 2:24-49, 3:12, 5:26) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Dan. 1:7, 2:49, 3:12) administrators (Dan. 2:49, 3:12) over the province (Dan. 2:48-49, 3:1-2-3-12-30) of Babylon (Dan. 2:12-14-18-24-48-49, 3:1-12-30, 4:6-29-30, 5:7, 7:1), while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.