Sunday AM 10.23.11
jmichaelwalls
Daniel 2:1-12
Part 1
The Dream Received by Nebuchadnezzar
Introduction: As I had to do in the previous chapter, I will have to
break this chapter up. There will be three parts. This will be the
division of the chapter and also the titles for this chapter of the book
of Daniel.
The Dream Received by Nebuchadnezzar Vs. 1-18
The Dream Revealed to Daniel Vs. 19-30
The Dream Recited and Interpreted to Nebuchadnezzar with the Promotion of
Daniel
Vs. 31-49
With this chapter, we will see the power of Nebuchadnezzar. He has the
ultimate power to take life. He does not even respect life. He also sees
in this chapter the frauds of the men who were supposed to be the wisest
men in Babylon.
As I have tried to do in the previous lessons, I will be adding practical
applications. Without the practical applications, this is basically
useless. A principle learned from the life of a godly man or woman will
help when we are faced with something that is similar in our lives.
Nebuchadnezzar was chosen by God to be the first ruler of the time of the
Gentiles. We don�t know for sure if Nebuchadnezzar knew this or not. It
is possible that he did know and this was the reason for his pride and
how God brought him down. He is a wicked king and is a type of the coming
Anti-Christ of the Tribulation period of the age to come in some ways.
All men trembled at the mere mention of his name. He trembled before
nothing. Nebuchadnezzar was the troubler of God�s people but God is the
troubler of Nebuchadnezzar.
I. THE FORGOTTEN DREAM Vs. 1-5
Power of Nebuchadnezzar
He is in second year of his rule. His enemies fear his name. He seems to
be the master of his domain. He thinks that he controls all. He is about
to find out that there is a God in Heaven who is in complete control.
Problem of Nebuchadnezzar is found in a dream. Power and wealth may buy a
bed but they don�t buy restful sleep. This dream woke him from his sleep.
Before I go any further, I know that many cultures throughout the world
put creditable in dreams and visions. Dreams and visions try to replace
the Word of God. Shortly I will give you five reasons why the Bible is
superior to visions and dreams.
Precept from Nebuchadnezzar Vs. 2-3
He calls for the men who were his advisors on most matters. In Babylon,
these men were supposed to know about all facets of life especially how
it would pertain to the king.
D. Problem for the "dream team" Vs. 4
They don�t how to interpret a dream that they don�t know the dream. This
one dream exposes them for what they were. They were frauds. There are
four groups mentioned here. So these four groups represent religions with
earth as their basic beliefs.
The magicians were ones who would perform all sorts of seeming miracles,
including consultations with the dead. We have people that still think
that they can still do this. We don�t need tricks, miracles or consulting
with the dead because we have a completed Bible and the blessed Holy
Ghost living in us.
The astrologers were stargazers much like the ones who are around today.
They used horoscopes and made similar predictions like we see in many of
today�s newspapers. They would come to the king in the morning and tell
him what his day would be like. Basically they were the king�s own
private religious scholars.
The sorcerers were the ones who used herbs, charms and potions in the
practice of witchcraft. The root word for sorcerers is the same as that
for our word pharmacy in the Greek.
The Chaldeans was a special group of priest or wise men. They were
probably the remnants of the priesthood of the tower of Babel.
E. Proclamation of Nebuchadnezzar Vs. 5
If the "dream team" did not come up with the dream and the interpretation
of the same, he was going to put these men to death by cutting them to
pieces and make their houses a place for human waste products. He had
forgotten the dream. But we know that the Lord took it away and was going
to use this incident to promote Daniel as the man of the hour.
Practical application to this section
We find the word dream here. The words dream, dreams, dreamed, vision and
visions is found in our Bible one hundred and forty-six times.
God used dreams and visions when dreams and visions were necessary. This
was before a completed Bible was available. In the N. T., we find several
places in the book of Acts where a vision or dream is mentioned. But they
did not have a completed Bible. In some ways we are more blessed than the
first century Christians because they did not have any scriptures but the
Old Testament.
So what do we have? Something much greater than a vision or dream is
available to us. 2nd Peter 1:16-19
"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known
unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were
eyewitnesses of his majesty." "For he received from God the Father honour
and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory,
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." "And this voice which
came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount." "We
have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take
heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn,
and the day star arise in your hearts"
We have the complete Word of God for every problem, pain, pleasure and
panic of life. Let me give you the five part of the superiority of the
Bible instead of dreams and visions.
Unlike a vision or dream, the Bible is pure.
Psalm 119:140
"Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it."
Unlike a vision or a dream, the Bible is perfect.
Psalm 19:7
"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of
the LORD is sure, making wise the simple."
Unlike a vision or dream, the Bible is powerful.
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any
twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart."
Unlike a vision or dream, the Bible is permanent.
Psalm 119:89
"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven."
Unlike a vision or dream, the Bible is profitable.
2nd Timothy 3:16-17
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
"That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good
works."
II. THE FRUSTRATED "WISE MEN"
Vs. 6-12
What was it that frustrated them?
Their wisdom was worldly or earthly wisdom.
James 3:15
"This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual,
devilish."
Those who "worldly or earthly" wise are usually very "heavenly" foolish.
They may be able to solve most of the surface problems that they
encounter but they cannot solve the root of most problems. It is sin that
is the root of all problems. At the root of every crime, sin is there. At
the end of every domestic problem, sin is the root. At the root of
addiction is sin. This list could go on and on but sin is the root of all
problems of life.
Their wisdom is wasteful. Why?
They are never able to hold onto divine wisdom.
1st Corinthians 2:14
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for
they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned."
You cannot know "heavenly" wisdom if you don�t know the Lord of all
creation. Only the Lord through the Bible brings light and understanding.
Psalm 119:130
"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the
simple."
Psalm 119:98
"Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for
they are ever with me."
Their wisdom was wasteful because this time it was leading them to the
grave. Their lies caught up with them. The king was going to put them to
death, a very painful death. Galatians 6:7-8
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that
shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh
reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit
reap life everlasting."
Numbers 32:23
"But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and
be sure your sin will find you out."
Conclusion: So far we have seen two part of this chapter. The first part
is a dream that troubled the king but he cannot remember it. Secondly we
saw the frustration of the supposed wise men.
Let me try to tie these thoughts together into a conclusion. First of
all, we must understand the superiority of the Word of God over visions
and/or dreams. Never put anything above the Bible. It is always wrong.
Secondly, don�t expect the world to give you wisdom that will help you.
You find heavenly wisdom in the Bible. You get that wisdom when you read
God�s word and be in God�s house to learn the truths your teachers and
pastor has prepared to help you in its learning.
The first way to gain wisdom from above is getting saved. No person can
really know and learn the Word of God without the Lord in your heart.
Next time we will see the furious king and the fearless prophet.
Pastor Mike Walls
Freedom Baptist Church Smithfield, NC
http://freedombaptistchurchnc.wordpress.com/
http://iglesiabautistalibertad.wordpress.com/
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