THE VISION OF THE STATUE It is very hard to express the feelings of Daniel and his three friends. Truly God has been glorified in them, and gave them grace in the eyes of the king who considered them wiser than all the other Chaldeans. They had grace in the eyes of everyone, were much honored and had all the capabilities, yet they felt imprisoned in the palace like the birds in a golden cage decorated with pearls. To them, freedom was much better than anything else. God wanted to assure Daniel that all what had happened to him was not coincidence. The world, establishing kingdoms and destroying them, even man’s dreams are all under God’s control. Therefore, God allowed Nebuchadnezzar to see a terrifying dream, and all the human kind was unable to interpret it. But God revealed it only to Daniel, and it is summarized in one statement, that “God controls the history and is concerned about the salvation of the world” God wanted to reveal that Daniel was distinguished with the spirit of prophecy, clarifying that God’s mercy was working in him. 1. The history of the dream 1 2. The forgotten dream 2-12 3. The order to kill the wise men 13 4. Daniel’s behavior 14-18 5. Revealing the secret 19-24 6. Encounter with the king 25-30 7. The metal statue 31-33 8. The strange stone 34-36 9. Interpretation of the dream 37-45 10. The glorified Daniel 46-48 11. Daniel’s friends 49 1. THE HISTORY OF THE DREAM “Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him” (1). One would probably ask how can the dream be in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, and Daniel had interpreted it while he was still receiving his training for a period of three years? Did he not stand before the king except after the three years? (1:5) A. Three years refer to a part of the first year, the second year and part of the third year (Compare 2 Kings 18:9,10; Jer 34:14; Ps 8:31), where the first year of Daniel’s training is part of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, and the second year is part of his second year of reign according to the Babylonian calculations1. B. Some people feel that the second year means after the desolation of Jerusalem and the temple, and the destruction of the Jewish community in the year 588 BC or 587 BC. . 1 منشو ا رت النفیر: تفسیر الكتاب المقدس، ج 4، ص 329 59 C. The most acceptable opinion is that the first chapter took place at the time when Nebuchadnezzar was helping his father Nebopolassar in his reign. Here he means the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign when he was alone on the throne1. Nebuchadnezzar became a king with his father, as was the custom at that time. He, then, besieged Jerusalem as a partner of the king and a leader of the army, then he forsook Jerusalem and went to the battle of Carchemish because the Pharaoh had rebelled against him. His father was still living, and then he went and besieged Jerusalem again in the year 606 or 605 BC, where the first deportation happened. Then his father died and he became king. This story corresponds with what was mentioned in history, meaning that Daniel and his friends were receiving training for the wisdom of the Chaldeans during the last days of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign as a partner of his father. Then during the second year of his reign alone, Daniel stood before him; this was after the training period. St. Jerome said that what he means by the second year is that he reigned not only over the Jews and Chaldeans, but also over all the other Gentiles like the Assyrians and the Egyptians. Josephus2 said that Nebuchadnezzar had a strange dream about the future after his victory over Egypt3. It is mentioned that he had dreams, in the plural form, although he had only one dream. The plural form was used because the dream had many subjects, or probably he had several dreams within different intervals bearing the same interpretation. However, the last dream was worrisome, that is why he called the wise men to ask them about the interpretation. Why Nebuchadnezzar did not mention the dream to the wise men? St. Jerome answered: [The dream was in the king’s heart like a shadow, an echo or trace, if others would repeat the dream before him, he can remember what he had seen, and they would not be able to trick him with lies4.] What multiplied his worry was that he forgot the dream, so he needed someone to remind him of it. God who gave him the message through the dream made him forget, though usually people ignore the dreams that they forget. Nebuchadnezzar was probably thinking of the future, asking guidance from the gods, therefore God revealed to him the times of the Gentiles. (Lk 21:24). He saw that his rule shall be destroyed, followed by many empires, which appear and disappear then God will rule forever. The king realized that these are unusual matters, and that there is a message coming directly to him. When he woke up he forgot the details of the dream, all what he could remember was that this strange dream is coming from heaven. He asked someone to remind him of the details and to reveal to him its interpretation. God, who presented this dream, is the one who made him forget its details, so he became worried and asked the wise men and magicians to interpret it. This is exactly like what had happened with King Ahasuerus who had insomnia and could not sleep, then he looked at the chronicles, and God started the work for the salvation of His people from the wicked Haman. (Es. 6:1). 1 G. Goleman Luck: Daniel, P. 26. 2 Antiquites., book 10. 3 PL. 25:627. 4 PL. 25:627E-628. 60 2. THE FORGOTTEN DREAM These dreams are examples of God’s work in secret for the benefit of His believers. Tertullian, in his discourse “On the Soul” differentiated between three kinds of dreams1: A. Dreams from the devil: which may be seen as true and beneficial, yet they are deceiving. B. Dreams from God: like what had happened with Nebuchadnezzar, the pagan, and that was to show God’s great mercy upon the entire human race. C. Dreams that are common in one’s daily life, mostly as a reaction to one’s behavior. At night, after the day’s work, one remembers the events of the day, whether sad or joyful, and remembers them in the form of dreams. Thus, this old say: “hungry men dream of bread and thirsty men dream of water.” “Then the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king” (2). “Chaldeans” mean the Babylonians in general, but later it meant only the wise men. Some liberal critics think that the word “Chaldeans” mean the people of Chaldea, and not just a segment of them. But A. W. Criswell said that the ancient discoveries proved that what was written in Daniel was correct, that the word “Chaldeans” meant a special segment of people who served the Baal or Bel. It is obvious that the king felt that this dream carried a heavenly divine message. He had previously dreamt a lot, but never cared. But this time, he felt terrified and could not sleep, for he felt that the heaven is revealing to him something important, that is why he called all the wise men, magicians, and Chaldeans. At the beginning, the magicians rejoiced that the king was calling them, for they thought that he was asking for their counsel, or that he will give them presents after they interpret the dream. They did not notify Daniel about the king’s call, due to envy and jealousy. The Jews were wondering why Daniel and his friends did not go to the king. St. Jerome said that when the king promised gifts to the one whom would interpret the dream, Daniel and his friends did not care to stand before him because they did not care about the treasures and the glory of the Chaldeans. Also, the Chaldeans envied the Jews for their good reputation and honor, that is why they went alone to the king to get all the rewards for them. But afterwards, they asked for their help to solve such a disaster2. One of the reasons why the king did not call Daniel and his friends to interpret the dream although he had already tested them and found them ten times better than all the others (magicians and astrologers), who were in his realm (1:20), was that he did not completely trust their sincerity and loyalty to his kingdom. Whether the wise men or the king were the cause, God allowed that so that they would not go with the magicians and astrologers. They had to be distinguished because they worked through the Spirit of God, and not by magic. Anyway, God separated them so that He is glorified in them. “And the king said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know the dream.” Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, “O king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation” (3-4). 1 Cf. A Treatise on the Soul, 4-7. 2 PL 25: 628D. 61 The king admitted his ignorance to interpret the dream and his weakness before the message it carries. When they told him, “O king live forever,” this was not a mere salutation, but they saw worries on his face. They asked him not to worry, for they were absolutely confident that they could interpret the dream. “But the king answered the Chaldeans in these words: “My decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces and your houses shall be made an ash heap” (5). Although they talked with confidence that they can answer his request, yet they were surprised that he was asking something beyond their means and above their understanding. Those magicians and astrologers were like half gods, in the eyes of the rulers and the people. But now, they were humiliated because they did not know the interpretation. This was a fruit of their pride and haughtiness. This severe threat revealed the violence of the king and his brutality, besides it gave a chance to spreading the news on a large scale; thus God was glorified through His work in Daniel. “However, if you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation” (6). Knowing that they were covetous and lovers of vainglory, the king promised them to honor them with gifts and rewards. “They answered again and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will give its interpretation.” The king answered and said, “I know for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm. If you do not make known the dream to me, there is only one decree for you! For you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the time has changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can give me its interpretation” (7-9). The astrologers insisted to know the dream, and in pride, they ascertained that they would know its interpretation. The king showed another side of their crime, which was telling lies and corrupted words. Knowing that he had forgotten the dream and that they could not give its interpretation, they wanted to gain time until the king would calm down and forgive them. During the discussion between the king and the Chaldeans, the king doubted that they would know the interpretation because they were not truthful in their knowledge. They wanted to gain time until the king’s anger would subside and would change his order of killing them. The Chaldeans realized that only God would know the matters related to the future. We thank God for His love, for the Word of God came to tell us everything, as the Samaritan woman said, “I know that Messiah is coming, who is called Christ. When He comes, He will tell us all things” (Jn.4:25). “The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, “There is not a man on earth who can tell the king’s matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer or Chaldean” (10). They presented just an excuse to the king that no one could ever do what he was asking, and that it had never happened before in the history of mankind. Thus, everyone had witnessed that if anyone could tell that dream, this would be a divine gift from God, for God is the only knows man’s dreams and the inner thoughts. They had witnessed to the God of Daniel, even before Daniel uttered a word about God. 62 “It is a difficult thing that the king requests, and there is no other who can tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh” (11). Some thought that they meant the angels who are the only ones who can tell that strange dream, which came as a divine revelation. The dream was omitted from the king’s mind for a divine purpose, but his soul was still full of anxiety. Others thought that he meant the gods for the Chaldeans worshipped many gods, and the Supreme god was the ruler only. “For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave the command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon” (12). The answer of the wise men did not comfort the king, but rather he became very furious and his threatening changed to a royal order to kill all the wise men of Babylon. 3. THE ORDER TO KILL ALL THEWISE MEN “So the decree went out, and they began killing the wise men; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them” (13). Daniel and his companions were not called with the wise men when the king asked them to reveal his dream and interpret it. But when the order to kill was issued, they wanted them to be killed too. In spite of that injustice, Daniel and his companions did not hate them but Daniel saved them, without even rebuking them. 4. DANIEL’S BEHAVIOR “Then with counsel and wisdom Daniel answered Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon; he answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, “Why is the decree from the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the decision known to Daniel” (14-15). It is obvious that some wise men were already killed before Daniel and his friends. This decree had a big impact on all the communities in the country. When Daniel was ordered to death, he met with Arioch, the king’s captain. He wanted someone to intercede on his behalf and on behalf of his friends to clarify to the king that the decree to kill them was unjust because they were not called with the wise men to reveal nor interpret the dream. He rebuked him with gentleness by saying, “Why is the decree from the king so urgent?” It is obvious from Daniel’s words that he was not defending himself lest he dies, but he wanted what is good for the king. The sudden verdict of Daniel’s unjust death did not make him lose his wisdom nor his calmness, and did not make him worry. The dream worried the king, but the verdict to kill Daniel did not worry Daniel because he felt that his life, his heart, his thought are under God’s control and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He asked the king to give him some time so that God may reveal to him the secret. He asked with great confidence that God would provide him with all his needs. He knew that this request was risky, for if he would not know the answer, then his punishment would be multiplied. “So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon” ( 16-18). 63 The Chaldeans asked for the dream to interpret it, but Daniel asked for some time to stand before the One who reveals the secrets. “Daniel went to his house,” this means that the king had agreed to give Daniel some time, maybe just one day, since he wanted the answer fast in order to be relieved from his worry. Daniel asked for this day to enjoy a divine revelation of the dream and its interpretation. Given some time, Daniel did not go to the library to read nor did he ask his friends for counseling, but he asked his friends to pray for him. Daniel was so close to God, yet he felt that he needed many intercessions and supplications for him. Likewise, St. Paul used to ask the people to pray for him so that God may grant him wisdom, before uttering any word. Hence, trials led Daniel and his friends to deeper prayers and fellowship with God. Daniel did not ask for some time to seek the interpretation of the secrets by his own ability, but rather to ask the God of secrets. That is why he asked Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah to pray with him, so that he would not be the only one to deserve the glory. They shared the risk; therefore they shared a general prayer1. St. Jerome When Daniel talked with his friends, he said “The God of heaven” (18). He did not say the God of Israel, for he knew that Israel had sinned and did not deserve to have the name of God called upon it. This title was also mentioned in the books of Nehemiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, because they are all books related to the era of captivity. It seemed that God had forsaken His people for a moment, so that they would repent, then He would dwell in them. This title was also mentioned in the Book of Revelation, where our hearts are elevated up to heaven, where God carries us to His heaven, and thus He is called the God of heaven. The three youths helped Daniel with their prayers, not to share with him a reward from the king, nor to remove his shame, but for the glory of God in His prophet in the land of captivity. The eyes of those righteous young men were directed toward the divine mercies, for only they help us during our tribulations. 5. REVEALING THE SECRET God had allowed Daniel to go through this tribulation so that he may go to His house and meet the God of heaven, to lift his heart and thought up to heaven and discover deeper secrets, and enjoy knowledge, which surmounts all difficulties. We are in dire need to go to our house, the inner Jerusalem, to meet the One who transfers us from the cares of this world to the pledge of eternity. “Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven” (19). Since Daniel and his friends prayed with faith to God, God answered their prayers. As St. James said, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man supposes that he will receive anything from the Lord” (James 1: 6-7). God is near to those who cry to Him in truth and sincerity with faith. “Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His” (20). 1 PL 25: 628D. 64 After God revealed the secret of the dream to Daniel, he did not think to meet with the king, but he presented a new praise to the Lord, giving Him credit for wisdom and power. He glorified God the Almighty who is in control of everything and nothing is hidden from Him. “He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (21). Many admit the existence of God, His might, His wisdom, but they consider Him away from human’s life, in general, and their life, in particular. However, Daniel praised God who works in the life of everyone. God is the source of power and wisdom and He never deprives us of them, as St. Paul said, “To God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever” (Rom 16: 27). When we obtain the Lord Jesus, we obtain wisdom. Any contemporary man expects daily changes, so he reads the newspapers to be up to date with the news, watching for anything to happen. However, when God’s people wake up any day, they realize God’s plan in the salvation of the world. God is in control of all events, whether worldly or locally, whether church matters or personal matters. One praises God for all His surpassing care. A believer sees all movements in heaven, in nature, in all humanity, and in his private life, all praise the Almighty wise One. When he says, “He gives wisdom to the wise,” it means that God granted men with natural wisdom, which is a divine gift. If one is faithful in his natural wisdom, giving the credit to God, then God will grant him more heavenly wisdom. If we are faithful in the little that we have then God will bless us more, for whoever has, more will be given. “He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him” (22). He is talking here about the gift of prophecy, where God lets His prophets interpret His secrets. This is a grace given to some faithful, for the edification of the community and for the glory of God. God, living in the light, makes us enter into His light and destroys the kingdom of Satan that is darkness. What a difference between the magicians, the children of darkness and Daniel, the son of the light! St. Augustine distinguishes between the joy of the revelation with the spirit and understanding with the mind. As we worship God in the spirit and mind (1 Cor 14:15), so Daniel the prophet realized the divine revelation with his spirit and discovered its understanding by his mind. The greatest prophets are those who are granted the two gifts, the gift of revelation in the spirit with symbolic comparisons of material matters, and the gift of understanding these matters with the power of the mind. Thus, it was Daniel who told the king his dream and also interpreted it. (Dan 2:27-4:16-24). God revealed to him the dream itself, with the spirit, and God revealed to him its understanding with the mind. The word “spirit” is used here with the same meaning as St. Paul used it when he distinguished between the spirit and the mind1. St. Augustine “I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of You, for You have made known to us the king’s demand” (23). 1 The Literal Meaning of Genesis, Book 12, ch. 9. 65 Daniel is glorifying the God of his fathers, the God of the living church, which extends along all ages. God, who made wonders in the past with his fathers, works now from generation to generation and unto the end of all ages. St. Clement of Alexandria said that God is the One who grants wisdom, knowledge, and true philosophy. He said, The Holy Bible considers every science, art and skill from God. This is evident from the Scriptures: “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “See, I have called by name Bezaleel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship” (Ex 31:1-3). Those who take their wisdom from God have multiplied understanding1] [God gives His own wisdom, understanding and support to the righteous people2. [Before the Lord’s coming, philosophy was essential for the righteousness of the Greeks, and now it leads to righteousness as a kind of training to proofs of faith3. St. Clement of Alexandria “Therefore, Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon and told him, “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon, take me before the king, and I will tell the king the interpretation” (24). Why Daniel asked Arioch not to destroy the wise men of Babylon despite the fact that they were magicians, followers of Satan? I. He asked not because they were righteous people, but because the verdict was unjust, for no one can reveal the dreams except God. II. They were not Jews who knew the law that forbids magic. III. By not killing them, this will give them and their families a chance to realize God’s true work in the lives of His prophets. God answered Daniel’s prayers very fast, and the first thing that Daniel did, even before going to the king, was to thank God. In the captivity, Daniel felt God’s abundant care, for He the Almighty decides the times. After many centuries, the Lord Jesus came and the Jews did not arrest Him for they feared the multitudes. But God’s plan was fulfilled, for at the Passover, He was crucified, to ascertain that He is the true Passover, in whom all the symbols were fulfilled. St. Hippolytus of Rome commented on the revealing of the secret by saying, [The dream was kept secret for those who had the earthly mind, but those who seek the heavenly matters4.] [God reveals to them the heavenly mysteries5.] St. Hippolytus of Rome said that the name Arioch literally means the chief of butchers or cooks. 6. MEETINGWITH THE KING “Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king, and said thus to him, “I have found a man of the captives of Judah, who will make known to the king the interpretation” (25). 1 Stromata 1 : 4. 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid. 1 : 5. 4 Scholia on Daniel 2 : 3. 5 Scholia on Daniel 2 : 10. 66 Arioch presented Daniel to the king as the one who did good and deserved the reward, for he said, “I have found a man...” Daniel did not give himself the credit, but gave all the glory to God. Daniel had previously asked if the king would give him some time to think of the dream and its interpretation, why then did Arioch tell the king about Daniel, as if the king does not know Daniel at all? Probably because the king had given Daniel only one day. The king had despaired that Daniel or any of the wise men would know the dream and its interpretation, thus he used the one-day request to justify the order of killing all the wise men, including Daniel. “The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its interpretation?” (26). It is obvious that the king was desperate and wanted badly anyone to reveal the dream and interpret it. The king talked with Daniel telling him how impossible is it for anyone to tell him his dream. This showed more the surpassing work of God with Daniel, which glorified God. “Daniel answered in the presence of the king and said, “The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these” (27-28). When Daniel started talking to the king, he clarified that the dream was prophetic, ascertaining that this was not a normal dream for human; and no man can interpret it. Therefore, God who showed the king this dream will reveal it with His Spirit. God had revealed to him what will happen at the end of the days, where kings fall, until the King of kings come and establish His spiritual kingdom in the hearts. “As for you, O king, thoughts came to your mind while on your bed, about what would come to pass after this; and He who reveals secrets has made known to you what will be” (29). Daniel stirred the king’s feelings when he told him that his dream was not a normal one, but rather it was uplifting of his thoughts to know the One who reveals the secrets, who gave him this dream. “But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for our sakes who make known the interpretation to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart” (30). God, in His wisdom, has elevated the thoughts of the king to enjoy a private secret regarding the last days, but he was not able to understand the dream. However, Daniel knew the dream and its interpretation. Daniel gave the credit to God and not to himself. He told the king that God, who gave him the dream, granted him someone to interpret it, and all what is happening is due to God’s divine plan. Someone might ask, “Does God talk to us now in dreams?” God can do that, but He gives us what is greater, for St. Paul wrote, “God has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (Heb 1: 2). 7. THE METAL IMAGE “You, O king, were watching; and behold a great image! This great image whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome” (31). 67 Someone would probably ask why God showed this dream, pertaining to the four kingdoms which end by the coming of the Lord Jesus, to Nebuchadnezzar and not to Daniel? I. If the dream were revealed to Daniel, all the Jews would not have known about it. But because it was revealed to the king, who was troubled and wanted to kill all the wise men, the magicians and the satraps, the dream was made known throughout the kingdom and to every Jew. II. Since the dream pertains to the coming of the Lord Jesus, the Savior of the world, God wanted the Gentiles to learn about the coming of the Lord. “This image’s head was 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” (32-33). After Daniel related the dream, he did not ask the king: “Is this the dream?” But with great confidence, he believed that what God had said was true, thus he said: “This is the dream.” The king listened to it with great astonishment and silence for Daniel has revealed the dream with great accuracy. It is noted in this dream that: 1. The king saw a great royal image. In spite of the different metals in it, it is one image. All the kingdoms are consecutive, in spite of the various capabilities. In the eyes of God, it is one image, or one unit of time, very splendid in the eyes of those who benefit from it, but frightening for all those who fall under its pressure. The king did not see many visions or images, but one vision. The four kingdoms differ from one another and each kingdom was built on the fall of the other. The Persian kingdom was established on the decline of the Babylonian’s; and the Macedonian’s was established on the decline of the Persians; and the Roman Empire was established on the fall of the Macedonian. In spite of the differences of the kingdoms, yet they all share the rejection to the will of God, so they all resist the truth. 2. The head of the image was from gold and the feet were from iron and clay. This refers to the fact that the world will gradually deteriorate and weaken, and that corruption will be spread all over the ages. 3. Here he is talking about every kingdom as a whole, and not specifically about kings. The kingdom of Cyrus had noble traits, full of wisdom and moderation, but the kingdom of Persia was corrupted and resisted the truth. 4. This dream was shown to a pagan king. When the captive Jews who long to go back to their country realize that, they do not get depressed when the kingdom of Cyrus dominates the kingdom of Babylon, then the Greeks, then the Romans. In all that, Israel did not appear as it should in the days of King David or King Solomon, for God wanted to present the kingdom of the Son of David, the stone that struck the image and became a great mountain. Its spiritual kingdom is extended to the whole world! God wanted to direct their attention from waiting for a temporal kingdom to an eternal spiritual kingdom. 5. He ignored the kingdom of the Assyrians, for the dream was not meant to record history, but to lead everyone to the Lord Jesus, the Savior of the world. That is why he did not mention the previous kingdoms, but started with the kingdom of Babylon. 6. In this vision, Nebuchadnezzar was described as “the head made of gold,” for he made Babylon a great empire, full of glory, dominion and majesty. Therefore, the divine inspiration did not refer to him as the founder of this kingdom, but rather as an 68 entity; Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon are one. He was its symbol and representative, as he said: “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?!” (Dan 4: 30). The divine inspiration described him as: “It is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth” (Dan 4: 22). Nebuchadnezzar was a great king and leader, he was a genius and an architect; his dominion was unlimited1. The divine inspiration made gold as a symbol the king and his kingdom, which was a symbol of greatness as well as wealth. Herodot, who visited Babylon 90 years after the reign of Nebuchadnezzar (450 BC), saw plenty of gold in its temples, altars, vessels and equipment, besides many other products made of pure gold2. 7. Silver was a symbol of the kingdoms of Medes and Persians, which in the Bible was a symbol of riches and continuous demand of money, for “He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase” (Eccl 5: 10). Judas sold Lord Jesus for silver. (Lk 22: 5). The word “silver” is the synonym of the word money. This empire loved money, and because of the tax system, the kings of Medes and Persians collected lots of silver. Daniel had prophesied in his third vision (11: 2) that one of the richest Persian kings, who was Ahasuerus, would collect all the silver of his father Darius and of the kings of Persians3. “You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength and glory; and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all - you are this head of gold” (37-38). “The word “king of kings” is a title used with most of the rulers of the East, it was a general title between the Persians, the Ethiopians and the Babylonians4. In the book of Ezekiel, Nebuchadnezzar was also called “king of kings” (Ezek 26: 7). His authority was extended all over the civilized world, especially between the historical countries like Egypt, Palestine, Asia Minor. Thus, Babylon became a worldly kingdom, and the first model as a representative of all the worldly powers. Here, Daniel did not praise the king, but called him the golden head of the image, which will be completely destroyed later, and that another kingdom will follow. When he says, “You are the head,” he does not mean the king personally but he means the kingdom of Babylon, of which Nebuchadnezzar was the most famous king. He was known for his brutality and violence, as king Belshazzar was known by his disrespect to God. “But after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth” (39). The kingdom of Persia was smaller than the kingdom of Babylon, not due to its dimensions, nor due to its weak power, dominion or riches, but rather it is smaller because of its increasing corruption and cruelty. Even Cyrus, the wise and stable, was brutal when he tried to dominate the whole world. 1 The Pulpit Commentary, Daniel, p.70. 2 W. A. Criswell, vol. 2, p. 62. 3 W. A. Criswell, vol. 2, p. 63. 4 G. H. Lange: The Histories and Prophecies of Daniel, p.76. 69 Then he called the kingdom of the Macedonians, which dominated the world “bronze,” not because it was mightier than the kingdom of Persia, but because it was more evil, so in comparison it is a bronze when compared to silver. “And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others. Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay” (40- 43). This applies to the Roman Kingdom (58 BC - 476 A.D.), for the Macedonian Kingdom was divided into four sections after the death of Alexander, and the Romans made them all submit. The Roman Caesuras were called iron, referring to their brutality, which surpassed the brutality of the kings of the previous kingdoms, and their empire, was much stronger than all the previous empires. Mixing iron with clay referred to corruption, and that there was no true unity. The Roman Empire did not occupy the holy lands until the year 63 BC. Therefore, the scholars, who reject the divine inspiration and the prophecies, said that the book of Daniel was written during the Maccabean period between the years 167 - 165 BC. And that the writer did not prophecy, but recorded historical facts pertaining to the four kingdoms: the Chaldeans, the Medes, the Persians and the Greeks. Since they accepted the fourth kingdom being the Roman Empire, then the writer would have prophesied about it 100 years before its establishment. All references had ascertained that the writer was Daniel in the sixth century B. C., not just before the Roman Empire was established but even before the Greek Empire. Father Abd-El-Messih Abu-El-Khair said: I. The Roman armies were known as iron armies, and Daniel the prophet used the word “iron” 14 times in describing this empire. Therefore, the Church Fathers believe that the empire referred to be the Roman Empire. This was the opinion of the early fathers who wrote about the book of Daniel, like St. Ireneaus in the second century, St. Hippolytus in the third century, St. Jerome in the fourth century, and St. John Chrysostom in the fourth century… Joseph Mede, one of the interpreters, wrote that the Jewish church, before the coming of the Lord Jesus, believed that the fourth kingdom was the Roman Empire, and this belief was delivered to the disciples of the apostles and all the Christian Church for 300 years1. II. What proves the authenticity of this explanation, the prophecy of the book of Daniel and the greatness of the Holy Bible, that it is the word of God, is that the kingdom of the Messiah started in this empire, for the prophecy in the vision said: “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people.” (44). Indeed, in that empire, the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, because of Caesar, for it is written in the book of Luke, “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered” (Lk 2:1). The beginning of 1 Chr. Wordworth: Holy Bible with notes and introduction, p. 8. 70 the ministry of John the Baptist was recorded with dates of the emperors. It is written: “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness” (Lk 3:1-2). The Lord Jesus had paid the taxes for himself and for the disciples (Matt 17:24- 27), and He used its currency (Matt22: 17-21) and He was crucified according to its laws (Jh19: 21). III. The Roman Empire stayed longer in power than any other empire. The Babylonian Empire lasted 70 years, the Persian-Medes Empire lasted 200 years, the Greek Empire lasted 130 years, but the Roman Empire lasted 500 years, united, and it remained with its two divisions, the Eastern and the Western, until the year 145 A.D., when the Turks dominated Constantinople. The Western part remained with the rest of the European countries until today. The civilization of these countries and some of their population were transferred to the North and the South of America as well as Australia. IV. In the second century, St. Ireneaus, in explaining the prophecy, said: [The kingdom is divided, and in his referral to the ten fingers, he meant the ten kings who ruled the ten parts of the kingdom, some will be strong and effective, while others will be very lazy and useless1.] St. Jerome said that the prophecy was partly fulfilled in his era, at the destruction of the empire by the inner enmity and the civil wars. It was later fulfilled when the empire was divided to Eastern and Western parts. Lately, it has been divided into many small states. St. Hippolytus thought that the ten fingers, made from iron and clay, meant the different democracies, which were divided between the ten fingers of the image in which the iron and the clay were mixed together. V. Some think that the mingling of iron and clay refers to the mixing of two civilizations, like the barbarian groups penetrating the modern Empire. Thus the invasion of the Germanian tribes from one side and the Turks from the other side is the nearest interpretation to the real meaning of the symbol in the prophecy. 8. THE STRANGE STONE “You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth” (34-35). The most important thing in the dream was that strange stone which was able to crush the kingdoms to establish a spiritual kingdom which fills the earth, a kingdom which lasts forever. Here he talks about a New Kingdom, which shall be established from the stone without hands, for the Lord Jesus was incarnated from a virgin. Without hands refer to the kingdom being heavenly without beginning. Calling the Lord Jesus the Stone or Rock, for He is the Cornerstone who united the Jews with the Gentiles in one faith, that is, He united them as binding two walls with the cornerstone, and He is the Rock on which His Church is built. 1 Adv. Haer. 5:26:1. 71 “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, it is marvelous in our eyes” (Ps 118: 22-23). Isaiah said, “He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel.” (Is 8: 14). “Behold I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation.” (Is 28: 16). “For behold, the stone that I have laid before Joshua: Upon the stone are seven eyes. Behold I will engrave its inscription” (Zech. 3:9; cf. Acts 4: 11, 1 Pet 2: 7,8). The stone which came from heaven, struck the image and demolished all the kingdoms and gave the kingdom to God’s saints1.] [The stone, which struck the image and filled the earth, is the Christ who came from heaven for the judgment of the world2. St. Hippolytus Daniel, saying that a stone without hands will judge the world, was referring to the Lord’s coming. That He, the Lord Jesus Christ, came not according to a human plan but according to a divine plan. “Therefore, thus says the Lord God: “Behold I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily” (Is. 28:16). The Lord’s coming in the human nature was according to God’s will and not man’s will3. St. Ireneaus This mountain refers to the Jewish kingdom, and from this mountain was cut a stone without hands, referring to Christ who was born not of any human act4. Fr. Caesarus of Arles This was the temple of the flesh, which was cut from the mountain of human nature, without any human act5. Origen There was a big stone put on the well (Gen. 29), where many shepherds used to remove it to offer drink for themselves and for their cattle. But only Jacob removed the stone and offered drink to the cattle of his bride. What was this stone except the Lord Himself? Daniel also said, “stone cut without hands,” who is Christ born not of human act. It is strange to cut a stone from a rock without any axe or any cutting tools; likewise it was strange that the Lord Jesus was born from a virgin6. St. Gregory of Nyssa 9. THE INTERPRETATION OF THE DREAM “This is the dream. Now we will tell the interpretation of it before the king. You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all-you are this head of gold. But after you shall arise another kingdom 1 AN Frs. Vol. s, P. 178. 2 Ibid. 179. 3 Adv. Haer. 3 : 21 : 7. 4 Sermon 169:6. 5 In Exod. hom. 6:12. 6 On the Baptism of Christ. 72 inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others. Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold - the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure” (36-45). 10. THE GLORIFIED DANIEL “Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him” (46). It was not easy for the king to fall down and prostrate before Daniel. The king who considered himself like a god whom everyone worshiped, was hard for him to worship Daniel, especially because Daniel did not tell him any joyful news, but rather that his kingdom will be abolished, and in great weakness and humility he submitted to God’s plan. The king bowed down to glorify the God of Daniel, but for a moment, like what the Pharaoh did. (Ex.9: 27, 10: 16). Nebuchadnezzar himself felt God’s mighty hand and witnessed to that by saying, “How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation” (Dan.4: 3). However, he still loved vainglory, and the luxurious life choked the word of God, which had sprouted inside him. “The king answered Daniel, and said, ‘Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a Revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret’” (47). He glorified God, but for a moment, for he was not serious in the salvation of his soul. God had allowed that to encourage the captive Jews that they may realize that God can be glorified in them, if they return to God with all their hearts. “Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon” (48). Daniel accepted the king’s gift for the service of his people; that is why he appointed the three young men for the works of the Babylonian kingdom, knowing that they do not desire anything from this world and its riches, but he did that for his captive brothers. 11. DANIEL’S COMPANIONS “Also Daniel petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed- Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat the gate of the king” (49). 73 Daniel sat at the gate of king’s palace as a chief, so that he may observe everyone who moves in or out the palace. Probably he had the responsibility of the judiciary affairs in the palace, where the custom was to put the courts at the door of the palace. Daniel and his companions did not desire any temporary matters, but rather desired the kingdom of God and its righteousness, thus God gave them more than what they expected; the temporary and the heavenly gifts. when they asked for the heavenly matters from God, they accepted also the temporal matters from the king1. St. Hippolytus of Rome 1 Scholia on Daniel 2 :49. 74 FROM THE INSPIRATION OF DANIEL (2) MAY YOU MAKE ME ENTER INTO MY HOUSE! The king and his advisers were worried about the forgotten dream. But Daniel did not shake because he was unjustly exposed to death! Grant me to enter with Daniel to my house, to enter into my inner Jerusalem, to meet You, O king of heavens with Your angels and saints. May You carry me to Your eternal chambers, reveal to me Your surpassing mysteries, grant me Your knowledge, and transform my life into a joyful praise! Instead of worrying, all my inner being is shaken of joy. I see that all the kingdoms of the world are like a metal image, which is crushed. You are the Cornerstone who crushes evil and brings all the holy ones to You! You declare Your abundant love to all the earth! May You crush any strange image in me and create Your joyful kingdom inside me!
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