Daniel, an Israelite prophesying in Babylon [following the destruction of Jerusalem, c. 586 B.C.], is the prophet of the "times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24). His vision sweeps the whole course of Gentile world-rule to its end in catastrophe and utter ruin, and shows that the kingdom of heaven (Messiah's earthly kingdom) follows the end of Gentile government of the world.

1. The vision of King Nebuchadnezzar
   • Daniel 2:1 -- "Nebuchadnezzar dreamed"
   • Daniel 2:2-13 -- "The king commanded to call the magicians... astrologers... sorcerers... there is not a man upon earth that can shew the king's matter"
2. The interpretation
   • Daniel 2:17,18 -- "They would desire mercies of the God of heaven." Preparation through prayer.
   • Daniel 2:30-35 -- "Make known the interpretation to the king." The forgotten dream is recovered.
   • Daniel 2:36-38 -- "A king of kings... ruler over them all." The lion speaks of Babylon [the first of four Gentile world empires] (see Daniel 7:4).
   • Daniel 2:39 -- "Another kingdom." The bear speaks of Medo-Persia (see Daniel 7:5).
   • Daniel 2:39 -- "A third kingdom... rule over all." The Greek empire of Alexander is represented by a leopard (see Daniel 7:6).
   • Daniel 2:40 -- "Fourth kingdom... strong as iron." Iron speaks of Rome (see Daniel 7:7).
3. Deterioration of the fourth kingdom
   • Daniel 2:41-43 -- "Iron mixed with miry [brittle] clay... partly strong, and partly broken"
4. The final earth-kingdom
   • Daniel 7:7 -- "Ten horns." Ten kings (see Daniel 7:24)
   • Daniel 7:8 -- "Little horn." (see Daniel 12:11; Matthew 24:15; 2Thessalonians 2:4-8; Revelation 13:4-10)
   • Daniel 7:22 -- "Until the Ancient of Days came... that the saints possessed the kingdom."
   • Daniel 7:27 -- "Kingdom under the whole heaven... everlasting kingdom." (see 2Samuel 7:16; Psalm 89:3,4,35,36; 1Corinthians 15:24-28; Acts 15:14-17)

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