My Commentary on the Book Of Daniel Part Two
   Â
Babylon Given Dominion by God From Adam & Eve Till Rapture
                                        Â
Daniel 2:1-3 NIV
       In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. 2 So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, 3 he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means.”
      Verse 1: The second year of the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar, 604 B.C.; yet later in this same chapter Daniel is called on as a wise man whose three year training is finished. If the three years were finished then Daniel was in consultation with King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel’s fourth year. Daniel 1:5 & 1:18 infers that Daniel and friends did not enter the king’s service until the beginning of the fourth year, 604 BC. So Daniel and friends did not 
enter into the service of the king until the three years training were completed, thus the fourth year.
enter into the service of the king until the three years training were completed, thus the fourth year. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Verse 2: This verse is evidence of the importance and complicated hierarchical structure of Shamanism and Paganism that pervaded all levels of Babylonian society.
Verse 3: This shows that this book was written at a time in history when dreams were important to everyone in the kingdom in making decisions in the management of the kingdom. This is evidence that Daniel was truly written in the time its author Daniel claims, late 5th century B.C. Deams were not as important during the time of teh Essenes as they were during the time Daniel is puported to have been written, 6th century BC. There are some theologians taking the critical view of Daniel claiming its authorship occurred during the reign of Antiochus Epiphenes IV. But verse three gives evidence of the contrary since dreams during the times of the Essenes when the Dead Sea Scrolls were written resulting in a massive amount of pseudonymous ex-eventu biblically influenced literature by a society that had no respect for dreams what so ever. During the time of the Essenes and Dead Sea Scrolls imagination and authorship via writing ruled, Not Shamanism, not dreams. We know they had no respect for dreams because they had no respect for absolute biblical truth. It was more like the typical person had more respect for what could be written down on paper rather then a dream or prophecy that came from God. The idea was to force God to speak to mankind at a time of silence when God had no intention of speaking or breathing through the prophets. So it was at this time the False Prophets became the norm with what John Collins calls ex-eventu prophecy. But what Collins calls ex-eventu I call False prophets. Collins and other critics claim Daniel was written as an ex-eventu prohecy after the fact, what even a child would call a lie. To Collins and the critics Daniel is too exact to be real prophecy (1).   Â
      4 Then the astrologers answered the king in Aramaic, “Oh king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”
5 The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. 6 But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.”
 
Verse 4: Daniel 2:4 all the way to Daniel 7:1 are in Aramaic the language of the Babylonians. This is what could be expected after dwelling in Babylon over three years going on the fourth. Also Babylon and the Aramaic speaking people were flexing their muscles in Palestine many years before this and Daniel and friends were children of royalty as many theologians think so it would not be a stretch to think that Daniel spoke some Aramaic even before being taken to Babylon. And even if that is not true the Aramaic language could easily have been learned in a 3 year period by such a bright young lad as Daniel. The year is 604 B.C. Daniel, now speaking fluent Aramaic, soon will be called on to use these Aramaic skills to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams to save all the wise men of Babylon. Verse 5: The king calls all the wise men astrologers. In verse 4 all the wise men were also all called astrologers. These are evidence that Astrology, the study of the stars, was a profession that all wise men had to know. Astrology was the basics of becoming a wise man, magicians, enchanters and sorcerers were the specializations of the astrology craft. The king does not trust his astrologers. The king is crafty and decides that if the astrologer has the real skill to interpret dreams he must also be able to tell the king what the dream was. This way the king would truly know the interpreter had interpreted the dream properly. Verse five also has some historical statements in it that could never be known if Daniel was written four hundred years later. Verse 5 truly shows the ruthlessness of the 
Babylonian kings and their swords. Truly they would cut up into little pieces someone who was a false prophet to the kingdom; someone who claimed to have a skill in astrology but wasn’t. We now know today that historical evidence points to a Babylon that relied heavily on astrologers to make major decisions in the empire. All homes in Babylon were made of different types of masonry for this skill went all the way back to the Tower of Babel. There is no way that 2nd century Essenes that were the writers of the Dead Sea Scrolls would have had this information. For the Essenes were mostly cave dwellers which is why the Scrolls were found in the caves.
Verse 4: Daniel 2:4 all the way to Daniel 7:1 are in Aramaic the language of the Babylonians. This is what could be expected after dwelling in Babylon over three years going on the fourth. Also Babylon and the Aramaic speaking people were flexing their muscles in Palestine many years before this and Daniel and friends were children of royalty as many theologians think so it would not be a stretch to think that Daniel spoke some Aramaic even before being taken to Babylon. And even if that is not true the Aramaic language could easily have been learned in a 3 year period by such a bright young lad as Daniel. The year is 604 B.C. Daniel, now speaking fluent Aramaic, soon will be called on to use these Aramaic skills to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams to save all the wise men of Babylon. Verse 5: The king calls all the wise men astrologers. In verse 4 all the wise men were also all called astrologers. These are evidence that Astrology, the study of the stars, was a profession that all wise men had to know. Astrology was the basics of becoming a wise man, magicians, enchanters and sorcerers were the specializations of the astrology craft. The king does not trust his astrologers. The king is crafty and decides that if the astrologer has the real skill to interpret dreams he must also be able to tell the king what the dream was. This way the king would truly know the interpreter had interpreted the dream properly. Verse five also has some historical statements in it that could never be known if Daniel was written four hundred years later. Verse 5 truly shows the ruthlessness of the Babylonian kings and their swords. Truly they would cut up into little pieces someone who was a false prophet to the kingdom; someone who claimed to have a skill in astrology but wasn’t. We now know today that historical evidence points to a Babylon that relied heavily on astrologers to make major decisions in the empire. All homes in Babylon were made of different types of masonry for this skill went all the way back to the Tower of Babel. There is no way that 2nd century Essenes that were the writers of the Dead Sea Scrolls would have had this information. For the Essenes were mostly cave dwellers which is why the Scrolls were found in the caves. 7 Once more they replied, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”
8 Then the king answered, “I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided: 9 If you do not tell me the dream , there is just one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.”
10 The astrologers answered the king, “There is not a man on earth that can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. 11 What the ![300px-MARTIN_John_Great_Day_of_His_Wrath[1]](http://x35.xanga.com/cfc8907300238246220161/z162360893.jpg)
king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men.”
king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men.” Â Â Â Â Â Â Verse 7-9: An easy task to interpret a dream after being told what the dream was. But the king has firmly decided this difficult task and only God can interpret this dream for Daniel. The king reminds them of the penalty for pretending to be an astrologer. The astrologers give an excuse but unintentionally prophesying that only God himself can accomplish the required task. This sets the stage for Daniel and friends being exalted to the upper echelons of the Babylonian kingdom. God would get Daniel promoted to the highest levels as an ambassador for all that love God and are enslaved in Babylon. this was bringing the gospel to the world at that time. The miracles, the dreams are all part of the gospel being taken to the gates of the nations, to Babylon. This would also set the stage so the Jews would be able to return after seventy years.
Verse 10-11: Once again the general term of astrologers. This is true, there was no man on earth that could accomplish the king’s task. Also true, only God could reveal and interpret the king’s request.
12 This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.
Verse 12-13: King Nebuchadnezzar is a shadow or typecast of the coming Antichrist who will behead Christians and Jews with the sword cutting them up to pieces. A decree will be issued by the Antichrist to gather up the wise men, the Christians, and the Jews during the last third of tribulation, the spotted and striped sheep great world harvest portion, 6-7 year period, to behead them if they do not convert to Islam.
14 When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel 
spoke to him with wisdom and tact. 15 He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. 16 At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.
spoke to him with wisdom and tact. 15 He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. 16 At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. Â Â Â Â Â Â Verse 14-16: Daniel is a shadow of the ultimate redeemer Jesus Christ. Daniel is not scared of death or those who can hurt or cut the flesh. Daniel did not panic, speaking carefully and wise.
17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said:
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things, he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
Verse -17-18: The first thing Daniel did with this difficult problem was call in reinforcements for a prayer meeting. The request would be for mercy and revelation to reveal the mystery at hand. It was late at night when the mystery was revealed, when all mysteries are revealed, during the third watch. Verse 19-20: Daniel than thanked God, praising God. Verse 21-22: Only God changes times and seasons. The Antichrist kingdoms attempt to do it unsuccessfully. Only god reveals giving revelation, especially deep hidden things. Verse 23: Once again Daniel thanks God for revelation.
Daniel Interprets the Dream
24 Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.”
25 Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means.”
26 The king asked Daniel (also called Beltshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?”
27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown king Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you laid on your bed are these:
29″As you were lying there, O king, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen. 30 As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than other living men, but so that you, O king, may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.
Verses 24-30: Daniel goes back to the king and reminds him the interpretation came from God just like the dream came from God. Daniel says this dream reveals the future until the time of the end.
31 “You looked, O king, and there before you stood a large statue—an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance. 32 The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of ![National_Park_Service_9-11_Statue_of_Liberty_and_WTC[1]](http://xe4.xanga.com/781f204530334218939699/z171534041.jpg)
bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet of partly iron and partly of baked clay. 34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were broken 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 that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.
bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet of partly iron and partly of baked clay. 34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were broken 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 that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth. Verse 31-35: The Large statue represents the time of mankind from the fall of creation in the garden, Adam & Eve, and judgement day at the end of the second coming of Jesus Christ. Right after the Tower of Babel in Genesis scripture records it as being the first city after the flood at the last judgement of mankind. They were scattered by God for building a skyscraper, a tower, to make a name for themselves to exalt themselves above the throne of God. This city building thing was actually a problem long before Noah and can be traced all the way back to Adam and Eve. The issue is a stubbornness to climb the mountain of man instead of the mountain of God. Nebuchadnezarr is a typecast of the Antichrist. The statue represents a man (mankind), built in man’s image by a man with no revelation or direction from God. The statue represents different forms of Babylon since the Tower of Babel (really Adam and Eve), all the way until we see Babylon the Great America falling in Revelation 18:1-24, verse 35 at the harvest thrashing floor by the angels. The Rock that struck the statue at the feet is not when Christ was crucified but rather during the end of the second coming when Christ comes the third time to separate the sheep from the goats, wheat from the chaff throwing the chaff into the fire. King Nebuchadnezzar is the man of sin, Antichrist typecast. So the head of gold is Nebuchadnezzar at the tower of Babel, the head of the statue. This is why Nebuchadnezzar in the next chapter builds this same statue, because the statue is him, is Babylon, a kingdom that never ends till judgement day. The chest and arms of silver are the Medes and Persian Babylon. The Belly and Two thighs of bronze are the Greek and Roman Babylon. The legs of iron are Catholic and Protestant Babylon. The Feet of mixed Iron and Clay are Babylon the Great America. When these feet are struck by the rock is right after the rapture around 2011-2012. When America falls in one day one hour the world will weep and usher in the greatest harvest the world has ever known. The rock that is cut out not by human hands is Jesus Christ. But the rock is not thrown at the last Babylonian kingdom until judgment day. We see the celebration when this rock is thrown at the end right after the rapture in Revelation 19:1-8.
      36 “This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king. 37 You, O king, are the king of kings.The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory; 38 in your hands he has placed mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds of the air. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.
39 “After you, another kingdom will rise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth. 40 Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron—for iron breaks and smashes 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 were partly baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay. 42 As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. 43 And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, anymore than iron mixes with clay.
Verse 36-43: Nebuchadnezzar is the typecast of the Antichrist, the king of kings, but not the King of Kings Jesus Christ. Satan is given dominion, power, might and glory for all the earth’s kingdoms and cities until judgment day when God takes the title deed of earth back from Satan. The Tower of Babel, Babylon and Babylon the Great America will be like a giant tree that all beasts dwell under, all beasts feed off of receiving a certain amount of man’s justice by. But during the end time, last generation, all people groups will dwell in Babylon the great America, speaking one language mostly, English. It is this mixture of people that leads to a break in the union of the people leading to the fall of Babylon the great America.
![A1prayer[1]](http://x48.xanga.com/96df4a4352731271196034/z216302392.jpg)
44 “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. 45 This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of the mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces.
“The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and the interpretation is trustworthy.”
Verse 44-45: This is about the time when the statue is destroyed by Jesus Christ during the thrashing floor great tribulation harvest when all the kingdoms of the earth go through judgement by God. The statue of the Babylonian kingdoms falls when the rock of Jesus Christ returns to pronounce judgement on all mankind. The rock broke all the metals and brittle baked clay. These are also the gods of Babylon that do not breath or speak. Daniel’s interpretation is from God just like the dream is.
            ![20061013-2_p101306pm-0066jpg-515h[1]](http://x79.xanga.com/8bef60f169232267256195/z213185046.jpg)
46 Then king Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”
46 Then king Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” 48 Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. 49 Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.
Verse 46-49: King Nebuchadnezzar knew the interpretation was from God because Daniel even told the king what the dream was. Daniel and friends were promoted to the highest positions in the kingdom with power and ability to be ambassadors for the other Jews in exile.
Works Cited
All biblical quotes are the NIV unless otherwise noted.
Thompson Chain Reference: New International Version. Ed. Frank Charles Thompson et al. Grand Rapids:B.B. Kirkbride Bible Company , Inc. Zondervan P. 1983
Aharoni, Ada, et al.Encyclopedia of Jewish History: Events and Eras of the Jewish People.New York: Facts on File P. 1986
Pat Alexander, David., and Pat Alexander. et al. eds.Eerdmans Handbook to the Bible.1937. Grand Rapids: Wm B. Eerdmans P. 1992 Anderson, Bernhard. Understanding the Old Testament. 3rd ed. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall,Inc. P.1984
Anderson, Robert.Daniel: Signs and Wonders. Grand Rapids: WM. B. Eerdmans P.1984
Baldwin, Joyce. Daniel: AN INTRODUCTION AND COMMENTARY. Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press 1978
Beale G.K., and D.A. Carson, eds.Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament.Grand Rapids: Baker Academic P. 2007
Boice, James. Daniel: An Expositional Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker Books P. 1989
Campbell, Donald. Daniel: God’s Man in a Secular Society. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Discovery House P. 1988
Collins, John.The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature.2nd ed. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans P. 1998 Collins, John. Between Athens and Jerusalem: Jewish Identity in the Hellenistic Diaspora.New York: Crossroad P. 1983.
Collins, John. Daniel: a Commentary on the Book of Daniel/by John J. Collins; with an essay “The influence of Daniel on the New Testament,” by Adela Yarbro Collins. Ed. Frank Moore Cross. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress P. 1993
Collins, John.Daniel: With an Introduction to Apocalyptic Literature: The Forms of the Old Testament Literature Volume XX.Eds. Rolf Knierim and Gene Tucker. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans P. 1984
Craven, Toni.  COLLEGEVILL BIBLE COMMENTARY: 16 OLD TESTAMENT: EZEKIEL & DANIEL. Collegeville: THE LITERGICAL P. 1986 Davis, Craig.Dating the Old Testament.New York: RJ Communications P. 2007
deSilva, David.Introducing the Apocrypha: Message, Context, and Significance “Foreword by James Charlesworth”.Grand Rapids: Bakers Academic P. 2002
Edersheim, Alfred. The Temple: Its Ministry and Services updated version.Peabody: Hendrickson P. 1994
Ferguson, Sinclair.Mastering the Old Testament: A Book by Book Commentary by Today’s Great Bible teachers.Ed. Lloyd Ogilvie. Dallas:Word Publishing P. 1988
Gibson, Shimon. The Cave of John the Baptist: The Stunning Archeological Discovery that has Redefined Christian History. New York: Doubleday P. 2004
Goldengay, John.Word Biblical Themes: Daniel.Eds. David Hubbard., John Watts., and Ralph Martin. Dallas: Word P. 1989
Gowan, Donald.Theology of the Prophetic Books: The Death and Resurrection of Israel.Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press P. 1998 Holman Quick Source Bible Dictionary. Nashville: Holman Bible P. 2005 Keil C.F., and F. Delitzsch.Commentary on the Old Testament in Ten Volumes: Volume IX. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans P. 1975
MacArthur, John.Daniel: God’s Control Over Rulers of Nations. Ed. Len Woods. Nashville: W Publishing Group P. 2000 Maclaren, Alexander.Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. Matthew Chapters IX to XVII Volume VII.Grand Rapids: WM. B. Eerdmans P. 1942
The Old Time Gospel Hour edition.Illustrated Davis Dictionary of the Bible.Nashville: Royal P. 1973
Packer, James., Tenney, Merrill., and William White, Jr. The Bible Almanac: A Comprehensive Handbook of the People of the Bible and How They Lived.Nashville: Thomas Nelson P. 1980
Scofield, C.I.Scofield Bible Correspondence Course: Volume 2 Old testament. 7th Printing. Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute P. 1974
Shepherds Notes: Daniel. Nashville: Broadman & Holman P. 1998
Showers, Renald. The Most High God: A Commentary on the Book of Daniel. West Collingswood: The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry P. 1982
Strong, James. The New Strong’s Complete Dictionary of Bible Words “Intrduction by John Kohlenberger”.Nashville: Thomas Nelson P. 1996
Strong, James, and W.E. Vine.Strongs Concise Concordance & Vines Concise Dictionary of the Bible: Two Reference Classics in One Handy Volume.Nashville: Thomas Nelson P. 1999
Swindoll, Charles., and Gary Matlock.Ezra through Daniel Volume Two: Bible Study Guide. Anaheim: Insight for Living P. 1996
Swindoll, Charles. Daniel: God’s Pattern for the Future: Bible Study Guide. Eds. Bill Watkins., and Bill Butterworth. Fullerton: Insight for Living P. 1986
Thiele, Edwin. The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings:New Revised Edition.Grand Rapids: Zondervan P. 1983
The Torah and Commentary: Travel-Size Edition.Trans. English: the Jewish Publication Society. Ed. David Lieber, et al. The Rabbinical Assembly P. 2004
Vine W.E., et al.Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words: With Topical Index. Nashville: Thomas Nelson P. 1996
Walvoord, John.Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation. Chicago: Moody Press P. 1989 Whiston, William. Josephus The Complete Works: Translated by William Whiston. Nashville: Thomas Nelson P. 1998
Whitcomb, John.Daniel: Everyman’s Bible Commentary. Chicago: Mood Press P. 1985
Wood, Leon. A Commentary on Daniel. Grand Rapids: Zondervan P. 1973
