Nov 27 Daniel 2:24-49: Daniel 3:1-12 2 Peter 1 Psalm 135:1-12

Dan 2:27-28

Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. 

It’s very interesting here, this is a dream about the different kingdoms to come throughout the ages. They are represented by different metals and there is a whole host of interpretations as to what this all means. We could spend ages on them. But let’s not do that, because something else jumped out at me as I read this. 

This dream about the latter days or the end time was given to who? It was given to Nebuchadnezzar, a pagan, idol worshiping king. To this man, a great revelation came from God! 

Did this mean Nebuchadnezzar was special? No. In fact he’s about to build a big idol. 

God used the dream, not to raise up Nebuchadnezzar, but to raise up Daniel. 

If the dream had come to Daniel who would have listened? But after this he’s someone people listen to. After this God reveals much to him. All because of a dream. God is working, often unseen to our the right people into the right place at the right time. 

Daniel could have felt hard done to in exile. But God had a plan for him. Trust that God does the same with us. He will even give Pagan kings dreams about the end times in order to get the right people into the right place. 

God spoke to Nebuchadnezzar, but not for his benefit. What did hearing about the benefit this king? No, it was for Daniels’. God is working in the background to raise up those who trust in Him. 

Dan 2:44-45

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,  just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”

God will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed. All the kingdoms of the earth will be broken up – no matter how Greta it seems today and be brought into the Kingdom of God. Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar that this is certain. The interpretation is sure. In other words this IS going to happen. 

It might be hard in this world today. But this current world system will end. And we have a hope and a future in Kingdom that will know no end. Never forget where your inheritance is. Not in the kingdoms of the earth but in the Kingdom of God. 

2 Pet 1:1

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ

Peter is writing to people who came to Jesus as the gospel began to spread around the world. But in this opening statement he says something extremely important. He says that this is written to those who have obtained an equal faith and standing than his. An equal standing with the rest of the Apostles. 

How? Through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. 

This means, if you have received the righteousness of Jesus, if you are saved – your faith is on an equal standing to Peter’s. Even though you are separated by thousands of years, you are part of the same Kingdom and the same inheritance. Peter didn’t place himself above other believers. We are one. On an equal footing. 

If Peter didn’t place himself above others, then we have no place to do so. But also, if we indeed have an equal standing we need to stop putting ourselves down and think we are worthless.