8 November 2009

Text: Daniel 2

“HIS KINGDOM IS AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM”

(I) ANOTHER GRAND DREAM OF KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR

1. A Dream of a majestic tree that rose to the heavens (Daniel 4:10-11)

2. A Drastic end of the Dream (Daniel 4:13-17)

a) Order is given to chop down the majestic tree (Daniel 4:13-14)

b) Only a stump would remain (Daniel 4:15)

c) A humiliating change (Daniel 4:16)

(II) ANOTHER GLIMPSE OF THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM OF CHRIST

1. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom (Daniel 4:3c, 34d)

2. His dominion is from generation to generation (Daniel 4:3d, 34e)

(III) ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE MOST HIGH GOD

1. The Most High rules in the kingdom of men (Daniel 4:17d)

2. He gives it to whomever He will (Daniel 4:17e)

3. He does according to His will in the army of heaven (Daniel 4:35b)

4. He is the King of heaven (Daniel 4:37a)

5. All His works are truth (Daniel 4:37b)

6. All His ways are justice (Daniel 4:37c)

7. All who walk in pride He us able to out down (Daniel 4:37d)

8. All the inhabitants of earth are reputed as nothing (Daniel 4:35a)

9. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him ‘What have You done?’ (Daniel 4:35c)

(IV) ADMONITION TO THE PROUD KING OF BABYLON

1. Dreadfully troubled by the meaning of the dream (Daniel 4:19)

2. Daring words to the king

a) Prophetic warning of impending disaster to the king (Daniel 4:24-25)

b) Prophetic advice

i) To acknowledge humbly that the Most High rules (Daniel 4:25d)

ii) To break off sins (Daniel 4:27b)

iii) To practise righteousness (Daniel 4:27c)

iv) To show mercy to the poor (Daniel 4:27d)

(V) ADVICE NOT HEEDED

1. Arrogance of king Nebuchadnezzar expresses (Daniel 4:28-30)

2. Prophecy fulfilled (Daniel 4:31-33)

a) Nebuchadnezzar lost his mind

b) Became like a beast of the field

(VI) ADDED MERCY

1. Return of his Reason (Daniel 4:36a)

2. Return of his kingdom (Daniel 4:36b)

3. Return of Praise to God (Daniel 4:37)