JULY 5, 2025 – THE STONE

READ: Dan. 2:24–49:  … and it shall stand forever …

Daniel tells King Nebuchadnezzar the content and interpretation of the dream. This shows that he can do what none of the other wise men can. But Daniel immediately deflects attention from himself: it is God in heaven who reveals mysteries. In doing so, Daniel not only unmasks the wise men but also their gods—these are the same gods that Nebuchadnezzar and all other earthly rulers serve.

What emptiness and deception from all those worldly powers! That applies just as much to our time. People elevate themselves, but what does God’s counsel say about them? Do we let them impress us—or do we place our trust only in the almighty God of heaven and His Son?

God’s omnipotence is also evident in the content of the dream: a great statue shaped like a human body. The golden head represents the Babylonian empire of Nebuchadnezzar, who owes his kingship, power, strength, and glory to the God of heaven (v.37).

But his kingdom will not last and will be conquered by a weaker, less glorious (Medo-Persian) empire, which in turn will be overtaken by a third (Greek-Macedonian) kingdom.

Then comes the iron-strong Roman empire. Finally, it leads to a multitude of smaller kingdoms that do not form a clear unity (iron and clay), even though they try to (v.43). This is elaborated further in Dan. 7 and 8.

No singular global earthly kingdom will rise again. These empires display less and less glory over time. The mighty do not serve God, even though He is the one who gives them their power.

Meanwhile, a new power arises outside of human control: during the reign of these kingdoms, God causes a stone to be cut out of a mountain. This is God’s Kingdom, which on earth was visible before the exile in Israel and Judah, but now continues to grow until the Christ emerges from it as the Son of David.

He is the stone that becomes the cornerstone; whoever stumbles over Him will be crushed (Isa. 8:14–15). His Kingdom will shatter all other kingdoms and endure forever (Rev. 11:15).

When does God’s Kingdom shatter earthly kingdoms?

Sing: Ps. 118:6