The King's Dream

Dan 2:1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.

The second year, in which Nebuchadnezzar reigned apart from his father, who reigned with him for two years. It was the forth year of Daniel's captivity, He had completed is training in three years. Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams that troubled him, but he could not remember them.

Dan 2:2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.

magicians: those who claim to understand magic, demonic hocus pocus or illusions.

Acts 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
Acts 8:10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
Acts 8:11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Acts 8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Acts 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Acts 8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Acts 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Acts 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Acts 8:23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Acts 8:24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

astrologers: using divination by consulting the planets and stars
sorcerers: one who practices magic by using spoken formulas, incantations and mystic mutterings. Witches practice sorcery too, casting spells and putting demonic thoughts in peoples minds. Familiar spirits are those evil spirits that have been with the deceased family, and know things about them.

1 Sam 28:7 Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
Chaldeans: skilled in the science of astronomy. They were the first to calculate that a year was 365 days; they also practiced astrology.

Deu 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Deu 18:11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
Deu 18:12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
Deu 18:13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.
We are not to mess with the occult, but Babylon did and so did Adolf Hitler. They had no regard for human life.

Dan 2:3 And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.
Dan 2:4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.

An official greeting to the king was to say "live forever." The Chaldean spoke in the language of Syria, a close ally to Babylon. Often the kings were considered as gods. The Egyptian kings were worshipped as gods by their people. In Israel, Herod was struck down by an angel because he allowed others to worship him as a god.

Acts 12:21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
Acts 12:22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
Acts 12:23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

Dan 2:5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.

The king forgot the dream, now he wants to be told the dream and it's meaning. He must have felt it was of great importance, for his wrath would go out upon his wise men if the secret was not revealed. He would cut them to pieces, showing his heart was that of a tyrant. How should we respond to threats? I think we should consider them as to Biblical truth. If the person is dangerous try to make peace and withdraw from them. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. A modern example of a tyrant was Adolf Hitler. The Jews had no recourse but to trust God and to flee.

Dan 2:6 But if ye show the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore show me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.

The king would give gifts and rewards to the one who would reveal his secret dream and it's meaning. Who wants gifts from such an irrational person. Do we seek gifts and promises from the ungodly of the world?

Prov 23:6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
Prov 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

Only the LORD knows all things and to whom the LORD reveals his secrets by revelation knowledge.

The Apostle Paul heard from Jesus in secret.

Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

God is able to reveal secret things to his dedicated servants.

Dan 2:7 They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation of it.
Dan 2:8 The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.
Dan 2:9 But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can show me the interpretation thereof.

The king wanted them to repeat his dream, before they interpret it. Otherwise, they could make up some meaning; probably an illusion of truth. For those who follow the dark things cannot speak the truth but in part, for satan is a liar.

Dan 2:10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can show the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.
Dan 2:11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

Mat 10:26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
Mat 10:27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

The Chaldeans were considered the wisest men of the region. They spoke with some truth when they said only the gods could know the king's secret. In truth, only the God of Abraham would know.

Dan 2:12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
Dan 2:13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.

Daniel and his fellows were also in the decree to be slain. Why were they not called by the king? Perhaps because they were Jews and so young? Those who are in darkness cannot come to the truth, but by revelation of God. Millions follow false gods in ignorance. Some make up their own spiritual reality and some trust in made up science. The word of God is truth, in the Bible or from prophesy.

Prov 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Glory to God

Dan 2:14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:
Dan 2:15 He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.

The captain was truthful to Daniel, allowing him to know why he was being condemned without a hearing. The king was upset with all of his worldly advisers, they had no truth beyond what they could see and touch, or imagine. The king punished for lack of knowing secrets. Our heavenly Father, the King, gives us what we need and expects us to obey. All wisdom is from him.

Israel had been punished by God for not seeking Him. The song of Moses speaks of God's nation and their need of the Lord's counsel:

Deu 32:28 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.

They followed false gods.

Deu 32:29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
Deu 32:30 How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

The Rock of their salvation, Jesus is that rock. Daniel was of the remnant that obeyed God and God was his counselor.

Dan 2:16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation.

Daniel was already under a death sentence, so he approached the king and asked for time so that he may give the interpretation. To approach the king without being called, could result in your death. I am thankful that we can approach the throne of grace through King Jesus.

Dan 2:17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
Dan 2:18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

Daniel shares with his friends so that they would pray to God for his mercy. We need to share our concerns with faithful friends, so that they can fill in the gap through intercessory prayer. They were to fill-in the gaps of the hedge. Each believer must be using their gifts, to fill in the gaps of the spiritual hedge.

Ezek 13:4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
Ezek 13:5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.

Dan 2:19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

Daniel gave glory to God, speaking of his great virtues.

Dan 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
Dan 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
Dan 2:22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
Dan 2:23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.

Our God was faithful to Daniel, making known the secrets. Shall he not be praised? Praise our LORD God, your savior and king for the great things he has one in our lives. God expects to be praised for his glory, as the one leper who returned to Jesus after his healing.

Luke 17:15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
Luke 17:16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
Luke 17:17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
Luke 17:18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

May we never forget to give God glory and praise.

Vision Revealed

Dan 2:24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will show unto the king the interpretation.

Daniel intercedes for the wise men and his brethren with a promise to reveal the dream. His spirit was good, a life giving spirit, not a killing spirit.

Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Dan 2:25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.

Arioch was confident in Daniel before the king. If Daniel failed, he too would be killed. Daniel knew that he was not to seek glory, but that all good comes from above, the King in heaven.

Dan 2:26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?
Dan 2:27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, show unto the king;
Dan 2:28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

Daniel reveals the source as from the most high God in heaven. He gave all glory to God. For he works in you and through you.The contents were to show the latter days, the things to come before the end of the world.

Dan 2:29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. The king in quiet upon his bed received the vision, but soon forgot it.

This is like the parable of the sower.

Mat 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

Daniel in a night vision, perhaps a dream, we do not know receives the revelation from God.

Mat 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Dan 2:30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

Daniel will not receive glory, he points to God as the source. He was concerned for the lives of the wise men. From this we know that the great servants of God were great, because God trusted them to be messengers, not putting flesh in the way and not seeking self glory, but being reliable channels for God to flow through to others.They are used of God to seek and to save the lost and to reveal His secrets. The true servants of God do not have their names up in lights, as the world's favorites. Jesus gave us a word on this;

Mat 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.