Page 75 - Daniel

Taking both the Old and New Testament uses together, it is clear that
the latter days for Israel began as early as the division of the land to the
twelve tribes (Gen. 49:1) and include the first and the second advents of
Christ. The last days for the church culminate at the rapture and
resurrection of the church, and are not related to the time of the end for

Israel. Daniel does not deal with the age between the two advents except
for the time of the end, and the New Testament does not clearly use the
term “latter days” of the present church age.

In the context of Daniel 2, “the latter days” include all the visions that
Nebuchadnezzar received and stretches from 600 B.C. to the second
coming of Christ to the earth. It is used in a similar way in Daniel 10:14,
including the extensive revelation concerning the remainder of the

Medo-Persian kingdom; many details of Alexander’s empire as in chapter
11; and the consummation called “the time of the end” in Daniel 11:36–
45. These prophecies served to give added detail not included in the
revelation to Nebuchadnezzar. Having stated the general purpose, Daniel
now was able to unfold what will occur “in the latter days,” namely, the
majestic procession of the four great world empires, and their

destruction and replacement by the fifth empire, the kingdom from
heaven. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream can now be unfolded.

THE PURPOSE OF THE DREAM (2:29–30)

2:29–30 “To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what

would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you
what is to be. But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not
because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in
order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that
you may know the thoughts of your mind.”

Nebuchadnezzar had had a meteoric rise to power as one of the great
conquerors and monarchs of the ancient world. He had begun his
brilliant career even while his father was still alive, but after his father’s

death, he had quickly consolidated his gains and established himself as
absolute ruler over the Babylonian empire. All of southwest Asia was in
his power, and there was no rival worthy of consideration at the time.