Daniel 2:31-36. The Rock from Outer-space.

God has many titles. Moses called Him in Deuteronomy. 32:4. The Rock! Psalm.61:2. Isaiah 51:1. and many other references build on this descriptive name. He is the Rock of refuge and as the hymn says, the rock cleft for me. There is a children's song many an adult can remember singing; 'Build on the Rock and not upon the sand.'

In this final blog about God the Rock we look at the use of it in Daniel. It began when Nebuchadnezzar dreamed about an idol. It was gigantic but its meaning was unclear until Daniel was summoned. He had been taken captive to Babylon when Nebuchadnezzar's army destroyed Israel and its capital. Daniel was given the gift to interpret this, and other dreams.

The idol represented four World empires: Head of gold, Babylon, Chest of silver were the Medes and Persian empire. Next, the belly and thighs of bronze represented Greece and the final empire of iron was Rome. This final empire split in two and was of iron and clay. However, at some point in time Daniel said God steps in with His judgement. How does this happen? By the Rock from outer-space. Where does it strike? the feet! What is the twofold result? The idol is destroyed and 'blown away' and the 'The Rock' brings forth the long anticipated Kingdom of God. 

The significance of this dream goes beyond the scope of this blog. However please note the following: The idol representing the four nations was actually one. Therefore, one spirit was actually animating the four world powers. From further study you will realise that each kingdom sought the destruction of the Nation of Israel. Idols are a front behind which the Devil hides to receive worship 1 Corinthians 10:19-20. This is the force which infuses, controls the nations. You get a sense of this, more so in some than others, in the nations’ treatment and attitude to Israel. It will be this antagonism which leads them to the Valley of Decision. Joel 3:9-16.

Notice, the symbolism of the Stone cut from the Rock but not by Human hands. The symbolism of this is vital. It means the crushing Rock is of the same nature as The Rock. Remember what Jesus said. John 10:30. He and the Father and therefore the Holy Spirit are  one in essence.  Deity is not needed to be stated as its relationship is apparent. The Stone Daniel mentioned is also named The Lord of Hosts. He is the Lord Jesus in battle dress. What began on earth at Bethlehem with the Warrior Baby will then be completed by the returning Warrior Lord. He comes to vindicate His word, execute the Father’s wrath, deliver Israel from annihilation, see Israel’s conversion, bring judgement and establish God Kingdom.

 The Crushing Stone strikes the base of the Idol and it becomes dust. If the feet refer to the Roman empire then has Daniel or the interpreters got it wrong? Revelation 6-19 has information on this. What wasn't revealed to Daniel was the ‘sin binning’ of Israel due to unbelief in the coming of Jesus to be their Redeemer. This culminated in the Nation's uprising against Rome being dispersed around the globe. The emergence of the Church took up the testimony of the promised Messiah which causes some to imagine the Lord has  finished with those He termed 'His Inheritance.' This is insulting to God for it suggests He is unable to fulfil His promises.

Before the Day of the Stone from outer-space the Church's mission must be completed. It must be replaced by the final prophetic period  foretold in Daniel 12. How is the Church taken from the scene? By the Rapture, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. 

From the rejected Stone to the Smitten Stone then the Living Stone who is the foundation, corner and capstone and at the same time the Rock of Offence, the Stumbling Stone, Jesus will be the penultimate Crushing Stone. Only then will we behold Him as the Radiant Stone.

We must assess our relationship to Him. Will He be our Crushing or our Radiant Stone? That will be decided by your faith in Him as the Lord and Saviour, crucified, entombed and risen.

 

 

Cloud Gazing

We saw dinosaurs, mountains, faces and many fanciful designs my grandchildren and I. Where were they found? In the fleeting clouds. What a wonderful time we had as we played together. 

Afterwards, I began a trip to the clouds of Scripture courtesy of my concordance. The first mention of clouds in the Gospels is on a mountain according to Matthew 17:1-5. This followed Jesus’ words about the cross in the region of Caesarea Philippi. Rather appropriate as I think about it, first the cross then the glory. Matthew’s gospel says, ‘…a voice from the cloud said, “this is my beloved Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” Did Peter, James and John’s minds recall their nation’s history when God spoke to Israel out of the cloud at Mount Sinai?

Later the disciples were in for a shock as the Lord spoke about other clouds. This was in the context of future events affecting Israel and the Gentile nations. (Matthew 24). ‘Immediately after the distress of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.’ (Matthew 24:29, 30) What a great incentive to be a cloud watcher!

Jesus was accused of blasphemy in the trial leading to His crucifixion. Why" Because, the High Priest of the Jewish religion understood Jesus linked Himself to Daniel 7:13. ‘In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.’ This was a claim to be both God and Messiah.

If Jesus' body had remained in the tomb, the judgement of the High Priest and Sanhedrin would have been correct. The message of the angels is our victory chant at Easter time, “He is not here; He has risen!” 

Forty days later, what an emotional moment it must have been on the Mount of Olives.  Jesus was about to return to Heaven. How would they have felt as Jesus was taken up in a cloud (Acts 1:9)?  I’m sure they never lost the significance of the angel’s words when he said “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11). This is the promise also found in Revelation 1:7.

Fortunately, the Lord gave instructions that motivate His followers to make people aware of His mission and message. The heart must be occupied by Christ Jesus and the clouds, but the mind needs to be focused on service. This is our calling, the former is our hope and longing. Each disciple has their own God given or birth derived gift to exercise and refine for the Lord’s honour. The purpose of having our gifts and abilities is to express in meaningful ways the wonder of God’s transforming and enabling grace. This purpose remains for the Church until it is caught up to meet the Lord in the clouds, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. This is called 'the Rapture'. 

Then, we will see Him face to face. What a thrill, a joy awaits and what a motivation to be faithful.  

©Ray Hawkins