The Stone
Read Daniel 2:34, 35, 44, 45. What do these verses teach us about the
ultimate fate of our world?
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The focus of the dream is on what will happen in the “latter days”
(Dan. 2:28). As powerful and rich as they may have been, the metal (and
clay) kingdoms are nothing but a prelude to the establishment of the
stone kingdom. Whereas to some extent metals and clay can be products
of human manufacture, the stone in the dream comes untouched by
human hands. In other words, although each of the previous kingdoms
eventually comes to an end, the kingdom represented by the stone will
last forever. The metaphor of the rock, then, often symbolizes God (for
example, Deut. 32:4, 1 Sam. 2:2, Ps. 18:31), and the stone likewise may
be a representation of the Messiah (Ps. 118:22; 1 Pet. 2:4, 7). Thus,
nothing is more appropriate than the figure of a stone to symbolize the
establishment of God’s eternal kingdom.
Some argue that the stone kingdom was established during Jesus’
earthly ministry, and that the propagation of the gospel stands as an
indication that the kingdom of God has taken over the entire world. Yet,
the stone kingdom comes into existence only after the four main king-
doms have fallen and human history has reached the time of the divided
kingdoms, represented by the feet and toes of the image. This fact
rules out the fulfillment during the first century, because Jesus’ earthly
ministry took place during the dominion of Rome, the fourth kingdom.
But the stone gives way to a mountain. That is, “the stone that struck
the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth” (Dan.
2:35, NKJV). A mountain such as this evokes Mount Zion, the place
where the temple stood, the concrete representation of God’s earthly
kingdom in the Old Testament times. Interestingly, the stone cut from the
mountain becomes a mountain itself. This mountain, which according to
the text is already in existence, most likely points to the heavenly Zion,
the heavenly sanctuary, whence Christ will come to establish His eternal
kingdom. And in the Jerusalem that will come down from heaven (Rev.
21:1–22:5), this kingdom will find its ultimate fulfillment.
Daniel 2 has been correct on all the kingdoms so far. Why, then,
is it so logical and wise to trust its prophecy about the coming of
the final kingdom, God’s eternal one? Why is it so irrational not
to believe the prophecy?
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