Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

2500 years ago, the great king of Babylon had a dream that no one but Daniel, through the revelation of God, could interpret for him. This dream revealed things that were to happen in the future:

“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; 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” (Daniel 2:28-29).

Daniel goes on to describe Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statue made of diverse metals:

  • A head of gold
  • Arms of silver
  • Thighs of bronze
  • Legs of iron
  • Feet of mixed iron and clay

He then explained what each part stood for.

The Head of Gold

“Thou art this head of gold” (Daniel 2:38).

King Nebuchadnezzar was Babylon personified, ruling a golden kingdom that lasted from605 BC to 539 BC.

The Arms of Silver

The arms of silver fittingly symbolized the duel kingdom of Medo-Persia that overthrew Babylon in 539 BC. Archeologists have confirmed this date. Medo-Persia reigned from 539 BC to 331 BC.

Thighs of Brass

Greece, under the leadership of Alexander the Great, dominated the world in 331 BC. Daniel accurately described this world power as brass for its armor and weapons were made of bronze. Greece ruled from 331 BC to 168 BC.

Legs of Iron

Rome defeated Greece at the Battle of Pydna in 168 BC. Iron defined the workings of Rome’s war machine. She, too, fell in 476 AD.

Feet of Iron and Clay

After the fall of the Roman Empire, it was divided into ten kingdoms. Ever since then, the nations of Europe have vainly tried to reunite under one banner through wars, political alliances, and marriages. Yet it hasn’t happened in all these years because Daniel 2 said it wouldn’t.

A Foundational Prophecy

This prophecy is remarkably accurate and lays the groundwork for the rest of the detailed prophecies that follow in Daniel. These prophecies define the major players in earth’s final conflict, how the whole world will be swept into this conflict, and the deceptions God’s people will have to face.

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream ended with a stone from the heavens smiting the feet of iron and clay and subsequently becoming a great mountain and filling the whole earth. So God’s kingdom will overcome the kingdoms of men and reign forever and ever.


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