And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. (Daniel 2:44, NKJV)
Daniel had just given God’s interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. A great image depicting four successive world kingdoms, beginning with Babylon, was struck on its feet of iron and clay (the fourth kingdom, v. 40). The image was crushed by a stone of divine origin, which became a great mountain that filled the earth (Dan. 2:31-43). The superiority of the kingdom of God over the kingdoms of men is thus portrayed, as well as when it would come into existence. God’s kingdom would be “set up” in the “day of these kings” (of the fourth kingdom, v. 40-43). This occurred during the Roman Empire, the legs and feet of the image. Jesus came preaching, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mk. 1:15). And, He said some would not die until they saw the kingdom come with power (Mk. 9:1). The kingdom of Daniel 2:44 is the church of Christ (Matt. 16:18-19). Unlike the kingdoms of men, God’s kingdom, the church, is “not of this world” (Jno. 18:36). It fills the earth, it cannot be destroyed by men, and it shall stand forever.
Sword Tips 