What The Future Holds

Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we find that God uses dreams and visions to communicate with us in memorable ways. A fascination with dreams continues in our time, even in the secular realm. Psychologists Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung devoted much of their work to the study of dreams. They have found nine common themes in dreams. Let’s take a pop quiz. How typical are you? Have you ever dreamed of flying? Do you dream about losing your teeth?? What about dreams of being naked in public??? Well, if you have had dreams like these, there are plenty of “experts” out there who are happy to tell you what your dreams mean! Have you ever dreamed about a large statue made of precious metals with feet made of iron and clay? If so, continue reading.

In the second chapter of the Book of Daniel, we find that Daniel is summoned to interpret an intriguing dream of King Nebuchadnezzar. At his time, Babylon was known for its opulence. King Neb was famous for his military conquests and stunning building projects. After the conquest of Jerusalem, Daniel was one of the best and brightest young Hebrews who had been brought into captivity with three of his best friends. They were educated and trained in Babylonian studies and culture with the goal of serving in the palace. More importantly, in this foreign, pagan culture, they remained faithful to the God of Abraham.

Of course, God’s ultimate goal for this arrangement differs from King Neb’s. God sends an unusual dream to King Neb. The king calls on all his experts to tell him his dream, and what on earth it means! He calls forth astrologers, enchanters, sorcerers, and magicians— the experts of his day. Who or what would our culture turn to today? Perhaps psychics, horoscopes, tarot card readers, spirit guides, or a Ouija board? As children of God, I hope we turn to our Creator for discernment. Heavenly Father, may we be a people of prayer when our hearts are overwhelmed with worries or discouragement.

The dream troubles the King. He threatens his spiritual advisors with death and the destruction of their households if they do not tell him his dream and interpret it. Powerless, the pagan spiritual crew reminds the King that no one but the gods can reveal the dream. In a fury, King Neb demands that all the wise men are to be put to death. This includes Daniel and his friends. Daniel is able to get his execution delayed for 24 hours. He gathers the spiritual support of his three fellow Hebrews, and they spend their time in prayer, communing with the Lord. God comes through! The Bible records Daniel’s praise to God for revealing the mystery of the dream to him.

Daniel gets an audience with King Neb. This humble, Godly young man, tells the King that there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and this God has shown the King a glimpse into the future of Babylon and the kingdoms that will follow. Daniel recounts the dream for the King. The King had seen an enormous statue made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and clay. Daniel explains how this statue depicts great historical empires and a future kingdom that many Biblical scholars interpret as Christ’s rule when He returns to earth. After listening to Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges that Daniel’s God is definitely the God of gods and Lord of kings.

As this chapter of the Bible closes, God is honored. We can be “wowed” that Daniel can interpret dreams and is able to see into the future. But, in reality, Daniel’s purpose was to worship God and reveal his glory to others. Ultimately, the role of a true prophet is to lead people to the Lord. Daniel remained faithful to his calling. Stolen from his homeland and held captive in a foreign, ungodly culture, Daniel continued to humbly serve God and grow closer to Him. Let’s strive to do the same.