634. DAN 2:34, DAN 2:35. THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST
Dan_2:34, Dan_2:35. The Kingdom of Christ
"Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon its feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces," &c.’97Dan_2:34, Dan_2:35.
Some of the most striking and magnificent revelations God ever gave in dreams and visions of the night, were those of king Nebuchadnezzar. It pleased God to select this distinguished and wonderful individual, by causing the most remarkable and striking scenes to pass before his mind during the hours of sleep. The signification of the dream referred to in our text, put the power of the soothsayers, at the time, to utter defiance; but unto Daniel, the beloved of God, was given the spirit of interpretation.
The king saw a splendid image of a human being, mighty and great; and which was particularly distinguished by the materials of which it was composed. The head was of gold, the breast and arms of silver, the other parts of the image were of brass, and the feet were partly of iron, and partly of clay. During the time the mind of Nebuchadnezzar was occupied by this imposing scene, he beheld rising up, a small stone cut out of the mountain without hands; that is, the agency by which it was brought out seemed to be invisible. He observed until this stone came in contact with the image, and smote it to powder, and scattered it before the winds of heaven; and the stone grew until it became a large mountain, and filled the whole earth.
It may be requisite for us, first, to refer to this image, and its literal signification; and then to see what this stone was intended to represent. By the head of gold was meant the Chaldean empire then existing; an empire which extended its influence through Egypt, Phoenicia, Palestine, &c., and on account of its immense wealth and opulence was compared to a head of gold. You perceive the breast and arms of this image were of silver’97these had reference to the Mede and Persian kingdom. The two arms represented the two kingdoms of the Medes and Persians, which were united under Cyrus. Though these were very opulent and splendid, yet they were but as silver when compared to the Chaldean head of gold. The thighs of this image were represented as brass’97this referred to the Grecian empire, founded by Alexander the Great, an empire which extended its influence through the greater part of the then known world. The feet are described as of iron and clay’97here is a reference to the Roman empire, an empire as regards luxury, magnificence, and splendor, vastly inferior to the preceding empires; but as superior in strength, physical power, and endurance, as iron is of greater utility and of more essential worth than gold. The Roman empire is described as having two legs. It has been supposed, by some persons, that the two legs were intended to represent the eastern and western divisions of the Roman empire; while others have thought, it pointed to its secular and ecclesiastical power. And, then, observe this image as it regards the legs and feet: it is described as consisting partly of iron, and partly of clay, to show the great inequality of the various parts of the empire. Some parts should be strong, so strong as to appear to be impregnable as iron; while others should be powerless, and seem to possess internal weakness, like clay. Bishop Newton has shown, in his interesting work on the Prophecies, that every sentence of God, in reference to this prediction was entirely fulfilled to the very letter; and that the ten kingdoms into which the Roman empire was ultimately divided, were represented by the ten toes of the two feet of this image: so particularly and minutely were the predictions of God verified, in reference to this distinguished empire. As it respects the "stone cut out of the mountain without hands," and which smote the image and filled the whole earth, there is no difficulty of interpretation, this is clearly the kingdom of Jesus Christ. The spiritual empire of the Son of God’97that empire of truth and righteousness which will extend its influence until the Saviour will overturn, overturn, and overturn, by which he shall possess universal dominion, whose right it is to reign, Eze_21:27. We invite your attention to several particulars connected with this kingdom, as presented to us in the striking and symbolical language of the text.
I. It is evident from this representation that the kingdom of Jesus Christ is spiritual in its nature.
There is something very graphic and important in the words, "a stone cut out of the mountain without hands." That is, the empire of God’s Son is not an empire arising from the ruins of preceding empires; not an empire to be founded and supported by martial power or conquests. It is not to be a worldly establishment, or to have secular dominion. When Pilate asked the Saviour, he confessed that he was a King, but said, "My kingdom is not of this world," Joh_18:36. The throne which Christ erects, is a throne within the heart’97the kingdom of God is within you. The laws of this kingdom are spiritual’97the requirements of this kingdom are spiritual’97all the arrangements, blessings, and ordinances of this kingdom are spiritual; they are especially adapted to the soul, and are intended to bring human beings into a state of loyal affection to Jesus Christ, and to a state of holy obedience and spiritual adherence to him.
II. That the kingdom of Christ is unimposing in its nature.
"A stone cut out of the mountain,"’97mark, a stone, a simple stone, doubtless a small stone. We marvel not that Nebuchadnezzar should wish to know what that little stone signified. In this stone we see how strikingly is predicted to us the origin of the kingdom of Christ in the world. We find even the Monarch in one of the lowest conditions of life’97born in a stable, and laid in a manger. When Christ came on his holy and divine mission, he had no illustrious individuals associated with him, or following in his train. His ministers were plain men, mostly fishermen’97men without any temporal distinction whatever. He had nothing in his own person to attract the gaze of the human eye. A stranger to external pomp,’97the reputed son of a carpenter. He wrought miracles, blessed the people, and delivered his doctrines to the world; and, contrary to all the opinions then existing, he pronounced the poor to be rich, the sorrowful to be blessed, and the persecuted happy, Mat_5:3, &c. In Christ, and his cause, all was unimposing; and not one element of worldly grandeur existed to meet the carnal desires of the Jewish nation.
III. The kingdom of Christ is represented as being progressive in its. character.
The "stone cut out of the mountain without hands," while observed by the king, increased; and it became greater and greater, and higher and higher, until it rose to a mighty mountain, every thing else being insignificant when compared with it; and, at length, it filled the whole earth. But in its progress to this consummation it came in contact with the image, and smote it, and ground it to powder. What a splendid representation of the progress of the Saviour’s empire! It was originally a small stone cut out of the mountain without hands; but it grew mightily, and greatly prevailed. "And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth."
IV. This kingdom is to be triumphant in its achievements.
It was predicted that the stone should smite the image, and the image was smitten. What victory more triumphant, what conquest more absolute, and what prediction more verified! Something might be gathered from the facts of past times, what shall be the result of every thing which sets itself up against God’s anointed Son! Surely, as it is written, they shall be broken in pieces; this stone shall break in pieces every such image and power, that shall be arrayed against the progress and triumph of the empire of truth in the world. This stone shall come in contact with every established form of false religion in the world,’97with paganism, and its thousand rites; with Judaism, which the gospel has superseded. This stone shall come in contact with idolatry, that hydra-headed monster; and with another splendid image, Mohammedanism, which Providence has allowed to be set up and exist for centuries, and which has yet scarcely felt the power of Christian influence. Yet that foul image is doomed to fall; in connection with the papal superstitions, and all the multifarious rites of heathenism; whether they may resemble the head of gold, the breast of silver, the thighs of brass, or the feet and toes of iron and clay. Christianity refuses to coalesce with any of the systems and forms of religion men have invented, or set up in our world.
V. That this kingdom will be universal in its extent.
This stone must fill the whole earth. Not be as Judaism was, the religion of one land; but the religion of the world. All obstacles are to be removed, and universal power and dominion are to be given into the Saviour’s hands, so that
"Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
Does his successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till suns shall rise and set no more."
VI. This kingdom is to be everlasting in its duration.
In the 44th verse of this chapter it is stated, that this kingdom shall be forever; that is, it will be the last and closing dispensation connected with our world’s duration. This kingdom is not like the Chaldean, to be succeeded by the Mede and Persian; the Mede and Persian by the Grecian; or the Grecian by the Roman. When this kingdom shall have attained all its achievements, the Saviour shall reign over all nations and people and tongues. Then shall all proclaim his praise, and rejoice in his dominion, which shall be an everlasting dominion, Psa_145:13.
In conclusion, observe,
1. The kingdom of Christ is associated With human agency. It is to be promulgated by means and instrumentality. He calls us to spread that gospel which we have received; and he will hold all his people responsible in this matter.
2. To extend this empire is the duty of every individual Christian. I should be satisfied to make this the test of a man’s religion; because, if the love of Christ dwell. in his heart and soul, he will ardently desire Christ’s cause to be extended. "There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed," Jos_13:1.
3. Personal effort, in our respective spheres, is also necessary. The increase of godliness in our own land. The. salvation of our families, and perishing neighbors at home. How much is yet to be done!
4. The enemies of the gospel will be crushed to pieces by the triumphant Saviour. The precious chief cornerstone, which will be a sure and stable foundation to the believer, will grind to powder the proud rejecter of God’s Anointed. To all will the gospel be the savor of life unto life, or of death unto death, 2Co_2:16.
Finally. How glorious will be the day when this stone shall become a mountain, and fill the whole earth! When all the splendid visions of prophecy shall be realized! When peace and concord, righteousness and truth, love and mercy, holiness and knowledge, shall beautify our world! When the tabernacle of God shall be with men; and when one song shall resound from shore to shore, and from the rising to the setting of the sun. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! for "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever," Rev_11:15. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus, come quickly!
Autor: JABEZ BURNS