Out of the iron furnace

 

Daniel 2:43

King James Version

43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, 

they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: 

but they shall not cleave one to another, 

even as iron is not mixed with clay.

This is the era of transhumanism.

An abomination against the LORD.

Only GOD can give life.

This verse says it all:

Genesis 2:7

King James Version

7 And the Lord God formed man 

of the dust of the ground, 

and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; 

and man became a living soul.

Iron cannot mix with clay.

We must remember how GOD took Israel out of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 4:20

King James Version

20 But the Lord hath taken you, 

and brought you forth out of the iron furnace,

even out of Egypt,

 to be unto him a people of inheritance, 

as ye are this day.

In these latter days, people have forgotten this:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

King James Version

19 What? 

know ye not that your body 

is the temple of the Holy Ghost 

which is in you, 

which ye have of God, 

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price: 

therefore glorify God in your body, 

and in your spirit, 

which are God's.

The world has defied everything that is sacred to GOD.

All because the world belongs to the fallen one.

Note who tried to tempt JESUS:

Matthew 4:8-11

King James Version

8 Again, the devil taketh him up 

into an exceeding high mountain, 

and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, 

and the glory of them;

9 And saith unto him, 

All these things will I give thee, 

if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, 

Get thee hence, Satan: 

for it is written, 

Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, 

and him only shalt thou serve.

11 Then the devil leaveth him, 

and, behold, 

angels came and ministered unto him.

We are not to have anything to do with the artificial, and the superficial.

They are never beneficial.

Believers are children of the LIVING GOD.

A living GOD only creates living things.

Sin is deadness.

We are called to repent.

Mark 1:15

King James Version

15 And saying, 

The time is fulfilled, 

and the kingdom of God is at hand: 

repent ye, 

and believe the gospel.

We are called to be holy.

Leviticus 19:1-2

King James Version

19 And the Lord spake unto Moses, 

saying,

2 Speak unto all the congregation 

of the children of Israel, 

and say unto them, 

Ye shall be holy: 

for I the Lord your God 

am holy.

We are called to be perfect.

Matthew 5:48

King James Version

48 Be ye therefore perfect, 

even as your Father which is in heaven 

is perfect.

That we may be blameless before the LORD.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

King James Version

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; 

and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body 

be preserved blameless 

unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We cannot be part human, and part machine.

GOD didn't create us that way.

SPIRITUAL bodies await us.

1 Corinthians 15:38

King James Version

38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, 

and to every seed his own body.

1 Corinthians 15:42-44

King James Version

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. 

It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory:

 it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. 

There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

1 Corinthians 15:45-47

King James Version

45 And so it is written, 

The first man Adam was made a living soul; 

the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, 

but that which is natural; 

and afterward that which is spiritual.

47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; 

the second man is the Lord from heaven.

More articles here.

Related material:

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gateway to destruction

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HOLINESS

Image: Wallpaper Flare

Iron and miry clay

 

Daniel 2:41-42

King James Version

41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, 

part of potters' clay, and part of iron, 

the kingdom shall be divided; 

but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, 

forasmuch as thou sawest the iron 

mixed with miry clay.

42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, 

and part of clay, 

so the kingdom shall be partly strong, 

and partly broken.

Herein begins my notes on the dream interpretation.

Linking it with other verses from the Bible.

JESUS spoke of a kingdom divided.

Matthew 12:25

King James Version

25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, 

and said unto them, 

Every kingdom divided against itself 

is brought to desolation; 

and every city or house divided against itself 

shall not stand:

On iron:

Jeremiah 6:28

King James Version

28 They are all grievous revolters, 

walking with slanders: 

they are brass and iron; 

they are all corrupters.

On miry clay:

Psalm 40:1-2

King James Version

40 I waited patiently for the Lord; 

and he inclined unto me, 

and heard my cry.

2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, 

out of the miry clay, 

and set my feet upon a rock, 

and established my goings.

That rock is CHRIST.

1 Corinthians 10:4

King James Version

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: 

for they drank of that spiritual Rock 

that followed them: 

and that Rock was Christ.

JESUS is the ONLY foundation.

1 Corinthians 3:11

King James Version

11 For other foundation can no man lay 

than that is laid, 

which is Jesus Christ.

We are to flee evil.

Isaiah 59:7

King James Version

7 Their feet run to evil, 

and they make haste to shed innocent blood: 

their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; 

wasting and destruction are in their paths.

Instead, we are to walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16

King James Version

16 This I say then, 

Walk in the Spirit, 

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

In the next post, we shall look more into iron, and miry clay, from another intriguing verse.

And how current times reveal corruption involving man, and CHRIST's enemy.

Image: Free Bible Images

In the gate of the king

 

Daniel 2:49

King James Version

49 Then Daniel requested of the king, 

and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 

over the affairs of the province of Babylon: 

but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

What did "Daniel sat in the gate of the king" mean?

I needed to be sure, so I look up other Bible versions:

Daniel 2:49

Amplified Bible

49 And Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon, while Daniel was at the court of the king.

Daniel 2:49

Christian Standard Bible

49 At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to manage the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court.

Daniel 2:49

Complete Jewish Bible

49 At Dani’el’s request, the king put Shadrakh, Meishakh and ‘Aved-N’go in charge of the affairs of the province of Bavel, while Dani’el remained in attendance on the king.

Daniel 2:49

Contemporary English Version

49 At Daniel's request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to high positions in Babylon Province, and he let Daniel stay on as a palace official.

Daniel 2:49

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

49 And Daniel requested of the king, and he appointed Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago over the works of the province of Babylon: but Daniel himself was in the king's palace.

Daniel 2:49

Easy-to-Read Version

49 Daniel asked the king to make Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego important officials over the province of Babylon. The king did as Daniel asked. Daniel himself became one of the important officials who was always near the king.

Daniel 2:49

International Children’s Bible

49 Daniel asked the king to make Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego important leaders over the area of Babylon. And the king did as Daniel asked. Daniel himself became one of the important people who stayed at the royal court.

Daniel 2:49

Living Bible

49 Then, at Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as Daniel’s assistants, to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon; Daniel served as chief magistrate in the king’s court.

Daniel 2:49

The Message

At Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to administrative posts throughout Babylon, while Daniel governed from the royal headquarters.

Daniel 2:49

Modern English Version

49 Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel sat at the court of the king.

Daniel 2:49

Names of God Bible

49 With the king’s permission, Daniel appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to govern the province of Babylon. But Daniel stayed at the king’s court.

Daniel 2:49

New Century Version

49 Daniel asked the king to make Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego leaders over the area of Babylon, so the king did as Daniel asked. Daniel himself became one of the people who stayed at the royal court.

Daniel 2:49

New English Translation

49 And at Daniel’s request, the king[a] appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the administration of the province of Babylon. Daniel himself served in the king’s court.

Daniel 2:49

New Life Version

49 And Daniel asked the king to put Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego as leaders over the land of Babylon, while Daniel stayed near the king.

In SUMMARY, "Daniel sat in the gate of the king", means:

Daniel was at the court of the king

Daniel remained at the king’s court

Dani’el remained in attendance on the king

he let Daniel stay on as a palace official

Daniel himself was in the king's palace

Daniel himself became one of the important officials who was always near the king.

Daniel himself became one of the important people who stayed at the royal court.

Daniel served as chief magistrate in the king’s court.

Daniel governed from the royal headquarters

Daniel sat at the court of the king

Daniel stayed at the king’s court

Daniel himself became one of the people who stayed at the royal court.

Daniel himself served in the king’s court.

Daniel stayed near the king

Now, we can take the dream, a verse at a time.

And support it with the rest of the Bible.

Head over to the next post.

Image: Free Bible Images

Dream and interpretation

 

Daniel 2:20

King James Version

20 Daniel answered and said, 

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: 

for wisdom and might are his:

King Nebuchadnezzar, displeased with his magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, threatened to destroy "all the wise men of Babylon".

That, of course, would include Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

Also known as Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Arioch, the king's captain, informed Daniel of the king's decision.

What did Daniel do?

Daniel 2:16-17

King James Version

16 Then Daniel went in, 

and desired of the king that he would give him time, 

and that he would shew the king the interpretation.

17 Then Daniel went to his house, 

and made the thing known to Hananiah, 

Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

They entreated the LORD for his mercies, that they may be saved from such fate, and here's what happened:

Daniel 2:19

King James Version

19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel 

in a night vision. 

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

Delighted, and surely relieved, Daniel blessed the GOD of heaven.

Daniel 2:21-23

King James Version

21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: 

he removeth kings, 

and setteth up kings: 

he giveth wisdom unto the wise, 

and knowledge to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: 

he knoweth what is in the darkness, 

and the light dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee, 

and praise thee, 

O thou God of my fathers, 

who hast given me wisdom and might, 

and hast made known unto me now 

what we desired of thee: 

for thou hast now made known unto us 

the king's matter.

As excited, and relieved, was Arioch, who hastily informed the king that there was "a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation".

First, Daniel gives GLORY to GOD for decoding the dream.

Daniel 2:27-30

King James Version

27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, 

and said, 

The secret which the king hath demanded 

cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, 

the soothsayers, shew unto the king;

28 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;

29 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.

30 But as for me, 

this secret is not revealed to me 

for any wisdom that I have more than any living, 

but for their sakes that shall make known 

the interpretation to the king, 

and that thou mightest know 

the thoughts of thy heart.

Finally, Daniel reveals the dream that GOD revealed:

Daniel 2:31-36

King James Version

31 Thou, O king, 

sawest, and behold a great image. 

This great image, 

whose brightness was excellent, 

stood before thee; 

and the form thereof was terrible.

32 This image's head was of fine gold, 

his breast and his arms of silver, 

his belly and his thighs of brass,

33 His legs of iron, 

his feet part of iron and part of clay.

34 Thou sawest till that a stone 

was cut out without hands, 

which smote the image upon his feet 

that were of iron and clay, 

and brake them to pieces.

35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, 

the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, 

and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; 

and the wind carried them away, 

that no place was found for them: 

and the stone that smote the image 

became a great mountain, 

and filled the whole earth.

36 This is the dream; 

and we will tell the interpretation thereof 

before the king.

Then Daniel gives the interpretation given by GOD:

Daniel 2:37-45

King James Version

37 Thou, O king, 

art a king of kings: 

for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, 

power, and strength, and glory.

38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, 

the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven 

hath he given into thine hand, 

and hath made thee ruler over them all. 

Thou art this head of gold.

39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom 

inferior to thee, 

and another third kingdom of brass, 

which shall bear rule over all the earth.

40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: 

forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces 

and subdueth all things: 

and as iron that breaketh all these, 

shall it break in pieces and bruise.

41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, 

part of potters' clay, 

and part of iron, 

the kingdom shall be divided; 

but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, 

forasmuch as thou sawest the iron 

mixed with miry clay.

42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, 

and part of clay, 

so the kingdom shall be partly strong, 

and partly broken.

43 And whereas thou sawest iron 

mixed with miry clay, 

they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: 

but they shall not cleave one to another, 

even as iron is not mixed with clay.

44 And in the days of these kings 

shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, 

which shall never be destroyed: 

and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, 

but it shall break in pieces 

and consume all these kingdoms, 

and it shall stand for ever.

45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut 

out of the mountain without hands, 

and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, 

the clay, the silver, and the gold; 

the great God hath made known to the king 

what shall come to pass hereafter: 

and the dream is certain, 

and the interpretation thereof sure.

Astonished, and grateful, the king fell upon his face.

Daniel 2:46

King James Version

46 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, 

and worshipped Daniel, 

and commanded that they should offer an oblation 

and sweet odours unto him.

All the while praising GOD.

Daniel 2:47

King James Version

47 The king answered unto Daniel, 

and said, 

Of a truth it is, 

that your God is a God of gods, 

and a Lord of kings, 

and a revealer of secrets, 

seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

Daniel was rewarded.

Daniel 2:48

King James Version

48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, 

and gave him many great gifts, 

and made him ruler 

over the whole province of Babylon, 

and chief of the governors 

over all the wise men of Babylon.

But Daniel did not forget his companions.

Daniel 2:49

King James Version

49 Then Daniel requested of the king, 

and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 

over the affairs of the province of Babylon: 

but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

Before we explore more about the dream, and interpretation, I got intrigued by the phrase:

"Daniel sat in the gate of the king"

What did that mean?

We shall find out in the next page.

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The troubling verse

 

Daniel 2:1

King James Version

2 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar 

Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, 

wherewith his spirit was troubled, 

and his sleep brake from him.

What happens when a king has a bad dream?

Naturally, he calls upon these people:

Daniel 2:2

King James Version

2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, 

and the astrologers, 

and the sorcerers, 

and the Chaldeans, 

for to shew the king his dreams. 

So they came and stood before the king.

And naturally, too, they ask the king to tell them of his dream, that they may interpret properly, given the knowledge they have.

Daniel 2:5

King James Version

5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, 

The thing is gone from me: 

if ye will not make known unto me the dream, 

with the interpretation thereof, 

ye shall be cut in pieces, 

and your houses shall be made a dunghill.

Wow, tall order.

To tell the king what he dreamt, and to interpret it.

What caught my attention is this:

Nebuchadnezzar said something very telling --

"The thing is gone from me."

Which he repeats here:

Daniel 2:8

King James Version

8 The king answered and said, 

I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, 

because ye see the thing is gone from me.

I understood Nebuchadnezzar to mean, he had forgotten the dream.

Thing is, ALL other Bible versions interpret it as an "order" -- a command from the king.

Like, an order has "gone out" from the king.

Was the king testing the interpreters, for their skill?

Or, did he simply forget?

I needed to find out.

I prayed to JESUS to please enlighten me.

I needed to get His WORD right.

True enough, the LORD guides me to a confirming verse:

Daniel 2:3

King James Version

3 And the king said unto them, 

I have dreamed a dream, 

and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.

Probing further, I check other Bible versions to confirm my suspicion.

(All notes in parenthesis are mine.)

Daniel 2:3

Amplified Bible

3 The king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled and anxious to know the [content and meaning of the] dream.”

(How can he not "know the content", unless he forgot it?)

Daniel 2:3

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

3 And the king said to them, I had a dream and my spirit is troubled to know the dream. 

(The king doesn't "know" his dream? It probably escapes his memory.)

Daniel 2:3

Living Bible

“I’ve had a terrible nightmare,” he said as they stood before him, “and I can’t remember what it was. Tell me, for I fear some tragedy awaits me.”

(There you go, that's more like it. He "can't remember what it was".)

Daniel 2:3

Names of God Bible

3 The king said to them, “I had a dream, and I’m troubled by it. I want to know what the dream was.”

(Now, this is getting stranger by the minute. He dreamt, and doesn't "know" his dream?)

Daniel 2:3

Wycliffe Bible

3 And the king said to them, I saw a dream, and I am shamed in mind, and I know not what I saw. (And the king said to them, I had a dream, and I am confused, and I do not know what I saw/and I do not know what it meant.)

(The king did not "know" what he "saw"? If he forgot the dream, how else can he intepret it? Very troubling, indeed.)

No wonder, the king was deeply troubled.

It's bad enough having a bad dream.

It's worse not remembering the dream.

And yet you feel a certain dread about it.

These translations confirm my thought that the king had forgotten the details of his dream.

He wasn't testing his interpreters.

He just couldn't remember the dream.

That's why he was in a panic.

As everyone was.

They appeal to their king:

Daniel 2:10-11

King James Version

10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, 

and said, 

There is not a man upon the earth 

that can shew the king's matter: 

therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, 

that asked such things at any magician, 

or astrologer, or Chaldean.

11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, 

and there is none other 

that can shew it before the king, 

except the gods, 

whose dwelling is not with flesh.

But the king could not be appeased.

Daniel 2:12

King James Version

12 For this cause the king was angry 

and very furious, 

and commanded to destroy 

all the wise men of Babylon.

That includes Daniel and his group.

Daniel, is not GOD's prophet, for nothing.

Watch what happens in the next post.

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The prophet Daniel

 

Daniel 2:20

King James Version

20 Daniel answered and said, 

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: 

for wisdom and might are his:

Who is Daniel?

What kind of prophet was he?

Why did he find favor with GOD?

It was prophesied that the sons of Israel would serve the king of Babylon.

Isaiah 39:5-7

King James Version

5 Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, 

Hear the word of the Lord of hosts:

6 Behold, 

the days come, 

that all that is in thine house, 

and that which thy fathers have laid up in store 

until this day, 

shall be carried to Babylon: 

nothing shall be left, saith the Lord.

7 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, 

which thou shalt beget, 

shall they take away; 

and they shall be eunuchs in the palace 

of the king of Babylon.

That prophecy came true.

Daniel 1:1-3

King James Version

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah 

came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon 

unto Jerusalem, 

and besieged it.

2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah 

into his hand, 

with part of the vessels of the house of God: 

which he carried into the land of Shinar 

to the house of his god; 

and he brought the vessels 

into the treasure house of his god.

3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz 

the master of his eunuchs, 

that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, 

and of the king's seed, 

and of the princes;

King Nebuchadnezzar had a requirement, for those who would stand before him:

Daniel 1:4

King James Version

4 Children in whom was no blemish, 

but well favoured, 

and skilful in all wisdom, 

and cunning in knowledge, 

and understanding science, 

and such as had ability in them 

to stand in the king's palace, 

and whom they might teach 

the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

Mercifully, the king treated them well.

Daniel 1:5

King James Version

5 And the king appointed them 

a daily provision of the king's meat, 

and of the wine which he drank: 

so nourishing them three years, 

that at the end thereof 

they might stand before the king.

These Jewish children were chosen to stand before the king:

Daniel 1:6

King James Version

6 Now among these 

were of the children of Judah, 

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

And were given new names:

Daniel 1:7

King James Version

7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: 

for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; 

and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; 

and to Mishael, of Meshach; 

and to Azariah, of Abednego.

What was Daniel really like?

He was devoted to GOD, that's what.

He refused to be defiled by luxury.

Daniel 1:8

King James Version

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart 

that he would not defile himself 

with the portion of the king's meat, 

nor with the wine which he drank: 

therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs 

that he might not defile himself.

Daniel chose to eat simply.

To the great agitation of the prince of eunuchs.

But Daniel was confident in the LORD.

Daniel 1:11-13

King James Version

11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, 

whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over 

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

12 Prove thy servants, 

I beseech thee, ten days; 

and let them give us pulse to eat, 

and water to drink.

13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, 

and the countenance of the children 

that eat of the portion of the king's meat: 

and as thou seest, 

deal with thy servants.

Daniel 1:14-16

King James Version

14 So he consented to them in this matter, 

and proved them ten days.

15 And at the end of ten days 

their countenances appeared fairer 

and fatter in flesh than all the children 

which did eat the portion of the king's meat.

16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, 

and the wine that they should drink; 

and gave them pulse.

GOD gave these children certain gifts.

Daniel 1:17

King James Version

17 As for these four children, 

God gave them knowledge and skill 

in all learning and wisdom: 

and Daniel had understanding 

in all visions and dreams.

Which greatly pleased king Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel 1:19-20

King James Version

19 And the king communed with them; 

and among them all was found none 

like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 

therefore stood they before the king.

20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, 

that the king enquired of them, 

he found them ten times better 

than all the magicians and astrologers 

that were in all his realm.

Now, for the "troubling" verse which is of great significance.

Please head over to the next post.

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