Psalm 110: 1									Rev. S. de Marie
Psalm 27: 1,2, 4
Psalm 118: 1, 2, 3
Psalm 2: 1, 2							Reading	Daniel. 2
Psalm 118: 4, 5						Text		Daniel 2: 17-19, 28a, 44.45

Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Do you ever worry about the future? So worried that it makes you anxious? How do you handle that?
People can have anxious feelings about many different things. There is fear of death, of disease and senility. Fear of Eternal Judgement. There is fear of poverty, of oppression.
Not only poor and weak people have fear, also strong and rich people. Because fear comes from insecurity. Especially uncertainty about the future. The near future and the further future. That can concern you whether you are poor or rich. Simple or mighty.
This sermon is about matters that come to you from outside the church. After all, as a church you are dealing with a world that is hostile to God. We see degradation, power play by the greats of the earth, the chance of a cold war or even a new world war, and a chance of persecution and oppression. How do we give that a place in our lives? Does it keep us from sleeping?
I may administer to you God's Word regarding Dan. 2 under the theme:

God comforts His afflicted church through a dream of Christ's victory for His heavenly kingdom
1. Nebuchadnezzar's fear through the dream
2. Daniel’s Faith for God's help
3. The Absolute Power of God in Christ revealed

1. In Dan. 2 we read of a fearful King, Nebuchadnezzar. He is the king of mighty Babylon, the greatest empire at that time. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream. Verse 29 tells how this happens. The king lies on his bed, thinking about the future. What will happen to him? How will his kingship proceed? While he is thinking about it, he has a dream. This dream makes him so anxious that sleep left him.
What he has seen makes him panic. He wants to understand the dream. What did Nebuchadnezzar see? Why the panic? Well, in his dream he sees a great image with a head of gold, with chest and arms of silver, with belly and thighs of bronze, with legs of iron, and feet of iron and clay mixed together.
Nebuchadnezzar gets this imposing image in focus, but then his gaze is drawn to a stone. That stone is hewn from a rock. It rolls toward the image at great speed. Then the stone strikes the image just at its feet of iron and clay. It crushes those feet, and thus also the whole image. Then Nebuchadnezzar wakes up, but the dream will not release him.
He is an eastern king, who worships idols. He is accustomed to consult those gods. For this he has a whole group of magicians, enchanters and sorcerers to constantly predict the future for him. For Nebuchadnezzar the dream is not just a nightmare, but a message from his gods. A message that in this case is very ominous.
A beautiful statue with a golden head is, out of nowhere, razed to the ground.      Nebuchadnezzar realizes that this message is about his own future. But what should he do with it? The uncertainty about this makes him panic with fear. He wants to understand it, otherwise he cannot go further. Nebuchadnezzar is a potentate, a ruler who indulges in his own passions.    If you displease or cheat him you will be severely punished. The soothsayers must tell him the truth, even if it is bad news for him. Nebuchadnezzar wants them not to twist words in order to avoid his wrath. His advisers must tell him the truth, for then it will show that they have real contact with the gods. They should, therefore, tell him the dream themselves. How else can he believe them? But Nebuchadnezzar does not ask but demands this immediately with the threat of death. Yes a gruesome death, they will be chopped to pieces and their houses made into an ash heap. Thus Nebuchadnezzar's fear becomes tangible in his cruel demands.
 The advisers are at their wits' end. For how can they know what the king has dreamed. Is that not an impossible requirement for people? But no matter how they try to make it clear that they can interpret a dream, but not tell the dream itself, Nebuchadnezzar stands his ground. Yes,    he already suspects them of lying and speaking deceitful words. When they say that only the gods themselves and not humans can tell his dream, it doesn't help. He is furious and commands all the wise men in Babylon to be killed, and enacted as law.    That means that young Daniel and his friends will also be killed.
Congregation, we read here of a distraught king, who cannot control his fear and brings all counsellors into a state of bewilderment.
So it is with that mighty king who puts his hope in idols, so it is with counsellors, who know not a rock to trust. By a single dream the king has lost his dignity and all his advisers are doomed.
Congregation, if you trust in other men and in idols, you will have no security. Yes, you can maintain a false sense of security for a long time. But at some point, your certainty will evaporate like the pop of a balloon. That applies to everyone who lives without faith in the one true God, one day the reality of doom will come upon you in this life or hereafter.
Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful man on earth at that time. But what is for him if the reality of disaster comes to him without being able to comprehend it? And that's the way it is now. You can rely on a horoscope or other occult things to get grip on the future, you can look for wealth or power to control your life, but one day you will face the reality of your existence. Where is your certainty then? Where is your safety then?

2. God comforts His afflicted church through a dream of Christ's victory for His heavenly kingdom. 1. Nebuchadnezzar's fear from the dream. 2. Daniel's fath for God's help.
 Brothers and sisters, boys and girls, what a different attitude young Daniel shows here in comparison to frantic Nebuchadnezzar!
Daniel and his friends clearly know themselves in danger. Daniel does not let that take its course. He does not say passively, we'll see what comes of it, with a kind of fateful thought. No, Daniel takes responsibility.    Just before Arioch the king's captain and his bodyguard were ready to kill the wise men of Babylon, Daniel addresses him. He asks Arioch why the decree of the king is so urgent, verse 15.
Then Daniel even dares to go before Nebuchadnezzar and ask that he allow time for the explanation. How brave in such circumstances! Where does Daniel get that courage from?
Well, Daniel is safe in his God. He feels safe with Him. He knows that with God there is salvation in this situation. He knows that it is the Lord Himself who gave Nebuchadnezzar this dream. In addition, Daniel realizes that what is impossible with men, is possible with the LORD.
But even if Daniel realizes all this and finds peace with it, he cannot remain passive. The Lord wants us to trust in Him, but also that we act in that trust. Even if that entails danger. Daniel gives us the good example here.
It is exceptional to see how Daniel works on receiving the interpretation of the dream. He doesn't engage in full conversations with the king. He does not ask advice from others. No. He goes to his God. He goes home to pray, verse 17. He knows: God is with me, what can man do to me?
But Daniel does not pray alone, he had asked his friends to plead together for God's mercy. God's mercy here means that God will give Daniel the content and interpretation of the dream so that their lives may be maintained, and not perish with the other wise men of Babylon. That would mean great mercy.
With their prayers all four seek the face of God in heaven. In their prayer they know themselves to be dependent on Him, as the almighty God enthroned in heaven. They plead for His mercy. Their concern is of the redeeming grace of God.
They do not have the intention to later make a big impression on Nebuchadnezzar with the explanation, by which they might be rewarded. No, but for the purpose to be able to maintain life as children of God in this heathen world full of guile and violence, and thus to continue to serve and honour the LORD there.
They themselves have not deserved that, no, it is by grace, by undeserved mercy from God, as He wants to save them, verse 18. Thus they seek God's face.
Brothers and sisters,  here is a confidential, humble, and penetrating common prayer to the God of mercies. It ascends as an incense offering before God in heaven. With the assurance that God will answer these prayers. He is the Hearer of prayers, is he not? He knows what his children need, when in need. He will therefore certainly give a solution to such a faithful prayer.
Congregation, what a special situation: Daniel and his friends, did they not have reason to panic as well? But behold, they are not paralysed with fear. They do pray for mercy. What a difference from Nebuchadnezzar! Faced with death, Daniel and his friends demonstrate faith.
Here it is: praying to God with firm confidence that He is the only one who is a refuge for them in need; the only One who can give them redemption. The only One who is able to give them the dream and the interpretation.
Congregation, when we look at ourselves, we see how easily we get caught up in adversity and trouble. What an encouraging thing this is. For the Lord also shows here that the prayer of a righteous man avails much. He provides relief.
And immediately. Verse 19:
Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision.
Not only is the dream revealed, but also the deep interpretation. The secret no one knew. In a vision Daniel receives a prophetic revelation about the future of Nebuchadnezzar and of all the kingdoms of the earth. Yes, even the future of the kingdom of heaven. Everything in a divine perspective.
You would think Daniel would rush straight to the king to tell him this. He now has what he desires, now there is a solution in that great distress of death. But Daniel does something different! We must also pay attention to that. Daniel really knows himself, in everything, dependent on his God and connected to his God. For Daniel, God is not only the Giver of the things you pray for. That is how you can deal with God. That you see Him as the one who has to give you everything. And then this mainly determines your contact with God. But Daniel knows that he, with heart and soul, is committed to God, as the God who leads his whole life, and who also claims his whole life. He lives in intimate fellowship with God. And shares everything with God.
 Daniel portrays what is most important for our lives: true love to God that expresses itself in gratitude to Him under all circumstances. Even when we are in a hurry or live under the pressure of difficulty, the following applies: 
pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5: 17,18).
Thus Daniel does not immediately rush to Nebuchadnezzar, but, after the night vision, first goes to God again. He blesses God, as the God of heaven, v. 19b. He is the Almighty God, Who has everything in His hand and Who controls everything. Daniel feels completely safe with Him. Daniel expects all wisdom and strength from Him. God's power will be made perfect in his weakness.
Daniel declares and says in verse 20:
Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His.
This is how Daniel now reacts to the revelation he received from God's hand. He first praises the God of heaven for who He is, in His omnipotence, in the face of the insignificance and transience of earthly kings. Nothing on earth has security in itself, no, security is alone with the Lord. For God disposes the times and the seasons, as it says in verse 21. He changes the times and the seasons, which man has devised for himself. He removes kings and sets up kings.
Congregation, do you also view history in that way and do you also listen to the news in that way? When it comes to another burst of violence, or the threat of a declaration of a new world war in the present situation concerning Ukraine? Do you realize that nothing really happens outside of God's control? That He rules and directs everything? For the purpose of His glory and the preservation of His Church? May His kingdom come, in spite of all opposition from worldly rulers. The Babylonian magicians were horrified to find that they could not do what the king asked. But Daniel, he may receive wisdom and understanding from the Lord.
Only after Daniel has praised and honoured God for His divine omnipotence and providence, does he thank Him for the dream and the interpretation, v. 23. He then calls God “God of my fathers”. Thus Daniel acknowledges God's faithfulness to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is the faithful Covenant God, who uses his omnipotence in favour of his people and who listens to the prayers of his children. But He is also the faithful God who brings the Messiah, and his promised kingdom.
I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers, You have given me wisdom and might,
And have now made known to me what we have asked of You,  You have made known to us the king's demand.
Congregation, so ends this prayer with thanksgiving for the grace received. After first magnifing God's name. Let our prayer be thus when we give thanks to the Lord. That we do not immediately give thanks for what we have received, but first magnify the name of the Lord and praise Him for His omnipotence and faithfulness. For His love and care. In this way we show that He is central in our lives under all circumstances. Then we will not be led by fear, but by trust in God, who helps in time of need.
Today we may know God even better as the “God of the fathers”. For God has continued to fulfil his promises. His promises to Abraham. By sending His Son to this earth in His great faithfulness, to save us from death. God lets us know even better now where the entire history of the earth is heading. He gives us through his Word a certainty about this, which was still hidden from Daniel. Let us therefore always thank God and His Son for that, every day of our lives.

3. God comforts His afflicted church through a dream of Christ's victory for His heavenly kingdom. 1st. Nebuchadnezzar's anguish by the dream; 2nd. Daniel's faith for God's help. We now see the third point: 3. The absolute power of God in Christ revealed
When Arioch presents Daniel before the king, he wants to give him all the praise: here is a man among the exiles from Judah who can give the king the explanation. You could say this is a nice introduction for Daniel. But Daniel doesn't want to take the credit for himself. He renounces himself and gives glory to God. Verse 27:
The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king.    But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.
And also further on in verse 30 Daniel renounces himself:
As for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for our sakes who make known the interpretation to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.
 Daniel then first tells what the dream was and afterwards gives the interpretation. Nebuchadnezzar must realize that everything comes from the Lord alone. The dream, the interpretation, but also, his kingship. Verse 37:
For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory.
Nebuchadnezzar, the wicked despot, now hears from Daniel: It is God in heaven who made Nebuchadnezzar rich and great. He, Nebuchadnezzar is indeed the golden head of the image in the dream, but only because God has made him so.
Congregation, let us realize that too: kings, emperors, presidents, heads of state, they can only rule because God gives them dominion. Even if they are wicked people. They depend on Him in everything. The Lord can just put an end to their empire.
And so He does. After the mighty Babylonian empire, comes the empire of Medes and Persians, less powerful and beautiful, followed by a third, the bronze empire, which is probably the Greek empire of Alexander the Great. Also expansive. And fourth, the Roman Empire, an inwardly divided empire. It doesn't get any better over time. The brilliance which radiates from gold diminishes through silver and bronze and comes to an end in iron and ceramic clay.
When Nebuchadnezzar perceives all this, he is shocked. That's not what he wants to see. From golden splendour to the gray iron and the gray clay. It is striking that the image remains a unity in its diversity. The whole is the great empire in different phases. There is difference but also similarity. They are earthly realms that go their own way apart from God. Ultimately this is also the case with the Babel of Revelation and the beast out of the sea that exalts itself blasphemously against God.
And congregation, let us look at the empires of today in the same way. Which head of state still honours God? Who of them knows that he is dependent on God in everything and therefore serves and honours Him with all the bestowed gifts? Does God not give them all their power for that?
In Nebuchadnezzar's dream the impressive image does not survive. Something very special is happening. While God gives power to the head and the rest of the image, He also provides something else. A stone is cut from a rock. Without hands, says Daniel, meaning:    God does that.
There stands that impressive statue, and suddenly a stone rolls in its direction. It strikes that statue on its iron and clay feet, so that it falls over and falls completely apart and is pulverized into dust. Like chaff from the summer threshing floor, the powder of that whole image was carried away by the wind and not a trace of them was found. Meanwhile the stone grows bigger and bigger and becomes a great mountain that fills the whole earth.
To Nebuchadnezzar the dream and its interpretation will be a great terror. But to Daniel and his friends a great comfort. And therefore also for us. For verse 44 says that the stone is the kingdom of God which will come in the days of those earthly kingdoms.
First, insignificantly small, but then tremendous in strength and size. Unlike the earthly kingdoms of the image, the Kingdom of God which will never perish. Nor shall it be passed on to another nation as in the image, says verse 44. Because it is separate from that image. God's kingdom will shatter all earthly kingdoms, but it shall stand forever.
Who is that stone? That is Christ. The Son of God who came to the earth as a weak man, It is the stone which the builders cast down contemptuously, but which has become the cornerstone of the kingdom of God. That stone, Jesus Christ, was at first despised, reproached, and mocked. Crucified and killed. But He has risen from the grave and ascended into heaven. Christ has thus become Lord of lords and king of kings. And He will cause Babylon, and all the kings of the earth, to fall in the judgment on the last day.
No, the kingdom of the stone is not an earthly kingdom, it is not man-made. But a heavenly kingdom. The Kingdom of which Jesus Christ is King. On whom He falls will be crushed. Whoever stumbles upon Him will perish. Whoever rejects Him is condemned. Whoever rebels against Him will be defeated.
Neither Nebuchadnezzar, nor Alexander the Great, Augustus, Caesar or Nero, nor Hitler, Putin or any earthly great one, is the great Conqueror. No, they are but pawns in God's hand, even if they oppose Him. But Christ, He is the great conqueror. He already has the name above every name. He has already established His kingdom on earth, wherever He is served and honoured in obedience, and in Him God the Father Almighty.
He rules the world towards the great judgment, when He returns in great glory to judge the living and the dead. Then earthly kingdoms will be destroyed and the kingdom of God will break through in all glory. That will completely fill the new heaven and the new earth to the glorification of triune-God.
Congregation, Daniel was allowed to see this. He was allowed to share it. He was allowed to have it written for the comfort of God's people, the people of God's kingdom. Thus, now this dream with its interpretation is also a comfort to us. Thus we see that it is God who controls and rules everything through His Son. He appoints kings and makes them abdicate again. And meanwhile, He is bringing His kingdom that will destroy all earthly adversaries. The Kingdom where Christ is King in the name of the Father.
Therefore, in this God-hostile world, let us continue to take refuge in God and His Son. Knowing ourselves safe with Him. Expect everything, absolutely everything from Him in a firm believing faith and a confidential relationship. To receive everything from His hands in supplication and with thanksgiving. To honour God and His Son in all our lives. Even if that poses danger, even if you are threatened with death.
Because with Him you do not have to be afraid of what people would do to you. As a child of God, bought by the blood of His Son, you may always take refuge in the heart of Christ. Thus you are blessed and the glory of God's Kingdom awaits you.

Amen