Lesson 5: When Christ Rules the World

Daniel 2:34-35; 44-45

In this lesson we learn whose kingdom will displace all others and rule forever.

Daniel 2 teaches us that there is only one thing that is certain: The kingdoms of the earth are passing away, and the kingdom of Christ is the only hope we have of an eternal, universal, successful kingdom.

This is the kingdom which Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of and which Daniel describes at the end of Daniel 2.

Daniel 2:44-45 NLT

THE COMING KING

As King Nebuchadnezzar looked at the colossus in the dream, he suddenly saw “a stone … cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces” (Daniel 2:34)

Who or what is the stone?

The Bible identifies the stone as the Messiah, that is coming. 

Over 14 times Jesus is identified with the stone.

A. Jesus the Smitten Stone

In the book of Exodus we read of Moses striking a rock which brings forth water.

Paul mentioned this in 1 Corinthians 10:4, 

In a real sense,Christ was smitten by the image - He was crucified on a Roman cross. But one day, He shall smite that same image.

B. Jesus the Stumbling Stone

Isaiah 8:14

Psalm 118:22

Matthew 24:42-44

Romans 9:33

Jesus came to His own, and instead of embracing him, they stumbled over Him. He became a stumbling block to them and they ultimately nailed Him to a cross.

C. Jesus the Cornerstone

In every stone building there is one stone that is crucial. It is the stone upon which the weight of the whole structure rests. It is called the cornerstone.

Jesus is called the cornerstone, the stone upon which the weight of the house rests. All of our faith is upon Jesus, the foundation stone.

This is developed in many texts, such as Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 16:18; 21:42; Acts 4:11; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:19-21 and 1 Peter 2:6.

THE COMING KINGDOM

Five main features of the Kingdom of Christ

1. A Supernatural Kingdom

Twice in Daniel 2 we read that the stone which becomes a mountain is cut “without hands.”

Daniel 2:44-4

This supernatural stone is the symbol of strength, durability, and firmness.

He is the supernatural King and He is coming back to set up a supernatural kingdom.

2. A Sudden Kingdom

The kingdom comes about suddenly; not gradually. It happens overnight, in a moment. All other kingdoms are built on the ruins of another.

But when Christ comes to set up His kingdom, it will be a sudden thing. It will be a sudden blow, not by the gradual processes of conversion and assimilation.

Matthew 24:29-30

One day, the kingdoms of this world will end and Christ will set up His own kingdom.

3. A Severe Kingdom

Note the terms used in Daniel 2:34-35 to describe the coming of Christ’s kingdom: “struck,” “broke them in pieces,” “became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found.”

All of the previous kingdoms of the image will be affected by this severe judgment.

One day, this world, which has rejected him and made him a laughing stock among the nations, is going to see Him come riding upon a white horse and He will smite the nations. It will be a severe blow.

4. A Sovereign Kingdom

Christ’s Kingdom will rule over all the earth. The sovereignty of the world’s kingdoms will be handed over to our Lord and King Jesus. 

Psalm 72:11; Zechariah 14:9 and Philippians 2:10.

Christ will seize the reigns of government in his own sovereign hands. He shall fill the earth with His presence, power, and glory, and the familiar prayer of “Thy kingdom come” will at last be answered.

5. A Successful Kingdom

Daniel 2:44 says, “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 stand forever.”

Christ’s kingdom shall know no decay. It shall never be in danger of revolution. It shall never be destroyed.

Christ shall be a King unconquerable and unconquered, a monarch without successor. When Jesus comes, His kingdom will be forever. According to Revelation 20:3, that is 1,000 years long.

Three views of 1,000 years reign of Christ. (The millennial reign of Christ)

1. Premillenialism

Premillennialists believe Christ Himself will come back to earth to set up His kingdom for a thousand years.

2. Postmillenialism

Postmillennialists believe that the Church will bring in the kingdom through the hard work and progress of the Gospel

3. Amillennialism

Amillennialists believe there will never be a literal kingdom of Christ on earth, but rather that He rules right now in the hearts of the righteous.

One quick way to test these theories is to subject them to Daniel 2. Do these other theories teach a kingdom that, as Daniel described as supernatural, sudden, severe, sovereign, and successful? If not, they fail the biblical test and should be rejected.

As we look at the world scene today and see the disintegrating kingdoms of our world, we pray with Isaiah, “Oh, that You would rend heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence . . . that the nations may tremble at your presence.” (Isaiah 64:1-2)

And we join with John on the Isle of Patmos to say, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)