GOD MAPS THE FUTURE

Lesson

In the 3nd. millennium we find thousands of psychics, tabloids, and even preachers predicting

a major upheaval of our world. Anxieties run high as millennial fever captivates the masses.

But what does the Bible reveal as the purpose of prophecy? Has God charted out earth’s history

or are we left to ourselves? Is the 3rd. millennium of any significance in Bible prophecy or are there other signs that should be “captivating the masses?” At this time in earth’s history the most

important question we can ask is, “What does the Bible really say about the future?”

1. Why does Christ reveal the future? John 14:29

__________When it is come to pass, ye might believe _______

God looks into the future and tells what will take place centuries before the events happen.

As we see these prophecies fulfilled we are led to believe in Jesus Christ (see John 3:16)

Read the entire chapter of Daniel 2. The events of this chapter took place about the year 605BC.

Babylon was the first world empire. In this chapter you will see how accurately God has fore-

told world history.

2. What troubled the king of Babylon so much that he lost sleep over it? Daniel 2:1

____dreams_________

3. Who did the king immediately turn to for relief ? Daniel 2:2,3

_magicians astrologers sorcerers Chaldeans

Magicians used sleight of hand, astrologers looked to the stars, sorcerers gained

information from the dead, and the Chaldeans were the educated elite who relied on

human genius and philosophy. The angry king condemned all the wise men of Babylon

to death when they could not tell him what he had dreamed. (see verses 12,13)

4. Who only could reveal the dream and its meaning? Daniel 2:27,28

_____God in heaven that revealeth secrets, ...__

5. What had the king seen in his dream? Daniel 2:31to35

A great ____image__________________________

Head of _____gold_________________________

Breast and arms of __silver___________________

Belly and thighs of ___brass________________

Legs of ______iron_______________________

Feet of iron and clay

Stone was _cut out without hands.

6. Who was this head of gold? Daniel 2:37,38

___”this kingdom” of king Nebuchadnezzar’s ________________

7. How are the succeeding kingdoms after Babylon described? Daniel 2:39,40

a) But after you shall arise another kingdom, ___inferior_____ to thee.

The second world empire was Medo-Persia, which was inferior to the golden kingdom

of Babylon. (Dan. 5:26to31)

b) Another third kingdom of brass which shall _bear rule over all the

earth. The third world empire was Greece and their armor was brass. (Dan.8:20,21)

c) And the fourth kingdom shall be _strong as iron :

For as much as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things ... it shall break in pieces

and bruise. (Luke 2:1)

“The images of gold, or silver, or brass that might serve to represent the nations and their

kings, were successively broken by the iron monarchy of Rome.” - The Decline and Fall of

the Roman Empire, Chapter 38

8. What did the Bible predict would happen to the fourth kingdom? Daniel 2:41,42

________shall be divided_______toes of the feet (10 toes)____________--

The prophet Daniel predicted that the Roman Empire would be divided. The break up of the

empire occurred from 351AD. to 476AD. with the rise of Europe. The prophecy states that the

divided nation of Europe “will not adhere to one another” (see verse 43). History has followed

this prophecy like a blueprint. Dictators and rulers have attempted to unite Europe throughout the

centuries but have failed.

9. Whose will be the next world kingdom? Daniel 2:44

_________God of heaven______________________________

Notice that this kingdom is described as a stone cut out without hands (see verse 34).

The establishment of this kingdom is by God’s initiative not by civil authority.

10. What sweeping world-wide judgment will accompany the setting up of this final

kingdom? Daniel 2:34,35,44,45

“... 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.” (verse 34)

“ Then was the iron, the , the brass, the silver, and the gold ___broken __ to pieces,

... no ____ place _____ was found for them:” (verse 35)

“ ... but it shall break in pieces and _______consume _______ all these kingdoms, and it

shall stand for ever.” (verse 44)

Since we’re living in the toes of the image, nothing is more important than being ready when

the stone comes. Wouldn’t you agree? __________________________________________