Unit 1 Study 1 

                                            June 2, 2013 

           Study Scriptures for this week's Lesson: Daniel 2:26-45; 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Hebrews 12:28

Key Verse: Luke 1:32,33 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (KJV).

Central Truth: God works through Christ to establish His kingdom.

Our Focus: To observe God at work in human history to establish Christ's kingdom and live worthy of His kingdom and glory.

                                                           Christ's Everlasting Kingdom                                   

Introducing the study

Novelist Thornton Wilder wrote, "Hope is a projection of the imagination; so is despair." Although we know hope comes from God, the idea that despair." Although we know hope comes from God, the idea that despair is a projection of imagination is appropriate when applied to the uncertainties that grip our world in these difficult days. It is easy to let our imagination move us toward fearful despair as we ask, "what will become of our world?" The Bible provides the answer. Through the dream of King Nebuchadness God promised to send a king whose righteous Kingdom will never and God calls us to a hope that is beyond our imagination's to fully envision.

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

Daniel faced a frightful situation. Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Babylonia Empire, awoke from a very disturbing dream. Wanting an honest explanation of it, he called in his wise men to first tell him what the dream was, then interpret it for him. When they failed, Nebuchadnezzar threatned death to all his advisors. But Daniel and his  friends sought God for help and God answered. (See Daniel 2:1-25). Daniel was able to describe the king's dream in vivid detail (verses 26-35). The dream painted a startling picture of the future, describing the human powers that would rule over the earth until the end of time. Daniel faced dilemma that was impossible to solve by his own wisdom or strength. He turned to God in faith and God met the need. Perhaps you have found yourself in a similar situation that you couldn't resolve on your own? how did you feel in those moment's? How did you  respond before and after God met the need? How did this incident affect the way you think about God? Remember, God can do great things as we surrender to His leading. 

Rise and Fall of Kingdoms

Nebuchadnezzar's dream foretold the continued weakening of the powers that would dominate the regions of Europe and the Middle East until the return of Christ (Daniel 2:36-43). The interpretation began with the king himself symbolized by the golden head (verses 37,38). This was fitting. No later king proved to be equal, in power and authority. Later kingdoms would be defined by comparison to his kingdom. Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian kingdom was followed by the Persian Empire, the silver chest and arms of the statue (verse 39). The progression of kingdoms comtinued with Greece, symbolized by the brass or bronze belly and thighs of the statue. The Roman Empire followed (verse 40). This Empire is well described as iron because of its brutality toward any who resisted the emperor's rule. Yet it also held inferior power and ultimately crumbled. After its fall, the Roman lands experienced a succession of relatively short-lived, unstable states illustrated by the statue's feet of iron and clay. This prophecy has been confirmed over and over. Organizations such as the league of Nations and the United Nations have also tried to unify the world. These attemps to revive the Roman Empire--both deliberate and unknowingly--have had mixed, temporary results. As we continue to read, we find that the course of this world is ultimately under God's control.

 Christ's Enduring Kingdom

It can be discouraging to see corrupt rulers and evil nations thrive. However, God offers believers in Christ a powerful cure for negative feelings toward governments. Like the statue crushed by a giant stone in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, the power and glory of human kingdoms will someday be overthrown (Daniel 2:44,45). The parade of human history and all it has stood for--vanity, wealth. power, military strength--will be made useless. It will be replaced by Christ's enduring kingdom.  As we compare the "now" with the "yet to come," the only wise response is to live now with the future of eternity in view. Unlike human powers, Christ's kingdom will be unshakable (Hebrews 12:28). This world was never meant to endure. Only Christ's Christ's kingdom is worthy of our hope, our trust, and our commitment, for it alone will endure. As citizens of Christ's kingdom, we are to be thankful and to worship our King. He is worthy of our worship, for He made the way for us to be a part of His eternal kingdom that will replace this sin-filled world.

Tuesday                Prince of Peace.                       Isaiah 9:2-7

Wednesday           King over all the Earth.            Zechariah 14:1-9                                     

Thursday              Heavenly Citizenship.                Philippians 3:13-21                          

Friday                  Translated into the Kingdom.     Colossians 1:9-18                

Saturday               Christ Will Reing.                  Revelation 11:13-17