The One who Reveals the Secrets of the Heart - Part 2

Following on from last week we will go deeper into knowing and understanding the One who reveals the secrets of the heart. Through the dreams, visions and interpretations the God of heaven and earth gave to Daniel, we can learn about God and humanity. As you listen be blessed, empowered and transformed in Jesus name.

For more information and free resources visit our website jesuslovestheworld.info Also connect with us in discipleship, watch our videos, follow us on facebook or send us an email

Transcript

00:00 Intro music and voice over.

Welcome to jesus loves the world podcast. For more information and free resources visit our website jesuslovestheworld.info Be blessed empowered and transformed in Jesus’ name! 

00:21 Speaker

Following on from last week we will go deeper into knowing and understanding the One who reveals the secrets of the heart. Through the dreams, visions and interpretations the God of heaven and earth gave to Daniel, we can learn about God and humanity. 

The dreams throughout the book of Daniel are rich in symbolism and talk about the present and future times. 

The first dream and interpretation we looked at was that of the statue made of 4 different materials. Through Nebuchadnezzar’s eyes, this statue was awesome in appearance. For it’s splendour was excellent. 

Through the interpretation God gave to Daniel we discovered that the 4 different materials depicted in the dream represented 4 empires of humanity.

The second vision we looked at was given to Daniel, during the first year of Nebuchadnezzar’s son Belshazzar’s reign. This vision was of 4 different ravenous and destructive beasts that rose up from the Great Sea. The Great Sea is a symbol that represents the world of humanity. 

The 4 ravenous beasts are symbolic of the same empires of humanity depicted in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statue. This time however, the vision given to Daniel is seen through God’s eyes. 

When comparing the depiction of the empires of humanity through Nebuchadnezzar’s eyes and those seen through God’s eyes, it is both confronting and revealing.  

The one who reveals the secrets of the heart shows that the empires of humanity are in-fact ravenous beasts. Revealing that the empires of humanity raise self up above all else. The empires of humanity are not for the betterment of others. They are neither glorious, nor majestic. For the empire's of humanity reflect the character and secrets of the heart of humanity. 

In complete contrast to humanity’s empires, the kingdom of God is for the betterment of everyone. As the kingdom of God reflects His character. For His kingdom is an eternal kingdom that gives instead takes, empowers instead of devours and is freedom instead of captivity. 

Now let us compare the details of the statue and the beasts.

Through the interpretation given by God to Daniel we discovered the first empire of humanity revealed in Nebuchadnezzar’s vision was the Babylonian empire. Through Nebuchadnezzar’s eyes, his own empire was symbolically represented as the head of fine gold. 

The first beast that rose out of the Great Sea is symbolically represented as a lion with Eagle’s wings. It has been discovered that such a creature was depicted in the art of these ancient cultures. The winged lion represents the perceived majesty, might and power of the Babylonian empire. 

Yet the one who reveals the secrets of the heart reveals to Daniel the truth. In this  vision Daniel could see that the wings of the lion were plucked off. Also the ravenous beast was given a man’s heart. 

It is clear from the vision God gave to Daniel that the majestic claim of humanity’s own empires is in fact a deception. God shows Daniel that the Babylonian empire will be overtaken by an empire that the Babylonians perceive is inferior. 

This empire of humanity that overtake the Babylonian emipre is depicted as the chest of the statue made of silver. In the vision given to Daniel it is symbolically represented as the bear that devours much flesh. 

Within the book of Daniel we discover that the the son of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar was slain. As a result the Babylonian kingdom was given to Darius who was from the ancient empire of the Medes.

Let us read Daniel 5:30-31 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

Also further on in Daniel, the one who reveals the secrets of the heart, again in a dream foretells how Media and Persia will form an alliance. This empire of humanity is depicted in another vision given to Daniel as a ram. 

Let us read Daniel 8:3-4 Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. I saw the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward, so that no animal could withstand him; nor was there any that could deliver from his hand, but he did according to his will and became great.

Verse 20 The ram which you saw, having the two horns—they are the kings of Media and Persia.

Therefore the empire that overtakes the Babylonian empire was the Mede-Persian empire. The Mede-Persian empire is represented as the silver chest and arms in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream  of a statue. It is represented as the bear with 3 ribs in the vision given to Daniel. 

These 3 ribs in the mouth of the bear are a symbolic representation of 3 ancient civilisations that the Mede-Persian empire would conquer.

Again all that the one who reveals the secrets of the heart said would happen, came to pass.   

The third empire of humanity depicted in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue was the belly and torso of bronze. In the vision given to Daniel the third empire of humanity was the 4 headed and 4 winged leopard. 

The four heads depict 4 rulers that come from the empire of humanity represented as the leopard. The 4 wings indicate that the 4 rulers will rule in 4 regions within the one empire. 

Further on in Daniel, again in a vision the one who reveals the secrets of the heart, shows Daniel what will take place after the reign of the Mede-Persian empire. In this other vision given to Daniel the next empire is depicted as a goat.

Let us read. Daniel 8:5-8 And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing beside the river, and ran at him with furious power. And I saw him confronting the ram; he was moved with rage against him, attacked the ram, and broke his two horns. There was no power in the ram to withstand him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled him; and there was no one that could deliver the ram from his hand. Therefore the male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it four notable ones came up toward the four winds of heaven.

And verses 21-22 And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king. As for the broken horn and the four that stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall arise out of that nation, but not with its power.

So the third empire depicted in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and the vision given to Daniel is that of Ancient Greece. The pages of humanity’s history confirms that what God fore-told would happen, did take place. The first king of the ancient empire of Greece was known by humanity as Alexander the Great. Alexander overthrew the Mede-Persian empire and governed their region. 

The pages of history also recount that after Alexander’s death, the war of successors took place. From this 4 rulers of the Ancient Greek empire emerged. The Ancient Greek empire was divided into 4 smaller regions. Each one of the 4 rulers governed one of the 4 regions. 

All that the one who reveals the secrets of the heart foretold came to pass.  

Now we come to the fourth empire depicted in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and the vision given to Daniel. In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream the legs of the statue were made of iron. It is interesting to note that the feet are partly of iron and partly of clay. 

In the vision given to Daniel, the fourth empire of humanity is depicted as a beast that is dreadful and terrible. It is different from all the rest. Exceedingly strong, it is the beast described as having 10 horns. This empire of humanity was one of the most brutal and torturous of all. 

The pages of history recount that the next empire of humanity to dominate on a global scale was that of the Roman empire. They delighted in torture and inflicting pain and shame on others. The Roman Empire willingly oppressed others and devised the most painful form of execution, the crucifixion. They delighted in the power and to keep the power they would willingly crucify an innocent man. 

It was during this time that the one who reveals the secrets of the heart chose to step down from heaven into humanity’s darkness. The Son of God, came  from the depths of the Father God in heaven’s heart. From heaven to earth He came. To set humanity free. His name is Jesus.

When Jesus walked the earth as a man He preached, taught and demonstrated God’s kingdom on earth. During the time when the Roman Empire ruled the earth as it was known.

He defeated death, evil and our selfish desires. Healed the broken hearted, opened blind eyes and set at liberty those who were oppressed. He revealed that the revealer of the secrets of the heart is greater than any empire of humanity. After Jesus has established God’s kingdom on earth, He ascended back to heaven. 

Centuries earlier the one who reveals the secrets of the heart foretold of that time. Agian to Daniel in a vision.

Let us read, Daniel 7:9-14 “I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire; A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened. “I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 

“I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.”

The empires of humanity come and go. Yet God’s kingdom is eternal. The Roman Empire depicted as the as the fourth beast that came up from the Great Sea, will be judged. Along with all the other empires of humanity throughout the ages. 

The imagery in this vision given to Daniel transcends time. The One like the Son of Man is Jesus coming with the clouds of heaven. Centuries before Jesus ascended back up to heaven, God foretold of this moment in time to Daniel. 

In the vision given to Daniel we see Jesus coming to the Ancient of Days. Who is God the Father in heaven. Having defeated death, evil and humanity’s selfish desires, all glory and dominion belongs to Jesus. His dominion is an everlasting kingdom. A kingdom which cannot be destroyed. 

God also revealed that having established his kingdom He gives His victory to His people. 

Let us read Daniel 7:27 Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’

The one who reveals the secrets of the heart let’s us look into the windows of time. That is what was in the Daniel’s future time and is now our history past. Into our present reality and our future time. 

The saints of the Most High are all those throughout the ages that receive the God of heaven and earth’s right to rule and reign. Giving total allegiance to Him. 

The one who reveals the secrets of the heart shares all of Himself with us. His victory, His kingdom, His eternity. For that is His nature.

19:40 Outro music and voice over. 

For more information and free resources visit our website jesuslovestheworld.info Be blessed empowered and transformed in Jesus’ name!