A Kingdom that Will Never End

Study Questions

When Daniel reveals and interprets the king’s dream, we learn that while Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom is powerful, God’s Kingdom will prevail. In his mercy, God offers Nebuchadnezzar an opportunity to repent. Likewise, God calls us to abandon our own kingdoms and live godly lives in pursuit of his mission.

Application

1. Consider where you spend the majority of your time, energy, and resources. What “kingdom” are you seeking to build? If God were to speak to you and ask you to turn from that kingdom, how would you respond?

2. God has called all of us to abandon our own kingdoms and embrace his Kingdom. What are some tangible steps you can take to pursue God’s Kingdom? Is there anything specific you believe he is asking you to turn from?

3. The Bible is clear that a day is coming when believers will join God in his eternal Kingdom. It is also clear that a day of judgment is coming. How should those two truths temper your view of both the good times and the hard times we experience now? How do they each motivate us to live godly lives as we wait patiently?

Key Points

• As Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, it becomes clear that God is speaking to the king through him. God wants to speak generally more than we want to listen.

• God is willing to make himself vulnerable in order to reveal himself to us.

• Through the interpretation of his dream, Nebuchadnezzar learns that his kingdom, while powerful, will fall. Ultimately, God’s Kingdom will surpass and crush all others.

• While Nebuchadnezzar confesses that God is real and powerful, he does not yet repent.

• God is patient with us—his desire is for people to repent and live godly lives.

• While we live in exile, we know both a day of judgment and eternity with God are in our future. This should motivate us to embrace God’s Kingdom.

Other Scripture References

John 19:11

2 Peter 3:8-13