July 2001

[Part 188]

“Sleeping Beauty” [V]

“The Purpose of Dreams” (15)

            The earth is undergoing a dark time where the paranormal realm of psychics, astrologers, magic and witchcraft are become the realm of the normal! It is almost as commonplace to say that one is going to a palm reader as to say they are going to the barber. For as it seems that God either cannot or will not stop this terrible trend, these activities of dark spirits are growing bolder and more brazen! In Biblical times, sorcerers, diviners, magicians and astrologers were often sought after by pagan rulers as sages, advisers and dream interpreters. In the Book of Daniel (whose name means: “Judgment of God”, Heb 1840) there was an time when to be a spiritualist [also called Chaldean] was not such an enviable occupation!

             “In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, he dreamed a dream which troubled his spirit and disturbed his sleep. The king sent for, and ordered, hismagicians, astrologers, sorcerers and Chaldeans to interpret his dream! Thus the Chaldean stepped forward saying, ‘O King, live forever! Tell your servants your dream and we will show you its interpretation!’
              The king replied, ‘It is gone from me! I cannot remember it. BUT IF YOU CANNOT LEARN AND INTERPRET THIS DREAM, YOU WILL BE CUT TO PIECES AND YOUR HOUSES WILL BECOME DUNG HILLS! But if you are are able to relate to me the dream, and its meaning, I will endow you with great honor, as well as gifts and rewards!’
              The soothsayers asked him again to tell them his dream, but the king saw right through their ploy saying, ‘I know you are only stalling for time because I have already told you that I cannot remember the dream. But if you do not tell me the dream and its interpretation, I have but one decree for you- for you are trying to think up lies and corrupt words to speak to me! So show me now what is the dream and its meaning?
              The astrologers lamented to the king, ‘There is no one on earth who can do what you ask! And no king, no matter how great he was, has ever required such a thing of any magician or enchanter! No one could possibly reveal it to you except the gods, and they do not dwell among men of flesh.’
              This made the king angry and very furious and he commanded that all his wise men of Babylon should be executed! When the decree to slay all wise men went forth in Babylon, the king’s guard sought to slay Daniel and his friends!! But when Daniel inquired of Arioch, the king’s captain, why this terrible thing was to be done, Arioch explained about the dream! So Daniel went to the king and said if he would give him some time, he would interpret the dream for him. The king agreed to this so Daniel went home and told Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah about the situation. He asked them to plead for Mercy from the God of heaven to reveal this secret to them so they would not have to die along with the (so-called) wise men of Babylon.
              That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision wherefore he blessed the God of heaven saying, ‘BLESSED BE THE NAME OF GOD FOREVER AND EVER; FOR ALL WISDOM AND MIGHT ARE HIS! HE CHANGES ALL THE TIMES AND SEASONS! HE REMOVES KINGS AND SETS UP NEW KINGS! HE GIVES WISDOM TO THE (truly) WISE; AND KNOWLEDGE TO THEM THAT UNDERSTAND KNOWLEDGE! ALSO HE REVEALS THE DEEP AND SECRET THINGS; HE KNOWS WHAT IS IN THE DARKNESS AS ALL LIGHT DWELLS IN HIM! I THANK YOU AND PRAISE YOU, O GOD OF MY FATHERS! YOU HAVE GIVEN ME WISDOM AND MIGHT, FOR YOU HAVE GIVEN WHAT WE DESIRED FROM YOU- YOU HAVE REVEALED TO US THE KING’S DREAM!!
              Daniel went to the king who asked him if he had found out the dream and its meaning. Daniel replied, ‘The secret you have demanded to know cannot be divined by any soothsayer or (so-called) wise man on the earth! B-U-T THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN WHO REVEALS SECRETS! HE HAS MADE KNOWN TO YOU, O KING, WHAT SHALL HAPPEN IN THE LATTER DAYS...(So Daniel related the dream and its meaning) Then Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face to honor Daniel, then commanded all to make offerings and burn incense to Daniel (on behalf of his God). Then the king said, ‘SURELY YOUR GOD ’IS’ THE GOD OF GODS, THE LORD OF LORDS, AND THE REVEALER OF SECRETS for He has revealed to you the secret of my dream! Then the king made Daniel a great man in the land! He gave him many superb gifts and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon! Daniel asked that his friends: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego [these are the God-given names of the same three companions Daniel prayed with earlier.] to be placed in authority over the affairs of the entire province of Babylon while Daniel remained in the king’s court.” This request was granted.

              Even though this incident had a happy ending because the mystery of the dream was solved, there were still more trials of faith that lay ahead for Nebuchadnezzar and these four Godly men. The road to glory is continually paved with testings and tribulations, but the foundation of that road is Godly Grace that is sufficient for the journey! Every small or large victory is worthy of praise and thanksgiving! We must not adopt the attitude, “So what has the Lord done for me lately?” Rather, we must say with firm conviction, “THIS is the day the Lord has made; I will REJOICE and be GLAD in it!” Just TODAY let us praise and thank Him for bringing forth His glorious Life in us! That is more than enough cause for us to be joyful and indebted to our Savior forevermore!

[TO BE CONTINUED]