We are now into Lesson #3 on Daniel 2 located at the following link: http://www.ssnet.org/qrtrly/eng/06c/less03.html

Let the discussion begin here on this week's study topic.

From Sabbath afternoon's intro I quote the following:

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Here was this book, written in the sixth century B.C., laying out the history of the world from Daniel's time through ours, and even beyond. It's hard to see how any rational person, after studying Daniel 2, could come away unimpressed by the prophecy and the God who has revealed Himself in it. In fact, so powerful is Daniel 2 (as well as other parts of the book) as a witness for the Christian faith that, in early centuries of the church, opponents already argued that Daniel was written in the middle of the second century B.C., after the events it talked about, a view still held by many today. This theory, though, is not only unsubstantiated but doesn't explain how the chapter could predict events long centuries beyond the supposed second-century B.C. date of its composition.

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How a person can remain an atheist after reading the book of Daniel is beyond my understanding!

Sunday's study is called The Big Picture.

What is The Big Picture?

Hi, Daryl and all,
I am especially interested in this quarter's lesson for several reasons. I know the book of Daniel is so important, the Gospel is of the utmost importance, and the judgment is so misunderstood by most people. Also, for the first time ever, I am attempting to teach the adult SS lesson. The Juniors and I spent 6 months in the book of Daniel, and I felt I understood it better than ever before. But, I imagine it will be a bit different teaching adults.

I cannot answer your question yet, Daryl, and will be looking to see what others on here have for an answer. I have a question, which is farther on in the lesson...but I have heard this discussed many times with no conclusion...

In Daniel 2:34,35 exactly what is the "stone cut out without hands...that smote the image, became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth" Is it Jesus Himself, (called the cornerstone) is it His coming into His kingdom on earth, is it His kingdom? If so, what makes up His kingdom? I am reading also from PK,p499, and would appreciate any comment. I do realize it is when Jesus comes and the kingdoms of the world are destroyed. Does anyone else have any inspired Word on this?

From Sunday's study:

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Even more important, what this first section of the chapter shows is that not only is God in control of the big picture, He's close to us as individuals. Look at how He came to Daniel in a "night vision" and revealed to him what he needed to know. Talk about intimate contact! Though Daniel was only a foreign captive in a massive world empire, the Lord of all the earth (Josh. 3:11), the Creator of the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1), the One who holds the stars in their paths (Job 38 : 31), manifested His power and His care to this simple Hebrew lad.

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The big picture is obviously more than just the prophecy of Daniel 2 itself, it is also the fact that God is in control and intimately cares for each one of us.

From Tuesday's study:

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Babylon is compared to a metal, Media-Persia is compared to a metal, and Greece is compared to a metal. In contrast, in verses 33, 34 the iron that comes up after Greece (representing Rome) stays there until the stone cut out "without hands" (vs. 34) destroys everything. The iron that arises after Greece remains until the end, though in the feet it becomes mixed with clay. In the interpretation of that part of the vision, the metal representing the fourth kingdom, iron, remains until the end, as well, though it's depicted as mixed with miry clay (vss. 40-44). The point is unmistakable: The fourth kingdom, the fourth power, arises after Greece and remains until the end, even though it is manifested in a different form. In Daniel, the fourth power, the power rising after Greece, stays the same power (for it's iron all the way through, unlike the previous powers whose metal disappeared when a whole new empire arose), though at some point it changed form. Thus, it's Rome from the time of Greece until the end of the world. Amazingly enough, Rome still exists today as a worldwide power, though its form is radically different from when it first arose after Greece.
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Many centuries ago, one of England's greatest political thinkers wrote: "If a man considers the origin of this great ecclesiastical dominion, he will easily perceive that the papacy is no other than the ghost of the deceased Roman empire, sitting crowned on the grave thereof."—Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan. How does that quote help us understand what Daniel 2 teaches about the Roman Empire?

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I find this most interesting and very clearly stated.

Thank you, Daryl. I am looking for any additional helpful information for the lesson Study on Sabbath. This is a very interesting observation, and I will be sure it is brought out in the lesson.

From Wednesday's study:

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If we were to chart the kingdoms depicted, and specifically named, in Daniel, the outline would look like this:
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Babylon (Dan. 2:37, 38)
Media-Persia (Dan. 8:20)
Greece (Dan. 8:21)
Fourth kingdom
God's eternal kingdom (Dan. 2:44)
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Read Daniel's own interpretation of the vision (Dan. 2:37-45). Do you see anything there indicating that these prophecies can have different meanings in different times? Defend your answer.

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Does anybody reading this see anything there indicating that these prophecies can have different meanings in different times? As it says, prepare to defend your answer.

I dont see multiple prophecies because there are 4 kingdoms mentioned with the final kingdom being the eternal kingdom of God on this earth, which is the New Jerusalem.
God Bless,
Will

Does anybody know whether anybody within the SDA Church has tried to inform us otherwise?