2000-8-23 10:42:00
A key phrase to understand from Daniel's dream is "the stone (which) was cut out of the mountain without hands...." (Daniel 2:45)
Jesus evidently was familiar with this prophecy and made mention of this stone: "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? (This is a quote from Psalms 118:22-23.) Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you (the Jews) and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (Now he makes reference to the stone colliding with the image in Daniel.) And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." (Matthew 21:42-44)
The stone is a symbol of the Christ and the Christ consciousness as well as the kingdom of God -- all of which were rejected by the Jews. The Kingdom of God is built by those possessing the Christ consciousness.
Those who fell on this stone in the days of Jesus were broken -- that is their personal image and pride were broken down and they learned the truth and the truth made them free.
However, the stone fell on the Jewish kingdom and they were shortly ground to powder. Jerusalem and their temple was destroyed, their people scattered and have been persecuted ever since.
Jesus clearly said here that the kingdom would be transferred to another nation (the land of Joseph) and here the prophecy of Christ would be continued.
The words "cut out" is a fairly accurate rendering. It could also be translated as "severed" or "separated."
The Chaldean word TUWR that is rendered "mountain" here is a curious one. Almost all Bible translations use the word "mountain" in the translation of this verse, but it is far from a literal interpretation. It was more of an interpolation. Nevertheless mountain was probably the best single word that could have been used here. Interestingly enough the rendering was arrived by mistake, yet it still portrays the truth.
Translators assumed that the Chaldean TUWR was equivalent to the Hebrew TSUR which is another word for stone except it implies something larger and very strong. By implication it can mean a "cliff, refuge, or great strength." They reasoned that a rock or boulder could be a mountain, or if the stone came from a cliff, then the cliff belonged to a mountain.
The translators ignored another Hebrew word, which bears the exact spelling as the Chaldean TUWR. Since this Hebrew word did not make any sense to them they did not use it for it is usually rendered "row." They could not see how the stone could be severed from a "row" and then become a great "row" that would fill the earth. "Mountain" seemed much more logical.
As we examine the texts where TUWR is used in the Hebrew we see that a more accurate rendering (to which Hebrew scholars will agree) is "orderly arrangement" or "intelligent order."
The question is -- what arrangement or intelligent order is Daniel referring to?
As we look through the Bible we see that the word TUWR is often used in connection with the order of the stones on the breastplate, or breastpiece that the priest wore when receiving revelations from God. In describing how to make it Moses said:
"Make the breast-piece of judgment; it shall be made, like the ephod (waistcoat), by a seamster in gold, with violet, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely woven linen. It shall be a square folded, a span long and a span wide. Set in it four rows (TUWR) of precious stones: the first row (TUWR), sardin, chrysolite and green feldspar; the second row (TUWR) purple garnet, lapis lazuli and jade; the third row, turquoise, agate and jasper; the fourth row, topaz, cornelian and green jasper, all set in gold rosettes. THE STONES SHALL CORRESPOND TO THE TWELVE SONS OF ISRAEL name by name; and each stone shall bear the name of one of the twelve tribes engraved as on a seal." (Exodus 28:15-20 New English KJV)
This breastplate is almost an exact correspondence to the New Jerusalem which shall come out of heaven. (See Revelation 21:9-21.) The city was also foursquare and was founded on twelve similar precious stones and had the names of the twelve tribes written on the gates and the city was made of pure gold.
When one overcomes and obtains the Christ consciousness the Lord "will give him a white stone, and in that stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it [...] (I will make him) a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name." (Revelation 2:17; 3:12) Concerning the coming of Christ we are told: "He had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself." (Revelation 19:12)
The stones that made the ancient breastplate were a symbol of this white stone that a member of the New Jerusalem will be given.
We can become a member of the heavenly Jerusalem at any moment that we "overcome" and obtain soul contact and the Christ consciousness. Then we become a spiritual pillar in the temple of God, and the God within is expressed and we "go no more out" (Revelation 3:12) no matter where we are physically. We are given a new name. That is, we realize that our personality self is not real, but a false image, and the new name is "the name of my God." (Revelation 3:12) In other words, we become one with God, a son of man who has become the Son of God.
On the other hand, we can become a part of the earthly externalization of the New Jerusalem by building the Kingdom of God patterned after the Molecular Order which will bring down the powers of Godliness into the physical realm.
As Daniel looked upon the TUWR, or the divine order of the New Jerusalem, he saw a stone severed off without hands. This stone collided with the image and ground it to powder so fine that the wind (spirit of God) blew it away. The fact that the stone was severed without hands indicates that no force or violence was involved, for a kingdom won by aggressive force must be maintained by force and will be a temporary order.
Most students believe that the stone is the Kingdom of God but the scripture does not say that. The stone that was severed was a part of TUWR, or the divine order, was only a part of the kingdom. Altogether there are twelve stones, yet they are in action as one. Christ is called "the Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Revelation 5:5), and this is the stone that will be the death blow to the image, and of this tribe the modern Jews are the correspondence.
One would be naturally curious as to how the Jews will deal the death blow that will finish the image. Didn't we say that the Jews will be among the last to accept the kingdom of God? We did, but Jesus said: The "first shall be last; and the last shall be first." (Matthew 19:30) The Jews were the first to be given the opportunity to establish a physical kingdom, but that was taken from them and they have been among the last in spiritual recognition and accomplishment for some time. On the other hand, when they do accept it they will accept it with more unity and drive than any other people and will become great leaders in the kingdom and will deliver the final blow that will bring complete freedom for mankind. At that time the Jew will rise in the spiritual majesty and power that he has always felt was his destiny, but he will do so by freeing his brothers, instead of subduing them.
The image shall be destroyed "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 4:6)
We are told that God shall set up a kingdom "in the days of these kings." (Daniel 2:44) What kings are these? Are they ten kings, (or kingdoms) corresponding to the ten toes? They are that and more. Also included are the kingdom of iron, brass, silver, and gold. In the days when all these kingdoms have dominion over men and the ten toes of capitalism and totalitarianism are trying but failing to mix -- in that day God will set up his kingdom in physical manifestation on the earth.
Then will be fulfilled the words of Jesus:
"And this gospel (good news) of the kingdom (dominion of light and love) shall be preached (taught) in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end (of the image) come." (Matthew 24:14)
The stone (representing the whole kingdom) shall destroy all false gods and images, the destructive power of wealth, false glamour, pride and illusion, and all the iron bars of the totalitarian governments of the earth. Notice, however, that even the clay was destroyed. Yes, even the relatively successful capitalistic governments will be eventually replaced by something better -- where fierce competition will not be so necessary. The Kingdom of God "makes all things new" (Revelation 21:5), and none escapes the power of the stone that becomes a great mountain (divine order) that fills "the whole earth." (Daniel 2:35)
-- End Of Chapter 28 --
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