Daniel 2:39–40, 44–45 (NIV) “After you, another kingdom will arise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth. Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron—for iron breaks and smashes everything—and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others….“In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed… It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. “This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands… The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.”

The Rise and Fall of Every Kingdom—Except One

Daniel’s prophecy to King Nebuchadnezzar isn’t just history—it’s a warning from God for today’s man. A king demanded to be told his dream and its interpretation. But only Daniel’s God—our God—could reveal both. What did God show him? That every kingdom we build will fall… except the one He makes.

From Babylon to Rome, the rise and fall of empires have fulfilled this prophecy with chilling precision. Kings and nations rise, crush, and collapse. But in the days of those iron-and-clay rulers—during the era of the Roman Empire—God did the impossible: He sent the Rock. Not carved or crafted by human hands, but born of a virgin, laid in a manger, and enthroned on a cross.

Jesus is that Rock. His kingdom is not made of gold, silver, bronze, or iron. It is made of grace, justice, righteousness, and truth—and it is unshakeable.

Are You Building the Wrong Kingdom?

Men today are tempted to invest everything into inferior kingdoms:

• careers that crumble,

• wealth that withers,

• power that fades,

• and legacies that die with them.

But the eternal kingdom is already here. As promised by the angel to Mary:
“He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; His kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:32–33)

This kingdom isn’t inherited by blood or earned through work—it’s received by faith in the King who conquered sin and death. The King whose throne is eternal. The King who is coming again.

Today, choose your King and your kingdom.

Don’t trade your purpose for temporary power. Don’t chase fading crowns while neglecting the only crown that matters: faithfulness to Christ.

• Repent of building your own kingdom at the expense of His.

• Return to the Rock—your refuge, your hope, your King.

• Recommit to laboring for His glory: at home, at work, in your community.

• Reach others with the message of the King who is coming back to judge and to reign.

Run today’s play: Cast off the pursuit of lesser thrones. Embrace the eternal reign of Jesus. Live as a warrior for His kingdom—praying, working, and witnessing until the King returns.