How Can the Church Be the Fulfillment of Daniel 2:44?

The prophecy in Daniel 2:44 says: “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.”

Some may speculate that either the church failed to fulfill what God promised or that we need to interpret “kingdom” in this passage as something other than the church (i.e., a millennial kingdom yet to come). This is a false dichotomy. The alleged dilemma has not exhausted all options, nor has it considered all relevant Bible teaching.

First, we must recognize that these prophetic symbols in Daniel 2:44 do not provide the most exhaustive or comprehensive treatment of the church in Scripture. The ideas conveyed in the prophecy, in seed or picture form, are fully revealed and explained in the New Testament.

Second, the kingdoms of Nebuchadnezzar’s image were human in origin, temporary, and were overcome by each succeeding kingdom. Such is the nature of human institutions. The stone, cut out of the mountain not made with hands, was divine in origin, eternal, and unconquerable.

The emphasis on the kingdom of God in Daniel 2:44 concerns the timing and certainty of its establishment, its divine origin, its eternal nature, and its unconquerable status — as Jesus said, “The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:19).

Third, it is apparent that we must assess the kingdom of God differently from earthly kingdoms. Earthly kingdoms dominate by physical force, while the kingdom of God conquers individuals spiritually, bringing them into voluntary submission to the King of Kings (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

Similarly, Jesus taught that the kingdom of heaven is like leaven. It works silently and unostentatiously, yet progressively (Matthew 13:33). The New Testament never teaches that we are to look for a superpower kingdom of God that would dominate the world as it is now, having accomplished world domination through some literal, Armageddon-like conquest.

Fourth, “in the days of these kings” (i.e., Acts 2), the God of heaven did set up his kingdom. This was the beginning, not the end — although its ultimate success was foreseen in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.

Daniel 2:44 revealed a time indicator as to when the kingdom of God would begin its small footprint in the world, followed by progressive, amazing growth. This amazing growth and the assimilation of the kingdoms of men were sure to follow.

How long it would take for the stone to grow into a mountain that fills the earth is not the focus. The establishment of the plan of God would surely bring about its divine design in God’s way and time (cf. John 18:36), and the certainty and reality of God’s plan’s accomplishment are the point. Its commencement is what is indicated relative to the days of the Roman Empire.

Fifth, what was established “in the days of those kings” was the beginning of the unique way in which God’s kingdom would supplant the kingdoms of men. The prophecy does not indicate that the end result would be achieved in one day or that the establishment of the kingdom would overthrow all governments immediately, or that it would conquer in the same way that earthly kingdoms subdue one another. Rather, the prediction pertains to the certainty of God’s unavoidable rule, as he is the God of Heaven, and when such would commence.

Sixth, observe how these truths are substantiated by clear New Testament teaching. God’s spiritual plan is progressive, unfolding over time. The Bible teaches that Jesus destroyed the one who had the power over death, that is, the Devil (Hebrews 2:14), through the cross. But the Devil still stalks humanity (1 Peter 5:8), and the last enemy (i.e., death) has not yet been done away with (1 Corinthians 15:26).

Either Christ destroyed the devil or he didn’t, right? Such a question represents a narrow view of God’s plan. Paul says victory will be accomplished at “the end” through the resurrection. But it will be accomplished only at “the end” because of what Jesus did at “the beginning.”

The kingdom of God will reach its ultimate goal when the Lord returns. “But he must reign until all his enemies have been put under his feet” (1 Corinthians 15:25). This reign began with the Lord’s first coming and the establishment of his church (Matthew 16:18-19; Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9).

We must then observe the kingdom’s progressive growth toward the divine goal. The redemptive plan will be realized when the Lord appears a second time, apart from sin, to those who wait for him unto salvation (Hebrews 9:28). The “time-lapse” is a focus of mockers, but God’s “delay” is an opportunity for men to repent (2 Peter 3:1ff).

Characteristic of some biblical prophecy, we see the big picture in symbolic form. We see events separated by hundreds or thousands of years unfold in an instant — in a single verse — within a biblical prophecy. This helps us focus on the realities and certainties of God’s plan, which, from our point of view, can seem obscure, as evil seems to have its way in the world. Despite how things may seem to us, God is in control.

This question gets to the heart of the book of Daniel and the Bible as a whole. From man’s point of view, he may not think that what has been promised has been fulfilled. He may look for another “interpretation.” Looking through human eyes, he is tempted to assess God’s plan and say, “Well, the church certainly can’t be the fulfillment of this, because it has not conquered the world.”

Our worldly view is not the standard by which the church of Christ is judged. We must rely on him, trust in him, and know that what God accomplished on Calvary through his Son will culminate in Christ’s conquest over all his enemies when he comes again. We know this not because of what we observe, but because of what God has said. He rules in the kingdoms of men, has inaugurated his kingdom, and it shall stand forever.