In Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, the statue made of iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold represents successive earthly kingdoms, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. These kingdoms, despite their power and influence, are ultimately transient and will be swept away like chaff, which is the light, worthless part of grain that is blown away by the wind during threshing. The rock that destroys the statue signifies a kingdom established by God, which is not made by human hands. This kingdom is depicted as growing into a huge mountain that fills the entire earth, symbolizing its everlasting and universal nature.
The imagery of the rock becoming a mountain emphasizes the stability, permanence, and divine origin of God's kingdom. This vision offers a powerful reminder that while human empires rise and fall, God's kingdom endures forever. It provides hope and assurance to believers that God's plan will ultimately prevail, and His kingdom will bring justice and peace to the world. This passage encourages faith in God's sovereignty and the belief that His purposes will be fulfilled, despite the temporary nature of human power.