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Bible
Prophecy In Today’s World 
Presented by Mr Raymond Clark
A Study OF Bible Prophecy
Daniel Chapter Four
Article # Five
Chapter Four of the Book of Daniel deals with King Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream, another dream which troubled him. You should notice that beginning with Chapter Four King Nebuchadnezzar is speaking, telling his own story. Once again King Nebuchadnezzar’s wise men could not interpret the dream and he called upon Daniel to interpret his dream once again.
Kind Nebuchadnezzar had become a proud King. He wanted to take credit for all of his accomplishments, not willing to recognize that God had anything to do with his greatness. He almost placed himself at the same level of or even above God.
The King called Daniel in to interpret the dream for him. He told Daniel what he had dreamed. After hearing the dream and pondering over it for a time, Daniel was likewise troubled. He spoke to the King and said to him, “only if this dream was to come upon your enemies”. (paraphrased) Below is what King Nebuchadnezzar dreamed.
“…Da 4:10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.
Da 4:11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
Da 4:12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
Da 4:13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
Da 4:14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
Da 4:15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:
Da 4:16 Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
Da 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
Da 4:18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.
Nebuchadnezzar called upon Daniel to interpret the dream and, of course Daniel, whose Babylonian name was Belteshazzar, responded to the King’s request.
Da 4:20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
Da 4:21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:
Da 4:22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
Da 4:23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
Da 4:24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is
come upon my lord the king:
Da 4:25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
Da 4:26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
Da 4:27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
Da 4:28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
King Nebuchadnezzar continued on with his rule for twelve months before this judgment came upon him. According to Daniel’s interpretation the King would become a wild man and would be driven from his throne and live with the beast for “Seven Times” which means seven years. Why was this happening to the King? He became proud and failed to give God any credit. Notice in the following verses how King Nebuchadnezzar took all of the credit and glory to himself. Suddenly God’s pronounced judgment came upon the King.
Da 4:29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
Da 4:30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
Da 4:31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
Da 4:32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
Da 4:33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
This judgment indeed lasted for seven years after which King Nebuchadnezzar came to his senses and gave God the Glory and he was restored to his kingdom. Notice King Nebuchadnezzar is still speaking and telling his own story.
Da 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
Da 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Da 4:36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
Da 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
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This Godly information is furnished by Alabamas own writer and volunteer staff member of God In Motion, Mr. Raymond Clark.
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