THE BOOK OF DANIEL is quoted often in the New Testament Book of Revelation. In many ways, the two books need to be read and studied together. Daniel lived at an important time of ancient history and his story is critical to our understanding of what is happening today. His visions speak powerfully of the end times, and his writing continues to exalt the “Most High God.” The accuracy and reliability of his remarks concerning future events have caused many to question his authorship of this book. However, we have complete confidence that he not only wrote the book but that God used him powerfully to bring His message to His people about what is about to happen in our time. Daniel Chapter 4 The Watchers Come Down?
The Watchers Come Down?
Daniel Chapter 4 Commentary Video
Nebuchadnezzar’s Affidavit
Organization
• Historical (Chapters 1 – 6): Chapters 2-7 written in Aramaic…
– 1 Deported as a teenager
– 2 Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
– 3 Bow or Burn: the Furnace
– 4 Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride
– 5 The Fall of Babylon
– 6 The Lion’s Den
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream & Convalescence
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The affidavit of a Gentile king! An statutory edict officially published throughout the world, issued in 562 B.C., the year he recovered from insanity. [One of the longest chapters in Daniel.]
1] Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
2] I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
3] How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
4] I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace:
5] I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
6] Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
7] Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.
8] But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying, Daniel = Belteshazzar: remember, the edict went all over the world…
9] O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.
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. Rab Khartom, Chief of Magicians = scholars. [Cf. Chapter 6:
Rab Magi, Chief of the (hereditary!) Median Priesthood; Ezek 28:3 reference confirms a 6th century Daniel.]
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:
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.
13] I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
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:
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:
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. “times” = “years” (Dan 7:25, et al.)
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.
Councils in heaven: 1 Kgs 22:19-22; Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6. Powers that be are ordained of God (Rom 13:1).
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.
19] Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
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;
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:
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.
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;
24] This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:
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.
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.
27] Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
“Tree” as an Idiom
• A man (Ps 1:3; 37:35; 52:8; 92:12 Isa 56:3; Jer 17:8).
• Assyrian and Egyptian Pharaoh are compared to cedar of Lebanon (Ezek 31:3f).
• Olive tree: Israel (Rom 11:16-24; 2 Kgs 14:9; Ps 1:3; 37:35; 52:8; 2:12; Ezek 17).
– Transplanted shoot (Ezek 17:22ff; 22:24).
– Stump (Isa 11:1).
• Mustard “tree” (Mt 13:31-32).
28] All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
29] At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
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?
The Dream Fulfilled
Babylon Origin: Gen 10:8-10, built by Nimrod, the first world dictator.
Herodotus reported that it was 15 miles square; with 350 ft. walls, 87 ft. wide (6 chariots abreast!?)
Babylon’s Hanging Gardens of Semiramis = one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. (Saddam Hussein offered prizes for anyone who can figure out how they were irrigated…)
There was also a second wall, with a moat in between. 250 watchtowers, 100 ft above the wall; Tower of Bel (Bab-El) 600 ft!? The banquet hall: 56 x 173 ft.
The magnificence of Babylon led to Nebuchadnezzar’s downfall. [And it has a prophetic destiny at the end of the age. See Chapter 5.] He had a major ego problem and a Babylonian inscription has been
discovered that highlights this (Walvoord, p. 176, note 83):
Babylonian Inscription
“I, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon,
I am the son of Nabopolassar, King of Babylon.
I who erected the Ezida Temple,
I who built Procession Street,
The Street of the Forgiven Son,
The Street of Nebu,
And paged it with shimmering stones.
Nebu, you the divine minister,
Grant me immortality.”
What The Bible says about Pride
One of the most dangerous times in life is when things are going well. Our mistakes are our lessons; our pains and sorrows are our credentials.
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto
him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An
heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to
mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord
among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though
hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. Proverbs 16:5Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than
of him. Proverbs 26:12A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in
spirit. Proverbs 29:23And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to
Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above
that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou
didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou
hadst not received it? 1 Corinthians 4:6-7Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one
accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but
in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not
every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself
of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made
in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:2-8Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and
continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know
not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour,
that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought
to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice
in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. James 4:13-16God hates pride. Why? Satan’s fall (Isaiah 14:4-14).
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my
throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the
congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of
the clouds; I will be like the most High. Isaiah 14:13,14
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.
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.
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.
What is Lycanthropy?
• (Greek: lykos, “wolf”; anthropos, “Man”)
• Mental disorder in which the patient believes he is a wolf or some other animal.
• Romans: versipellis (“turnskin”)
• Boanthropy: an ox.
Stimulated by the once widespread superstition of a supernatural condition in which men actually assume the physical form of werewolves or other animals. Psychiatric disorder and superstition is linked with belief in animal guardian spirits, vampires, totemism, witches, and werewolves. Folklore, fairy tales, and legends of many nations and peoples show evidence of lycanthropic belief. Romans called anyone who was supposed to have been turned into a wolf by means of magic spells or herbs versipellis (“turnskin”). Widely believed in Europe during the Middle Ages. (Encyclopedia Britannica, 7:582; 18:912)
Other Examples of Disorders
• Raymond Harrisons observed a case in British mental institution in 1946. A man in his early ‘20s; hospitalized for 5 years; fitted description in 4:33. [Other examples: D.H. Tuke, Dictionary of Psychological Medicine, P.5, 752; Dr. D. R. Burrell, American Journal of Insanity, April, 1894, pp. 493-504.]
• Eusebius references from Abydenus, a Greek historian of 268 B.C., aspects of Nebuchadnezzar’s insanity, being on the roof, and other details.
• Josephus attributes to the Babylonian historian Berosus, a Chaldean priest of the time of Alexander the Great, a definite reference concerning a strange malady suffered by Nebuchadnezzar before his death. Josephus, Contra Apion, I, 20 (Thackery’s translation). Berosus learned Greek, opened a school, and had Abydenus as one of his pupils. He wrote three books on Chaldean history; fragments are preserved in Josephus and Eusebius. According to the Babylonian Talmud: care of Nebuchadnezzar during this period was provided by Daniel.
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: Restoration… Summary by Daniel: 5:20-21. Saved? “A heart given unto him”: 7:4.
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?
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.
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. This is the last we read of Nebuchadnezzar. After his restoration, he lived about one year. Nebuchadnezzar’s death was followed by a steady weakening of the regime. His son Evil-merodach succeeded him as Babylon’s next ruling monarch (Jer 9:23-24).
“Prayer of (Nabonidus?)”: Found in Cave 4 at Qumran
“The words of the prayer that (Nabonidus?), the king of Assyria and Babylon, the [great] king, prayed [when he was smitten] with a malignant disease by the decree of the [Most High God] in [the city of] Tema. I was smitten for seven years and from [men] I was put away. But when I confessed my sins and my faults, He [God] allowed me (to have) a soothsayer. This was a Jewish [man of the exiles in Babylon. He] explained (it) and wrote (me) to render honor and [great glor]y to the name of the [Most High God]…”
There are five Aramaic words in common to both accounts:
– “decree, decision”;
– “soothsayer, diviner.”
– in Cave 4 = Nabonidus?
– confused with
– Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar’s Testimony
• Nebuchadnezzar’s 2nd Dream.
– Great Tree, hewn down for 7 years.
• Daniel interprets…
• 1 Year later,
– Nebuchadnezzar stricken with mental derangement for 7 years.
– (Daniel was his personal nurse).
• Nebuchadnezzar recovers and publishes the entire testimony throughout the world.
Application
• Immediate: Nebuchadnezzar
• Prophetic?
– Ecumenical outreach of Babylonianism and Gentile power in the last days and final overthrow?
– Seven years of insanity and confusion?
– Conversion took place after the 7 years of madness.
– The tree did not sprout again until after it had been cut down… Acts 15:14-17; “take out” of them a people for his name… “after this I will return”…
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Acts 15:14-17
In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: {close: Heb. hedge, or, wall} That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this. Amos 9:11,12
The “remnant of Edom” may refer to those who fled to Petra, etc.
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me earnestly. Hosea 5:15
Nebuchadnezzar’s Successors
• Amel-Marduk (“Evil-Merodach” of 2 Kgs 25:27; Jer 52:31), ruled but two years and was replaced in 560 B.C. after an army coup by the commander in chief, Neriglissar (Nergal-Sharezer of Jer39:3), son-inlaw of Nebuchadnezzar.
• After frequent absences from active service, Neriglissar (559-555 B.C.) was, in turn, ousted, and his weak son Labashi-Marduk lasted only a few months before another coup d’etat brought Nabonidus to the throne.
• Soon after his election, Nabonidus (553-536 B.C.) led the army to Palestine and Northern Arabia, leaving his son Belshazzar as co-regent in Babylon. Nabonidus’ decision to stay in Arabia resulted from his unpopularity at home as much as from his desire to found a settlement there with exiles from Palestine.
Next Session: The Fall of Babylon (Dan 5), not to be confused with the Doom of Babylon prophesied in Isaiah 13,14; Jeremiah 50, 51; and, Revelation 17, 18.
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Download Pdf Notes For Daniel CommentaryChuck Missler Bio
Recruited into senior management at the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, Chuck established the first international computer network in 1966. He left Ford to start his own company, a computer network firm that was subsequently acquired by Automatic Data Processing (listed on the New York Stock Exchange) to become its Network Services Division.
Returning to California, Chuck found himself consulting, organizing corporate development deals, serving on the board of directors at several firms, and specializing in the rescuing of financially troubled technology companies. He brought several companies out of Chapter 11 and into profitable operation. Chuck thrived on this type of work.
As Chuck notes, his day of reckoning came several years ago when — as the result of a merger — he found himself the chairman and a major shareholder of a small, publicly owned development company known as Phoenix Group International. The firm established an $8 billion joint venture with the Soviet Union to supply personal computers to their 143,000 schools. Due to several unforeseen circumstances, the venture failed. The Misslers lost everything, including their home, automobiles and insurance.
It was during this difficult time that Chuck turned to God and the Bible. As a child he developed an intense interest in the Bible; studying it became a favorite pastime. In the 1970s, while still in the corporate world, Chuck began leading weekly Bible studies at the 30,000-member Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, in California. He and Nancy established Koinonia House in 1973.
I really enjoyed this lesson on pride– and the relationship between the Lord and Nebuchadnezzar and his relationship with Daniel. Thank you Lord for your Word!!!!