D P 1-3. The Proclamation.
Q1 4,5. The dream dreamed.
R1 6-9. Interpretation desired.
Q2 10-17. The Dream recited.
R2 18. Interpretation required.
Q3 19-23. The Dream repeated.
R3 Interpretation given and fulfilled.
P 34-37. The Proclamation.
462-454 B.C.
Daniel 4)
1 Nebuchadnezzar the king (what follows is evidently a proclamation. Given probably in 454 B.C., the last last of the 7 years of his "madness" [461-454 B.C.], the same year as the decree of Astyages, Daniel being then 59), to all peoples (introduction of the party of the 1st part), races, and tongues, that dwell in all the earth; "Peace be multiplied unto you. (Typical of the one world system.)
2 I have thought it good to show the signs and astonishing things that the most high God (Elohim) has wrought toward me. (What the living God did for him. A heathen king talking about signs and wonders. God gives us signs and wonders whereby you align them and create a marriage with prophecy and you know where you are. That is the secret of interpreting and understanding prophecy along with the unction of the Holy Spirit.)
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. (Regardless of which generation you are in)
4 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace: (Party of the 3rd part, back in time.)
5 I saw a dream (1 of 20 recorded dreams. See Gen. 20:3) which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. (Man is always troubled by the unknown)
6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me (probably done from motives of state policy, or acting on Daniels own advice), that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. (Be careful who you ask because most dreams from God are meant to be personal.)
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 to 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 (not our God. Shows you how fast man can drift): and before him I told the dream, saying,
9 'O Belteshazzar (i.e. Daniel), master of the magicians (Daniel still held the position given him in 2:46), because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof. (Using spiritual discernment.)
10 Thus were the visions of my head in my bed; I was gazing, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. (Symbolic of Nebuchadnezzar and king of Babylon to come, Satan the antichrist.)
11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached to heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: (Final dispensation. Heaven. Michael still holds Satan there. For the tree, see Gen. 3:3. Do not accept gifts from Satan and bow down to him. See Ezek. 31-6-9.)
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. (He's a real sugar- daddy, everyone getting fat.)
13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and a holy angel came down from heaven; (See Ezek. 31)
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 his root-trunk in the earth (Satan is always around, but held to a limit. See Re. 20:1,2), even with a band of iron and brass, in the herbage of the field; and let it be drenched with the dew of heaven (truth), 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 to him (the figure here changes from a tree to that of a beast, mentioned in v.15); and let seven times pass over him. (The inscription state that there were several years in which Nebuchadnezzar did nothing. This is also symbolic of the 7 dispensations of time.)
17 This matter is by the decree of the holy angels, and the mandate by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High has dominion in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.' (Look at the world leaders today. God is in control.)
18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now you, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, for as much as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation: but you are able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.'
462 B.C.
19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for one hour (hour of temptation. See Rev. 17), and his thoughts troubled him. The king spoke (note the change of speakers), and said, 'Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble you.' Belteshazzar answered and said, 'My lord, the dream be to them that hate you, and the interpretation thereof to your enemies. (Its about what's going to happen to him. Daniel was a little hesitant. Nobody likes to be the bearer of bad news. It could also be a bit dangerous. Respect those that respect you.)
20 The tree that you saw, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached to the heaven (where they could see it. Compare tower of Babel), and the sight thereof to all the earth; (It all started in the Garden of Eden)
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: (Satan's covert activity working freely)
22 It is you, O king, that are grown and become strong: for your greatness is grown, and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the end of the earth. (Type of antichrist.)
23 And whereas the king saw a holy angel and a 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 (Satan is always around), 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 (in the repetition here so you get the picture of the one world system), till seven times pass over him; (symbolic of the 7 dispensations up through the millennium. Rev. 20 beginning of the 8th and final dispensation - eternity.)
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 you from men (the mental disease of Nebuchadnezzar is rare. It is called Lycanthropy [from Greek, lukos = a wolf, and anthrōpos = a man], because the man imagines himself to be a wolf, or some other animal), and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall suffer you to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and give it to whomsoever He will. (He [God] takes him down a peg. This is the point, God is in control.)
26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; your kingdom shall be sure to you, after that you shall have known that the heavens do rule. (Put for God Who dwells there.)
27 Wherefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by shewing mercy to the miserable (see Prov. 6:11. Here referring doubtless to the Judean captives); if it may be a lengthening of your tranquility.'
28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. (Here the change is to the historical narration.)
461 B.C.
29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. (Man can drift away in a year.)
30 The king answered, and said, 'Is not this great Babylon, that I have built (everywhere this is repeated by Nebuchadnezzar on bricks, pavements, walls, &c.) for the royal palace by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?' (He's out of control, he's on an ego trip)
31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, 'O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from you. (Just like that, instantly)
32 And they shall drive you from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make you to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever He will.' (Even though some man-king may rule, its His business.)
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. (Cp. what Saddam Husein looks like in the whole in the ground 7 months before being captured. God doesn't mess around)
454 B.C.
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar (here the king again speaks. This corresponds with the Proclamation [vv.1,3], and is the ground for it being made) lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honored Him that lives for ever (this occurred in 454 B.C., just after Artaxerxes had issued a decree for the rebuilding of Jerusalem; and it was imperative that Nebuchadnezzar should now issue this imperial decree. This year, 454 B.C., is specially marked by the issue of these 2 momentous proclamations. When Nebuchadnezzar's madness began, Daniel was 52, and when it ended, he was 59 years old), whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation: (This is coming from a heathen. God can change minds.)
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing (cp. Job 34:14,15,19-24. Isa. 40:15-17, 22-24): and He does according to His will (cp. 1 Sam. 3:18. Job 23:13. Ps. 33:9-11; 115:3; 135:6. Isa. 14:24-27; 46:10,11) in the army of heaven (God uses His army), and among the inhabitants of the earth (Pss. 33:8,14; 49:1. Isa. 26:9): and none can stay His hand (cp. Job 9:4,13; 34:29; 40:9-12; 42:2. Acts 5:39; 9:5; 11:17,&c.), or say to Him, 'What do you do?' (Cp. Job 9:12; 33:12,13; 40:2. Isa. 45:9-11.)
36 At the same time my reason returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and brightness returned to me; and my counselors and my lords sought unto me; and I was secure in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. (Take the lowest seat and honor God, and He will raise you to the place you are suppose to be. You always do better with God on your side. Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom was restored to him.)
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase. (He learned his lesson.God is completely capable and will bring down those that get the "big head". Especially, if they are hurting His children that love and serve Him. This is all recorded in mans history to confirm God's word is true and visa versa. All this prophecy part of the parable of the fig tree, which began back in the Garden of Eden.)