SEVEN TIMES THAT AFFECT US

As represented by the great tree, Nebuchadnezzar symbolized world rulership.  But remember, the tree stands for rulership and sovereignty far grander than that of Babylon's king.  It symbolizes the universal sovereignty of Jehovah, "the King of the heavens," especially with respect to the earth.  Before Jerusalem's destruction by the Babylonians, the kingdom centered in that city with David and his heirs sitting on "Jehovah's throne" represented God's sovereignty with reference to the earth. (1 Chronicles 29:23) God himself had such sovereignty chopped down and banded in 607 B.C.E., when he used Nebuchadnezzar to destroy Jerusalem.  Exercise of divine sovereignty toward the earth by a kingdom in the line of David was restrained for seven times.  How long were these seven times?  When did they begin, and what marked their end? 

During Nebuchadnezzar's madness, "his very hair grew long just like eagle's feathers and his nails like bird's claws." (Daniel 4:33) This took longer than seven days or seven weeks. Various translations read "seven times," and alternatives are "appointed (definite) times" of the Old Greek (Septuagint) reads "seven years" by the first  century Jewish historian Josephus.  (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 10, Chapter 10, paragraph 6) And certain Hebrew scholars have viewed these "times" as "years." "Seven years" is the rendering in the American Translation, Today's English Version, and the translation by James Moffatt.

Evidently Nebuchadnezzar's "seven times" involved seven years.  In prophecy, a year averages 360 days, or 12 months of 30 days each.  (Compare Revelation 122:6, 14) So the king's "seven times," or "seven years, were 360 days multiplied  by 7, or 2,520 days.  But what about the major fulfillment of his dream?  The prophetic "seven times" lasted much longer than 2,520 days.  This was indicated by Jesus' words:  "Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations, until the appointed times of the nation are fulfilled." (Luke 21:24) That 'trampling'  began  in 607 B.C.E. when Jerusalem was destroyed and the typical kingdom of God ceased to function in Judah.  When would the trampling end? At "the times of restoration of all things," when divine sovereignty would again be manifested toward the earth through symbolic Jerusalem, the Kingdom of God. -Acts 3:21 

Next time: Conclusion of: SEVEN TIMES THAT AFFECT US

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

IS THERE SECULAR EVIDENCE?

Some have identified Nebuchadnezzar's madness with lycanthropy.  Says one one medical dictionary "LYCANTHROPY . . .from [ly'kos], lupus, wolf; [an' thropos], home,man.  This name was given to the sickness of people who believe themselves to be changed into an animal, and who imitate the voice of cries, the shapes or manners of that animal.  These individuals usually imagine themselves transformed into a wolf, a dog or a cat; sometimes also a bull, as in the case of Nebuchadnezzar." (Dictionnaire des sciences  medi9cales, par une societe' de medicins et de chirurgiens, Paris 1818, Volume 29, page 246)  The symptoms of lycanthropy are similar to those of Nebuchadnezzar's demented state.  Since his mental illness was divinely decreed, however, it cannot specifically  be specifically be identified with a known disorder. 

Scholar John E. Goldingay cites several parallels to Nebuchadnezzar's madness and restoration. For instance, he states:  "A fragmentary cuneiform text apparently refers  to some mental disorder on Nebuchadnezzar's part, and perhaps to his neglecting and leaving Babylon."  Goldingay cites a document called "The Babylonian Job" and says  that it "testifies to chastisements by God, illness, humiliation, seeking interpretation of a terrifying dream, being overthrown over like a tree, being put outside, eating grass, losing understanding, being like an ox, being rained on by Marduk, nails being married, hair growing, and being fettered, and then to a restoration for which he praises the god." 

Next time: SEVEN TIMES THAT AFFECT US

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY!  1999

NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S RESTORATIION

Jehovah restored Nebuchadnezzar's sanity at the end of seven times.  Then acknowledging the Most High God, the king said: "At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar lifted up to the heavens my eyes, and my own understanding began  to return to me; and I blessed the Most High himself, and the One living to time indefinite I praised and glorified, because his rulership  is a rulership to time indefinite and his kingdom is for generation after generation.  And all the inhabitants of the earth are being considered as merely nothing, and he is doing according to his own will among the army of the heavens and the inhabitants of the earth.  And there exists no one that can check his hand or that can say to him, 'What have you been doing?' (Daniel 4:34, 35) Yes, Nebuchadnezzar did come to realize that the Most High is indeed the Sovereign Ruler in the kingdom of mankind. 

When Nebuchadnezzar returned to his throne, it was as though the metal bands around the  dream tree's rootstock has been removed.  Concerning his restoration, he said: "At the time my understanding itself began to return to me, and for the dignity of my kingdom, my majesty and my brightness themselves began to return to me; and for me even my high royal officers and my grandees began eagerly searching, and I was reestablished upon my own kingdom, and greatness extraordinary was added to me." (Daniel 4:36)  If any court officials had despised the deranged king, now they were "eagerly searching" for him in complete subservience. 

What "signs and wonders" the Most High God had performed!  It should not surprise us that the restored Babylonian king said: "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, am praising and exalting and glorifying the King of the heavens because all his works are truth and his ways are justice, and because those who are walking in pride he is able to humiliate." (Daniel 4:2, 37) Such an acknowledgement, however, did not make Nebuchadnezzar a Gentile worshiper of Jehovah. 

Next time: IS THERE SECULAR EVIDENCE?

From the book:  PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

THE DREAM'S INITIAL FULFILLMENT

Nebuchadnezzar remained proud. Walking about on the palace roof 12 months after his tree dream, he boasted:"Is this not Babylon the Great, that I myself have built for the royal house with the strength of my might and for the dignity of my majesty?"  (Daniel 4:28-30) Nimrod had founded Babylon (Babel), but Nebuchadnezzar gave it splendor.  (Genesis 10:8-10)  In one of his cuneiform inscriptions, he brag:  "Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, the restorer of Esagila and Ezida, son of Nabopolassar am I. . . .The fortifications of Esagila and Babylon I strengthened and established the name of my reign forever." (Archaeology and the Bible, by George A. Barton, 1949, pages 478-9)  Another inscription refers to about 20 temples that he renovated or rebuilt.  "Under Nebuchadnezzar's rule," says The World Book Encyclopedia, "Babylon became one of the most magnificent cities of the ancient world.  In his own records, he rarely mentioned his military activities,  but wrote of his building projects and his attention to the gods of Babylonian.  Nebuchadnezzar probably build the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World." 

Boast though he did, proud Nebuchadnezzar was about to be humiliated.  Says the inspired account: "While  the word was yet in the king's mouth, there was a voice that fell from the heavens: "To you it is being said, O Nebuchadnezzar the king, "The kingdom itself has gone away from you, and from mankind they are driving even you away, and with the beasts of the field you dwelling will be.  Vegetation they will give even you to eat just like bulls, and seven times themselves will pass over you, until you know that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind, and to the one whom he wants to he gives it." ' "-Daniel 4:31, 32.

Nebuchadnezzar promptly lost his reason. Driven away from mankind, he ate vegetation " just like bulls." Out among the beasts of the field, he certainly was not sitting idly in the grass of a virtual paradise, enjoying refreshing breezes daily.  In modern-day Iraq, where Babylon's ruins are located, temperatures ranging from a  high of 120 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months to well below freezing in wintertime.  Unattended and exposed  to the elements, Nebuchadnezzar's long matted hair looked like eagle's feathers and his uncut fingernails and toenails became like bird's claws.  (Daniel 4:33) What humiliation for this proud world ruler!

In Nebuchadnezzar's dream, the great tree was felled and its stump was banded to prevent growth upward for seven times.  Similarly, Nebuchadnezzar "was brought down from the throne of his kingdom" when Jehovah struck him with madness. (Daniel 5:20) In effect, this changed the king's heart from that of a man to that of a bull. Yet, God reserved Nebuchadnezzar's throne fro him until the seven times ended. While Evil-merodach possibly acted as the temporary head of government, Daniel served as "the ruler over all the jurisdictional district of Babylon.: His three Hebrew companions continued to share in administering that district's affairs. (Daniel 1:11-19; 2:48,49; 3:30)  The four exiles awaited Nebuchadnezzar's restoration to the throne as a sane king who had learned that "the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind, and that to the one whom he wants to he gives it." 

Next time: NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S RESTORATION

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

BAD NEWS FOR THE KING

Upon hearing the dream, Daniel was momentarily astonished, then fearful. Urged by Nebuchadnezzar to explain it, the prophet said:  "O my lord, may the dream apply to those hating you, and its interpretation to your adversaries.  The tree  that you beheld, that grew great and became strong . . ., it is you, O king, because you have grown great and become strong, and your grandeur has grown great and reached to the heavens, and your rulership to the  extremity of the earth." (Daniel 4:18-22)  In the Scriptures, trees can symbolize individuals rulers, and kingdoms.  (Psalm 1:3; Jeremiah 17:7, 8;Ezekiel, chapter 31)  Like the immense tree of his dream, Nebuchadnezzar had "grown great and become strong" as the head of a world power.  But "rulership  to the extremity of the earth," involving the whole kingdom of mankind is represented by the great tree.  It therefore symbolizes Jehovah's universal sovereignty, particularly in its relationship to the earth. -Daniel 4:17.

A debasing change was in store for Nebuchadnezzar.  Pointing to this development, Daniel added: "Because the king beheld a watcher, even a holy one, coming down from the heavens, who was also saying: 'Chop the tree down, and ruin it.  However, leave its rootstock itself in the earth, but with a banding of iron and of copper, among the grass of the field, and with the dww of the heavens let it become wet, and with the beasts of the field let its portion be until seven times themselves pass over it,' this is the interpretation, O king, and the decree of the Most High is that which must befall my lord the king." (Daniel 4:23, 24)   Surely courage was needed to give the powerful king that message!

What would befall Nebuchadnezzar?  Imagine his reaction as Daniel added: "You they will be driving away from men, and with the beasts of the field your dwelling will come to be, and the vegetation is what they will give even to you to eat just like the bulls; and with the dew of the heavens you yourself will be getting wet, and seven times themselves will pass over you, until you know that the Most High is Ruler of the Kingdom of mankind, and that to the one whom he wants to he gives it."  (Daniel 4:25)  Apparently even Nebuchadnezzar's court officials would "drive him away from men.' But would he be cared for by compassionate herdsmen or shepherds?  No, for God had decreed that Nebuchadnezzar would dwell with "the beasts of the field," eating vegetation.

Just as the tree was cut down, Nebuchadnezzar would be toppled from world rulership-but only for a time.  Daniel explained:  "Because they said to leave the rootstock of the tree, your kingdom will be sure to you after you know that the heavens are ruling." (Daniel 4:26)  In Nebuchadnezzar's dream the rootstock, or stump, of the felled tree was allowed to remain, although it was banded so that it would not grow.  Similarly, the "rootstock" of Babylon's king would remain, though banded from flourishing for "seven times."  His position as world ruler would be like the banded tree stump.  It would be kept safe till seven times has passed over it.  Jehovah would see to it that during that period nobody would succeed. Nebuchadnezzar as Babylon's sole ruler, although his son named Evil-merodach may have carried for him as acting ruler. 

In view of what was foretold concerning Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel courageously urged:  "Therefore, O king, may my counsel seem good to you, and remove your own sins by righteousness, and your iniquity by showing mercy to the poor ones.  Maybe there will occur a lenghtening of your prosperity." (Daniel 4:27)  If Nebuchadnezzar would turn away from his sinful course of oppression and pride, perhaps this would change matters for him. After all, some two centuries earlier, Jehovah had determined to destroy the people of Assyria's capital, Nineveh,  but he did not do so because its king and his subjects repented. (Jonah 3:4, 10; Luke 11:32) What about proud Nebuchadnezzar? Would he change his ways? 

Next time: THE DREAM'S INITIAL FULFILLMENT

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

AN IMMENSE TREE

What was the content of the Babylonian king's frightening dream? "Now the visions of my head upon my bed I happened to be beholding," said Nebuchadnezzar, "and look! a tree in the midst of the earth, the height of which was immense.  The tree grew up and became strong, and its very height finally reached the heavens, and it was visible to the extremity of the whole earth. Its foliage was fair, and its fruit was abundant, and there was food for all on it.  Under it the beast  of the field would seek shade, and on its boughs the birds of the heavens would dwell, and from it all flesh would feed itself." (Daniel 4:10-12)  Reportedly, Nebuchadnezzar was fond of the great cedars of Lebanon, went to see them, and had some brought to Babylon as lumber.  But he had never beheld anything like the tree in his dream.  It occupied a prominent position "in the midst of the earth," was visible earth wide, and was so fruitful that it provided food for all flesh.

There was much more to the dream, for Nebuchadnezzar added: "I continued beholding  in the visions of my head upon my bed, and look! A watcher, even a holy one, coming down from the heavens themselves. He was calling out loudly, and this is what he was saying: 'Chop the tree down, and cut off its boughs.  Shake off its foliage, and scatter its fruitage.  Let the beast flee from under it, and birds from its boughs.  However, leave its rootstock itself in the earth, even with a banding of iron and of copper, among the grass of the field; and with the dew of the heavens let it be wet, and with the beast let is portion be among the vegetation of the earth.'  " -Daniel 4:13-15. 

The Babylonians had their won religious concept of good and evil spirit creatures.  But who was this "watcher," or sentinel, from heaven?  Called "a holy one,"  he was a righteous angel representing God.  (Compare Psalm 103:20, 21) Imagine the questions that must have plagued Nebuchadnezzar!  Why chop this tree down?  What good is the rootstock restrained from growth by bands of iron and of copper?  Indeed, what purpose is served by a mere stump? 

Nebuchadnezzer must have been completely mystified as he heard the watcher's further words:  "Let its heart be changed  from that of mankind, and let the heart of the bast be given to it, and let seven times seven times pass over it.  By the decree of the watchers the thing is, and by the saying of the holy ones the request is, to the intent that people living my know that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind and that to the one whom he wants to he gives it and he sets up over it even the lowliest one of mankind."  (Daniel 4:16, 17)  The rootstock of a tree does not have a human heart beating inside it.  For that matter, how can the heart of the beast be given to a tree's rootstock?  What are  the "seven times?" And how does all of this relate to rulership in "the kingdom of mankind?"  Surely Nebuchadnezzar wanted to know. 

Next time: BAD NEWS FOR KING

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

THE KING MAGNIFIES THE MOST HIGH

Shortly after his recovery from that complete mental collapse, Nebuchadnezzar sent throughout his realm a remarkable report of what had occurred.  Jehovah inspired the prophet Daniel to preserve an accurate record of these events.  It begins with these words: "Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all the peoples, national groups and languages that are dwelling  in all the earth:  May your peace grow great.  The signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed with me, it has seemed good to me to declare.  How grand his signs are, and how mighty his wonders are! His kingdom is a kingdom to time indefinite, and his rulership is for generation after generation." -Daniel 4:1-3.

Nebuchadnezzar's subjects were "dwelling in all the earth"-his empire embracing most of the world of Bible record.  Regarding Daniel's God, the king said: "His kingdom is a kingdom to time indefinite."  How those words magnified Jehovah throughout the Babylonian Empire!   Moreover, this was the second time that Nebuchadnezzar had been shown that the Kingdom of God alone is eternal, standing "to times indefinite." -Daniel 2:44. 

What "signs and wonders" did "the Most High God" perform?  These began with the king's personal experience related in these words:  "I, Nebuchadnezzar, happened to be at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace.  There was a dream that I beheld, and it began to make me afraid.  And there were mental images upon my bed and visions of my head that began to frighten me." (Daniel 4:4, 5)  What did the Babylonian king do about this disturbing dream? 

Nebuchadnezzar summoned Babylon's wise men and told them the dream.  But how they failed!  They were totally unable to provide interpretation.  The record added: "At last there came in before me Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar according to the name of my god and in whom there the spirit of the holy gods; and before him I said what the dream was." (Daniel 4:6-8)  Daniels' court name was Belteshazzar , and the false deity that the king  called "my god" may have been  either Bel or Nebo or Marduk.  Being polytheistic, Nebuchadnezzar viewed Daniel as one in whom there was "the spirit of the holy gods." And because of Daniel's position as prefect over all of Babylon's wise men, the king referred to him as "the chief of the magic-practicing priests." (Daniel 2:48; 4:9; compare Daniel 1:20.) Of course, faithful Daniel never abandoned the worship of Jehovah to practice magic. -Leviticus 19:26; Deuteronomy 18:10-12. 

Next time: AN IMMENSE TREE

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF THE GREAT TREE; CHAPTER SIX

JEHOVAH allowed King Nebuchadnezzar to become a world ruler. As Babylon's monarch, he had great wealth, a sumptuous table, a grand palace-everything he desired in a material way.  But suddenly he suffered humiliation. Becoming mentally deranged, Nebuchadnezzar acted like a beast!  Driven away from the royal talbe and the imperial residence, he lived in the fields and ate grass like  a bull.  What led up to this calamity?   And why should it concern us? -Compare Job 12:17-19;  Ecclesiastes 6:1, 2.

Next time: THE KING MAGNIFIES THE MOST HIGH

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

FAITH AND THE CRUCIBLE TODAY

Today, worshipers of Jehovah face circumstances similar to those of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  Granted, God's people may not be exiles in a literal sense. Yet, Jesus said that his followers would be "no part of this world." (John 17:14)   They are "foreigners" in that they do not adopt unscriptural  customs, attitudes, and practices of those around them. As the apostle Paul wrote, Christians are to "quit being fashioned after this system of things." -Romans 12:2.

The three Hebrews refused to be fashioned after the Babylonian system.  Even thorough instruction in Chaldean wisdom did not sway them.  Their position in the matter of worship was nonnegotiable, and their allegiance was to Jehovah. Christians today need to be just as steadfast.  They need not be ashamed because they are different from those in the world.  Indeed, "the world is passing away and so is its desire." (1 John 2:17)  So  it would be foolish and futile to conform to this dying system of things.

Christians need to be on guard against every form of idolatry, including subtle forms. (1 John 5:21)  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego obediently and respectfully stood before the golden image, but they realized that bowing before it was more than a mere gesture of respect. It was an act of worship, and participation would incur Jehovah's wrath.  (Deuteronomy 5:8-10)  John F. Walvoord writes:  "It was in effect a saluting of the flag although, because of the interrelationship of religious with national loyalties, it may also have had religious connotation."  Today, true Christians take an equally firm stand against idolatry.  

(note: saluting the flag or putting your hand over your heart to the flag,  is also a form of idolatry and singing the star spangled banner and other state or nation songs,  is  as well)

The Bible account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego provides a sterling object lesson for all you are determined to render exclusive devotion to Jehovah.  The apostle Paul evidently had these three Hebrews in mind when he spoke of many who exercised faith, including those who "stayed the force of fire."  (Hebrews 11:33, 34)  Jehovah will reward all who imitate such faith.  The three Hebrews were delivered from the fiery furnace, but we can be sure that he will resurrect all loyal  ones who lose their lives as integrity keepers and will bless them with everlasting life.  Either way, Jehovah "is guarding the souls of his loyal ones; out of the hand of the wicked ones he delivers them." -Psalm 97:10. 

Next time: UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF THE GREAT TREE; CHAPTER SIX

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

INTO THE FIERY FURNACE

Infuriated, Nebuchadnezzar commanded that his servants heat up the furnace seven times hotter than usual.  Then he ordered "certain able-bodied men of vital energy" to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to throw them into the "burning fiery furnace."  They followed the king's orders, casting the three Hebrews into the fire, bound and fully clothed-perhaps so that  they would be consumed all the more quickly.  However, Nebuchadnezzar's henchmen themselves were the ones who were killed by the flames. -Daniel 3:19-22. 

But something extraordinary was happening.  Although Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were in the midst of the fiery furnace, the flames were not consuming them.  Imagine Nebuchadnezzar's  astonishment!  They had been thrown into a blazing fire, securely bound, but they were still alive.  Why, they were walking about freely in the fire!  But Nebuchadnezzar noticed something else.  "Was it not three able-bodied men that we threw bound into the midst of the fire?"  He asked his high royal officials.  "Yes, O king," they answered. "Look!" Nebuchadnezzar cried out, "I am beholding four able-bodied men waling about free in the midst of the fire, and there is no hurt to them, and the appearance of the fourth one is resembling a son of the gods." -Daniel 3:23-25. 

Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the fiery furnace.  "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the most high God," he called out, "step out and come here!" The three Hebrews  walked out of the midst of the fire.  No doubt all who were eyewitnesses of this miracle-including the satraps, prefects, governors, and high officials-were stunned.  Why, it was as if these three young men had not come onto them, and not a hair of their heads had been singed. -Daniel 3:26, 27. 

Now King Nebuchadnezzar was forced to acknowledge that Jehovah is the Most High God.  "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego," he declared, "who sent his angel and rescued his servants that trusted in him and that changed the very word of the king and gave over their bodies, because they would not serve and would not worship any god at all except their own God." Then, the king added this stern warning: "From me an order is being put through, that any people, national group or language that says anything wrong against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego should be dismembered, and its house should be turned into a public privy; forasmuch as there does not exist another god that is able to deliver like this one." At that, the three Hebrew s were restored to royal favor in the jurisdictional district of Babylon.' - Daniel 3:28-30. 

Next time: FAITH AND THE CRUCIBLE TODAY

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

Conclusion of JEHOVAH'S SERVANTS REFUSE TO COMPROMISE

King Nebuchadnezzar was enraged. At once, he summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  He asked:  "Is it really so, O Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you are not serving my own gods, and the image of gold that I have set up you are not worshiping?"  No doubt Nebuchadnezzar spoke these words in shocked disbelief. After all, he must have reasoned, 'How could three men of sound mind disregard such a plain command-and one that carried such a severe penalty for disobedience?' -Daniel 3:13, 14. 

Nebuchadnezzar was willing to give the three Hebrews another chance.  "Now if you are ready," he said,  "so that when you hear the sound of the horn, the pipe, the zither, the triangular harp, the stringed instrument and the bagpipe and all sorts of musical instruments, you fall down and worship the image I have made, all right.  But if you do not worship, at the very same moment you will be thrown into the burning fiery furnace. And who is that god that can rescue you our of my hands?" -Daniel 3:15. 

Apparently, the lesson of the dram image (recorded in Daniel  chapter 2)  had left no lasting impression on Nebuchadnezzar's mind and heart. Perhaps he had already forgotten his own statement to Daniel:  "The God of you men is a God of gods and a Lord of Kings." (Daniel 2:47)  Now Nebuchadnezzar seemed to be challenging Jehovah, saying that  not even He could save the Hebrews from the punishment that awaited them. 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not need to reconsider matters.  Immediately they responded : "O Nebuchadnezzar, we are under no necessity in this regard to say back a word to you. If it is to be, our God whom  we are serving  is able to rescue us. Out of the burning fiery furnace and out of your hand, O king, he will rescue us.  But if not, let it become known to you, O king, that your gods are not the ones we are serving, and the image of gold that you have set up we will nor worship." -Daniel 3:16-18. 

Next time: INTO THE FIERY FURNACE!

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

JEHOVAH'S SERVANTS REFUSE TO COMPROMISE

Despite their devotion to various patron gods, most of those gathered before Nebuchadnezzar's image would have no qualms about worshiping it.  "They were all accustomed to worship idols, and the worship of one god did not prevent their doing homage also to another," explained one Bible scholar.  He continued:  "It accorded  with the prevailing views of idolaters that were many gods . . .and that it was not improper to render homage to the god of any people or country."

For the Jews, however, it was a different matter.  They had been commanded by their God, Jehovah: "You must not  make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion." (Exodus 20:4, 5) Therefore, as the music began and those gathered prostrated  themselves before the image, three young Hebrews -Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego-remained standing. -Daniel 3:7. 

The refusal of three Hebrew officials to worship the image infuriated certain Chaldeans. At once, they approached the king and "accused the Jews."  They were to be punished for disloyalty and treason, the accusers said:  "There exists certain Jews whom you appointed over the administration of the jurisdictional  district of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these able-bodied men  have paid no regard to you, O king, they are not serving your own gods, and the image of gold that you  have set up they are not worshiping." -Daniel 3:8-12. 

How it must have frustrated Nebuchadnezzar that the three Hebrews disobeyed his order! It was clear that he had not succeeded in turning  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into loyal advocates of the Babylonian Empire. Had he not educated them in the wisdom of the Chaldeans? Whey, he had even changed their names!  But if Nebuchadnezzar thought that a grandiose education would teach them a new way or worship or that changing their name would change their identities, he was sadly mistaken.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego remained loyal servants of Jehovah. 

Next time: Conclusion of; JEHOVAH'S SERVANTS REFUSE TO COMPROMISE

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

A GOLDEN IMAGE PRESENTS A THREAT

Evidently in an effort to strengthen the unity of his empire, Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden image on the plain of Dura. It was  60 cubits (90) feet in height and 6 cubits  (9 feet)  in breadth.  Some believe that the image was simply  a pillar, or an obelisk.  It may have had a very high pedestal on which there was a huge statue in human likeness, perhaps representing Nebuchadnezzar himself or the god Nebo.  Whatever the case, this towering monument was a symbol of the Babylonian Empire. As such, it was meant to be seen and revered. -Daniel 3:1. 

Accordingly, Nebuchadnezzar arranged an inauguration ceremony.  He gathered his satraps, prefects, governors, counselors, treasurers, judges, police magistrates, and all the administrators of the jurisdictional districts. A herald cried out:  "To you it is being said, O peoples, national groups and languages, that at the time that you hear the sound of the horn, the pipe, the zither, the triangular harp, the stringed instrument, the bagpipe and all sorts of musical instruments, you fall down and worship the image of gold that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up.  And whoever that does not fall down  and worship will  at the same moment be thrown into the burning fiery furnace." -Daniel 3:2-6.

Some believe that Nebuchadnezzar arranged for this ceremony in an attempt to force the Jews to compromise their worship of Jehovah.  Likely this was not the case, for evidently only government officials were called to the event.  Thus, the only Jews present would be those serving in some governmental capacity.  It seems, then, that bowing down before  the image was a ceremony intended to strengthen the solidarity of the ruling class.  Scholar John F. Walvoord notes:   "Such a display of officials was on the one hand a gratifying demonstration of the power of Nebuchadnezzar's empire an don the other hand was significant as recognizing the deities who in their thinking were responsible for their victories." 

Next time: JEHOVAH'S SERVANTS REFUSE TO COMPROMISE

From the book:  PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999 

Conclusion of THEIR FAITH SURVIVED THE CRUCIBLE

Really, a religious spirit  pervaded all of Babylon.  The city boasted more than 50 temples, at which a vast array of gods and goddesses were worshipped , including the triad of Anu (god of the sky), Enlil (god of the earth, air and storm), and Ea (god over the waters).  Another trinity was made up of Sin (the  moon-god), Shamash (the sun-god), and Ishtar (the fertility goddess). Magic, sorcery, and astrology played a prominent role in Babylonian worship.

Living amid people who venerated many gods posed a formidable challenge for the Jewish exiles. Centuries earlier, Moses had warned the Israelites  that there would be dire consequences if they chose to rebel against the Supreme Lawgiver.  Moses told them: "Jehovah will march you and your king whom you will set up over you to a nation whom you have not known, neither you nor your forefathers; and there you will have to sever other gods, of wood and  of stone." -Deuteronomy 28:15, 36. 

The Jews now found themselves in that very predicament.  Keeping integrity to Jehovah would be difficult, especially for Daniel, Hananial, Mishael, and Azariah.  These four  young Hebrews had been specially selected to receive training for governmental service.  (Daniel 1:3-5) Remember tha thtey had even been assigned Babylonian names-Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego-likely to influence them to conform to their new environment.  The high-profile positions of these men would make any refusal on their part to worship the gods of the land conspicuous-even treasonous. 

Next time: A GOLDEN IMAGE PRESENTS A THREAT


From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

THEIR FAITH SURVIVED THE CRUCIBLE; Chapter Five

SHOULD your devotion be directed to God or to the land in which you live?  Many would answer by saying, 'I pray homage to both. I worship God according to the dictates of my religion; at the same time, I pledge allegiance to my homeland.'

The line between religious and patriotism might seem blurred today, but in ancient Babylon it was virtually nonexistent.  Indeed, the civil and sacred were so entwined that that they were at times indistinguishable.  "In ancient Babylon," writes Professor Charles F. Pfeiffer, "the king served as both High Priest and civil ruler. He performed sacrifices and determined the religious life of his subjects."  

Consider King Nebuchadnezzar.  His very name means "O Nebo, Protect the Heir!"  Nebo was the Babylonian god of wisdom and agriculture. Nebuchadnezzar was a deeply religious man.  As noted earlier,m he built and beautified the temples of numerous Babylonian gods and was especially devoted to Marduk,to whom he credited his military victories.  It also appears that Nebuchadnezzar relied heavily upon divination to formulate his battle plans. -Ezekiel 21:18-23.

Next time: Conclusion of THEIR FAITH SURVIVED THE CRUCIBLE, Chapter Five

From the book:  PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

Conclusion of A WARRIOR KING BUILDS AN EMPIRE

Nebuchadnezzar's religious devotion went particularly to Marduk, the chief god of Babylon.  The king credited Marduk with all his conquests. In Babylon, he build and beautified the temples of Marduk and numerous other Babylon deities.  The image of gold set up on the plain of Dura may have been dedicated to Marduk. And Nebuchadnezzar appears to have relied heavily on divination in planning his military moves.

Nebuchadnezzar also took pride in restoring Babylon the greatest walled city of the time.  By completing the city's massive double walls that his father had started to build, Nebuchadnezzar  made the capital seemingly impregnable.   The king repaired an old palace in the heart of the city and built a summer palace one-and-a-half miles to the north.  To satisfy the Median queen, who longed for the hills and forests of her homeland, Nebuchadnezzar reportedly build the hanging gardens-rafted as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.  

"Is not this Babylon the Great, that I myself have built for the royal house with the strength of my might and for the dignity of my majesty?"  Boasted the king one day as he was walking about the royal palace  of Babylon.  "While the word was yet in the king's mouth," insanity struck him.  Unfit to rule for seven years, he ate vegetation, just as Daniel foretold. At the end of that period, the kingdom was restored to Nebuchadnezzar,m who reigned until his death in 582 B.C.E. -Daniel 4:30-36. 

Next time: THEIR FAITH SURVIVED THE CRUCIBLE; Chapter Five

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

Continue with A WARRIOR KING BUILDS AN EMPIRE

Nebuchadnezzar also conquered Tyre by laying siege to the city-a siege that lasted 13 years.  In the course of the siege, the heads of his soldiers were "made bald" from the chaffing of their helmets, and their shoulders were "rubbed bare" from carrying materials used in the construction of the siegeworks.  (Ezekiel 29:18)  Finally, Tyre capitulated to Babylonian forces.

The Babylonian king evidently  was a brilliant military strategist.  Some literary references, particularly of Babylonian origin, also described him as a just king.  While the Scriptures  do not specifically say that Nebuchadnezzar was just, the prophet Jeremiah said that even though Zedekiah had rebelled, the would be treated fairly "if he would go out to the princes of the king of Babylon.'  (Jeremiah 38:17, 18) And after the destruction of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar treated Jeremiah respectfully.  Concerning Jeremiah, the king commanded:  "Take him and keep your own eyes set upon him, and do not do to him anything at all.  But just as he may speak to you, so do with him." -Jeremiah 39:11, 12; 40:1-4. 

As an administrator, Nebuchadnezzar was quick to recognize the qualities and abilities of Daniel and his three companions-Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego-whose Hebrew names were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.  The king therefore used them in responsible positions in his kingdom. -Daniel 1:6, 7, 19-21; 2:49. 

Next time: Conclusion of A WARRIOR  KING BUILDS AN EMPIRE

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

A WARRIOR KING BUILDS AN EMPIRE

BABYLON'S crown prince and his army shatter the Egyptian forces of Pharaoh Necho at Carchemish, in Syria.  The defeated Egyptians flee south toward Egypt, and the Babylons pursue them.  But a message from Babylon compels the victorious  prince to abandon his pursuit.  The news is that his father, Nabopolassar, has died.  Charging his generals the responsibility  of bringing back the captives and the plunder, Nebuchadnezzar quickly returns home and takes the throne vacated by his father.

Nebuchadnezzar thus ascended the throne of Babylon in the year 624 B.C.E. and became the second ruler of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.  During his reign of 43 years he took possession of the territories once occupied by the Assyrian World Power and extended his domain, taking in Syria to the north and Palestine to the west down to the border of Egypt. 

In the fourth year of his reign (620 B.C.E.), Nebuchadnezzar made Judah his vassal kingdom. (2 Kings 24:1)  Three years later, a Judean rebellion brought Jerusalem under Babylonian siege. Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin, Daniel and others captive to Babylon.  The king also carried along some of the utensils of Jehovah's temple.  He made Jehoiachin's uncle, Zedekiah, vassal king of Judah. -2 Kings 24:2-17; Daniel 1:6, 7. 

Sometime later,  Zedekiah too rebelled, allying himself with Egypt.  Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem again, and in 607 B.C.E., he breached  its wall, burned the temple , and destroyed the city.  He slaughtered all of Zedekiah's sons and then blinded Zedekiah and bound him,  in order to take him as prisoner to Babylon.  Nebuchadnezzar took most of the people captive and transported the remaining temple utensils to Babylon.  "Thus Judah went in to exile from off its soil." -2 Kings 24:18-25:21.

Next time: Continue with A WARRIOR KING BUILDS AN EMPIRE 

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

'A MOUNTAIN FILLS THE EARTH'

When "the appointed times of the nations" ended in October 1914, "the God of heaven" establish the heavenly Kingdom by enthroning his anointed Son, Jesus Christ, as the "King of kings and Lord of lords." (Luke 21:24; Revelation 12:1-5; 19:16)  So it was that by divine power, not by human hands, the Messianic Kingdom "stone" was cut out of the "mountain" of Jehovah's universal sovereignty.  This heavenly government is in the hands of Jesus Christ, upon whom God has conferred immortality.  (Romans 6:9; 1 Timothy 6:15, 16)  Hence, this "kingdom of our Lord [God] and of his Christ"-an expression of Jehovah's universal sovereignty-will not be passed on to anyone else. It will stand forever. -Revelation 11:15. 

The birth of the Kingdom took place "in the days of those kings." (Daniel 2:44)  These were not only the kings pictured by the ten toes of the image but also those symbolized by its iron, copper, silver and gold parts. Although the Babylonian, Persian, Grecian, and Roman empires had passed away as world powers, their remnants still existed in 1914.  The Turkish Ottoman Empire then occupied the territory of Babylonia, and national governments were functioning in Persia (Iran) and Greece and Rome, Italy. 

God's heavenly Kingdom will soon strike the symbolic image on its feet. As a result, all the kingdoms pictured by it will be broken to pieces, bringing them to an end.  Indeed, at  "the war of the great day of God the Almighty," that "stone" will strike with such crushing impact that the image will be ground to powder and the wind of God's storm will sweep it away like the chaff of the wind of a threshing floor.  (Revelation 16:14, 16) Then, like the stone that grew to a mountainous size and filled the earth, God's Kingdom will become the governmental mountain that will affect "the whole earth." -Daniel 2:35.

Though the Messianic Kingdom is heavenly, it will extend its power toward our globe for the blessing of all obedient inhabitants  of the earth.  This stable government "will never be brought to ruin" or be "passed on to any other people."  Unlike the kingdoms of dying human rulers, "it itself will stand to times indefinite," forever.  (Daniel 2:44) May you have the privilege of being one of its subjects eternally. 

Next time: A WARRIOR KING BUILDS AN EMPIRE

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999 

A DRAMATIC CLIMAX!

Consider the climax of the dream. Daniel told the king:  "You kept on looking until a stone was cut out, not by hands, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and of molded clay and crushed them.  At that time the iron, the molded clay, the copper, the silver and the gold were, all together, crushed and became like the chaff from the summer threshing floor, and the wind carried them away so that  no trace at all was found of them. As as for the stone that struck the image, it became a large mountain and filled the whole earth." -Daniel 2:34, 35.

By way of explanation, the prophecy continued:  "In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people.  It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite; forasmuch as you beheld that out of the mountain a stone was cut not by hands, and that it crushed the iron, the copper, the molded clay, the silver and gold. The grand God himself had made known to the king what is to occur after this.  And the dream is reliable, and the interpretation of it is trustworthy." -Daniel 2:44, 45. 

Appreciating that his dream has been called to mind and explained, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged that only Daniel's  God was "a Lord of kings and a Revealer of secrets."  the king also gave Daniel and his three Hebrew companions positions of great responsibility.  (Daniel 2:46-49) What, though, is the modern-day significance of Daniel's 'trustworthy interpretation'? 

Next time: 'A Mountain FILLS THE EARTH' 

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

A FRAGILE AMALGAM

Daniel next told Nebuchadnezzar:  "Whereas you beheld the feet and the toes to be partly of molded clay of a potter and partly of iron, the kingdom itself will prove to be divided, but somewhat of the hardness of iron will prove to be in it,  forasmuch as you beheld the iron mixed with moist clay. And as for the toes of the feet being partly of molded clay, the kingdom will partly prove to be strong and will partly prove to be fragile. Whereas you beheld iron with moist clay, they will come to be mixed with the offspring of mankind; to that one, just as iron is not mixing with molded clay." -Daniel 2:41-43.

The succession of world powers represented by the various parts of the image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream began with the head and extended down to the feet. Logically, the feet and toes of "iron mixed with moist clay" would symbolized the final manifestation of human rule that would exist during "the time of the end." -Daniel 12:4.

At the dawn of the 20th century, the British Empire ruled over every fourth person on earthy. Other European empires controlled millions more. But World War I resulted in the emergence of groups of nations in place of empires.  After World War II, this trend accelerated.  As nationalism developed further, the number of nations in the world grew dramatically. The ten toes of the image represent all such coexisting powers and governments, for in the Bible the number ten signifies earthly completeness. -Compare Exodus 34:28; Matthew 25:1; Revelation 2:10.

Now that we are in "the time of the end,"  we have reached the feet of the image. Some of the governments pictured by the image's feet and toes of iron mixed with clay are ironlike-authoritarian or tyrannical.  Others are claylike.  In what way?  Daniel associated the clay with "the offspring of mankind."  (Daniel 2:43)  Despite the fragile nature of clay, of which the offspring of mankind are made, traditional ironlike rulerships have been obliged  to listen more and more to the common people, who want their say in governments ruling over them. (Job 10:9) But there is no sticking together of authoritarian rule and  the common people-no more than there could be a uniting of iron with clay.  At the time of the image's demise, the world will indeed be politically fragmented!  Will the divided condition of the feet and toes cause the entire image to collapse?  What will happen to the image?

Next time: A DRAMATIC CLIMAX

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

A KINGDOM THAT CRUSHES AND SHATTERS

Daniel continued his explanation o the dream image: "As for the fourth kingdom [after Babylon, Medo-Persian, and Greece], it will  prove to be strong like iron. Forasmuch as iron is crushing and grinding everything else, so, like iron that shatters, it will crush and shatter even all these." (Daniel 2:40) In its strength and ability to crush, this world power would be like iron-stronger than the empires represented by gold, silver or copper. The Roman Empire was such a power. 

Rome crushed and shattered the Grecian Empire and swallowed up remnants of the Medo-Persian and Babylonian world powers.  Showing no respect  for God's Kingdom proclaimed by Jesus Christ, it put him to death on a torture stake in 33 C.E. in an effort to shatter true Christianity, Rome persecuted Jesus' disciples. Moreover, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in 70 C.E. 

The iron legs of Nebuchadnezzar's dream image pictured not only the Roman Empire but also its political outgrowth.  Consider these words recorded at Revelation 17:10: "There are seven kings: five have fallen, one is, the other has not arrive, but when he does arrive he must remain a short while."  When the apostle John penned these words, he was being held exiled by the Romans, on the isle of Patmos.  The five fallen kings, or world powers were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece.  The sixth-the Roman Empire-was till in power.  But it also was to fall, an the seventh king would arise from one of Rome's captured territories.  What world power would that be? 

Britain was once a  northwestern part of the Roman Empire.  But by the year 1763, it had become the British Empire-the Britannia that rule the seven seas. By 1776 its 13 American colonies had declared their independence in order to set up the United States of America.  In later years, however, Britain and the United Sates became partners  in both war and peace.  Thus, the Anglo-American combination came into existence as the seventh world power of Bible prophecy.  Like the Roman Empire, it has proved to be  "strong like iron" exercising ironlike authority. The iron legs of the dream image thus include both the Roman Empire and the Anglo-American dual world power. 

Next time: A FRAGILE AMALGAM

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

A KINGDOM-VAST BUT INFERIOR

Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that the belly and thighs of the immense image constituted "another kingdom, a third one, of copper, that [would] rule over the whole earth." (Daniel 2:32, 39) This third kingdom would follow Babylonian and Medo-Persia.  As copper is inferior to silver, this new world power would be inferior to Medo-Persia in that it would not be honored with any privilege like that of liberating Jehovah's people.  However, the copperlike kingdom would"rule over the whole earth," indicating tha tit would be more extensive than either Babylonia or Medo-Persia. What do the facts of history bear out about this world power?  

Shortly after inheriting the throne of Macedonia in 336 B.C.E. at 20 years of age, ambitious Alexander III embarked upon campaign of conquest. Because of his military successes, he cam to be called Alexander the Great. Gaining one victory after another, he kept moving into the Persian domain.  When he defeated Darius III in battle at Guagamela in 331 B.C.E., the Persian Empire began to collapse and Alexander established Greece as the new world power. 

After the victory at Guagamela, Alexander went on to take the Persian capitals Babylon, Susa, Persepolis, and Ecbatana.  Subduing the rest of the Persian Empire, he extended his conquests into western India.  Greek colonies were established in the conquered lands. Thus, Greek language and culture spread throughout the realm.  The Grecian Empire, in fact, became  greater than any that had preceded it.  As Daniel had foretold, the copper kingdom 'ruled over the whole earth.'  One result of this was that Greek (Koine) became an international language.  With its capacity for accurate expression, it proved highly suitable for writing the Christian Greek Scriptures and for spreading the good news of God's Kingdom.

Alexander the Great lived only eight years as world ruler.  Young though he was, 32-year old Alexander fell ill after a banquet and died shortly thereafter, on June 13, 323 B.C.E. In time,  his huge empire was divided into four territories, each ruled by one of his generals.  Thus out of one great kingdom came four kingdoms that were eventually swallowed up by the Roman Empire.  The copperlike world power continued only until 30 B.C.E. when the last of these four kingdoms-the Ptolemaic dynasty ruling in Egypt-finally fell to Rome.

Next time: A KINGDOM THAT CRUSHES AND SHATTERS

From the book:  PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

EXILED PEOPLE FREED BY A KINGDOM

Medo-Persia replaced the Babylonian Empire as dominant world power in 539 B.C.E.   At 62 years of age, Darius the Mede became the first ruler of the conquered city of Babylon. (Daniel 5:30, 31)  For a short time, he and Cyrus the Persian reigned jointly over the Medo-Persian Empire.  When Darius died, Cyrus became the sole head of the Persian Empire.  For the Jews in Babylon, the reign of Cyrus meant release from captivity.  In 537 B.C.E., Cyrus issued a decree that allowed Jewish exiles in Babylon to return to their homeland and rebuild Jerusalem and Jehovah's temple. The typical kingdom if God, however, was not reestablished in Judah and Jerusalem. -2 Chronicles 36:22, 23; Ezra 1:1-2:2a. 

The silver breasts and arms of the dream image pictured the line of Persian kings beginning with Cyrus the Great.  That dynasty lasted for over 200 years. Cyrus is thought to have died while on a military campaign in 530 B.C.E.  Of some 12 kings that succeeded him to the throne of the Persian Empire, at least 2 dealt favorably  with Jehovah's chosen people.  One was Darius I (Persian) and the other was Artaxerxes I. 

Darius I was third in the line of Persian Kings after Cyrus the Great.  the preceding  two were  Cambyses II and his brother Bardiya (or perhaps a Magian pretender name Guamata.) By the time Darius I, also known as Darius the Great, ascended the throne in 521 B.C.E, the work of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem  was under ban. Upon uncovering the document containing Cyrus' decree in the archives at Ecbatana, Darius did more than remove the ban in 520 B.C.E. He also provided funds from the royal treasury for rebuilding the temple. -Ezra  6:1-12.

The next Persian ruler to assist in Jewish restoration efforts was Artaxerxes I, who succeeded his father Ahasuerus (Xerxes I)  in 475 B.C.E. Artaxerxes was surnamed Longimanus because his right hand was longer than the left. During the 20th year of his reign, in 455 B.C.E., he commissioned his Jewish cupbearer Nehemiah to be governor of Judah and to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. This action marked  the start of the 'seventy weeks of years' outlined in the 9th chapter of Daniel and set the dates for the appearance and the death of the Messiah, or Christ Jesus of Nazareth. -Daniel 9:24-27; Nehemiah 1:1; 2:1-18.

The last of the six kings to follow Artaxerxes I on the throne of the Persian Empire was Darius III.  His reign ended abruptly in 331 B.C.E. when he suffered a terrible defeat by Alexander the Great at Guagamela, near ancient  Nineveh.  This defeat ended the Medo-Persian World Power as symbolized by the silver p art of the image of Nebuchadnezzar's dream.  The power to come was superior in some ways, yet inferior in others.  This becomes clear as we listen to Daniel's further interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream.  (Note; Jehovah does not allow interpretations of dreams  anymore by anyone) 

Next time: A KINGDOM-VAST BUT INFERIOR

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

A KINGDOM OF EMINENT DISTINCTION

"You, O king, the king of kings, you to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the might, and the strength and the dignity, and into whose hand he has given, wherever the sons of mankind are dwelling, the beasts of the field and the winged creatures of the heavens, and whom he has made ruler over all of them, you yourself are the head of gold." (Daniel 2:37, 38)  These words apply to Nebuchadnezzar after Jehovah had used him to destroy Jerusalem, in 607 B.C.E. This is so because the kings enthroned in Jerusalem were from the line of David, Jehovah's anointed king. Jerusalem was the capital of Judah, the typical kingdom of God representing Jehovah's sovereignty over the earth.  With that city's destruction in 607 B.C.E., this typical kingdom of God ceased to exist.  (1 Chronicles 29:23; 2 Chronicles 36:17-21)  The successive world powers  represented by the metallic parts of the image could now e4xercise world domination without interference from God's typical kingdom. As the head of gold, the most precious metal known in ancient times, Nebuchadnezaar had had the distinction of overturning that kingdom by destroying Jerusalem. 

Nebuchadnezzar, who reigned for 43 years, headed a dynasty that ruled over the Babylonian Empire.  It included his son-in-law Nabonidus and his oldest son, Evil-merodach. That dynasty continued for 43 more years, until the death of Nabonidus' son Belshazzar, in 539 B.C.E. (2 Kings 25:27; Daniel 5:30) So the head of gold in the dream image represented not just Nebuchadnezzar but the entire Babylonian line of rulership. 

Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar:  "After you there will rise another kingdom inferior to you." (Daniel 2:39)   A kingdom symbolized  by the image's breasts and arms of silver would succeed Nebuchadnezzar's dynasty.  Some 200 years earlier, Isaiah had foretold this kingdom, even giving the name of its victorious king-Cyrus. (Isaiah 13:1-7; 21:2-9; 44:24-45:7, 13)  This was the Medo-Persian  Empire.  Even though Medo-Persia developed a great civilization that was not secondary to that of the Babylonian Empire, this later kingdom is represented by silver, a metal less precious than gold.  It was inferior to the Babylonian World Power in that it did not have the distinction of overturning Judah, the typical kingdom of God with its capital  at  Jerusalem.

Some 60 years after interpreting the dream, Daniel witnessed the end of Nebuchadnezzar's dynasty.  Daniel was presented  on the night of October 5/6, 539 B.C.E., when the Medo-Persian army took seemingly impregnable Babylon and executed King Belshazzar.  With the death of Belshazzar, the golden head of the dream image-the Babylonian Empire -ceased to exist.  

Next time: EXILED PEOPLE FREED BY A KINGDOM 

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

THE DREAM-REMEMBERED

Nebuchadnezzar listened intently as Daniel explained:  "You, O king, happened to be beholding, and, look! a certain immense image.  That image, which was large and the brightness of which was extraordinary, was standing in front of you,and its appearance was dreadful. As regards that image, its head was of good gold, its breasts and its arms were of silver, its belly and its thighs  were of copper, its legs were of iron, its feet were partly of molded clay. You kept on looking until a stone was cut out not by hands, and it struck the image on its feet of iron, the molded clay and crushed them. At that time the iron, the molded clay, the copper, the silver and the gold were, all together, crushed and became like the chaff from the summer threshing floor, and the wind carried them away so that no trace at all was found of them.  And as for the stone that struck the image, it became a large mountain and filled the whole earth." -Daniel 2:31-35. 

How thrilled Nebuchadnezzar must have been to hear Daniel unfold the dream! But wait! Babylon's wise men would be spared only if Daniel also interpreted the dream. Speaking for himself and his three Hebrew friends, Daniel declared:  "This is the dream, and its interpretation we shall say before the king." -Daniel 2:36. 

Next time: A KINGDOM OF EMINENT DISTINCTION 

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

DANIEL COMES TO THE RESCUE

After learning the reason for Nebuchadnezzar's harsh decree, "Daniel himself went in and asked from the king that he should give him time expressly to show the very interpretation to the king."  This was granted.  Daniel returned  to his house, and he and his three Hebrew friends prayed, asking "for mercies on the part of  the God of heaven concerning this secret."  In a vision that very night, Jehovah revealed to Daniel the secret of the dream. Gratefully, Daniel said:  "Let the name of God become blessed from time indefinite even to time indefinite, for wisdom and mightiness-for they belong to him. And he is changing times and seasons, removing kings and setting up kings, giving wisdom to the wise ones and knowledge to those knowing discernment.  He is revealing the deep things and the concealed things, knowing what is in the darkness; and with him the light does dwell."  For such insight Daniel praised Jehovah. -Daniel 2:15-23. 

The following day, Daniel approached Arioch, the chief of the bodyguard, who had been appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon.  Upon learning that Daniel could interpret the dream, Arioch rushed him to the king.  Taking no credit for himself, Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar:  "There exists a God in the heavens who is a Revealer of secrets, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what is to occur  in the final part of the days."  Daniel was ready to reveal not only the future of the Babylonian Empire but and outline of world events from Nebuchadnezzar's day to our time and beyond. -Daniel 2:24-30. 

Next time: THE DREAM-REMEMBERED

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999 

THE RISE AND FALL OF AN IMMENSE IMAGE; Chapter Four

A DECADE has passed since King Nebuchadnezzar brought Daniel and other "foremost men of the land" if Judah into captivity in Babylon. (2 Kings 24:15) Young Daniel is serving in the king's court when a life-threatening situation arises.  Why should this interest us?  Because the way that Jehovah God intervenes in the matter not only saves the lives of Daniel and others but also gives us a view of the march of world powers of Bible prophecy leading into our times. 

A MONARCH FACES A DIFFICULT PROBLEM 

"In the second year of the kingship of Nebuchadnezzar," wrote the prophet Daniel, "Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams;and his spirit began to feel agitated, and his very sleep was made to be something beyond him." (Daniel 2:1)  The dreamer was Nebuchadnezzar,the king of the Babylonian Empire.  He had effectively  become world ruler in 607 B.C.E. when Jehovah God allowed him to destroy Jerusalem and its temple.  In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign as world ruler (607/605 B.C.E.), God sent him a terrifying dream. 

This dream distressed Nebuchadnezzar so much that he could not sleep. Naturally, he was anxious to know its meaning.  But the mighty king had forgotten the dream!  So he summoned Babylon's magicians, enchanters, and sorcerers, and he demanded that they relate the dream and interpret it.  The task was beyond them.  Their failure so infuriated Nebuchadnezzar that he issued a command "to destroy all the wise men of Babylon."  This decree would bring the prophet Daniel face-to-face with the appointed executioner. Why?   Because he and his three Hebrew companions-Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah-were counted among the wise men of Babylon.-Daniel 2:2-14. 

Next time: DANIEL TO THE RESCUE

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

FAITHFUL TO THE END

The strong faith of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah is dramatically illustrated in Daniel chapter 3, in connection  with Nebuchadnezzar's golden image on the plain of Dura and the test of fiery furnace. Those God-fearing Hebrews unquestioningly remained faithful to Jehovah till their death. We know this because the apostle Paul undoubtedly alluded to them when he wrote about those  "who through faith . . . stayed the force of fire."  (Hebrews 11:33, 34)  They are outstanding examples for servants of Jehovah, young and old. 

As for Daniel, the closing verse of chapter 1 says: "Daniel continued on until the first year of Cyrus the king." History  reveals that Cyrus overthrew Babylon in one night, in 539 B.C.E. Evidently owing to his reputation and stature, Daniel continued to serve in the court of Cyrus .  In fact, Daniel 10:1 tells us that "in the third year of Cyrus the king of Persia," Jehovah revealed a noteworthy matter to Daniel. If he was a teenager when he was brought to Babylon in 617  B.C.E., he would have been nearly 100 years old when he receive that  final vision. what a long and blessed career of faithful service to Jehovah!

The opening chapter of the book of Daniel tells more than a story of four faithful young people successfully meeting tests of faith.  It shows us how Jehovah can use whomever he wishes to accomplish his purpose .  The account proves  that if permitted by Jehovah, what might seem to be a calamity can serve a useful purpose. And it tells us that faithfulness in little things brings a large reward. 

Next time: THE RISE AND FALL OF AN IMMENSE IMAGE;  Chapter Four

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

FINALLY, THE CRUCIAL TEST

The three years of reeducation and grooming ended. Next  came the crucial test-a personal interview with the king.  "At the end of the days that the king had said to bring them in, the principal court official also proceeded to bring them in before Nebuchadnezzar."  (Daniel 1:18) It was time for the four youths to render an account of themselves. Would sticking to Jehovah's laws rather then giving in to Babylonian ways prove beneficial for them?

"The king began to speak with them, and out of them all no one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; and they continued to stand before  the king." (Daniel 1:19)  What a complete vindication of their course of action for the preceding three years!  It had been no madness on their part to stick to a regimen dictated by their faith and conscience.  By being faithful in what might have seemed to be  least, Daniel and his friends were blessed  with greater things.  The privilege "to stand before the king" was the objective sought by all the young people in the training program.  Whether the four Hebrew youths were the only ones selected, the Bible does not say.  In any case, their faithful course did indeed bring them "a large reward." -Psalm 19:11.

Have you beheld a man skillful in his work?  Before kings is where he will station himself," says the Scriptures.  (Proverbs 22:29) Thus, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were chosen by Nebuchadnezzar to stand before the king, that is, to be a part of the royal court.  In all of this, we can see Jehovah's hand maneuvering matters so that through these young men-especially through Daniel-important aspects of the divine purpose would be made known.  Though being selected to be a part of Nebuchadnezzar's royal court was an honor, it was far greater honor to be used in such a marvelous way by the Universal King, Jehovah. 

Nebuchadnezzar soon found out that the wisdom and insight Jehovah has granted the four Hebrew youths was far superior to that possessed by all the counselors and wise men in his court.  "As regards every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king inquired about from them, he even got to find them ten times better than all the magic-practicing priests and the conjurers that were in all his royal realm." (Daniel 1:20)  How could it be otherwise? The "magic-practicing priests" and "conjurers" relied on the mundane and superstitious learning of Babylon, whereas Daniel and his friends put their trust in wisdom from above. There simply could be no comparison-no contest! 

Things really have not changed much down through the ages, in the first century C.E., when Greek philosophy and Roman law were in vogue, the apostle Paul was inspired to write: "The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it is written: 'He catches the wise in their own cunning.' And again: 'Jehovah knows that the reasonings of the wise men are futile.'  Hence let no one be boasting in men."  (1 Corinthians 3:19-21)  Today, we need to hold firmly to what Jehovah has taught us and not be easily swayed by the glamour and glitter of the world. -1 John 2:15-17. (note: because the glamour and glitter of the world is Satan pulling you into his trap) 

Next time: FAITHFUL TO THE END 

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999 

INSIGHT AND WISDOM IN PLACE OF DELICACIES AND WINE

The ten days were just a test, but the results were most convincing.  "So the guardian kept on taking away their delicacies and their drinking wine and giving them vegetables."  (Daniel 1:16) It is not difficult to imagine what the other youths in the training program thought of Daniel and his companions.  Turning down a king's feast for vegetables every day must have seemed very foolish to them.  But great tests and trials were looming on the horizon, and these would call for all the alertness and sobriety the young Hebrews could muster. Above all, it was their faith and trust in Jehovah that would see them through their tests of faith. -Compare Joshua 1:7. 

Evidence that Jehovah was with these young people can be seen in what is next said:  "As for these children, the four of them , to them the true God gave knowledge and insight in all writing and wisdom; and Daniel himself had understanding in all sorts of visions and dreams."  (Daniel 1:17)  To deal with the difficult  times that were coming, they needed more than physical strength and good health.  "When wisdom enters into your heart and knowledge itself will keep guard over you, discernment itself will safeguard you, to deliver you from the bad way."  (Proverbs 2:10-12)  That was precisely what Jehovah  bestowed upon the four faithful youths to equip them for what lay ahead. 

It is stated that Daniel  "had understanding in all sorts of visions and dreams."  This is not in the sense that he had become psychic. Interestingly, though, Daniel is regarded as one of the great Hebrew prophets, he was never inspired  to utter such declaration as "this is what Jehovah of armies has said."  (Isaiah 28:16;p Jeremiah 6:9)  Yet, it was only under the guidance of God's holy spirit that Daniel was able to understand and interpret visions and dreams that revealed Jehovah's purpose. 

Next time: FINALLY, THE CRUCIAL TEST

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

A TEN-DAY TEST PROPOSED

To the guardian, Daniel proposed a test, saying: "Please, put your servants to the test for ten day, and let them give us some vegetables that we may eat and water that we may drink; and let our countenances and the countenances of the  children who are eating the delicacies of the king appear before you, and according to what you see do with your servants." -Daniel 1:12, 13.

Ten days on 'vegetables and water'-would they become "dejected looking" as compared  with the others?  "Vegetables" is translated from a Hebrew word that basically means "seeds."  Certain Bible translations render it as "pulse," which is defined as "the edible seeds of various leguminous crops (as peas, beans or lentils)."  Some scholars feel that the context indicates a diet including more than just edible sees.  One reference work states:  "What Daniel and his companions were requesting was the plain vegetable fare of the general populace rather than the richer, meaty diet of the royal table."  Thus vegetables could have included nourishing dishes prepared with beans, cucumbers, garlic, leeks, melons, and onions and bread made from various grains.  Surely no one would consider that a starvation diet.  Apparently the guardians saw the point.  "Finally he listened to them as regards this matter and put them to the test for ten days." (Daniel 1:14) What was the result?

At the end of ten days their countenances appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the children who were eating delicacies  of the king." (Daniel 1:15) This is not to be taken as evidence that a vegetarian diet is superior to a richer, meaty one. Ten days is short time for any kind of diet to produce tangible results, but it is not too short for Jehovah to accomplish his purpose.  "The blessing of Jehovah-that is what makes rich, and he adds no pain with it," says his Word. (Proverbs 10:22) The four young Hebrews put their faith and trust in Jehovah, and did not abandon them. Centuries later, Jesus Christ survived without food for 30 days.  In this regard, he quoted the words found at Deuteronomy 8:3, where we read: "Not by bread alone does man live but by every expression of Jehovah's mouth does man live."  Of this, the experience of Daniel and his friends is a classic example. 

Next time: INSIGHT AND WISDOM IN PLACE OF DELICACIES AND WINE

 From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999

COURAGE AND PERSISTENCE WERE REWARDING

Having resolved in his heart to resist corrupting influences, Daniel proceeded to act in harmony with his decision.  "He kept requesting of the principal court official that he might not pollute himself." (Daniel 1:8b)  "Kept requesting"-that is a noteworthy expression.  Most often, persistent effort is  needed if we hope to be successful in fighting off temptations or overcoming certain weaknesses. -Galatians 6:9. 

In Daniel's case, persistence paid off.  "Accordingly the true God gave Daniel over to loving-kindness and to mercy before the principle court official." (Daniel 1:9) It was not because Daniel and his companions were personable and intelligent individuals that things eventually worked out well for them.  Rather, it was because of Jehovah's blessing.  Daniel undoubtedly  remembered the Hebrew proverb: "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding.  In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5, 6) Following that counsel was rewarding indeed. 

At first, the principal court official objected:  "I am in fear of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink.  Why, then, should he see your faces dejected-looking in comparison to the children who are of the same age as yours, and why should you have to make my head guilty to the king?"  (Daniel 1:10)  These were legitimate objections and fears.  King Nebuchadnezzar  was not one to take no for an answer, and the official realized that his "head" would be in jeopardy  if he were to go against the king's instructions.  What would Daniel do?

This was where insight and wisdom came into play.  Young Daniel probably remembered the proverb:  "An answer when mild, turns away rage, but a word causing pain makes anger to come up." (Proverbs 15:1)  Instead of stubbornly insisting that his request be granted and possibly  provoking others to make a martyr out of him, Daniel let the matter rest.  At the right time, he approached "the guardian," who was perhaps more willing to allow a little leeway because he was not directly accountable to the king. -Daniel 1:11.

Next time: A TEN-DAY TEST PROPOSED 

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999