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