FOUR WORDS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD:CHAPTER SEVEN

FOUR simple words written on  a plastered wall. Yet, those four words frightened a powerful ruler nearly out of his wits.  They heralded the dethroning of two kings, the death of one of them, and the end of a mighty world power.  Those words resulted in the humiliation of a revered religious order.  Most important, they exalted the pure worship of Jehovah and reaffirmed his sovereignty at a time when most people showed little regard for either one.  Why, those words even shed light on world events today! How could four words  do all of that? Let us see.

Decades had passed since the events described in the 4th chapter of Daniel. Proud King Nebuchadnezzar's 43-year old reign in Babylon ended with his death in 582 B.C.E. A series of successors came from his family, but early death or assassination ended with the rule of one after another.  Finally, a man name Nabonidus gained the throne by means of a revolt.  Son of a high priestess of the mood-god Sin, Nebonidus evidently was unrelated by blood to Babylon's royal house.  Some authorities suggest  that he married a daughter of Nebuchadnezzar to legitimize his own rule, made their son Belshazzar his coregent, and left him in charge of Babylon for years at a time.  In that case, Belshazzar would have been Nebuchadnezzar's grandson.  From his grandfather's experiences, had he learned that Jehovah is the Supreme God, able to humiliate any king?  Hardly! -Daniel 4:37.

Next time:  A FEAST GETS OUT OF CONTROL

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