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Darius was sixty-two years old when he led the Medo-Persian army to victory in the city of Babylon (Daniel 5:30-31). He had been born in 601 B.C., the son of Ahasruerus (Daniel 9:1), when Daniel and his friends were teenagers. In the cuneiform texts, Darius is known as Gubaru I. Archaeology has revealed that Gubaru I – Daniel’s Darius – was the general who led the Medo-Persians to victory over Babylon. After the victory he remained in Babylon and became the governor of the city and was responsible for establishing the administration of the Medo-Persian empire. The cuneiform texts say that he died one year after his glorious victory. When the Babylonian Empire was defeated in 539 B.C., Daniel was in his eighties. Yet, he desired to help this younger man. What a wonderful saint Daniel was!

Position and Power

There must have been excitement among the Medo-Persians over the long, hard fought victory. But scripture does not give us any details of the conquest, the victory celebration, Daniel’s rise to a position of authority, or Darius’ religious beliefs. God is only interested in challenging us with several examples of the spiritual character of His servant Daniel. But chapter six starts by telling us that Daniel was back in a leadership position, but this time he is with the Medo-Persian Empire.

It seemed good to Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, that they should be in charge of the whole kingdom, and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one), that these satraps might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss. Daniel 6:1-2 (NASB)

We discover that Daniel and two other unknown commissioners were given oversight over one hundred and twenty satraps. That is a lot of responsibility. Many have disputed this number by citing the ancient writer Herodotus, but other ancient historians provide information that support the statements of Daniel.

Satraps and Commissioners

The satraps had responsibility for managing the different provinces and various levels of government throughout the kingdom. They had responsibility for collecting taxes, sending recruits to Babylon for the army, and suppressing crime.

We understand that Babylon had royal inspectors who had the responsibility to visit the different provinces over which the satraps ruled and to check them out. These royal inspectors were spies for the government. They were the king’s eyes and ears. It was their job to make sure the king did not suffer loss. They reported any wrong doing such as graft or dishonest government officials back to Babylon. It appears from Daniel 6:2 that they reported to Daniel and the other two commissioners.

Trouble Is Coming

After awhile Darius began to notice that Daniel was a better commissioner than the other two, and planned to promote him.

Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom. Daniel 6:3 (NASB)

The other commissioners were disturbed with this plan. Is it possible that Daniel and his royal inspectors were more honest and Darius knew it? Were the other two commissioners taking bribes along with their royal inspectors and fearing what would happen when Daniel was promoted? They were disturbed over something and so they tried to find some fault with Daniel.

Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. Daniel 6:4 (NASB)

But they could not find anything wrong. Now we would say that Daniel was ethical, loyal, and responsible. Today some companies are training their employees to be “ethical” rather than teaching God’s ethics – the righteous standard of God as found in the Bible. Daniel did not need ethical training. He had the Word of Truth.

Our Heel

Someone recently said “the lead guy is always the target.” That is true. But when the person is a Christian, he or she does not need to be the “lead guy” to come under attack. Satan is attacking if a Christian is seeking to please the Lord. Attacks within the church usually come from poor understanding of the Bible, empire building, and an unwillingness to change. A serious and common “Achilles Heel” for Christians is a desire to please others – both Christians and non-Christians. Daniel wanted to please only God and so it is no surprise that trouble came.

Since these men could not find anything wrong with Daniel, they decided to create a situation and have Daniel killed.

Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.” Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: “King Darius, live forever! All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions’ den. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.” Daniel 6:5-8 (NASB)

Darius did not realize what they were doing and signed the document.

Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction. Daniel 6:9 (NASB)

Faithful Daniel

The document was signed but Daniel did not care.

Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Daniel 6:10 (NASB)

Daniel did what he had always done. He prayed with the windows open. Everyone could see. The next verse tells us that these men knew where to find Daniel.

Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. Daniel 6:11 (NASB)

What would you have done? Some of us would have stopped praying reasoning to ourselves that God could not use us if we were dead. How could we be a witnesses if we were dead? Others would have closed the windows to protect themselves. Still some would have said, “I can pray in my head I do not really need to pray on my knees with the window open.” But not Daniel. He was not afraid. He was faithful. What would you have done? What will you do if persecution comes your way?

What did the early Christians do when they were warned by government officials to stop sharing Jesus? The answer is found in Acts 4.

And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Thy bond-servants may speak Thy word with all confidence, while Thou dost extend Thy hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Thy holy servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31 (NASB)

They prayed for boldness and they continued doing what they had been doing. They did not rationalize their situation into accommodation.

The Caring King

So the other two commissioners along with other government officials eagerly went to Darius with their evidence.

Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king’s injunction, “Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions’ den?” The king answered and said, “The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked. Then they answered and spoke before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day.” Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. Daniel 6:12-14 (NASB)

Finally, Darius understood that he had made a mistake. He was slow to understand. Once he understood what was happening, he tried to free Daniel. But the two commissioners along with other government officials finally realized that Darius did not want to kill Daniel. So these bold men came to Darius and pushed him into the decision.

Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.” Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” And a stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing might be changed in regard to Daniel. Daniel 6:15-17 (NASB)

Darius tried to encourage Daniel with, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.”

God’s Miracle

So with Daniel in the lions den, Darius left and struggled to go to sleep. In spite of his statement of encouragement, he worried about what would happen to Daniel.

Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. Then the king arose with the dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions’ den. And when he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.” Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Daniel 6:18-23 (NASB)

In the morning, Darius rushed to see if Daniel was alive. Daniel was alive and Darius was very pleased. God had chosen to save Daniel. Apparently after the thirty days (verse 7) had passed, Darius ordered Daniel’s enemies killed.

The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children, and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. Daniel 6:24 (NASB)

Then he issued an edict which gave glory, praise and honor to God.

Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations, and men of every language who were living in all the land: “May your peace abound! I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel; For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever. He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” Daniel 6:25-27 (NASB)

What a miracle God performed.

So this Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Daniel 6:28 (NASB)

Conclusion

I believe that God included this event as one more reminder that He wants us to be faithful to Him no matter what happens to us. God honored Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in Daniel 3:28 with Darius’ comment,

. . . . delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies. Daniel 3:28 (NASB)

They trusted God. God also honored bold Daniel with,

Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Daniel 6:23 (NASB)

The key to faithfulness is trust and boldness which comes through the Holy Spirit. Where are you? Are you faithful to Him or in compromise to people, situations, and circumstances? Are you trusting Him? Are you looking to the Spirit to empower you (Ephesians 5:17-18)? Are you willing to submit to His will? The great reformer Zwingle had this to say to us,

The blows by which people are attempting to subvert the house of God are so rude and the assaults so frequent, that it is not only the winds and rain that beat on it . . . but hail and lightning. Had I not noticed that the Lord was preserving the vessel, I would long ago have thrown the helm into the sea. I behold Him through the storm strengthening, adjusting the yards, spreading the sails, and commanding the very winds. Should I not, then, be a coward if I were to abandon my post? I commit myself wholly to His sovereign goodness! Let Him govern; let Him hurry or delay; let Him plunge us into the bottom of the sea; we will fear nothing!

 

Comments or Questions?

Night had come and midnight was approaching. Hours earlier the Medo-Persian army had slipped under the huge walls surrounding Babylon through the muddy, waterless Euphrates River. The army had diverted the river so that it could slip under the huge wall and enter the city. As we come to Daniel 5, the Medo-Persian army is moving through the outer region of the city and approaching the king’s palace. Ancient historians tell us that when the Medo-Persian army had first approached the city of Babylon to conquer it, the military men on the city wall had teased them. The Babylonians trusted in their three hundred foot (one hundred meters) high wall which was fifty feet (seventeen meters) wide. The city had looked so impossible to defeat that the Medo-Persian army had left and defeated other Babylonian cities first. The victorious army had now returned and was searching for the palace. Xenophon recorded Cyrus, the king of the expanding Medo-Persian empire, as saying to his army on this night before they entered the city, “Tonight we go against them when some are asleep and some are drunk and all are unprepared.” That was the Babylonian New Year, the night when every good Babylonian citizen got drunk.

Happy New Year

The events of Daniel 5 occurred just before midnight on the night of this invasion. It was the New Year, and Belshazzar the king had invited his family and the government officials to a New Year’s party to get drunk. That was the goal of the evening according to ancient records.

Belshazzar the king held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he was drinking wine in the presence of the thousand. When Belshazzar tasted the wine, he gave orders to bring the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem, in order that the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God which was in Jerusalem; and the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. They drank the wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone. Daniel 5:1- 4 (NASB)

It was common for the king to invite his concubines and wives to attend a major Babylonian feast. Dancing girls and wine! This was an evening to pursue pleasure, and in his pursuit the king ordered the gold and silver vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem to be brought in. I am sure they thought this was great! He did not realize he was pursuing emptiness.

“Pleasure” Interrupted

God now interrupted the party with a riddle which frightened the king and his guests. Riddle, riddle on the wall, what have you written on the wall?

Suddenly the fingers of a man’s hand emerged and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, and the king saw the back of the hand that did the writing. Then the king’s face grew pale, and his thoughts alarmed him; and his hip joints went slack, and his knees began knocking together. Daniel 5:5-6 (NASB)

The The king panicked when he saw the fingers of a man’s hand appear out of nowhere. A riddle was written on the plaster wall. Archaeology has found a massive sixty-three foot by one hundred and seventy-three foot (nineteen meters by fifty-three) white plaster wall in the king’s palace in Babylonian ruins. Did the writing fill this wall?

In his panic, the king called for the “wise guys” of the kingdom to come and explain the writing.

The king called aloud to bring in the conjurers, the Chaldeans and the diviners. The king spoke and said to the wise men of Babylon, “Any man who can read this inscription and explain its interpretation to me will be clothed with purple, and have a necklace of gold around his neck, and have authority as third ruler in the kingdom.” Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the inscription or make known its interpretation to the king. Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, his face grew even paler, and his nobles were perplexed. Daniel 5:7-9 (NASB)

But these magicians, conjurers, sorcerers and Chaldeans – wise men – did not understand. In Aramaic the words seem to refer to money. That would have been confusing and would have made no sense. It is not surprising the king was over powered by fear. God had stepped in once more.

A Messenger of God

In walked the queen, Belshazzar’s mother with help. Apparently, she did not want to join this party. Did the queen not respect her son?

The queen entered the banquet hall because of the words of the king and his nobles; the queen spoke and said, “O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts alarm you or your face be pale. There is a man in your kingdom in whom is a spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, illumination, insight, and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him. And King Nebuchadnezzar, your father, your father the king, appointed him chief of the magicians, conjurers, Chaldeans, and diviners. This was because an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight, interpretation of dreams, explanation of enigmas, and solving of difficult problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Let Daniel now be summoned, and he will declare the interpretation.” Daniel 5:10-12 (NASB)

She had heard about the writing on the wall and she offered her advice, call for Daniel! The fearful king summoned Daniel.

Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel who is one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? Now I have heard about you that a spirit of the gods is in you, and that illumination, insight, and extraordinary wisdom have been found in you. Just now the wise men and the conjurers were brought in before me that they might read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they could not declare the interpretation of the message. But I personally have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Now if you are able to read the inscription and make its interpretation known to me, you will be clothed with purple and wear a necklace of gold around your neck, and you will have authority as the third ruler in the kingdom.” Daniel 5:13-16 (NASB)

Am Not Interested

When Daniel arrived, the king explained what had happened and offered Daniel gifts and a promotion to the third position within the kingdom if he would explain the meaning of the writing. Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus, who was the king of the Babylonian empire at this time. Belshazzar had been left at Babylon while dad commanded the empire’s army against Cyrus. So the offer of being “third ruler” would have placed Daniel just under Belshazzar, but Daniel was not interested.

Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Keep your gifts for yourself, or give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription to the king and make the interpretation known to him. O king, the Most High God granted sovereignty, grandeur, glory, and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father. And because of the grandeur which He bestowed on him, all the peoples, nations, and men of every language feared and trembled before him; whomever he wished he killed, and whomever he wished he spared alive; and whomever he wished he elevated, and whomever he wished he humbled. But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit became so proud that he behaved arrogantly, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken away from him. He was also driven away from mankind, and his heart was made like that of beasts, and his dwelling place was with the wild donkeys. He was given grass to eat like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he recognized that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind, and that He sets over it whomever He wishes. Yet you, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this, but you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines have been drinking wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which do not see, hear or understand. But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and your ways, you have not glorified. Then the hand was sent from Him, and this inscription was written out.” Daniel 5:17-24 (NASB)

Daniel’s response was almost insulting to the king when he said, “Keep your gifts for yourself.” He knew the end was coming. But Daniel did not miss the opportunity to remind Belshazzar of his great-grandfather’s pride and humiliation. That was the work of God Most High and He was now talking to Belshazzar. Pride was the problem of Nebuchadnezzar and it was the problem with Belshazzar!

What did God Say?

Daniel now gave the interpretation.

Now this is the inscription that was written out: ‘MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.’ This is the interpretation of the message: ‘MENE’ –God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it. ‘TEKEL’ –you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. ‘PERES’ –your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians. Daniel 5:25-28 (NASB)

The message was simple – it was over! Only the king and his party did not understand that the Medo-Persians were approaching the palace that very evening. History says the invasion was victorious shortly after midnight.

Then Belshazzar gave orders, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a necklace of gold around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that he now had authority as the third ruler in the kingdom. That same night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain. Daniel 5:29-30 (NASB)

The conquest was easy according to the Cyrus Cylinder which says,

When I entered Babylon I set-up the seat of government in the royal palace amidst jubilation and rejoicing.

The Babylonian Chronicle adds,

On 12 October, Ugbaru, governor of Gutium, and the troops of Cyrus entered Babylon without battle.

God had predicted this defeat of the Babylon Empire by the Medo-Persians. God also predicted that Babylon would never be lived in again and that prophecy has been fulfilled.

God has a message for all of us in this book. His Spirit has been speaking to us again. Have you gotten tired of it? The message is important because we have heard it for four chapters: Daniel 2, Daniel 3, Daniel 4, and now Daniel 5. The message is simple – our relationship with God Most High needs to change. Pride and arrogance are only the symptoms of a deeper spiritual problem. These occur when one fails to submit to God Most High AND fail to give Him the credit for every positive thing we accomplish in life. We all have this problem. Here is one illustration.

Two ducks were preparing for their annual flight south for the winter, when their friend Mr. Frog informed them of his desire to travel along too!. “You have no wings,” said the ducks. “No,” said the frog, “but if you two ducks will kindly hold this stick in your mouths, I will grasp it in the middle with my mouth, and we’ll all go along together. The whole thing was working out quite well. However, as they flew over a pasture, two cows looked up and saw the three. One of the cows commented, “Now there go a couple of intelligent ducks!” Mr. Frog heard this and, wanting to get full credit for his idea, said to the cows, “No, it was my id-eee-aa . . .”

Here are two more.

I often quote myself. It adds spice to my conversation.
George Bernard Shaw

Two well-bred female AKC-approved dogs were proudly strutting down the street with their noses held high in the air when along came a big alley dog, a mutt. Embarrassed at being in the company of such a no –account dog, one of the dogs said, “We must go, My name is Miji, spelled M-I-J-I.” The other one said, “My name is Miki, spelled “M-I-K-I.” The alley dog put his nose up in the air also and said, “My name is Fido, spelled “P-H-Y-D-E-A-U-X.”

Conclusion

What a contrast to Jesus! Jesus was not like this. He did not seek His own glory. Jesus gave all the glory and praise that was offered to Him to God the Father.

But I do not seek My glory . . . John 8:50 (NASB)

He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but he who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, he is true, and there is no unrighteousness in him. John 7:18 (NASB)

Jesus purposely directed the glory to His Father. He was in submission to the Father. Did you know that the mark of humility is submission? Have you ever wanted to be humble? Then submit! Submission is a mark that you are humble.

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 (NASB)

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” Submit therefore to God . . . James 4:6-7 (NASB)

This is one of several marks of a Spirit-filled Christian.

. . always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Ephesians 5:20-21 (NASB)

This is God’s desire for us.

Corrie ten Boom was once asked if it was difficult for her to remain humble. Her reply was simple, “When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on the back of a donkey, and everyone was waving palm branches and throwing garments on the road, and singing praises, do you think that for one moment it ever entered the head of the donkey that any of that was for him? She continued, “If I can be the donkey on which Jesus Christ rides . . . I give Him all the praise and all the honor.”

 

 

Comments or Questions?

 

The fourth chapter of Daniel is very unusual in the pages of scripture. It is the personal testimony of a king – from king Nebuchadnezzar to the Babylonian nation. God had visited the king earlier in a dream and revealed the future of the empires that would follow his kingdom. But the king did not understand that Daniel’s God was the God of gods. His gods were nothing and meaningless because they were made by man from the forest. Jeremiah the prophet said, “Because it is wood cut from the forest, The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool. They decorate it with silver and with gold; They fasten it with nails and with hammers So that it will not totter. Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field are they, And they cannot speak; They must be carried, Because they cannot walk! Do not fear them, For they can do no harm, Nor can they do any good.” (Jeremiah 10:3-5, NASB). In Daniel 3, God had to rescue Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego from the fire because they would not worship a man made image. Nebuchadnezzar was angry but God controls fire and everything else. The king did not completely understand. So in Daniel 4, God visits the king again with a dream and then a very personal punishment to get his attention.

The Introduction

Here is Nebuchadnezzar’s introduction of his testimony to the Babylonian Empire.

Nebuchadnezzar the king to all the peoples, nations, and men of every language that live in all the earth: “May your peace abound! It has seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders which the Most High God has done for me. 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.” Daniel 4:1-3 (NASB)

 

 

The words from this man are exciting. “The Most High God has done for Me!” “Mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.” These are not the words of a king who was worshipping the chief Babylonian god Marduk. Nebuchadnezzar has a change of heart. He has finally recognized the Most High God.

His Testimony

What did the population think when they read the king’s words?

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and flourishing in my palace. I saw a dream and it made me fearful; and these fantasies as I lay on my bed and the visions in my mind kept alarming me. So I gave orders to bring into my presence all the wise men of Babylon, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. Daniel 4:4-6 (NASB)

Then the magicians, the conjurers, the Chaldeans, and the diviners came in, and I related the dream to them; but they could not make its interpretation known to me. But finally Daniel came in before me, whose name is Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom is a spirit of the holy gods; and I related the dream to him, saying, O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, since I know that a spirit of the holy gods is in you and no mystery baffles you, tell me the visions of my dream which I have seen, along with its interpretation. Now these were the visions in my mind as I lay on my bed: I was looking, and behold, there was a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. The tree grew large and became strong, and its height reached to the sky, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth. Its foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, And the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches, and all living creatures fed themselves from it. I was looking in the visions in my mind as I lay on my bed, and behold, an angelic watcher, a holy one, descended from heaven. He shouted out and spoke as follows: “Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit; Let the beasts flee from under it, and the birds from its branches. Yet leave the stump with its roots in the ground, But with a band of iron and bronze around it in the new grass of the field . . .” Daniel 4:7-15a (NASB)

The king called in the local false prophets and demon empowered magicians, the conjurers, the Chaldeans, and the diviners but they were not successful again. The demonic world was not able to interpret this divine dream. The king’s heart rejoiced when Daniel arrived. Daniel was called the chief of the magicians, a title given to him by the king. Just imagine how these men must have felt. Here is an Old Testament saint in the demonic pit of Babylon and he is more highly recognized than Satan’s men. What a contrast! This is the power of God – the work of the Holy Spirit.

The king then described the dream of a tree which provides protection and security. It is chopped down and stripped but the stump and roots of the tree are left in place. Then comes our first clue that the tree is a person.

. . . and let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him share with the beasts in the grass of the earth. Let his mind be changed from that of a man, and let a beast’s mind be given to him, and let seven periods of time pass over him. This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers, and the decision is a command of the holy ones, In order that the living may know that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes, and sets over it the lowliest of men.” “This is the dream which I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, tell me its interpretation, inasmuch as none of the wise men of my kingdom is able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for a spirit of the holy gods is in you.” Daniel 4:15b-18 (NASB)

This person will become like a beast of the field and will remain that way until he understands and admits that the Most High God makes people to be either successes or failures. Do you think you are responsible for your own success at work, at church, or any other place? Nebuchadnezzar did! This is a message for all of us.

The Interpretation

Daniel respected the king and cared for the man. When he heard the dream, he immediately knew the message and he was grieved.

Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while as his thoughts alarmed him. The king responded and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” . . . Daniel 4:19a (NASB)

The king understood that the message was bad and encouraged Daniel to proceed anyway.

Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, if only the dream applied to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries! The tree that you saw, which became large and grew strong, whose height reached to the sky and was visible to all the earth, and whose foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt and in whose branches the birds of the sky lodged– it is you, O king; for you have become great and grown strong, and your majesty has become great and reached to the sky and your dominion to the end of the earth. And in that the king saw an angelic watcher, a holy one, descending from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it; yet leave the stump with its roots in the ground, but with a band of iron and bronze around it in the new grass of the field, and let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him share with the beasts of the field until seven periods of time pass over him; this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king; that you be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place be with the beasts of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes. And in that it was commanded to leave the stump with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will be assured to you after you recognize that it is Heaven that rules. Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you: break away now from your sins by doing righteousness, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, in case there may be a prolonging of your prosperity.” Daniel 4:19b-27 (NASB)

Daniel sent the message loudly and clearly. God is in control of even our successes. He was in control of Nebuchadnezzar’s successes, wealth, and fame. God had been trying since chapter two to move the king’s heart from his idols to the true God and now God must use suffering and humiliation to do it. Sometimes God must use suffering and pain to change us because we will not change on our own. What a warning for us! When we face a trial of suffering, we usually want to know why it is happening and how long it will last. I believe that God usually gives us warnings before discipline comes – just as He did the king. But even with suffering staring the king in the face, God showed the king mercy by predicting that he would finally yield and humble himself. But it took him seven years.

Daniel again showed his heart for the king and suggested that he pursue holiness and care for the poor. Maybe God would not cause him to suffer.

His Humiliation

But the king did not listen. Today God warns us with His Word and by His Holy Spirit Who speaks to us in our spirit. Have you ever had a sense or a nagging conviction that you should do something or that you should not commit a certain sin? The Holy Spirit may be warning you. For this king, God spoke directly to him through Daniel. Sometimes we do not listen – the king did not listen. So he will suffer – sometimes we do!

All this happened to Nebuchadnezzar the king. Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. The king reflected and said, ‘Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’ While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you, and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes.’ Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. Daniel 4:28-33 (NASB)

Archaeology has discovered the following inscription from Nebuchadnezzar on an artifact called the Gratefend Cylinder,

“Then built I the place, the seat of my royalty, the bond of the race of men, the dwelling of joy and rejoicing . . “

The king was proud – “built I”? He did not listen and suffered for it. Berossus and Megasthense, fourth century writers, say that a Babylonian king suffered an unusual illness of madness. There are various views about which illness the king suffered. What disease he suffered is not important. God could have created a unique one just for this man. But history records that the king was proud and he did suffer.

But at the end of that period I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever; For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What hast Thou done?’ At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride. Daniel 4:34-37 (NASB)

Conclusion

The king finally understood. I believe we will see Nebuchadnezzar in heaven some day. These words of the king are unique. It is his testimony about how he finally came to believe God and cling to Him only. He also discovered two important truths. The first truth is that if God does not help us succeed, we will not succeed! God is our success! God is my real employer. Here is a verse for us to remember,

Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. Psalms 127:1 (NASB)

The second lesson he learned – a lesson we all need to learn is that God,

. . . is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6 (NASB)

Have you ever felt that God was working against you? When we are proud and take credit that belongs to God, He may be working against us. Proud parents, proud church leaders, proud managers of organizations may find that God will start working against them. Early in Nebuchadnessar’s career God worked with him. But eventually God worked against him until the king KNEW WHO did it all.

Humility is submission to and dependence on God!

 

Comments or Questions?

Nebuchadnezzar created an image of gold for his leaders to worship. It was located south of Babylon along the Dura River. It must have been awesome – being all gold and standing higher than a seven floor building. This image of gold was tall and narrow – maybe as narrow as the shoulders of a statue of a former king, Sargon. God had told Nebuchadnezzar, through Daniel, that He was king of kings and superior to all future kingdoms. After years of thinking about these “praises,” the king reacted as many of us do. He confused God’s work with his own. He took credit for what God had done. It is easy to believe we are the cause of success. The statue symbolized Nebuchadnezzar’s accomplishments. When the statue was finished, he gave an order for his leaders to come and worship. He planned the “worship music” with wonderful instruments and required all to worship. Refusal was to reject the king!

The “Wise Men”

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego did not join in the worship. Their enemies noticed and did not miss this opportunity to completely remove them.

For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews. Daniel 3:8 (NASB)

We do not know who their enemies were for they visited the king secretly and brought charges against the three men, calling them Jews. It appears they were afraid the king might reject their plan and then Daniel or his powerful friends might punish them if they failed. The Hebrew words for “brought charges” means “to devour in pieces.” It describes their slanderous passion – their hatred. So they came in secret, concerned only for themselves. They began by praising the king.

They responded and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king: “O king, live forever!” Daniel 3:9 (NASB)

Now for the next phase of the plan! They needed to remind the king of his decree and see if he was serious.

You yourself, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of music, is to fall down and worship the golden image. But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire. Daniel 3:10-11 (NASB)

At this point the king must have sensed there was a problem. The trap was set. Now they only needed to inflame the king’s emotions and let the trap fall.

There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up. Daniel 3:12 (NASB)

Again we hear the word “Jews.” These are words of hatred – hatred because these Jewish men had been promoted to high positions (see Daniel 2:49) over them. Daniel’s friends must have known of their hatred. Did they hear about their enemies during the fourteen years since their promotion? Did they hear it from someone when they had lunch at the ziggurat, near one of the seven wonders of the ancient world – the Hanging Gardens, or as they walked along the Processional? We do not know, but it is hard to believe their enemies’ anger was a secret.

Their accusation was simple – they “have disregarded you.” The Hebrew says they “are ALWAYS ignoring you.” They implied the three Hebrews had an attitude problem towards the king. This was the key charge and the proof was that they refused to worship the statue. They made the insult worse when they added to the king’s command and said the Jews did not serve his gods. How would you feel if you had been insulted and rejected?

I Am Angry

The king’s emotions gripped him and he demanded to see the three men.

Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. Daniel 3:13 (NASB)

The Hebrew is vivid saying that he was demanding and demanding that the three men be brought to him. He was emotional, impatient and insistent. The wise men had succeeded!

Nebuchadnezzar . . . said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?” Daniel 3:14 (NASB)

When the men arrived, the king asked the key question. Did they disobey his decree and were they refusing to serve his gods? This last accusation was the wise men’s addition.

Emptiness

Worship and service! Is it not amazing that every religion has these two things in common – worship and service. It does not matter if it is Buddhism, Hindusim, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, or some other religion: worship and service are always there. Some years ago, a pastor in Texas said that a woman came to him and asked if she could teach Sunday School. She went on to explain that she was struggling spiritually and needed to serve in the church to help. The pastor remarked, “We have really slipped if the qualification for service is a poor spiritual relationship with God.” Worship and service – two things most religious people want to do. Nebuchadnezzar did not ask, “Do you have a personal relationship with God?” “Do you love God?” That is unique to Christianity. In most religions, god is impersonal and distant. But Jesus wants a friendship (John 15:14). Nebuchadnezzar was satisfied with ritual and ceremony! One can be happy with just ritual and ceremony. Do you see prayer as speaking to a Friend, reading the Bible as listening to Him, confessing your sins as making your relationship right, or ask the Holy Spirit to empower your life? Worship and service were good enough for the king.

Now You Will Pay

Now the king’s question.

Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well. But if you will not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands? Daniel 3:15 (NASB)

Are you ready to worship? Bow or burn?

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18 (NASB)

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego are great examples of faith. They did not doubt that God could rescue them; but if He decided not to, they were prepared to die for Him. Great faith is faith that is willing to die. Weak faith doubts God when it must suffer. This is the message of James 1:6-8.

But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:6-8 (NASB)

Great faith is believing that God can answer our prayers. James 4:14-17 reminds us that it is a sin to assume that God will do what we want. We are to say, “Lord willing.” That is what these men did. We find later that even this pagan king knew they had great faith (v. 28).

Great Faith

The early Christians cartooned images of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in the catacombs beneath Rome. They were examples of faithful men who loved God so much they were not willing to compromise to save their lives. The test of great faith is not wealth and luxury – it is a willingness to suffer for God.

Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was altered toward Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. And he commanded certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, in order to cast them into the furnace of blazing fire. Then these men were tied up in their trousers, their coats, their caps and their other clothes, and were cast into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. For this reason, because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire slew those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up. Daniel 3:19-23 (NASB)

The king was so angry that he ordered them thrown into a furnace – a kiln – for firing pottery. Huge furnaces have been found in Babylon. It has been estimated that fifteen million bricks were fired in these furnaces to complete construction work. The furnaces had an opening at the top and below. These three men were going to be tossed in from above and fall to the bottom. The king commanded that additional materials be tossed into the furnace to heat it up. An ancient writer says that additional naptha, tow, and pitch were added to make the fire hotter.

Rescued

How would we have felt at the moment we had fallen into the furnace? If any of us were Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, we would have realized something unusual very quickly. No heat, no pain, and God’s angel.

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he responded and said to his high officials, “Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “Certainly, O king.” He answered and said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire. And the satraps, the prefects, the governors and the king’s high officials gathered around and saw in regard to these men that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them. Daniel 3:24-27 (NASB)

Nebuchadnezzar had not expected this. But he immediately realized a god had to have done this. He knew the answer – the God of Daniel and his friends.

Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God. Daniel 3:28 (NASB)

Willing To Die

The king knew what was important to these men. It was not their comfort or their life. They “yielded up their bodies.” Many of the early Christians yielded up their lives too! History says they were accused of being anti-social, cannibals (because they practiced communion), and not Caesar worshippers. One writer ridiculed them for worshipping a man, Jesus, as a god. Recently, several United States government officials accused Christians of being intolerant and a threat to the country. But this is not unusual.

During A.D. 250 Christians were ordered to worship a deity other than the Christian God and to purchase certificates proving they had. The certificates had to be shown to a government official to save their lives. Tertullian, an early church father, complained that whole churches bribed government officials to avoid death. Those who did these things were called Lapsi. They had “lapsed” in their faith.

Later another Caesar ordered Christians to burn their Bibles. Those who did were called traditores. Today we use the word “traitors.” Many Christians have not been willing to die or suffer for Jesus. They have been self-centered. They have cared more for themselves than for the God they claimed to love.

Conclusion

Today, some play secret Christian. Is this not another form of being a “Lapsi” or a “traditore”?

In the days of the Roman Emperor Nero, there were a band of soldiers known as the “Emperor’s Wrestlers.” They were picked from the best and the bravest, and recruited from the great athletes of the Roman amphitheater. In the great amphitheater they would hold up the arms of the emperor against all challengers. Before each contest they stood before the emperor’s throne and cried: “We, the wrestlers, wrestling for thee, O Emperor, to win for thee the victory and from thee, the victor’s crown.”

When the great Roman army was sent to fight in far away Gaul, no soldiers were braver or more loyal than this band of wrestlers led by their centurion Vespasian. But news reached Nero that many Roman soldiers had accepted the Christian faith. Therefore, this decree was dispatched to the centurion Vespasian: “If there be any among your soldiers who cling to the faith of the Christian, they must die!” This decree was received in the dead of winter. The soldiers were camped on the shore of a frozen inland lake. It was with sinking heart that Vespasian, the centurion, read the emperor’s message. Vespasian called the soldiers together and asked the question: “Are there any among you who cling to the faith of the Christian? If so, let him step forward!” Forty wrestlers instantly stepped forward two paces, respectfully saluted, and stood at attention. Vespasian paused. He had not expected so many, nor such select ones. “Until sundown I shall await your answer,” said Vespasian. Sundown came. Again the question was asked.

Again the forty wrestlers stepped forward. Vespasian pleaded with them long and earnestly without prevailing upon a single man to deny his Lord. Finally he said, “The decree of the emperor must be obeyed, but I am not willing that your comrades should shed your blood. I am going to order that you march out upon the lake of ice, and I shall leave you there to the mercy of the elements.” The forty wrestlers were stripped and then, falling into columns of four, marched toward the center of the lake of ice. As they marched they broke into the chant of the arena: “Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for Thee the victory and from Thee, the victor’s crown!”

Through the long hours of the night, Vespasian stood by his campfire and watched. As he waited through the long night, there came to him fainter and fainter the wrestlers’ song. As morning drew near one figure, overcome by exposure, crept quietly toward the fire; in the extremity of his suffering he had renounced his Lord. Faintly but clearly from the darkness came the song: “Thirty-nine wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for Thee the victory and from Thee the victor’s crown!” Vespasian looked at the figure drawing close to the fire. Perhaps he saw eternal light shining there toward the center of the lake. Who can say? But off came his helmet and clothing, and he sprang upon the ice, crying, “Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for Thee the victory and from Thee, the victor’s crown.” -Paul Tassel

Jesus calls us to faithfulness – a willingness to suffer for Him!

 

Comments or Questions?

A wife said to her husband one morning over breakfast, “I had a dream last night and I dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace. What do you suppose that means?” Her husband answered, “You will find out tonight.” And sure enough, that evening he gave her a book entitled Interpreting Dreams. We may think this is funny but have you ever had a dream or a vision during your sleep that was serious or caused you to be afraid? In the Old Testament God sometimes used dreams and visions to communicate to His prophets. However, these were not your ordinary dreams and visions. They left the prophets exhausted – sometimes for days. The next chapter in our study in Daniel is the first recorded dream/vision of the prophet Daniel. But we are not given all of the details. We are only given a summary. But this is normal in Scripture.

Daniel’s Dream

In the first six chapters of Daniel we have seen God pursue Nebuchadnezzar, defeat Belshazzar, and witness to Darius. God used those chapters to show us that He cares for the unbelieving, godless leader of a nation. God even gave King Nebuchadnezzar a dream of the future just because the king wanted to know. We were challenged by the faith of Daniel and his friends when they were unwilling to compromise their faith in God in order to save their lives. We were glad when God rescued them and honored them in this world. Those chapters were about actual historical events, and now we come to six chapters of prophecy – dreams/visions that God gave Daniel.

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and related the following summary of it. Daniel said, “I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. “And four great beasts were coming up from the sea, different from one another. Daniel 7:1-3 (NASB)

Daniel’s first dream/vision occurred during the reign of Belshazzar. It was about four beasts: a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a dreadful and terrifying beast that comes up out of the human race.

Babylonian Empire

These four beasts represent the same kingdoms that we saw in Daniel 2. The first one is a winged lion.

The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man; a human mind also was given to it. Daniel 7:4 (NASB)

The lion with wings represents the Babylonian Empire. Historical references tell us that Babylon had many statues of winged lions guarding the gates to the royal palace. There were also lions along the walls of the Ishtar Gate. Babylon had even placed a lion on the back of its silver shekel – a coin – just as many nations place a significant symbol on the back of their coins. The lion was a symbol of the Babylonian Empire.

This is no ordinary lion. It has the wings of an eagle. It can stand up like a man, and it has a human mind. Now we need to ask, “Who lived and ate like an animal with hair like eagle’s feathers for seven years before returning to his senses?” The answer is Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:28-33). This winged lion symbolizes the Babylonian Empire.

Medo-Persian Empire

The second beast is a bear.

And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear. And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to it, “Arise, devour much meat!” Daniel 7:5 (NASB)

This beast represents the Medo-Persian Empire which was initially led by Darius and Cyrus (Daniel 5:30-36). It is important to note that one side of the bear was higher than the other. This refers to the fact that Cyrus was the greater of the two leaders. Cyrus was a Persian (Daniel 6:28) and Darius was a Mede (Daniel 11:1). Darius died after the first year and then Cyrus was the only ruler. The two men had come together to form a new empire, but history only refers to it as the Persian Empire. The three ribs are three kingdoms which the Medo-Persian Empire defeated: the Lydian Kingdom (546 B.C.), Chaldean Empire (539 B.C.) and the Egyptian Empire (525 B.C.).

Grecian Empire

The leopard is the third symbol.

After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. Daniel 7:6 (NASB)

It is a symbol of speed and power. This symbol represents the empire of Greece. Alexander the Great was the military leader who pushed his army to establish this empire with blazing speed. But as soon as he established this empire, he also died. His empire was split among his four generals: Lysimachus, Cassander, Seleucius Nicanor, and Ptolemy. Lysimachus ruled Thrace and Bithyna. Cassander ruled Macedonia, and Seleucius Nicanor had Syria, Babylon, and India. Ptolemy ruled Egypt, Petra and Canaan. These generals are the four heads to whom dominion was given.

Roman Empire

The last beast is not an animal.

After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. Daniel 7:7 (NASB)

It is a monster with ten horns. Now that is a bad dream. This monster symbolizes a world empire which causes great terror on earth. We will see later in this chapter that the ten horns are ten kings. It is a union, or coalition, of ten nations. This monster started as the Roman Empire which defeated the empire of Greece. But the ten horns add new meaning to this beast. They symbolize a future form of the Roman Empire – the Revived Roman Empire.

Dreams of Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel

These four beasts and the four metals in King Nebuchadnezzar’s statue of Daniel 2 represent the same four kingdoms. The nation symbolized by the winged lion is the same nation symbolized by the head of gold in Daniel 2 – the Babylonian Empire. The bear in Daniel 7 and the chest of silver in Daniel 2 both represent Medo-Persia. The leopard and the statue’s waist of bronze symbolize Greece, and finally the dreadful and terrifying beast of Daniel 7 and the legs of iron in Daniel 2 are the same kingdom. It is the Roman Empire (see Appendix B for other views of this kingdom). These four kingdoms are past history.

Of these four kingdoms only three of them were defeated by another empire. Rome died from within. Yet, there is also a future for the Roman Empire. It is called the Revived Roman Empire.

Did you notice that Daniel 2:41-42 talks about the toes of the feet of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue and Daniel 7 refers to ten horns on the monster? This is the future empire which will be a coalition of ten nations. It will control the world. This coalition of ten nations will come to power during a time we call the Tribulation. It will be a terrible time in which to live. Jesus spoke of this future empire during his last recorded sermon, the Olivet Discourse. He warned those who were listening and He warns us today about the misery this empire will cause.

But pray that your flight may not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath; for then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall. And unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days shall be cut short. Matthew 24:20-22 (NASB)

God gave both Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel dreams about the future, but Daniel’s dream has more details.

While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth uttering great boasts. Daniel 7:7-8 (NASB)

In Daniel’s dream we find that the little horn – a world leader – rises up and gains control of three of the world leaders or nations. Now there are only seven of the original ten leaders or nations plus the little horn. The little horn is the antichrist and he rules this great world coalition. This world coalition is a group of nations who come together to control the world. We believe they will come from Europe and from European ancestry. This world coalition will take control during a period of time we call the Tribulation. The last section of Daniel will explain more of our future.

Conclusion

Dreams! Dreams about the future. What do you dream about, if you do dream? Today, many seek dreams thinking that God will speak to them. Others search their dreams worrying about themselves, their past traumas, and abuses. Still others claim that God has spoken to them in dreams. But every Christian needs to be warned that many false prophets existed not only in the Old Testament but also today. men who claim to have a word from the Lord. Listen to what God has said,

I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy falsely in My name, saying, ‘I had a dream, I had a dream!’ How long? Is there anything in the hearts of the prophets who prophesy falsehood, even these prophets of the deception of their own heart, who intend to make My people forget My name by their dreams which they relate to one another . . . Jeremiah 23:25-27 (NASB)

God has not always spoken through dreams and visions.

. . . And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent. 1 Samuel 3:1 (NASB)

God has already spoken to us in sixty-six books, 1189 chapters, 31,173 verses, and 807,361 words. We call it the Bible. There are fewer than 25 dreams and visions in the Bible. Yes, God has spoken through dreams to select individuals but there is something more important in the Christian life than seeking dreams. It is seeking to know and love God!

 

Comments or Questions?

 

Appendix A

Alternative Views of The Beast

 

There are at least four major views about the meaning of the beast Daniel 7:7-8. Most of the views reject a future, literal understanding of Scripture. Most of these views are not careful about the details in the verse which help us understand the meaning of the beast.

After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth uttering great boasts. Daniel 7:7-8 (NASB)

The key points in this passage are the fact that the beast starts with ten horns and that a new horn comes to power by removing three of the ten horns. This leaves eight horns. These horns are kings who rule different nations of the world (Daniel 7:24). These are the key points.

Liberal View

The first view is held by some who reject the Bible as being the Word of God. It is called the Liberal View. This view says that the monster is the nation of Syria or the Seleucidae Empire. They claim that Syria had seven kings and Antiochus Epiphanes, the eighth king, was the little horn.

This view ignores the fact that the prophecy says the kings will not rule sequentially, but at the same time. The ten kings will live at the same time. The Syrian kings ruled in sequence, as a normal monarchy, and not concurrently. Another reason this view is in error is that there will be ten kings and Syria only had eight kings. This view ignores key facts of the prophecy and as a result is rejected.

Roman Catholic View

The next view says that the monster, including the horns, is the Roman Empire of the past. That is, the beast is simply historical. This is a view held by some Amillennialists.

This view states that the Roman Empire was a collection of ten nations: Britain, Egypt, Germany, Greece, France, Italy, Macedonia, Spain and others. It states that the little horn is the pope of the Roman Catholic Church, and they teach that the pope removed three kings from different nations at different periods of time. It states that the church is the physical kingdom on earth.

There are several problems with this view. First, those who hold this view do not agree among themselves as to which countries are the ten countries. Even the historic maps of the Roman Empire do not agree with their list of countries since they include more than ten countries. In fact, around A.D. 750, at the height of the Roman Empire, there were thirteen dioceses (R. R. Palmer. Historical Atlas of the World, Rand McNally. p. 8). That is a major problem. Second, this view ignores the fact once again that ten kings ruled at the same time and that a new king came to power by crushing three existing kings. They have also ignored the fact the pope has never been a king and they miss the point that the pope did not come to “power” as the result of defeating three ruling kings. That never happened. The Roman Catholic Church peacefully assumed religious authority. Further, the church is not a world military power.

The Caesar View

Another view says that the ten horns of the beast were the Caesars of the Roman Empire. This view has a major problem since the Roman Empire had eighty-five Caesars. This position is also to be rejected.

These are the major views about the meaning of the beast. There are several minor vies which we will not explore here, but all of them, except for the liberal view, believe that the beast is the Roman Empire. It is clear from history that the next kingdom after Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece is the Roman Empire.

Rome of the Future

Now, how do we know that the ten horns of the beast are still in our future? The answer is as follows. The lion, bear, leopard and the monster are all related. They are the succession of world powers from one to the other. Revelation 17 uses the same symbols when describing our future.

. . . the beast . . . which has the seven heads and the ten horns . . . The seven heads are . . . seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while. And . . . is himself also an eighth . . . And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings . . . These have one purpose and they give their power and authority to the beast. Revelation 17:9-13 (NASB)

Just as in Daniel, the beast in Revelation has ten horns and later seven heads with the Antichrist as the eighth ruler of this future world empire. It is important to remember that the prophecy of Revelation was written about A.D. 90-100 when the apostle was talking about the ten horns and the little horn. The ten horns are not the old Roman Empire, but a future form of it.

In Daniel 2, we discovered that different body sections of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue symbolized different nations. The head was the Babylonian Empire, the chest was the Medo-Persian Empire and the waist was Greece. The legs were the Roman Empire; but then what do the feet represent? The legs were one nation and the feet are also a nation, but it is related to Rome since both are made of iron. This implies the two are different even though they are related. One is older and one is future.

When will the ten horns come to power? The answer is found in Daniel 7:25 and Daniel 9:26-27. Both passages describe the same event. We read that the little horn goes to war against the nation of Israel for “times, time and half a time” or 3.5 years. It is called a time of abominations in Daniel 9:27.  We will explore this more in the coming studies and we will discover that Jesus refers to this time when He says,

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come. Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet Matthew 24:14-15 (NASB)

Has the gospel been preached throughout the entire world? The answer is no. This implies the coming of the beast is still future. It is the next major event in God’s future.

Conclusion

It is important that we objectively look at the words in Scripture when we want to know what it means. It is easy to be careless and quick. We need to understand Scripture literally and not be quick to make it have a “spiritual” meaning because it fits something we are taught.