It might be tempting to dismiss the prophesy of Nebuchadnezzar as he was not your typical prophet when compared to Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah or Daniel. The vision of Nebuchadnezzar, interpreted by Daniel, is for the latter days (Daniel 2:28), and it therefore seems prudent to explore its meaning as it applies to those of us living in the acharit-hayamim [the end of the days]. The vision, as described in Daniel 2, was of various kingdoms beginning with Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom depicted as the gold head, and ending with a kingdom that is inferior; “…a divided kingdom…partly strong and partly brittle.” (Daniel 2:41-42)
Daniel continued with the interpretation. “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will establish a kingdom that will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will pass into the hands of another people. It will break to pieces and consume all those kingdoms; but it, itself, will stand forever –” (Daniel 2:44). God has declared numerous times in scripture that this kingship, established through the line of David and leading to Yeshua the Messiah, will be established forever. “I have sworn by My holiness, once and for all; I will not be false to David. His line shall continue forever, his throne, as the sun before Me, as the moon, established forever, an enduring witness in the sky.” (Psalms 89:36-38, Tanakh)
From a strictly world viewpoint, given the current situation of Israel, it seems nearly impossible that Israel would be the fulfillment of this prophesy. But that is exactly the point God makes through Nebuchadnezzar. “…wisdom and power are his alone…he installs and deposes kings…” (Daniel 2:20-21) As Daniel explains to Nebuchadnezzar; “Your majesty, king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength and the glory; so that wherever people, wild animals or birds in the air live, he has handed them over to you and enabled you to rule them all – you are the head of gold.” (Daniel 2:37-38)
In order to prove to Nebuchadnezzar and everyone that he is God Most High, another dream was given to Nebuchadnezzar and interpreted by Daniel of a tree cut down. “The tree you saw which grew and became strong until its crown reached the sky, and it could be seen throughout the whole earth, that had beautiful foliage and abundant fruit, enough to feed everyone, under which the wild animals lived, and on whose branches the birds in the air built their nests – it’s you, your majesty! You have grown and become strong – your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your rule extends to the end of the earth.
“Now the king saw a holy watcher coming down from heaven, who said, “Cut down the tree, and destroy it, but leave the stump with its roots in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze, in the lush grass of the countryside; let him be drenched with dew from the sky and share the lot of the wild animals until seven seasons pass over him.”
“This is the interpretation, your majesty; and it is the decree of the Most High that has come upon my lord the king: “You will be driven from human society and live with the wild animals. You will be made to eat grass like an ox and be drenched with dew from the sky, as seven seasons pass over you; until you learn that the Most High rules in the human kingdom and gives it to whomever he pleases.”” (Daniel 4:17(20)-22(25))
As Nebuchadnezzar wrote, this prophesy came true. “When this period was over, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes toward heaven, and my understanding came back to me. I blessed the Most High, I praised and gave honor to him who lives forever. For his rulership is everlasting, his kingdom endures through all generations. All who live on earth are counted as nothing. He does what he wishes with the army of heaven and with those living on earth. No one can hold back his hand or ask him, “What are you doing?”
“It was at that moment that my understanding came back to me; and for the sake of the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor also came back to me. My advisors and lords sought me out, I was re-established in my kingdom, and to my previous greatness even more was added. So now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven: For all his works are truth, and his ways are just; and he can humble those who walk in pride.” (Daniel 4:31-34 (34-37))
This is a fascinating story and should serve as a lesson to everyone that the Most High rules the human kingdom. His word is true and he will bring about all he has planned. “Remember things that happened at the beginning, long ago – that I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. At the beginning I announce the end, proclaim in advance things not yet done; and I say that my plan will hold. I will do everything I please to do.” (Isaiah 46:9-10)
The message is clear:
“…The Most High rules the human kingdom…” (Daniel 4:14(17))
“…The Most High rules in the human kingdom…” (Daniel 4:22(25))
“…The Most High rules in the human kingdom…” (Daniel 4:29(32))
The Most High rules the human kingdom!
*All scripture is from the Complete Jewish Bible unless noted otherwise. Some names in the Complete Jewish Bible have been translated to English.