Nebuchadnezzar Turns into a Beast
for Seven Years
Daniel Chapter 4
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One of the greatest parallels of the Antichrist is found in Daniel chapter 4 when Nebuchadnezzar turns into a beast for seven years. Nebuchadnezzar is a type of antichrist and through his actions we will see specific things the Antichrist will do similarly to that of Nebuchadnezzar in a time period known as the greatest time period of the Great Babylonian kingdom.
Some of Nebuchadnezzar's life is outlined in the Book of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar was the greatest king Babylon would ever know. In this story, found in Daniel chapter 4, Nebuchadnezzar exhibits characteristics that the Antichrist will also portray under different circumstances of course.
I want to break the study of the Biblical text of Daniel chapter 4, below, into 5 parts: The Introduction, The Dream, The Interpretation, Nebuchadnezzar Becomes a Beast for Seven Years, and How Nebuchadnezzar Parallels the Antichrist.
One of the characteristics we will see, in this story, is that Nebuchadnezzar turns into a beast for seven years. The Antichrist is called a beast in the Book of Revelation and he reigns for seven years. These are direct parallels Nebuchadnezzar has to the Antichrist.
Let's see these and other parallels found in Daniel chapter 4 as it relates to the Antichrist...
The Introduction:
Daniel 4:1-9: NKJ
1. Nebuchadnezzar the king, To all peoples, nations and languages that
dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.
2. I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High
God has worked for me.
3. How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is
an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to
generation.
4. I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my
palace.
5. I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed and
the visions of my head troubled me.
6. Therefore I issued a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon
before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the
dream.
7. Then the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the
soothsayers came in, and I told them the dream; but they did not make
known to me its interpretation.
8. But at last Daniel came before me (his name is Belteshazzar,
according to the name of my god; in him is the Spirit of the Holy God),
and I told the dream before him, saying:
9. "Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the Spirit
of the Holy God is in you, and no secret troubles you, explain to me the
visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.
These verses tell us that Nebuchadnezzar gave glory to God for the great wonders and signs He gave to Nebuchadnezzar. The Antichrist will never acknowledge God as being God while he lives. But one day he will bow his knee along with every person in declaring that God is above all. This event probably happens when Jesus judges the ungodly after the Tribulation Period.
Nebuchadnezzar prospered in his kingdom and was resting in his palace home when he had a dream. The dream troubled him so much he called for all of his magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans and soothsayers to interpret it. They could not interpret the dream at all.
So, Nebuchadnezzar called Daniel in to interpret the dream for him. Nebuchadnezzar called Daniel by a nickname Belteshazzar, one of Nebuchadnezzar's gods. Daniel could interpret the dream because he served the true God of Israel who knows all things and made the interpretation known to Daniel. On the other hand, Satan's worshippers and followers, who were the magicians, Chaldeans and soothsayers in Nebuchadnezzar's court could not interpret the dream.
This gives us insight into God and His power versus Satan and his power. God will always have more power than Satan. Satan and these magicians could not interpret the dream Nebuchadnezzar had because it was not within their power to do so.
The reason that Daniel could interpret the dream is because he asked God for the interpretation, which God did give to him.
The Dream:
Daniel 4:10-17: NKJ
10. "These were the visions of my head while
on my bed: I was looking, and behold, A tree in the midst of the earth,
and its height was great.
11. The tree grew and became strong; its height reached to the heavens,
and it could be seen to the ends of all the earth.
12. Its leaves were lovely, its fruit abundant, and in it was food for
all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, the birds of the
heavens dwelt in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it.
13. "I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was a
watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven.
14. He cried aloud and said thus: `Chop down the tree and cut off its
branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts get
out from under it, and the birds from its branches.
15. Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth, bound with a
band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field. let it be wet
with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts on the grass
of the earth.
16. Let his heart be changed from that of a man, let him be given the
heart of an animal, and let seven times pass over him.
17. `This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by
the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the
Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and
sets over it the lowest of men.'
Nebuchadnezzar dreamed and saw the earth. On the earth was a great tree that grew above all other trees. There was great abundance with this tree for it's fruit could feed everyone on the earth.
Then suddenly, a Holy One came from heaven and decreed that the great tree should be chopped down, but its stump and roots would be left. The tree's leaves would be stripped off, the fruit would be scattered and everything would go away from the great tree.
The dream continued to say that the stump, which represented Nebuchadnezzar, would be given a heart of a beast and he would be like a beast for seven times, which means seven years. All of this was so that all men would know that it is God, the God of Israel, that rules the earth and puts in place all rulers.
The Interpretation:
Daniel 4:18-28: NKJ
18. "This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar,
have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, since all
the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the
interpretation; but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in
you.''
19. Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time,
and his thoughts troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, "Belteshazzar,
do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.'' Belteshazzar
answered and said, "My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you,
and its interpretation concern your enemies!
20. The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height
reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth,
21. whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food
for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and on whose
branches the birds of the heaven had their habitation
22. it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your
greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the
end of the earth.
23. And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from
heaven and saying, `Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its
stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in
the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and
let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over
him';
24. this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the
Most High, which has come upon my lord the king:
25. They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the
beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They
shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over
you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and
gives it to whomever He chooses.
26. And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots
of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to
know that Heaven rules.
27. Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you; break off
your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to
the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.''
28. All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.
Verse 22 tells us that the dream was describing Nebuchadnezzar as being like the great tree that prospered, grew and fed all nations. Then, Nebuchadnezzar would be driven from his palace and would eat grass of the field like cattle or beasts of the field until seven years passed by.
Nebuchadnezzar Becomes a Beast for Seven Years:
Daniel 4:29-37: NKJ
29.
At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of
Babylon.
30. The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have
built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my
majesty?''
31. While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell from
heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has
departed from you!
32. And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with
the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and
seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules
in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.''
33. That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he
was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the
dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his
nails like birds' claws.
34. And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to
heaven, and my understanding 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 is from generation to generation.
35. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does
according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of
the earth. no one can restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have You
done?''
36. At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my
kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles
resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was
added to me.
37. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of
heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those
who walk in pride He is able to abase.
Because Nebuchadnezzar exalted himself above God's creation power and for not giving God the glory for putting Nebuchadnezzar on his throne and enabled his kingdom to prosper, God punished Nebuchadnezzar by making his heart like a beast. His fingernails grew to be like eagle's claws and his hair became like eagles feathers. He was driven out to the fields where he grazed like a bull for seven years. At the end of that time, Nebuchadnezzar came to his senses and gave God the glory for all He had done in creating that kingdom he was given.
That Nebuchadnezzar turned into a beast that resembled an eagle, he had fingernails and toenails like eagle's claws and his hair became like eagle's feathers, seems to indicate the type of symbol that we can recognize as one of the emblems that will reveal where the Antichrist will come from. It has, for a long time, been known that the Roman kingdom's emblem is the eagle.
That he ate grass like an ox represents a bull. Babylon's main deity was usually portrayed as a bull. This matches the description of the Antichrist's kingdom in Revelation chapter 17, which is a bull as well.
God gives us many symbols to watch for so that we can recognize the Antichrist and his system. The bull will be a significant and meaningful symbol to watch for since the Antichrist's kingdom will be marked by the symbol of the bull. I will add here a statement about the bull symbol and expound upon this more when we study Revelation chapter 17. The Antichrist's system will be recognized by a woman who rides a bull.
How Nebuchadnezzar Parallels the Antichrist:
In this story, there are many parallels that can be drawn directly from Nebuchadnezzar to the Antichrist.
|
Nebuchadnezzar |
The Antichrist |
| Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom was Babylon the Great. | The Antichrist's kingdom, in Revelation chapter 17, is described as being Babylon the Great. (His kingdom is not literal Babylon, but is simply a title given to the harlot, in Revelation chapter 17, because she patterns herself after the gods and structure of the Babylonian main goddess and priests.) |
| Nebuchadnezzar had the greatest kingdom on earth. His kingdom fed everyone on earth. | The Antichrist's kingdom will cover the whole earth. He will allow food and drink only to those who follow him. Without following him, you will not be able to buy food or drink. |
| Nebuchadnezzar surrounded himself with magicians, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. | The Antichrist will condone those who practice witchcraft, Satanism, and magic. |
| Exalted himself above God. | Exalts himself above God and all things. |
| Is driven from his kingdom and will act like a beast for seven years. | Will reign for seven years. Eventually, he will be driven from his kingdom. |
| He became a beast. This beast was, more than likely, like a bull since he grazed like cattle and the chief god of the Babylonians was a bull named Marduk. God was mocking their chief god through their leader Nebuchadnezzar. | The Antichrist is called a beast. He is described, in Revelation 17, as a harlot that rides a beast. This beast, although a man, symbolically could be like a bull or another beast. This is not in a literal sense, but has significant symbolic meaning. |
| His claws and feathers were like that of an eagle. | The nation of the Antichrist will also have the eagle as their national bird. (Don't be too hasty in thinking it is the U.S.A. The Roman kingdom's national emblem was the eagle.) |
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