Soon after Daniel and his companions entered the service of the king of Babylon, events occurred that revealed to an idolatrous nation the power and faithfulness of the God of Israel. Nebuchadnezzar had a remarkable dream, by which “his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.”Daniel 2:1. But although the king’s mind was deeply impressed, he found it impossible, when he awoke, to recall the particulars.
(PK 491.1)
MC
VC
In his perplexity, Nebuchadnezzar assembled his wise men—“the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers”(Daniel 2:2)—and besought their help. “I have dreamed a dream,” he said, “and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.”Daniel 2:3. With this statement of his perplexity he requested them to reveal to him that which would bring relief to his mind.
(PK 491.2)
MC
VC
To this the wise men responded, “O king, live forever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.”Daniel 2:4.
(PK 491.3)
MC
VC
As the king gazed upon the lofty tree, he beheld “a Watcher,” even “an Holy One,”(Daniel 4:13) who approached the tree and in a loud voice cried:
(PK 516.1)
MC
VC
“Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.”Daniel 4:14~17.
(PK 516.2)
MC
VC
Greatly troubled by the dream, which was evidently a prediction of adversity, the king repeated it to “the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers;”(Daniel 4:7) but although the dream was very explicit, none of the wise men could interpret it.
(PK 516.3)
MC
VC
Once more in this idolatrous nation, testimony was to be borne to the fact that only those who love and fear God can understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. The king in his perplexity sent for his servant Daniel, a man esteemed for his integrity and constancy and for his unrivaled wisdom.
(PK 516.4)
MC
VC