“The Most High Rules in the Kingdom of Men” Daniel 4:19: “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. V. 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.

v. 21. “Whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home- V. 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. V. 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:

v. 24. “This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my Lord the king: V. 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.

The Background of the Text: Judah was in Captivity in Babylon. Foretold by Jeremiah, Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10. Which occurred because God’s people forsook the covenant, and worshipped idols, Jeremiah 22:8-9. Daniel had been taken captive. At beginning of the 70-year captivity, Daniel 1:1-6. Who wielded great influence throughout the Babylonian Captivity, and even into the Medo- Persian period which followed, Daniel 6:1-3.

Background: Nebuchadnezzar was King over Babylon Who had conquered one nation after another. Who slew King Zedekiah’s sons, put out his eyes, took him captive to Babylon, 2 Kings 25:1-9. Who burned house of the Lord, the king’s house, broke down the wall around Jerusalem, took the people captive to Babylon, 2 Kings 25:8-11. Who had three Hebrews bound and cast into a furnace of fire because they refused to fall down and worship the golden image he had set up, Daniel 3.

Background: Nebuchadnezzar’s troubling Dream, Daniel 4:4-5. He had already had one very significant dream, and Daniel alone was able to recall the dream and interpret it, Daniel 2. This Dream was his Second significant Dream. A dream which occurred when he was in his house and “flourishing in his palace,” Daniel 4:4. “Flourishing” the right word! The walls around Babylon were 40 feet across, 80 feet high, extended for 15 miles. The city contained 50 temples. Palaces and hanging gardens. The Euphrates wound its way through the city. The epitome of “worldly success.”

The Dream Related, Daniel 4:10-18 He saw a “great” tree, Daniel 4: He heard the cry, “chop down the tree,” 4: But “leave the stump,” Daniel 4:15. The tree represented a person, Daniel 4: The tree was called an “it,” then referred to as a “him,” Daniel 4:15-16, who was identified in Daniel 4:22 as being Nebuchadnezzar himself! The Purpose of the dream – “that the living made 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,” Daniel 4:17.

Daniel’s Interpretation of the Dream, Daniel 4:19-27 The Effect on Daniel, Daniel 4:19. The Tree Represented Nebuchadnezzar, the king, Daniel 4: The tree was to be chopped down, Daniel 4:23. Nebuchadnezzar’s would graze with the beasts of the field, till seven time pass over him, Daniel 4:23. “Till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he chooses,” v. 25. Daniel’s Admonition to Nebuchadnezzar, v. 27.

Daniel’s Interpretation was Fulfilled, Daniel 4: At the end of 12 months, Daniel 4:29. While he was bragging on his accomplishments! The King was made to eat grass like oxen, v. 32. Until “seven times” passed over; until he learned “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,” v. 34. Nebuchadnezzar was then restored to his kingdom, Daniel 4: At which time he praised “the Most High;” he ceased praising himself! These were his last recorded words, v. 37.

Application: “The Most High” Still rules in the kingdom of men! Jesus Christ has been given all authority, Matthew 28:18; Revelation 2:26-27; 3:21; Ephesians 1:20-22; I Peter 3:22. Jesus now rules over the kingdom of men! A truth foretold by the prophets, Psalm 2:1-9. Foretold in Psalm 110:1-7; confirmed in Acts 2: Jesus rules over all the kingdoms of the earth, Revelation 1:5. He predicted the destruction of Jerusalem. The destruction of the beast of Rev. 17:14. He is “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords,” I Timothy 6:15.

Application: Because Jesus rules over all the kingdoms, we should: Pray for Kings and those in authority, I Timothy 2:1-2. If prayer did no good, there would be no point in praying for the authorities. Note: Christians can make a difference! Be law-abiding citizens, Romans 13:1-2. Until the law of the land demands that we break the law of God! Acts 5:29.

Application: Jesus Rules over the Kingdom of O.T. Prophecy! Daniel 2:44; Matthew 16:18-19; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 12:28. As Citizens of that Kingdom we can make a difference! By letting our light shine, Matthew 5:16. Praying for our leaders, I Timothy 2:1-2. Leaders are also human; they can be changed for the better. After God got Nebuchadnezzar’s attention, he was a changed man! Sharing the gospel with the lost, Mark 16:15; 2 Timothy 2:2.

Application: Keeping Things in Perspective: Earthly rulers only rule temporarily; sometimes they are overthrown prematurely. God sees things from a different perspective than we see them. He is “from everlasting to everlasting,” Psalm 90:1-2; He sees the end “from the beginning,” Isaiah 41:26; 46:10. Faithful Christians “reign” with Christ, 2 Timothy 2:12, and they will be able to do so forever! Revelation 22:5.

Conclusion: Earthly rulers rise up, reign for a while, then are voted out of office, deposed, or die. Jesus is reigning now over His kingdom, I Cor- inthians 15: His kingdom will stand forever, Daniel 2:44; Hebrews 12:28! When Jesus returns, He will deliver His kingdom up to God the Father, I Corinthians 15: Faithful citizens in His kingdom will “reign forever” with God in that heavenly home, Revelation 22:5!