1. Daniel chapter 4
Questions and Answers

2. Daniel chapter 4
1. After reading verses 1-3 and verses 34-37, do you think king Nebuchadnezzar will be in God's kingdom? Support your answer including what is required to be
in God's kingdom.
We need to be careful in answering like questions. We don't know the heart, nor can we appreciate the cross that our brother bears.
ROM 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
We do know the importance of strong faith (Heb.11:33) to helping us counter our sin prone nature, Jer.17:9.
HEB.11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
Jer.17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
As to whether Daniel was able to teach Nebuchadnezzar God's marvellous plan of salvation, we can only speculate. Certainly Daniel was able to influence Nebuchadnezzar as seen in v.3 for Nebuchadnezzar was aware that God's kingdom is everlasting and in v.37 he praises, honours and acknowledges God's works and His judgments. Also he has been humbled from his pride and inspired to write Daniel 4.

3. Daniel chapter 4
2. What was the greatest spiritual problem of King Nebuchadnezzar and how real a problem is this today for us?
Human pride and God treated this in a most unusual way!
Nebuchadnezzar's position made him more vulnerable to human pride, however, we can't limit this problem to him, for all are subject to it and when we get hit with an unusual sickness our pride is a good place to first look as to why.
Pride is something that God hates i.e.
Proverbs16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
We need to be aware of it, and know how to counter it. This is seen by Daniel's advice to king Nebuchadnezzar in verse 27.
DAN 4:27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. (NIV – “Prosperity will continue”)

4. What is the memory verse in Daniel 4?
Daniel 4:17 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 <8215> of men.
What is the memory verse in Daniel 4?

5. Daniel chapter 4
3. What does Daniel suggest that Nebuchadnezzar do that the dream not be carried out upon him. What is the application to us today?
First Nebuchadnezzar/us need to "break off from sin by righteousness.”
Sin is the missing of God's mark which can be anything from not doing (i.e. burying our talents, Mat. 25:18) to disobeying God's laws, Deu.30:8.
Matthew 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
DEU 30:8 And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.
Next Nebuchadnezzar was to break off thine iniquities (injustice to our neighbour) by showing mercy to the poor, Dan.4:27.
So how do teens go about not being unjust, not burying their talents, and obeying God?
Obtaining strong faith as compared to blind faith!

6. Daniel chapter 4
4. What is the name of the madness that Nebuchadnezzar suffered?
Lycanthropy - Ency. Brit. "a psychiatric state in which the patient believes he is a wolf or some other non human animal."

7. Daniel chapter 4 The beasts = nations, i.e. Dan.7&8.
5. What is symbolized in verse 12 by the beasts and fowls dwelling under the tree?
The beasts = nations, i.e. Dan.7&8.
Fowls = leaders, i.e., Eze. 39:17 are all who received protection and were fed by the tree.
Ezekiel 39:17 … Speak unto every feathered fowl, … Assemble yourselves, and come … to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you … that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood.
The tree is first descriptive of Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom. This tree after it is cut down grows back as Babylon the Great.
Revelation17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

8. Daniel chapter 4
6. What is the significance of the tree being cut down and a band of iron and brass being put around it?
The cutting down relates to the Babylonian Empire cut down in 539 BC by Media-Persia but preserved by bands.
The band of iron and brass preserved its influence throughout history and as seen by what happened to Nebuchadnezzar we can expect to see this tree restored. This is described in Revelation 17:5.
REV 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
The reputation of Babylon as a centre for false worship may show that after Nebuchadnezzar recovered, he was corrupted by the women in Zech. 5:9-11 who carry their religion to Babylon and later in time to Rome.

9. Daniel chapter 4
7. Re: Bible symbolism, how long is a "time" and when does the period of seven times in verse 23 begin and end?
A "time" is 360 days and seven times is 7 X 360 = years using the day for a year principle. This began when the tree was cut down in 539 BC and ended when the image begins to stand upon both feet, (539 BC + 2, = 1980 AD).
It’s end began in 1980 with the Solidarity Union movement and with the help of Pope John Paul II and President Reagan, it was used to hasten the dissolution of the USSR, (Soviet Empire) which allows the tree/image to rise again.
To support a prophetic year is 360 days instead of days, compare Rev. 11:2,3 and 12:6,14 and apply the day for a year principle.
The day for year principle is established as follows:
NUM 14:34 After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year,
EZE 4:6 … lie again on thy right side … I have appointed thee each day for a year …
LUK 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day shall be perfected.

10. Daniel chapter 4 8. Who are the "watchers" in verses 13,17 & 23?
Daniel 4:17 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 …
The "watchers" are the angels who do God's bidding.
JER 4:16 Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country (heaven), and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.
JER 4:17 As keepers of a field, are they against her round about; because she hath been rebellious against me, saith the LORD.
PSA 103:20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, harkening unto the voice of his word.

11. Daniel chapter 4
9. Could Daniel 4:17 be used to show we are not to vote in Federal elections?
Daniel 4:17 … 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.
Yes, Dan.4:17 shows that God rules in the kingdoms of men therefore this is God's arena. Even though a evil leader like Hitler may be running for election, we could be voting against God if we voted for another candidate.
John 18:36 "... My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."

12. Daniel chapter 4
10. Why would God set over the kingdoms of men the "basest of men" and does this description fit king Nebuchadnezzar?
To accomplish His plan. This may have applied to Nebuchadnezzar at the beginning of his reign however he changed as seen in verses 1-3 and 37 which was the result of God and Daniel working with him.
History suggests he was a capable ruler; he conducted a great building program, however, he may have been a base man morally.
The word "basest" comes from the Aramaic word meaning lowliest. In the NRSV, the translation is: "... lowliest of human beings". In the case of Hitler, his previous station in life was "low," and by his actions he was the “lowliest of human beings”.
As to why God set up Hitler, history shows he was the driving force behind the Jews going back to their land to become a nation.