1. Nebuchadnezzar has another dream. How secure is his throne?

2. 2 DANIEL 4 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.

3. 3 DANIEL 4 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.

4. 4 DANIEL 4 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.

5. 5 DANIEL 4 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 a beast, And let seven times pass over him.

6. 6 DANIEL 4 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.' 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."

7. 7 DANIEL 4 Daniel Explains the Second Dream 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 in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home - 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.

8. 8 DANIEL 4 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.

9. 9 DANIEL 4 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 advice 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."

10. 10 DANIEL 4 28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 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.

11. 11 DANIEL 4 Nebuchadnezzar Praises God 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 put down.

12. 12 Daniel 4 Who committed the first sin in history? ANSWER: _______________ SATAN What was the sin? ANSWER: ___________ PRIDE

13. 13 DANIEL 4 ISAIAH 14 12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'

14. 14 Daniel 4 PRIDE SELF CENTEREDNESS HAUGHTINESS REBELLION ARROGANCE

15. 15 Daniel 4 What sin took place in the garden? ANSWER: _______________ PRIDE What did Eve want to attain? ANSWER: __________________________________ (Genesis 3:4-6 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate.) TO BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH

16. 16 Daniel 4 What was the sin of Haman in Esther 3? ANSWER: _______________ Esther 3:5 “When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay him homage, Haman was filled with wrath.” PRIDE What was the sin of Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26:3-5 and 15-21? ANSWER: _______________ PRIDE

17. 17 DANIEL 4 2 Chronicles 26 3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. 4 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 5 He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper. [verses 6-15 he conquered many and grew in power] 16 But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the Lord--valiant men. 18 And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the Lord God." 19 Then Uzziah became furious; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead, before the priests in the house of the Lord, beside the incense altar. 20 And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and there, on his forehead, he was leprous; so they thrust him out of that place. Indeed he also hurried to get out, because the Lord had struck him. 21 King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He dwelt in an isolated house, because he was a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord.

18. 18 Daniel 4 What was the sin of the Pharisees? ANSWER: _________________________ Matt 23: 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.' … 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. HYPOCRACY AND PRIDE

19. 19 Daniel 4 Ever hear a Christian say: “I can’t believe that guy claims to be a Christian, can you believe what he is doing? I would never do anything like that!!!” I Cor 10:12 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall.” What did Peter say before the rooster crowed three times? Matt 26:35 “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”

20. 20 Daniel 4 What about the Church in the last days? People will be lovers of themselves, … boasters, proud … having a form of Godliness but denying His power! (2 Tim 3:2-5, see also Rev 3:15-18) Today, just as God prophesied, we have certain faith teachers saying we are gods. Does this remind you of the sin of Satan and then Eve? Mormanism, Hinduism, Islam, etc. teach that their followers can become a god.

21. 21 Daniel 4 What about the mainstream Churches today? They are teaching self-esteem and self-image. Christ says to deny self! (Matt 16:24) The focus on “self” is rooted in Pride. Can God use us for His purposes if we are standing up strong in our own self confidence? (When we are weak He is strong! 2 Cor 12:10) What happened to Nebuchadnezzar when he turned his focus to himself?

22. 22 DANIEL 4 (Daniel 4:28-30 ) Just twelve months after God warned the King through Daniel, lets read what boastful words came from the king's lips. Babylon"The king spoke, saying, ‘Is not this great ________, that I have built for a royal dwelling by ___ mighty power and for the honour of ___ majesty?’" (verse 30) my

23. 23 Daniel 4

24. 24 Daniel 4 Why would someone do something like that? Pride. Look at how great I am! I can outdo you and anybody else! (2 Tim 3 - “boasters”) Prov 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

25. 25 DANIEL 4 (Daniel 4:31 ‑ 33 ) Even while the king was speaking, a voice from heaven pronounced - At this, Nebuchadnezzar became insane and was driven from his throne. "Nebuchadnezzar ‑ the kingdom has departed from you!"

26. 26 Daniel 4 If any of you start to think that you are really something and you are the “Greatest”. BEWARE! REMEMBER SATAN’S FALL! REMEMBER PETER. REMEMBER HAMAN. REMEMBER THE PHARISEES. REMEMBER NEBUCHENEZZER. REMEMBER USSIAH.

27. 27 DANIEL 4

28. 28 Daniel 4 God has also blessed you with great talents. Use them for His glory, and use them with HUMILITY. Dan 4:37 “Those who walk in Pride He is able to abase.” 1 Pet 5:5 “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Rom 12:3 [Do] not think more highly of yourself than you ought! Prov 16:5 “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord” Gal 6:3 “For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”

29. 29 Daniel 4 Can you all give me some examples from scripture of individuals who acted with humility? PAUL 1 Cor 15:9 MOSES Exodus 4:10, Numbers 12:3 DANIEL Daniel 2:30 JESUS Phil 2:5-8

30. 30 DANIEL 4 Remember Christ; who died because of our pride, our sin. He, being God, the Creator of all things, (including you and me), humbled Himself and made Himself of no reputation. He took the form of a mere man, and a servant. He humbled Himself to the point of death! Would any of us do that when we could have called ten thousand angels to carry us back to our throne? Phil 2:5-8

31. 31 DANIEL 4 Let’s walk in humility. All we have is from our Father. He can remove all of our belongings, our family, our job, and our health at any moment! We can do nothing apart from Him. If we think we can conquer life on our own, we are fooling ourselves. If we rise up in pride, and we are His, He will humble us. I do not think any of us want to find out by what means God would use to humble us.