Daniel 4:10

Daniel 4:10 says, Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.  We need to remember that Nebuchadnezzar had been at peace in his bed when this dream came, but it made him afraid.  When God is truly speaking to a lost person about what their future holds, they should be afraid.  Nebuchadnezzar said he saw a very tall tree in the midst of the earth.  Verse eleven adds, The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:  Nebuchadnezzar was simply telling his dream, and though all those who had said before that they could tell Nebuchadnezzar the interpretation if they knew the dream, they had failed to do so.  Now, Nebuchadnezzar was relying on Daniel, but he still was not relying on God.  We, as followers of Christ, have direct access to God and do not need to go to or through anyone to know His will for our lives.  This tree reached into heaven.  Verse twelve continues, The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.  Nebuchadnezzar was still simply telling his dream, but this tree was able to basically meet the needs people, animals and birds.  So far, there would seem to be nothing disturbing about the dream.  Verse thirteen states, I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;  Though the tree grew up into heaven, Nebuchadnezzar said he saw a Holy One come down from heaven.  Without getting into the interpretation too much, we know that we cannot reach God except through the Holy One Who came down from heaven, Jesus Christ.  Verse fourteen adds, He cried aloud, and said thus, 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:  This is still just Nebuchadnezzar telling his dream to Daniel.  Verse fifteen continues,  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: Verse sixteen says, 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.  Verse seventeen adds, 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.  The purpose of the dream was somewhat explained in this verse, but not the interpretation.  Verse eighteen continues, This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.  Nebuchadnezzar told Daniel that this was his dream and that, although all the wise men of his kingdom could not tell him the answer, that he felt Daniel could.  Nebuchadnezzar said he believed this because the spirit of the holy god lived in Daniel.  I still don't believe that Nebuchadnezzar recognized that there was but one God.  People may come to us, who are followers of Christ today for answers, because they see something different in us, and yet still not acknowledge God.  When someone acknowledges God, they can go directly to Him for answers.