Daniel 4:19

Daniel 4:19 says, Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee.  Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.  Daniel was astonished at the interpretation of the dream, which was evidently very clear to him.  Though Nebuchadnezzar was still oppressing the Jews, Daniel did not take delight in telling him of his being overthrown.  Nebuchadnezzar, thinking Daniel might be afraid to tell him because Daniel feared the consequences of doing so, told him not to be troubled.  Daniel then told Nebuchadnezzar that the dream was for those who hated Nebuchadnezzar.  We should never be afraid to speak God's word, even if it pronounces destruction to those we are speaking to.  We cannot alter the gospel to make people feel better about not accepting it.  Verse twenty adds, The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;  Verse twenty-one continues, Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:  Verse twenty-two concludes, It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.  Daniel said that the tree represented Nebuchadnezzar, whose kingdom had grown vast and powerful.  So far, this would seem like a good thing, but even if a king is the most powerful ruler in the world, his kingdom is limited.  All earthly kingdoms, no matter how great, will one day be destroyed and Christ alone will rule.  Verse twenty-three states, And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof 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 of the field, till seven times pass over him;  Daniel had said that Nebuchadnezzar was the tree, and now he was saying that Nebuchadnezzar saw a watcher and holy one come down from heaven and order the tree to be cut down.  This was not good news for Nebuchadnezzar, but the truth of the coming destruction of those who do not accept the authority and leadership of God will never be good news.  Verse twenty-four adds, This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king:  Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that this was not only the interpretation but also the decree of the most High.  Though Daniel did not say God, he did convey the idea when he said most High.  Since God had proclaimed it, it would come to pass.  It is possible that this could have changed had Nebuchadnezzar repented and acknowledged God.  We are told in no uncertain terms what the fate of those who deny God is, unless they repent and accept Christ as their savior.  Verse twenty-five continues, That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.  Daniel said that Nebuchadnezzar would be overthrown and live like the beast of the field, eating grass and covered by the dew.  This would continue for seven years, until Nebuchadnezzar recognized that God rules the kingdom of men.  God will indeed strike down the kingdoms of the earth at the second coming, not for seven years but forever.  Verse twenty-six says, And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.  Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that his kingdom would be restored to him after he acknowledged God.  Verse twenty-seven adds, Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.  Daniel asked the king to accept his council and begin living by God's guidance now.  Had Nebuchadnezzar done so, he might have avoided the coming destruction of his kingdom.  God does not wish to destroy but to redeem those who rebel against Him.