Bible Study Guides – “Is Not This Great Babylon That I Have Built?”

July 28, 2001 – August 3, 2001

MEMORY VERSE: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.” Daniel 4:37.

STUDY HELP: Prophets and Kings, 514–521.

Introduction:“The strength of nations, as of individuals, is not found in the opportunities or facilities that appear to make them invincible; it is not found in their boasted greatness. It is measured by the fidelity with which they fulfill God’s purpose.” Education, 175.

“Whatever the position we are called to fill, our only safety is in walking humbly with God. The man who glories in his supposed capabilities, in his position of power, in his wisdom, in his property, or in anything else than Christ, will be taken in the net of the enemy. He who fails to walk humbly before God will find a spirit rising up within him, prompting the desire to rule others connected with him, and causing him to oppress others who are human and erring like himself. He appropriates to himself jurisdiction and control over other men—an honour which belongs alone to God.” Review and Herald, September 8, 1896.

“The Visions of Mine Head Upon My Bed”

1 What further dream did Nebuchadnezzar have? Daniel 4:10–16.

NOTE: “To Nebuchadnezzar the king the true object of national government was represented under the figure of a great tree, whose height ‘reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: the leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all;’ under its shadow the beasts of the field dwelt, and among its branches the birds of the air had their habitation. Daniel 4:11,12. This representation shows the character of a government that fulfills God’s purpose—a government that protects and upbuilds the nation. God exalted Babylon that it might fulfill this purpose. Prosperity attended the nation until it reached a height of wealth and power that has never since been equaled.” Education, 175.

2 What was the effect of this dream upon the king? Daniel 4:4, 5.

NOTE: “Nebuchadnezzar had another dream, which filled his heart with terror. In a vision of the night he saw a great tree growing in the midst of the earth, towering up to the heavens, and its branches stretching to the ends of the earth. In it the fowls of the air dwelt, and under it the beasts of the field found shelter. As the king gazed upon that lofty tree, he beheld a ‘watcher, even a holy one,’—a divine messenger, similar in appearance to the One who walked with the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace. This heavenly being approached the tree, and in a loud voice cried, ‘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; nevertheless, leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass.’” Review and Herald, February 1, 1881.

“They Did Not Make Known to Me the Interpretation Thereof”

3 To whom did the king turn for the interpretation? Daniel 4:6, 7.

NOTE: “The king was greatly troubled by this dream. It was evidently a prediction of adversity. He repeated it to the magicians, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers; but although the dream was very explicit, none of the wise men would attempt to interpret it. Those who neither loved nor feared God could not understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. They could not approach unto the throne of Him who dwelleth in light unapproachable. To them the things of God must remain mysteries.” Youth’s Instructor, November 1, 1904.

“Once more in this idolatrous nation, testimony was to be borne to the fact that only those who love and fear God can understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.” Prophets and Kings, 516.

4 To whom did the king finally turn? Daniel 4:8, 9, 18.

NOTE: “The last dream which God gave to Nebuchadnezzar, and the experience of the king in connection with it, contain lessons of vital importance to all those who are connected with the work of God.…The faithful Daniel stood before the king, not to flatter, not to misinterpret in order to secure favor. A solemn duty rested upon him to tell the king of Babylon the truth.” Review and Herald, September 8, 1896.

5 What was Daniel’s reaction when the king had told him the dream? Daniel 4:19.

NOTE: “To Daniel the meaning of the dream was plain, and its significance startled him. He ‘was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him.’ Seeing Daniel’s hesitation and distress, the king expressed sympathy for his servant. ‘Belteshazzar,’ he said, ‘let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee.’ ‘My lord,’ Daniel answered, ‘the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.’ The prophet realized that upon him God had laid the solemn duty of revealing to Nebuchadnezzar the judgment that was about to fall upon him because of his pride and arrogance. Daniel must interpret the dream in language the king could understand; and although its dreadful import had made him hesitate in dumb amazement, yet he must state the truth, whatever the consequences to himself.” Prophets and Kings, 517.

“It is Thou, O King, that Art Grown and Become Strong”

6 What did the tree in the dream symbolize? Daniel 4:20–22.

NOTE: “The end of all government was beautifully set forth by the Lord in the symbol of a tree that gave shelter to the beasts of the field and to the birds of the air. Nebuchadnezzar was at one time a superior ruler, a man more compassionate toward his subjects than was the ruler of any other heathen nation, and his rule was symbolized by a lofty tree. But the man who thinks it is his prerogative to command his fellow men and says, ‘You shall,’ and ‘You shall not,’ is entirely out of his place. He takes upon himself that which was never given him and lords it over God’s purchased possession. Every man is accountable to God for his actions. The man in a position of trust who is guided by the spirit of God will always protect the weak, relieve the needy, and look after the widow and the fatherless.” Manuscript Releases vol. 12, 142.

7 How did Daniel explain the cutting down of the tree? Daniel 4:23–25.

NOTE: “The dream and its meaning filled Daniel with astonishment, and ‘his thoughts troubled him.’ But he faithfully told the king that the fate of the tree was emblematic of his own downfall; that he would lose his reason, and, forsaking the abodes of men, would find a home with the beasts of the field, and that he would remain in this condition for seven years.” Manuscript Releases vol. 7, 67.

8 What did the band of iron and brass around the stump symbolize? Daniel 4:26.

9 What plea did Daniel make to the king? Daniel 4:27.

NOTE: “He urged the proud monarch to repent and turn to God, and by good works avert the threatened calamity. ‘Wherefore, O king,’ he said, ‘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.’ Had the king heeded this counsel, the threatened evil might have been turned aside.” Manuscript Releases vol. 7, 67.

“All This Came Upon the King”

10 How did the king reveal that he had not heeded Daniel’s warning? Daniel 4:28–30.

NOTE: “For a time the impression of the warning and the counsel of the prophet was strong upon Nebuchadnezzar; but the heart that is not transformed by the grace of God soon loses the impressions of the Holy Spirit. Self-indulgence and ambition had not yet been eradicated from the king’s heart, and later on these traits reappeared. Notwithstanding the instruction so graciously given him, and the warnings of past experience, Nebuchadnezzar again allowed himself to be controlled by a spirit of jealousy against the kingdoms that were to follow. His rule, which heretofore had been to a great degree just and merciful, became oppressive. Hardening his heart, he used his God-given talents for self-glorification, exalting himself above the God who had given him life and power. For months the judgment of God lingered. But instead of being led to repentance by this forbearance, the king indulged his pride until he lost confidence in the interpretation of the dream, and jested at his former fears.” Prophets and Kings, 519.

11 What immediate judgment fell upon the king? Daniel 4:31–33.

NOTE: “In a moment the reason that God had given him was taken away; the judgment that the king thought perfect, the wisdom on which he prided himself, was removed, and the once mighty ruler was a maniac. His hand could no longer sway the sceptre. The messages of warning had been unheeded; now, stripped of the power his Creator had given him, and driven from men, Nebuchadnezzar ‘did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.’ For seven years Nebuchadnezzar was an astonishment to all his subjects; for seven years he was humbled before all the world.” Prophets and Kings, 520.

“At the End of the Days”

12 What happened when the ‘seven times’ had been fulfilled? Daniel 4:34, first part, 36.

NOTE: “At the end of this time his reason was restored to him, and looking up in humility to the God of heaven, he recognized the divine hand in his chastisement. The transformation had come. The mighty monarch had become the humble child of God, obedient to His will. The despot had been changed into the wise, compassionate ruler.” Manuscript Releases vol. 7, 68.

13 What are the last recorded words of Nebuchadnezzar? Daniel 4:37. (Compare Daniel 4:1–3, 34, last part, 35.)

NOTE: “The once proud monarch had become a humble child of God; the tyrannical, overbearing ruler, a wise and compassionate king. He, who had defied and blasphemed the God of heaven, now acknowledged the power of the Most High and earnestly sought to promote the fear of Jehovah and the happiness of his subjects. Under the rebuke of Him who is King of kings and Lord of lords, Nebuchadnezzar had learned at last the lesson which all rulers need to learn—that true greatness consists in true goodness. He acknowledged Jehovah as the living God, saying, ‘I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.’ God’s purpose that the greatest kingdom in the world should show forth His praise was now fulfilled. This public proclamation, in which Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the mercy and goodness and authority of God, was the last act of his life recorded in sacred history.” Prophets and Kings, 521.