Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar (Daniel 4-5)

Mark Grasso

Daniel 4 differs from the surrounding chapters in that it does not focus on Daniel or his friends. However, as it appears in the historical section of the book bound by chapters 2 and 7, it mirrors chapters 3, 5 and 6 in presenting characteristics of man’s rule over the earth during the times of the Gentiles (as well as prophetic pictures and practical lessons). That these characteristics are present throughout the times of the Gentiles is confirmed by the references to ‘seven times’ in verses 16, 23, 25 and 32, seven being the number associated with that which is complete.

Nebuchadnezzar’s rule over the then-known earth was great, as symbolised by the great tree described in verses 10–12 and 20–22. The greatness of his rule was not sinful in and of itself, and in fact brought blessing for his subjects (vs. 12, 21). Similarly, man’s rule over the earth has been great when viewed from an outward perspective, albeit far from perfect at many times. Examples of this include the spread of the rule of law under the Roman Empire, the period when the sun never set on the British Empire, the unprecedented increase in living standards in western countries in the second half of the 20th century and the rapid development of several vaccines for a novel virus in 2020 and 2021. The same will also be true of the revived Roman Empire as the ruler of a small country (symbolised by the little horn in Daniel 7) becomes the leader of all of the countries making up the revived Empire, which then becomes an important world power (see Dan. 7, 9; Rev. 13), with its leader performing supernatural acts (Rev. 13).

However, Nebuchadnezzar left out God, even though God was the one who had established him and the Babylonian Empire (Dan. 2:37). Moreover, Nebuchadnezzar claimed that the greatness of his kingdom was all of his own making (4:30). Similar boasting has marked man’s rule over the earth since, notwithstanding that it is always God who sets up the powers that be (v. 32; Rom. 13:1). Sadly, it is also a feature of Christendom in these last days (Rev. 3:17).

In order that he might learn that the heavens rule even during the times of the Gentiles (Dan. 4:26), God judged Nebuchadnezzar by giving him the heart of a beast for ‘seven times’ (v. 16). During this period, the king behaved like an animal (v. 33), fulfilling his desires for food and the like but having no morality or conscience guiding his acts and living without any thought of God. That such behaviour characterises man’s rule at the present time and will do so during the tribulation period is confirmed by chapter 7, where each of the four Gentile kingdoms is pictured as a beast, and by Revelation 13, in which the leader of the revived Roman Empire is referred to as a beast. We also see all around us that, even when a person, a ruler or a country may be greatly esteemed by the world, they are no better in conduct or position than the beasts which perish if they do not know God (Ps. 49:20).

By grace, Nebuchadnezzar was brought to repentance,[1] recognised that the Most High rules over the kingdom of men and praised God (vs. 32, 34–37). The Most High is a title associated with the Lord’s reign over the earth in the millennium (as can be seen from the fact that it first appears in Genesis 14, which provides a type of the millennium). When the times of the Gentiles are brought to an end, all nations shall call Him blessed (Ps. 72:17). Instead of exalting themselves, ‘kings shall fall down before Him’.[2]

While Nebuchadnezzar responded to God’s warning, Belshazzar, who may have been (or pretended to be) Nebuchadnezzar’s descendant (Dan. 5:2), learned nothing from his history. Belshazzar’s end and the end of the Babylonian Empire were preceded by open and unbridled mockery of God in the form of the deliberately blasphemous use of vessels stolen from the temple in an immoral and idolatrous feast (vs. 2–4). This was done in defiance of God (v. 23). Sadly, and solemnly, such behaviour has marked man’s rule over the earth, and has only become worse since Belshazzar’s day, especially in the western world. The Lord Jesus, the Scriptures and other things associated with them are frequently the subject of ridicule from the world, even its more cultured elements. Indeed, it now seems that a mark of cultural enlightenment is to make such matters the subject of irreverent (or worse) entertainment. During ‘Daniel’s seventieth week’, something even more depraved will occur when the temple in Jerusalem will be converted into a venue for idol worship under the permission of the beast ruling over the revived Roman Empire (9:26–27).

On the last night of his kingdom, God gave Belshazzar clear warning that he would be judged for his sins, and did so with words which also have an application to every unbeliever (5:25–28 NKJV):

‘MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it’ — The length of each person’s life, and hence the extent of the opportunity to repent and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, is determined by God.

‘TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting’ — God judges all righteously, and finds that there is none who has done good (Ps. 14:1–3).

‘PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians’ — For the unbeliever, God’s judgment is unavoidable.

The manner in which Belshazzar’s demise was prophesied has given us the well-known phrase ‘the writing is on the wall’. The Bible makes clear that the world is already judged (John 12:31) and that this judgment will be executed suddenly, like a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:2), and on each part of the world, including its religious aspect. For Christendom, the writing is on the wall in Revelation 3:16 and other verses. In view of this, the exhortation to us now is to separate from what is false or not in accordance with Scripture (Rev. 18:4) before what remains of the Christian profession is judged during the tribulation, as described in Revelation 17 and 18.

From chapter 5:10–14, it appears that Daniel had lost his prominence in the Babylonian Empire, which is hardly surprising given that the ungodly rulers following Nebuchadnezzar would not have respected him. Like him, we may be unknown of the world (1 John 3:1) while it continues its downward course, oblivious to the coming judgment despite God’s longsuffering and repeated warnings (2 Pet. 3:9, 15; Matt. 24:37–39). Like him, we should be moved when we consider the prospects of the world (Dan. 4:19), rejecting any honours by which it may seek to distract us, but faithfully preaching the Word of God at all seasons (5:17; 2 Tim. 4:2).

[1] Nebuchadnezzar’s earlier statements in chapter 2:47 and 3:28 do not appear to have been the product of repentance towards God, which is a necessary element of salvation (Acts 20:21). His sentiments at those times also appear to have been of short duration.

[2] J Montgomery, ‘Hail to the Lord’s Anointed’, Spiritual Songs hymn 250.

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From: Truth and Testimony, 2022