And at the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to the heavens, and my understanding returned to me. And I blessed the Most High, and to the One Who lives perpetually, I praised and honored Him, for His dominion is a perpetual dominion and His kingdom with generation to generation (Daniel 4:34).
At the end of twelve months after Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of the tree, he was walking about his royal palace of Babylon, speaking to himself about how great he was (Daniel 4:29–30). While the words were in his mouth, the decree came from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken, the kingdom has departed from you.” (Daniel 4:31). Nebuchadnezzar was given the mind of a beast and was driven from men into the field (Daniel 4:32).
In his dream, the king was informed that he would be in this state for seven years. His body was wet with the dew, his hair grew like an eagle’s feathers, and his fingernails were like bird claws (Daniel 4:33). The king did not go mad; God removed his ability to rationalize as a human does, restricting him to function only from his soul as a beast of the field.
After seven years, Nebuchadnezzar’s understanding was returned to him. Looking up into the heavens, he understood. There is a God in heaven who rules over men. A God who is greater than all men and gives the kingdoms to whomever He chooses (Daniel 4:25). This is Nebuchadnezzar’s third encounter with the God of Daniel. Through Daniel, God revealed to the king his dream concerning the kingdoms of men. In his arrogance, the king set up a statue and demanded that all worship it. Although he perceived no one could rescue anyone from his hand, God did not permit the king’s rage to harm His servants. Two incredible, visual displays of the authority of God, yet Nebuchadnezzar remained prideful. Now, after seven years without his reasoning, he understands there is no one greater than Daniel’s God.
It was not the lack of reasoning that led to this understanding. As soon as Nebuchadnezzar regained his mind, his kingdom was restored to him (Daniel 4:36). This could have only happened by the determination of one who is greater than men and rules over the kingdoms of men.
Through this experience, Nebuchadnezzar came to understand that the works of the king of heaven are truth and His ways are just. He who walks in pride will be put down (Daniel 4:37). This acknowledgment does not equate to salvation. Believing there is a God in heaven will not save a man. Even the demons believe God is one, yet they are not offered help (James 2:19).
When we consider the incredible experiences Nebuchadnezzar had, we assume he would believe and be saved. However, in the king’s time, the only way to salvation was through Israel. Scripture states that he understood the King of Heaven is above men. Scripture and history provide no evidence that the king became a proselyte. Sight does not save. Knowing there is a God does not save. If unbelievers personally saw God today, they still would not change their minds about their wrong ways (Revelation 9:20). Just as in Nebuchadnezzar’s days, salvation today comes by taking God at His Word. For the king, this would require him to join with the Jews as a proselyte and therefore abide by the Mosaic Law. For men to be saved today, they must believe that Christ died on behalf of our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). Nebuchadnezzar is one of many recorded experiences that show us faith is not about sight; it is taking God at His word. The just live out from faith, not out from sight (Romans 1:17).
