DANIEL CHAPTER 4 AND THE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

The Ruler of the Universe Humbles and Converts the King of the world.

A. Nebuchadnezzar makes a decree glorifying God as the universal and eternal Ruler of the kings of the earth. Dan. 4:1-3; Psa. 145:1, 11-13.

B. The dream of Nebuchadnezzar. 4:4-18, God reigns forever. Psa.29:10.

C. THE INTERPRETATION BY THE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES.

Tree is Israel ===Israel was cut off by Babylon.

7 times to pass over Israel until Christ's or YHWH (they mis-call Him Jehovah) Jehovah's Kingdom is established.

7 times equal 7 years times 360 days equals 2,520 days.

Each day then is transformed back to a year, making 2,520 years, which they say will endure from the time of Nebuchadnezzar until the Kingdom of Jehovah (Jehovah's Witnesses). Beginning with 606 B.C. as the time Nebuchadnezzar began to reign, they come to 1914 as the starting date for God's Kingdom.

D. THE WEAKNESS OF THEIR CLAIMS

Aside from the interpretation and fulfillment that follow in the same chapter, the idea of turning years into days and then back into years is absurd. If one day is equal to one year and 7 times is 7 years then the equivalent would be 7 days, not 2, 520 days. Furthermore , as the interpretation and fulfillment below show, the dream has nothing to do with the establishment of God's Kingdom. We find the kingdom of Christ established in the NT (see Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:6,9).

E. DANIEL'S INTERPRETATION. 4:19-27, MARK 9:1

1. King Nebuchadnezzar is the tree and not Israel__

2. 7 times were to pass over the King after he was cut down.

3. He was to eat grass like an Ox and live in the fields until he learned his great lesson. THE MOST HIGH RULES, and not Nebbie. God can give the kingdom to anyone He wills. (See Romans 13:1-4; Isa. 10:5-15).

4. The counsel of Daniel: Repent and do righteousness to lengthen your time of prosperity. Look at Ninevah, Isa. 3:10; II Kings 20:1-5.

F. THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS DREAM WAS HISTORICALLY FULFILLED WHICH WE WILL ADDRESS SOMETIME LATER.