What do bands of iron and brass represent?
(Daniel 4:1-37; Jer. 8:9; Eze.28:17; 31:3) Blog Jan. 19 – 25, 2020
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In Daniel 1 we leaned three keys for understanding the book: the key of explanation, the key for interpretation, and the key of operation. In chapter two we learned that God revealed future world history using a “1, 2, 3, 4, 10, bang, results” outline and that God’s kingdom would only be restored through crisis. Chapter three told the story of how God will restore his government on earth. It will be through a worship crisis in which God will come to the aide of his persecuted church.
Review (Daniel 1-3)
1. What were the four subjects to be covered in Daniel according to chapter one? The restoration of God’s kingdom, king, sanctuary, & people.
2. What primary school lesson should we have learned in Daniel 2 about the prophetic outlines to be given in Daniel? We should have learned the “1, 2, 3, 4, 10, BANG, results” sequence that will be used throughout the book.
3. When a prophecy of the restoration of God’s kingdom was given in Daniel two, how many world empires were identified? Five were listed but only two were identified (Babylon & God’s eternal kingdom.
4. What principle of interpretation illustrated in Daniel 1 forces us to wait for the identification of the other three world empires listed in Daniel two? The principle that we should let the Bible be its own interpreter.
5. How does Daniel 3 illustrate the “operation principle” we learned in Daniel 1? By placing a crisis test at the end of a period of time, followed by the immediate results.
6. As emphasized in Daniel 3 what authority is not given to human rulers by God? The authority to legislate worship.
7. As illustrated in Daniel 3, what will God do when his people are brought into fiery crisis trials? He will join them & deliver them.
The Dream & its Interpretation (Daniel 4:1-27; Jer. 8:9; Eze. 31:3)
8. When Nebuchadnezzar had another dream whom did he call to interpret it? The nation’s brain trust – all the wise men.
9. What were the wise men unable to do that they had assured the king they could do in chapter two? To interpret dreams if they were told the dream.
10. Why were the wise men unable to interpret the dream? Because they did not accept God’s revelation concerning the first dream.
11. What did Nebuchadnezzar dream in chapter four? He dreamed of a great tree which shaded birds & beasts to whom a heavenly watcher declared it should be cut down leaving its trunk with a band of iron & of brass to be covered with the dew of heaven & be given a beast’s heart till seven times should pass over it.
12. How can we interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great tree? By believing God’s previous revelation & using Scripture alone.
13. Where can we find the meaning of the great tree? By looking at chapter 2 verse 38 that tells us Nebuchadnezzar is the one under whom birds & beasts shelter.
14. What Bible verses show that a tree represents a man? Ezekiel 31:3; Psalm 1:3; & verse sixteen of this chapter that says the tree had a man’s heart.
15. What should we learn from the intrusion of a heavenly watcher? That heaven sees everything done on earth – angel video cameras are running continually.
16. What do bands of iron and brass represent? Iron represents strength & bass represents worldwide dominion according to Daniel 2:38-39.
The Results of Nebuchadnezzar’s Crisis (Daniel 4:28-37; Prov. 16:5-6; Eze. 28:17)
17. What brought on Nebuchadnezzar’s insanity? Pride (the same problem Lucifer had in heaven).
18. What was God’s goal in dealing with Pharaoh and with Nebuchadnezzar? Their acknowledgment of & saving belief in the true God.
19. What restored Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity? He lifted his eye o.f faith to heaven acknowledging his sinfulness & trusting in God’s goodness.
20. What should we learn from this experience? That it is our pride that keeps us far from heaven’s blessings & our only hope in the final crisis will be in the mercy of God & our only defense will be prayer.