Revealing the Counterfeit's Heart

            Perhaps emboldened by his first dream, Nebuchadnezzar erects a statute of himself in Babylon. It is roughly 80 feet high and 8 feet wide. Nothing small about this king’s ego! In fact, it is going to cast a long shadow all the way to the last book of the Bible.
            As for now, it gives us a peek into the heart and spirit of the future Antichrist (as portrayed in the ten toes). The king orders all the leaders under him to come to the dedication of the impressive statue to his pride. Eerily, a heralding voice cries out to the distinguished guests: “To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace” (Dan. 3:4-6).
            You may have heard the news account of three of Daniel’s friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego (their Babylonian names) who refused to bow down. They were indeed thrown into the fiery furnace, only they were not burned. When they were released, they didn’t even smell like smoke! As for the men who threw them into the hot spot, they saw a fourth man in there as well—one like the Son of God—the One who delivers His faithful ones from the enemy’s plans. And then the flames engulfed the men who had the unfortunate task of doing the king’s bidding.
            Apparently, the king was reminded once again of God’s place as the Most High. At least for the time being. That is, until his next dream (see Daniel 4).  And once again, Daniel is called in to interpret the strange scenario. This time the king is likened to a great tree spreading out in many directions. But then, just as the tree is thriving, a “watcher” orders it to be chopped down, leaving a stump that is left abandoned in the wilderness for seven times (seasons).
            Daniel explains that the tree is Nebuchadnezzar. The king’s own leadership shall cut him off, but will restore him as the king after seven years. Twelve months after this second dream, the king is walking about the royal palace of Babylon and is heard to say, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” Even as the words are coming out of his mouth, the king hears a voice from Heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!” Apparently, so did his senses.
            He is promptly banished to the wilderness. After languishing there for seven years, feeding on the grasses like a mere ox, Nebuchadnezzar comes to his senses and is restored to the throne, just as the prophetic dream revealed. His word to the wise who would follow in his footsteps: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of Heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.”
            The Chronos Lesson: Clearly, Nebuchadnezzar had not heeded God’s wisdom recorded in Proverbs 16:18. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” It’s the essence of the fallen nature. The apostle John stated it this way: “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:16). It is the way of the world.
            Even though we still exist in this world, the New Testament writers remind us often to deliberately walk according to our identity in Christ, and to make no provisions for the pride-filled lusts of the flesh (see Romans 13:14 for one example). It’s easy to get sucked in, which is why we must consciously guard our heart and mind.
            You may be wondering why we’re spending so much time with Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel. The king, who heads up the statue marking the Times of the Gentiles, foreshadows the final manifestation of this prideful spirit that thinks it can change the times and seasons in God’s plan. He gives us a glimpse into the nature of the future Antichrist.
            The final “king” won’t fare any better than Nebuchadnezzar, however. He, too, shall be allowed to rise up as a weapon of God’s indignation against the apostate Jewish nation. It is part of the plan that will not only restore the Davidic kingdom in Israel, it will also ultimately bring an end to evil and Satan’s counterfeit mountain kingdom. Thankfully, we now know that this imposter shall be crushed to dust by the Stone not forged by human hands.
            As for Daniel, God will continue to use His faithful servant to prophetically release God’s will on the earth. Stay tuned.