EGW WritingsDaniel 4
Ellen G. White
Read Daniel 4 in the BibleDaniel 4:9-27
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)
Ms 169, 1904
19LtMs, Ms 169, 1904, par. 1
When Daniel, in response to the king’s summons, stood in his presence, Nebuchadnezzar greeted him with the words: “O Belteshazzar, master of the [magicians], because I know that the Spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the vision of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.” [Daniel 4:9.] Then Nebuchadnezzar related his dream, and appealed to Daniel to interpret the vision, saying, “O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation; but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.” [Verse 18.]19LtMs, Ms 169, 1904, par. 2
The signification of the dream was plain to Daniel and it startled him. He “was astonished for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him.” [Verse 19.] He had no desire to misinterpret the vision in order to flatter the king and secure royal favor, yet he was reluctant to reveal the dreadful import of the symbols presented.19LtMs, Ms 169, 1904, par. 3
The king, seeing Daniel’s hesitation and distress, was led to express sympathy for his servant. “Belteshazzar,” he entreated, “let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.” [Verse 19.] But the prophet realized that upon him there rested the solemn duty of telling Nebuchadnezzar the truth in plain, straightforward language.19LtMs, Ms 169, 1904, par. 6
“And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the Heavens do rule.” [Verses 20-26.]19LtMs, Ms 169, 1904, par. 7
After thus faithfully telling the king that the fate of the tree was emblematic of his own downfall, and that, losing his reason, he would forsake the abodes of men, and find a home with the beasts of the field, remaining in this condition for seven years, Daniel urged the proud monarch to repent and turn to God. “O king,” the prophet pleaded, “let my counsel be acceptable to thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility.” [Verse 27.]Daniel 4:9-35
Manuscript Releases, vol. 13 [Nos. 1000-1080]
MR No. 1010—Counsel to those in Authority
13MR 61.3
Dr. Kellogg, please read this chapter prayerfully and carefully, and present it before all your associates. Under another symbol his power and glory were presented before Nebuchadnezzar. Read this with a heart open to understand its significance. The interpretation was plainly given to the proud king, and [was] followed by a message from God. The counsel was given to the king in these words, “Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor” [Daniel 4:27].13MR 62.1
For a time Nebuchadnezzar was impressed by the warning and counsel that had been given him, but a heart that is not fully transformed by the grace of God soon loses the impression of the Holy Spirit. For 12 months the king was placed on trial, but at the end of that time he manifested the spirit that had led him to set up the golden image. At the end of 12 months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon. “The king spoke, and said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty” [verse 30, R.V.]. While the words of self-glorification were in the mouth of the king, “There fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And thou shalt be driven from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: thou shalt be made to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou knowest that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever he will” [verses 31, 32, R.V.].13MR 64.1
Calling him into his presence, he says, “O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof” [verse 9]. Then Nebuchadnezzar related his dream, saying, [verses 10-17, R.V., quoted].13MR 64.2
This was the dream that came to Nebuchadnezzar, and he appealed to Daniel to declare the interpretation. Daniel was much troubled as he saw the significance of the dream, but he told the king what would befall him, saying, “Thou shalt be driven from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and thou shalt be made to eat grass like oxen, and shalt be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will” [verse 25, R.V.]. Then Daniel exhorted the king, as we have before presented, to break off his sins by righteousness, and his iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. But the light from heaven was not accepted, and did not exert a saving influence upon his character. Those who receive light will either change their course of action, or else the work of the Lord will become less and less palatable, and will finally be set aside.13MR 66.2
The lesson that the Lord would have all humanity learn from the history of the king of Babylon is that all those who walk in pride and self-exaltation, He is able to abase. The chastening that came upon the king of Babylon wrought reformation in the heart of the king and transformed him in character. Before his humiliation he was tyrannical in his dealings with others, but now the overbearing, fierce monarch is changed into a wise and compassionate ruler. Before his humiliation he defied and blasphemed the God of heaven, but now he acknowledges His power and seeks earnestly to promote the happiness of his subjects. At last the king had received his lesson. “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will make known to you what he hath done for my soul” [Psalm 66:16]. The Lord designed that the greatest kingdom in the world should know and show forth His praise. Nebuchadnezzar says, [Daniel 4:34, 35, quoted.]Daniel 4:10-30
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Lt 8, 1886
4LtMs, Lt 8, 1886, par. 10
Look at the dream of Nebuchadnezzar as interpreted by Daniel. [Daniel 4:10.] In some particulars it was a beautiful dream. A lofty tree was seen planted in the earth. Flocks and herds from the mountains and hills were represented as enjoying shelter beneath its branches, and the birds of the air built their nests amid its boughs. This is the representation of a prosperous king. Nations were dwelling beneath his sovereignty. Families were blessed with peace. His kingdom was firmly established in the hearts of his loyal subjects. The king too knew his prosperity, and he was lifted up because of it. Human nature in its corruptness was revealed; it prompted the king, notwithstanding the warnings God had given him, to do the very things the Lord had told him not to do. He looked upon his kingdom with pride, and exclaimed, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?” [Verse 30.] The instant the words were uttered, the sentence was pronounced which felled the tree and degraded the monarch whom the tree symbolized. The reason which God had given him was taken away; his judgment which he thought so perfect, the wisdom which he prided himself as possessing were removed. The jewel of the mind, which elevates man above the beasts as the head of the body, he no longer retained.4LtMs, Lt 8, 1886, par. 11
So the Lord will magnify Himself as the true and living God. “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself as a green bay tree. I passed by, and lo, he was not. I sought him, but he could not be found.” [Psalm 37:35, 36.] The sceptre is no longer held in the hand of a proud and powerful monarch. The mighty ruler is a maniac. He now herds with the cattle, to feed as the cattle feed: he is a companion with beasts. He whose brow wore a coronet is no longer crowned, but disfigured with absence of reason and intellect. The mandate has gone forth: “Hew down the tree, cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruits.” [Daniel 4:14.] Let men become lifted up in pride, and God will not sustain them and keep them from falling. Let a church become proud and boastful, not depending upon God, and exalting His power, and that church will surely be left by the Lord to be brought down. Let a people glory in wealth, intellect, knowledge, or anything but Jesus Christ, and they will soon be brought to confusion.Daniel 4:10-37
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 114, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 114, 1903, par. 13
“I saw,” he said, “and, behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. The tree grew and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the width thereof unto the end of all the earth; the leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowl of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven, and he cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit; let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches; nevertheless, leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth; and let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him ... This dream I Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now, thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation; but thou art able: for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.” [Daniel 4:10-16, 18.]18LtMs, Lt 114, 1903, par. 14
The dream and its meaning filled Daniel with astonishment, and “his thoughts troubled him.” [Verse 19.] But he faithfully told the king that the fate of the tree was emblematic of his own downfall; that he would lose his reason and, forsaking the abodes of men, would find a home with the beasts of the field; and that he would remain in this condition for seven years. He urged the proud monarch to repent and turn to God and by good works avert the threatened calamity. “Wherefore, O king,” he said, “let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility.” [Verse 27.]18LtMs, Lt 114, 1903, par. 16
About a year after the king received the warning, he was walking in his palace, thinking of his power as the ruler of earth’s greatest kingdom. And the king spake, and said, “Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the house of my kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?” [Verse 30.]18LtMs, Lt 114, 1903, par. 17
The God of heaven read the heart of the king and heard it whisperings of self-gratulation. “While the word was yet in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken, The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.” [Verses 31, 32.]18LtMs, Lt 114, 1903, par. 18
“The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar.” In a moment his reason was taken away, and he became as a beast. “And he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.” [Verse 33.] For seven years he was thus degraded. For seven years he was an astonishment to his subjects. At the end of this time his reason was restored to him, and looking up in humility to the God of heaven, he recognized the divine hand in his chastisement. The transformation had come. The mighty monarch had become the humble child of God, obedient to His will. The despot had been changed into the wise, compassionate ruler.18LtMs, Lt 114, 1903, par. 20
“At the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored Him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom from generation to generation; and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of earth, and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom mine honor and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom and excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment; and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.” [Verses 34-37.]Daniel 4:11-31
Education
Chapter 19—History and Prophecy
Ed 174.2
The power exercised by every ruler on the earth is Heaven-imparted; and upon his use of the power thus bestowed, his success depends. To each the word of the divine Watcher is, “I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me.” Isaiah 45:5. And to each the words spoken to Nebuchadnezzar of old are the lesson of life: “Break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility.” Daniel 4:27.Ed 175.3
An illustration of this truth is found in the history of ancient Babylon. To Nebuchadnezzar the king the true object of national government was represented under the figure of a great tree, whose height “reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: the leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all;” under its shadow the beasts of the field dwelt, and among its branches the birds of the air had their habitation. Daniel 4:11, 12. This representation shows the character of a government that fulfills God’s purpose—a government that protects and upbuilds the nation.Ed 175.5
But the king failed of recognizing the power that had exalted him. Nebuchadnezzar in the pride of his heart said: “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?” Daniel 4:30.Ed 176.2
To the ruler of Babylon came the sentence of the divine Watcher: O king, “to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.” Daniel 4:31.Daniel 4:13-16
The Great Controversy
Chapter 18—An American Reformer
GC 323.2
“Another kind of evidence that vitally affected my mind,” he says, “was the chronology of the Scriptures.... I found that predicted events, which had been fulfilled in the past, often occurred within a given time. The one hundred and twenty years to the flood (Genesis 6:3); the seven days that were to precede it, with forty days of predicted rain (Genesis 7:4); the four hundred years of the sojourn of Abraham’s seed (Genesis 15:13); the three days of the butler’s and baker’s dreams (Genesis 40:12-20); the seven years of Pharaoh’s (Genesis 41:28-54); the forty years in the wilderness (Numbers 14:34); the three and a half years of famine (1 Kings 17:1) [see Luke 4:25;] ... the seventy years’ captivity (Jeremiah 25:11); Nebuchadnezzar’s seven times (Daniel 4:13-16); and the seven weeks, threescore and two weeks, and the one week, making seventy weeks, determined upon the Jews (Daniel 9:24-27),—the events limited by these times were all once only a matter of prophecy, and were fulfilled in accordance with the predictions.”—Bliss, pages 74, 75.The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)
Chapter 18—An American Reformer
GC88 323.2
“Another evidence that vitally affected my mind,” he says, “was the chronology of the Scriptures. I found that predicted events, which had been fulfilled in the past, often occurred within a given time. The one hundred and twenty years to the flood, Genesis 6:3; the seven days that were to precede it, with forty days of predicted rain, Genesis 7:4; the four hundred years of the sojourn of Abraham’s seed, Genesis 15:13; the three days of the butler’s and baker’s dreams, Genesis 40:12-20; the seven years of Pharaoh’s, Genesis 41:28-54; the forty years in the wilderness, Numbers 14:34; the three and a half years of famine, 1 Kings 17:1; [See Luke 4:25.] the seventy years’ captivity, Jeremiah 25:11; Nebuchadnezzar’s seven times, Daniel 4:13-16; and the seven weeks, threescore and two weeks, and the one week, making seventy weeks, determined upon the Jews, Daniel 9:24-27; the events limited by these times were all once only a matter of prophecy, and were fulfilled in accordance with the predictions.”Christ in His Sanctuary
The Impact of Bible Chronology
CIHS 79.1
“Another kind of evidence that vitally affected my mind,” he says, “was the chronology of the Scriptures. ... I found that predicted events, which had been fulfilled in the past, often occurred within a given time. The one hundred and twenty years to the flood (Genesis 6:3); the seven days that were to precede it, with forty days of predicted rain (Genesis 7:4); the four hundred years of the sojourn of Abraham’s seed (Genesis 15:13); the three days of the butlers and baker’s dreams (Genesis 40:12-20); the seven years of Pharaoh’s (Genesis 41:28-54); the forty years in the wilderness (Numbers 14:34); the three and a half years of famine (1 Kings 17:1) [see Luke 4:25;]...the seventy years’ captivity (Jeremiah 25:11); Nebuchadnezzar’s seven times (Daniel 4:13-16); and the seven weeks, threescore and two weeks, and the one week, making seventy weeks, determined upon the Jews (Daniel 9:24-27),—the events limited by these times were all once only a matter of prophecy, and were fulfilled in accordance with the predictions.”—Bliss, pages 74, 75.Daniel 4:13-17
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 51a, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 51a, 1897, par. 6
“I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed,” writes Daniel, “and behold a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; he cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: Let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: Nevertheless leave the stump of the roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” [Daniel 4:13-17.]Daniel 4:14
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Ms 52, 1900
15LtMs, Ms 52, 1900, par. 9
There are true worshippers and there are false worshippers. In the fallen churches of today the Lord God recognizes every soul that is drawing nigh unto Him, but there are many who are indulging a false hope. At the very time when they are loudest in its praise, the commandment goes forth. “Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches.” [Daniel 4:14.] Many claim to be Christians, when their hearts are set on worldly pleasure and worldly gain. A witness is present in all the scenes of mirth and revelry, and in a moment He can change the features of the scene, even as He did on the night of Belshazzar’s sacrilegious feast.Daniel 4:14-27
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 35, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 35, 1896, par. 22
Make it your lifework to reform. Make no delay. Satan has his net all ready to close about you. Flee to Christ for refuge. I want you to be converted, to be transformed. That Watcher who gave the denunciation against the king of Babylon, is waiting to see if he will be compelled to say of you, “Hew down the tree, cut off its branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit.” Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, and then, as he stood before the monarch of Babylon, he gave him counsel, “Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility.” [Daniel 4:14, 27.] The judgments foretold came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.Daniel 4:14-30
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8
The Danger of Self-Sufficiency
8T 126.4
The king saw his prosperity, and because of it he was lifted up. Notwithstanding the warnings that God had given him, he did the very things which the Lord had told him not to do. He looked upon his kingdom with pride and exclaimed: “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?” Daniel 4:30. The instant that the words were uttered, the sentence of judgment was pronounced. The king’s reason was taken away. The judgment that he had thought so perfect, the wisdom that he had prided himself on possessing, were removed. The jewel of the mind, that which elevates man above the beasts, he no longer retained.8T 127.1
The scepter is no longer held in the hand of a proud and powerful monarch. The mighty ruler is a maniac. He now herds with the cattle to eat as they eat. He is a companion of the beasts of the field. The brow that once wore a coronet is disfigured by the absence of reason and intellect. The mandate has gone forth: “Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit.” Verse 14.Daniel 4:14-37
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Lt 71, 1894
9LtMs, Lt 71, 1894, par. 28
Nebuchadnezzar did not consider that God was his source of strength and ability, and he was warned of God not to pursue a course of self-exaltation lest God should bring judgments upon him. In a dream the Lord laid out in clear lines the future history of the vainglorious king. Nebuchadnezzar beheld a tree that reached unto heaven, and as he looked, he saw a watcher and a holy one who came down from heaven and said, “Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit. ... Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth.” [Daniel 4:14, 15.]9LtMs, Lt 71, 1894, par. 29
The prophet Daniel interpreted the dream to the king, and he added the solemn admonition, “Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility.” [Verse 27.] This warning from God was passed by as a commonplace occurrence. For twelve months the king was tested and proved. During this time his actions were weighed in the balances of the sanctuary in heaven.9LtMs, Lt 71, 1894, par. 30
One morning as he walked in his palace, “the king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?” While the king was swelling with self-importance, even “while the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken: the kingdom is departed from thee.” [Verses 30, 31.] See Daniel 4:32-37.Daniel 4:17
God’s Amazing Grace
The Rulership Forfeited, February 2
AG 41.1
The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. Daniel 4:17.The Desire of Ages
Chapter 13—The Victory
DA 129.4
When Satan declared to Christ, The kingdom and glory of the world are delivered unto me, and to whomsoever I will I give it, he stated what was true only in part, and he declared it to serve his own purpose of deception. Satan’s dominion was that wrested from Adam, but Adam was the vicegerent of the Creator. His was not an independent rule. The earth is God’s, and He has committed all things to His Son. Adam was to reign subject to Christ. When Adam betrayed his sovereignty into Satan’s hands, Christ still remained the rightful King. Thus the Lord had said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.” Daniel 4:17. Satan can exercise his usurped authority only as God permits.Daniel 4:17-32
Last Day Events
Chapter 2—Signs of Christ’s Soon Return
LDE 29.4
As the wheel-like complications were under the guidance of the hand beneath the wings of the cherubim, so the complicated play of human events is under divine control. Amidst the strife and tumult of nations, He that sitteth above the cherubim still guides the affairs of the earth. [See Ezekiel 1:4, 26; 10:8; Daniel 4:17, 25, 32.]—Education, 178 (1903).Daniel 4:19-37
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Ms 29, 1895
10LtMs, Ms 29, 1895, par. 15
“And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my lord the king: that they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee till thou know that the Most High ruleth the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots, thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility.” [Daniel 4:19-27.]10LtMs, Ms 29, 1895, par. 18
In the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, the true object of government is beautifully represented by the great tree “whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation.” [Verse 21.] Now, if God had called a man, or any set of men at Battle Creek to rule in any sense, that representation of the tree shows the only kind of ruling acceptable to Him—a government that protects, restores, relieves, but never savors of oppression. The poor, especially, are to be kindly treated. “All ye are brethren.” [Matthew 23:8.] Aid is to be given to the oppressed, and not one soul that bears the image of God is to be placed at the footstool of a human being. The greatest possible kindness and freedom are to be granted to the purchase of the blood of Christ.10LtMs, Ms 29, 1895, par. 19
As king Nebuchadnezzar walked in his palace, he said within himself, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?” [Daniel 4:30.]10LtMs, Ms 29, 1895, par. 20
The God of heaven read the heart of the king and heard its whisperings of self gratulation. “While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken: The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon king Nebuchadnezzar.” [Verses 31-33.]10LtMs, Ms 29, 1895, par. 28
“At the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes to heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: and all the inhabitants are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the king of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.” [Daniel 4:34-37.]Daniel 4:20-37
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 34, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 34, 1900, par. 20
Read how plainly Daniel warned Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar dreamed a dream, and he related it to Daniel, who interpreted it for him. “The tree that thou sawest,” he said, “which grew, and waxed strong, whose height reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth, whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation, it is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong; for thy greatness is grown and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion unto the ends of the earth.” [Daniel 4:20-22.]15LtMs, Lt 34, 1900, par. 22
“And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shall have known that the heavens do rule. Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.” [Verses 23-27.]15LtMs, Lt 34, 1900, par. 25
“The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like bird’s claws.” [Verses 29-33.]15LtMs, Lt 34, 1900, par. 26
“At the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and He doeth according to his will in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say unto him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honor and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me, and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment; and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” [Verses 34-37.]Daniel 4:22-25
Christ Triumphant
God Warns Against Self-Centered Pride, June 21
CTr 179.1
They shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, ... and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men. Daniel 4:22-25.Daniel 4:27
Prophets and Kings
Chapter 40—Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
PK 502.1
The power exercised by every ruler on the earth is Heaven-imparted; and upon his use of the power thus bestowed, his success depends. To each the word of the divine Watcher is, “I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me.” Isaiah 45:5. And to each the words spoken to Nebuchadnezzar of old are the lesson of life: “Break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor: if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.” Daniel 4:27.Daniel 4:27-37
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 21, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 21, 1899, par. 6
After Daniel had given Nebuchadnezzar God’s warnings in regard to self-exaltation, he said to him, “Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thy iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.” [Daniel 4:27.] Had the king heeded this counsel, the threatened evil might have been averted, but he went on with proud superiority, until his reason was taken from him, and he became as the beasts of the field. God allowed him to suffer seven years of deplorable degradation, and then removed His chastening hand. Then the king acknowledged his wrong.14LtMs, Ms 21, 1899, par. 7
“At the end of the days,” the record reads, “I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I praised and honored him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing, and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me, and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honor and brightness returned unto me, and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me, and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the king of heaven, all whose works are truth, and whose ways judgment; and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” [Verses 34-37.]Daniel 4:30
This Day With God
How God Sees Greatness, December 9
TDG 352.1
Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? Daniel 4:30.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Lt 11b, 1886
4LtMs, Lt 11b, 1886, par. 3
Nebuchadnezzar was warned by God not to pursue a certain course; but his prosperity elevated and deceived him, and in a unguarded moment he exclaimed, “Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the house of the kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?” [Daniel 4:30.] The instant he uttered these words, the sentence was issued that felled the tree. The blessings God had bestowed upon him were removed, his reason was taken away, and the mighty ruler was driven from men to find his place among the beasts of the field.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Lt 11a, 1886
4LtMs, Lt 11a, 1886, par. 4
Nebuchadnezzar was warned by God not to pursue a certain course; but his prosperity elevated and deceived him, and in an unguarded moment he exclaimed, “Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the house of the kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?” [Daniel 4:30.] The instant he uttered these words, the sentence was issued that felled the tree. The blessings God has bestowed upon him were removed, his reason was taken away, and the mighty ruler was driven from men to find his place among the beasts of the field.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 53, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 53, 1898, par. 22
Then how foolish it is for man, who has nothing he can call his own, to exalt himself and walk haughtily. God has lent him what he has, that he may impart to those who are in need. How inappropriate and entirely out of place to act as did Nebuchadnezzar, who made the proud boast, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?” [Daniel 4:30.] Because of his proud boasting, the king of Babylon was humbled by the God who gave him all he had. His reason was taken from him, and for seven years he lived among the wild beasts of the field.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 123, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 123, 1902, par. 33
Mrs. E. G. White: I have come to a point where I must not worry over any of these things. I have in the past worried so that I could not sleep after twelve and one o’clock in the morning. I have had to get up at these hours to relieve my mind by writing in regard to these matters. But I must not permit my mind to be taken up with these things so much that it will be affected. My memory is still good, and I desire to finish some things that I have in preparation. I am writing on the life of Solomon. And I wish to write more on the case that I have so many times brought before Dr. Kellogg as illustrative of his own dangers—the case of Nebuchadnezzar. Over and over again I have warned the Doctor not to follow the course of this king, who said, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built ... by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?” [Daniel 4:30.] Dr. Kellogg is now pursuing a similar course in Battle Creek. I am told that he made the remark that he was glad that the old Sanitarium buildings burned down. Brethren, those buildings burned down as a reproof to him, but instead of taking it thus, he has given place to self-exaltation.Daniel 4:31
Prophets and Kings
Chapter 43—The Unseen Watcher
PK 533.1
To the last ruler of Babylon, as in type to its first, had come the sentence of the divine Watcher: “O king, ... to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.” Daniel 4:31.Daniel 4:34-35
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Ms 115, 1903
18LtMs, Ms 115, 1903, par. 26
Nebuchadnezzar because of his pride was humiliated, his reason was taken away, and for seven years he was as one of the beasts of the field. At the end of that time he praised God. “And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored Him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation: and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?” [Daniel 4:34, 35.]Daniel 4:34-37
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Ms 36, 1896
11LtMs, Ms 36, 1896, par. 7
Nebuchadnezzar, through his terrible humiliation in the loss of his reason, was brought to see his own weakness, and to acknowledge the supremacy of the living God. He declared, “At the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing. And he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? ... Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the king of heaven, all whose works are truth and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” [Daniel 4:34, 35, 37.]Daniel 4:35
Manuscript Releases, vol. 18 [Nos. 1301-1359]
MR No. 1319—To God Be the Glory; Forsake All Idols
18MR 128.2
The words of light, of inspiration, shine from the Word weighty with heavenly assurance. God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. When God works to prepare a soul, it is brought in connection with those who are reconciled to God. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God” [John 1:12]. No longer is it a dreadful thought that “He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth” [Daniel 4:35].Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8
Chapter 30—Words of Encouragement
8T 180.2
My brother, the Lord has not left you to go on a warfare at your own charges. He has given you wisdom, and favor with God and man. He has been your helper. He has chosen you as His agent to exalt the truth in the Battle Creek Sanitarium as it is not exalted in the medical institutions of the world. It was His purpose that the Battle Creek Sanitarium should be known as an institution where the Lord is daily acknowledged as the Monarch of the universe. “He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?” Daniel 4:35.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Lt 72, 1893
8LtMs, Lt 72, 1893, par. 2
A heavy, important responsibility rests upon you, in your influence upon your children. They are now willing to follow you; where you lead they will go. You know the claims of the law of God. There is contempt now placed upon the holy law of God. You are under obligation to God for your life, your food, and for His protecting care; in short, you are the Lord’s property. You are His by creation and redemption. He has the most absolute right both to you and your service. Whatever belongs to Him, He has unlimited right to dispose of as He pleases, and no one can say to Him, “What doest Thou.” [Daniel 4:35.] If you or I refuse to render to Him the obedience which He requires, in any thing which He enjoins upon us, then we are guilty of refusing to render to Him that which is His own. The question is asked, “Will a man rob God?” as though this thing would not be entertained for a moment. “Yet ye have robbed me. Ye are cursed with a curse for ye have robbed me even this whole nation.” [Malachi 3:8, 9.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Lt 206, 1899
14LtMs, Lt 206, 1899, par. 2
My brother, the Lord has not left you to go on a warfare at your own charges. He has given you wisdom, and favor with God and man. He has been your helper. He has chosen you as His agency to exalt the truth in the Battle Creek Sanitarium as it is not represented in other medical institutions. The Battle Creek Sanitarium was to be known as an institution where the Lord was daily acknowledged as the Monarch of the universe. “He doeth according to his will in the armies of heaven, and also among the inhabitants of earth, and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” [Daniel 4:35.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Lt 215, 1899
14LtMs, Lt 215, 1899, par. 2
My brother, the Lord has not left you to go on a warfare at your own charges. He has given you wisdom, and favor with God and man. He has been your helper. He has chosen you as His agency to exalt the truth in the Battle Creek Sanitarium, as it is not represented in other medical institutions. The Battle Creek Sanitarium was to be known as an institution where the Lord was daily acknowledged as the monarch of the universe. “He doeth according to his will in the armies of heaven, and also among the inhabitants of earth, and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” [Daniel 4:35.]Daniel 4:37
Christ Triumphant
We Decide Our Eternal Destiny, June 22
CTr 180.1
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. Daniel 4:37.EGW Writings — Ellen G. White. Ellen G. White Estate · all rights reserved
Daniel 4:1-37
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)
Lt 132, 1901
16LtMs, Lt 132, 1901, par. 7
Those who work in the large cities are to reach if possible to the high ones of the world, even to ruling powers. Where is our faith? God has presented to me the case of Nebuchadnezzar. The Lord worked with power to bring the mightiest king on the earth to acknowledge Him as King over all kings. He moved upon the mind of the proud king until Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged Him as “the most high God,” “whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation.” [Daniel 3:26; 4:34.]16LtMs, Lt 132, 1901, par. 15
Once again God humbled Nebuchadnezzar; for we read, “Nebuchadnezzar the king unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied unto you. I thought it good to show the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.” [Daniel 4:1-3.] He then recounts the history of the great display he had made for his own glory, and how God humbled him; and ends with the words, “Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment; and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” [Verse 37.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 233, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 233, 1902, par. 14
The prophet Daniel, acting in behalf of the Most High, instructed the man who sent for him to interpret his dreams. He interpreted the vision in regard to the great tree which he had seen hewn down. Daniel 4:23. He made the interpretation, bearing direct reference to the ruling of the monarch himself. The Lord’s messenger must not in any case depart from the plain “Thus saith the Lord.” Before the Lord strikes, He warns and impresses their understanding. Daniel, the minister of God, was brought before Nebuchadnezzar, and was informed by the king of the dream.17LtMs, Ms 233, 1902, par. 16
“This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.” Daniel 4:19-27.17LtMs, Ms 233, 1902, par. 17
After he had heard the interpretation and undergone the sentence of degradation, then king Nebuchadnezzar concludes his history: “All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. The king spake, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men.” [Verses 28-33.] (See verses 33-37.)17LtMs, Ms 233, 1902, par. 22
We read the words of the king of Babylon with deepest interest. How we wish every soul who carries the responsibilities of designs and of leadership [understood] that when God works men shall acknowledge it is God and gladly humble their human, natural, unconverted principles and cleanse any and everything that has provoked the Lord, because souls are imperiled. “Nebuchadnezzar the king unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.” [Verses 1-3.]Conflict and Courage
Nebuchadnezzar Humiliated, September 4
CC 253.1
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? Daniel 4:35.CC 253.2
The last dream which God gave to Nebuchadnezzar, and the experience of the king in connection with it, contain lessons of vital importance to all those who are connected with the work of God. The king was troubled with his dream; for it was evidently a prediction of adversity, and none of his wise men would attempt to interpret it. The faithful Daniel stood before the king, not to flatter, not to misinterpret in order to secure favor. A solemn duty rested upon him to tell the king of Babylon the truth....CC 253.3
Nebuchadnezzar did not heed the heaven-sent message. One year after he had been thus warned, as he walked in his palace, he said within himself, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built ...?” The God of heaven read the heart of the king, and heard its whisperings of self-congratulation.... “There fell a voice from heaven, saying, ... The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar.” 5The Review and Herald, September 8, 1896.CC 253.4
For seven years Nebuchadnezzar was an astonishment to all his subjects; for seven years he was humbled before all the world. Then his reason was restored and, looking up in humility to the God of heaven, he recognized the divine hand in his chastisement. In a public proclamation he acknowledged his guilt and the great mercy of God in his restoration....CC 253.5
God’s purpose that the greatest kingdom in the world should show forth His praise was now fulfilled. This public proclamation, in which Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the mercy and goodness and authority of God, was the last act of his life recorded in sacred history.6Prophets and Kings, 520, 521.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 372, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 372, 1906, par. 6
For several weeks, meetings have been held in Oakland in a large tent pitched close by the post office. Elder Simpson has had wonderful success in this series of meetings. His method has been to make Scripture explain Scripture; and the Holy Spirit has convinced many hearts of the truth. The people cannot but accept a plain “Thus saith the Lord.” The beasts used as symbols in the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation he has presented before the people in life-size images, and this has impressed the people strongly. He has lectured only in the evening, when men are released from their work and can come out to hear. After a few weeks of labor he presented the Sabbath, again making the Bible prove every statement.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 350, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 350, 1906, par. 6
He has large life-like representations of the beasts and symbols in Daniel and the Revelation, and these are brought forward at the proper time to illustrate his remarks. Not one careless or unnecessary word escapes his lips. He speaks forcibly and solemnly. Many of his hearers have never before heard discourses of so solemn a nature. They manifest no spirit of levity, but a solemn awe seems to rest upon them. He takes up a collection only once a week, but he receives sufficient to defray his expenses without being obliged to call upon the conference.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 349, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 349, 1906, par. 10
The Lord has been working with Elder Simpson, teaching him how to give to the people this last warning message. His method of making the words of the Bible prove the truth for this time, and his use of the symbols presented in Revelation and Daniel, are effective. Let the young men learn as for their lives what is truth and how it should be presented. We are living in the last days of the great conflict; the truth alone will hold us securely in this time of trouble. The way should be prepared for Elder Simpson to give the message, and our young men should attend his evening meetings.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 326, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 326, 1906, par. 8
Brother Simpson dwells especially upon the prophecies in the books of Daniel and the Revelation. He has large representations of the beasts spoken of in these books. These beasts are made of papier-mâché, and by an ingenious invention, they may be brought at the proper time before the congregation. Thus he holds the attention of the people, while he preaches the truth to them. Through this effort hundreds will be led to a better understanding of the Bible than they ever had before, and we trust that there will be many conversions. Those who attend his lectures and are not converted must practically reject the Word of God.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 368, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 368, 1906, par. 3
In presenting before the people the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, Brother Simpson illustrates them by large images of the beasts of these prophecies; and this is creating a wonderful interest. He uses the Bible to prove every statement he makes and tells the people if they have any controversy with the truth he is teaching, their controversy must be with the Bible itself. This method of making the Bible prove the Bible makes a deep impression on the minds of those assembled. The Lord is impressing many minds.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 400, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 400, 1906, par. 9
Brother Simpson’s meetings were largely attended, and the people listened to his words with spellbound interest; the interest continued from first to last. With his Bible in his hand, and basing all his arguments on the Word of God. Brother Simpson traced out before the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. His own words were few; he made the Scriptures themselves explain the truth to the people. After giving them the truth, Elder Simpson would draw an expression of opinion from his congregation. “Now,” he would say, “those who see the truth of what I am saying, raise your hands;” and in response many hands would be raised. I can only poorly represent to you the interest his work has created.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Ms 105, 1906
21LtMs, Ms 105, 1906, par. 5
The manner of Elder Simpson’s work reminds me of the efforts that were put forth in 1843 and 1844. He does not make prominent his own words, but reads the Bible, explaining one scripture by another. He dwells largely on the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation and uses many illustrations and suitable figures to impress the truth. To represent the beasts of Daniel and Revelation, he has prepared lifelike images of papier-mâché.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Lt 388, 1906
21LtMs, Lt 388, 1906, par. 3
The manner of Elder Simpson’s work reminds me of the efforts that were put forth in 1843 and 1844. He does not make prominent his own words, but reads the Bible, explaining one Scripture by another. He dwells largely on the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation and uses many illustrations and suitable figures to impress the truth. To represent the beasts of Daniel and Revelation, he has prepared life-like images of papier-mâché.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)
Lt 6, 1907
22LtMs, Lt 6, 1907, par. 9
May the Lord help you to understand His Word. If you will heed and practice this Word, you will become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Let our ministers and teachers seek knowledge from the one true source. Let them seek the Lord with much prayer, earnestly searching His Word to find the hidden treasure. Now, just now, is the golden opportunity to understand the truths of the Word, and let this opportunity be improved by all. Let the book of Daniel be read and its instruction heeded.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)
Lt 126, 1910
25LtMs, Lt 126, 1910, par. 10
I read the fourth chapter of Daniel with intense interest. It speaks of the second warning given to the king. In interpreting the dream that Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed, Daniel said:25LtMs, Lt 126, 1910, par. 12
“This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my lord the king: That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots, thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility.” [Verses 22-27.]25LtMs, Lt 126, 1910, par. 15
“The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar; and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.” [Verses 30-33.]25LtMs, Lt 126, 1910, par. 18
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment; and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.” [Verses 34-37.]From Splendor to Shadow
Chapter 42—Nebuchadnezzar’s Seven Years of Madness
SS 267.1
After Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great image, his mind had been profoundly influenced by the thought that the Babylonian Empire was finally to fall. At last all earthly kingdoms were to be superseded by a kingdom set up by God.SS 267.2
Nebuchadnezzar’s noble conception of God’s purpose concerning the nations was lost sight of later, yet when his proud spirit was humbled on the plain of Dura, he once more acknowledged that God’s kingdom is “an everlasting kingdom.” Daniel 7:27. He had an innate sense of justice and right, and God was able to use him as an instrument for the punishment of the rebellious and for the fulfillment of the divine purpose. As he added nation after nation to the Babylonian realm, he added more and more to his fame as the greatest ruler of the age.SS 267.3
It was not surprising that the successful, proud-spirited monarch should be tempted to turn aside from the path of humility, which alone leads to true greatness. Between his wars of conquest he gave much thought to the beautifying of his capital, until the city of Babylon became “the golden city,” “the praise of the whole earth.” Isaiah 14:4; Jeremiah 51:41. His success in making Babylon one of the wonders of the world ministered to his pride, until he was in grave danger of spoiling his record as a ruler whom God could use.SS 267.4
In mercy God gave the king another dream to warn him of his peril. In vision Nebuchadnezzar saw a great tree, its top towering to the heavens and its branches stretching to the ends of the earth. Flocks and herds enjoyed shelter beneath its shadow, and birds built their nests in its boughs. “And all flesh was fed of it.”SS 268.1
As the king gazed upon the tree, he saw “a Watcher,” even “an Holy One,” who approached the tree and in a loud voice cried: “Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: ... nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, ... and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. This matter is by the decree of the watchers ... to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.”SS 268.2
Greatly troubled, the king repeated the dream to the wise men; but although the dream was very explicit, none could interpret it. The king in his perplexity sent for Daniel, esteemed for his integrity and unrivaled wisdom.SS 268.3
After relating the dream, Nebuchadnezzar said: “Declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.”SS 268.4
To Daniel the meaning of the dream was plain, and its significance startled him. Seeing Daniel’s hesitation and distress, the king expressed sympathy for his servant. “Let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee.”SS 268.5
The prophet realized that God had laid on him the solemn duty of revealing to Nebuchadnezzar the judgment about to fall upon him because of his pride and arrogance. Although its dreadful import had made him hesitate, he must state the truth, whatever the consequences to himself.SS 269.1
“The tree that thou sawest,” he said, “is thou, O king, ... for thy greatness is grown ... to the end of the earth. And whereas the king saw a Watcher and an Holy One, ... saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump ...; this is the interpretation ... : They shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will. And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the Heavens do rule.”SS 269.2
Daniel urged the proud monarch to repent, that he might avert the threatened calamity. “Break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.”SS 269.3
For a time the counsel of the prophet was strong on Nebuchadnezzar; but self-indulgence and ambition had not yet been eradicated from the king’s heart, and later these traits reappeared. His rule which heretofore had been to a great degree just and merciful became oppressive. He used his God-given talents for self-glorification, exalting himself above the God who had given him life and power.SS 269.4
For months the judgment of God lingered. But instead of being led to repentance by this forbearance, the king indulged his pride until he lost confidence in the interpretation of the dream and jested at his former fears.SS 269.5
A year after the warning, Nebuchadnezzar, walking in his palace and thinking with pride of his power as a ruler and of his success as a builder, exclaimed, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” RSV.SS 270.1
While the proud boast was yet on the king’s lips, a voice from heaven announced that God’s appointed time of judgment had come: “O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.”SS 270.2
In a moment the once mighty ruler was a maniac. His hand could no longer sway the scepter. Stripped of the power his Creator had given him, and driven from men, Nebuchadnezzar “did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.”SS 270.3
For seven years Nebuchadnezzar was an astonishment to all his subjects, humbled before all the world. Then his reason was restored and he recognized the divine hand in his chastisement. In a public proclamation he acknowledged the great mercy of God in his restoration: “I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored Him that liveth forever ... .”SS 270.4
“And for the glory of my kingdom, mine honor and brightness returned unto me; and my counselors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.”SS 270.5
The once proud monarch had become a humble child of God, a wise and compassionate king. He now acknowledged the power of the Most High and earnestly sought to promote the fear of Jehovah and the happiness of his subjects. Nebuchadnezzar had learned at last the lesson which all rulers need to learn—that true greatness consists in true goodness. He acknowledged the living God, saying, “I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.”SS 271.1
God’s purpose was now fulfilled. This public proclamation, in which Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the goodness and authority of God, was the last act of his life recorded in sacred history.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 139, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 139, 1896, par. 3
I am very anxious to get out Testimony No. 34 now. I have secured Eliza’s help. I will undertake that work which ought to have been done years ago. I have things that should come to the people. Time is short. The end of all things is at hand. We are to give more diligent searching to Revelation. Here is a book opened for those who shall live in these last days of time. Daniel and Revelation are the books applicable to us and should be carefully studied and with much prayer. Read the first three verses:Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Ms 32, 1896
11LtMs, Ms 32, 1896, par. 3
The book that was sealed was not the book of Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel which related to the last days. The Scripture says, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” [Daniel 12:4.] When the book was opened, the proclamation was made, “Time shall be no longer.” [Revelation 10:6.] The book of Daniel is now unsealed, and the revelation made by Christ to John is to come to all the inhabitants of the earth. By the increase of knowledge a people is to be prepared to stand in the latter days.11LtMs, Ms 32, 1896, par. 14
All that God has in prophetic history specified to be fulfilled in the past has been, and all that is yet to come in its order will be. Daniel, God’s prophet, stands in his place. John stands in his place. In the Revelation the Lion of the tribe of Judah has opened to the students of prophecy the book of Daniel, and thus is Daniel standing in his place. He bears his testimony, that which the Lord revealed to him in vision of the great and solemn events which we must know as we stand on the very threshold of their fulfillment.11LtMs, Ms 32, 1896, par. 25
The very same Satan is at work to undermine the faith of the people of God at this time. There are persons ready to catch up every new idea. The prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation are misinterpreted. These persons do not consider that the truth has been set forth at the appointed time by the very men whom God was leading <to do this special work.> These men followed on step by step in the <very fulfillment> of prophecy, and those who have not had a personal experience in this work are to take the Word of God and believe on “their word” [John 17:20] who have been led by the Lord in the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. These messages, received and acted upon, are doing their work to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God. If we search the Scriptures to confirm the truth God has given His servants for the world, we shall be found proclaiming the first, second, and third angels’ messages.11LtMs, Ms 32, 1896, par. 38
Prophecy has been fulfilling, line upon line. The more firmly we stand under the banner of the third angel’s message, the more clearly shall we understand the prophecy of Daniel, for the Revelation is the supplement of Daniel. The more fully we accept the light presented by the Holy Spirit through the consecrated servants of God, the deeper and surer, even as the eternal throne, will appear the truths of ancient prophecy; we shall be assured that men of God spake as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost. Men must themselves be under the influence of the Holy Spirit in order to understand the Spirit’s utterances through the prophets. These messages were given, not for those that uttered the prophecies, but for us who are living amid the scenes of their fulfillment.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 176, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 176, 1896, par. 2
I have had to meet many things that required pen labor and voice labor to repress and counteract. Brother John Bell is having a large burden to get out that which he considers very precious matter upon Daniel and Revelation. It is a mixture of truth and error, supposition, and a mass of Scripture misapplied and misinterpreted. And yet he has the greatest assurance that he has great light. But as he had no knowledge of the experience through which we passed in the proclamation of the first and second angels’ messages, he cannot understand that his theories uproot the past leadings of God. This I am now seeking to present to him. For two nights in succession I was awake—one night at half past two o’clock a.m.; the next night at half past one o’clock a.m.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 57, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 57, 1896, par. 4
There is need of a much closer study of the Word of God; especially should Daniel and the Revelation have attention as never before in the history of our work. We may have less to say in some lines, in regard to the Roman power and the papacy, but we should call attention to what the prophets and apostles have written under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit has so shaped matters, both in the giving of the prophecy and in the events portrayed, as to teach that the human agent is to be kept out of sight, hid in Christ, and the Lord God of heaven and His law are to be exalted.11LtMs, Lt 57, 1896, par. 5
Read the book of Daniel. Call up, point by point, the history of the kingdoms there represented. Behold statesmen, councils, powerful armies, and see how God wrought to abase the pride of men and lay human glory in the dust. God alone is represented as great. In the vision of the prophet He is seen casting down one mighty ruler, and setting up another. He is revealed as the monarch of the universe, about to set up His everlasting kingdom—the Ancient of days, the living God, the Source of all wisdom, the Ruler of the present, the Revealer of the future. Read, and understand how poor, how frail, how short-lived, how erring, how guilty is man <in lifting up his soul unto vanity.>Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 87, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 87, 1896, par. 13
The perils of the last days are upon us, and in our work we are to warn people of the danger they are in. Let not the solemn scenes which prophecy has revealed, be left untouched. If our people were half awake, if they realized the nearness of the events portrayed by John, such a reformation would be made in our churches, that many more would believe our message. We are God’s messengers, and we have not time to lose, for He calls upon us to watch for souls as they that must give account. Advance new principles, and crowd in the clear-cut truth. It will be as a sword working both ways. But do not be too ready to take a controversial attitude. There will be times when we must stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Present the truth as it is in Jesus. Let Daniel speak, let Revelation speak, and tell what is truth. But whatever phase of the subject is presented, uplift Jesus as the center of all hope, “the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” [Revelation 22:16.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 29, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 29, 1896, par. 17
Will our brethren bear in mind that we are living amid the perils of the last days? Read Revelation in connection with Daniel. Teach these things. Let discourses be short, spiritual, elevated. Let the preacher be full of the Word of the Lord. Let every man who enters the pulpit know that he has angels from heaven in his audience. And when these angels empty from themselves the golden oil of truth into the heart of him who is teaching the Word, then the application of the truth will be a solemn, serious matter. The angel messengers will expel sin from the heart, unless the door of the heart is padlocked and Christ is refused admission. Christ will withdraw Himself from those who persist in refusing the heavenly blessings that are so freely offered them.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Ms 15, 1896
11LtMs, Ms 15, 1896, par. 6
Jesus says, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me, and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him.” [John 14:21.] The king saw the form of the Fourth, and was convinced that the God of the three Hebrews was the living God. He acknowledged the wonderful miracle that had been wrought, but because he did not continue to walk in the light he lost the holy impression that had been made upon his mind. But God saw fit to give the king another dream that is recorded in the fourth chapter of Daniel.11LtMs, Ms 15, 1896, par. 8
For twelve months the king was placed on trial, but at the end of that time he manifested the spirit that had led him to set up the golden image. At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon. “The king spake and said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” While the words of self-glorification were in the mouth of the king, “There fell a voice from heaven saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; the kingdom is departed from thee. And thou shalt be driven from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; thou shalt be made to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee; until thou knowest that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever he will.” [Verses 30-32.]11LtMs, Ms 15, 1896, par. 12
Daniel was esteemed by the king because of his unswerving integrity, for he was faithful in honoring God at all times and in all places. His wisdom was unexcelled, and neither he nor his fellows would make any compromise to secure positions in the court, or even to preserve life itself, when the honor of God was involved. In the early part of his acquaintance with Daniel, the king had found that he was the only one who could give him relief in his perplexity, and now at a later period, when another perplexing vision is given him, he remembers Daniel. Calling him into his presence, he says, “O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretations thereof.” [Verse 9.]11LtMs, Ms 15, 1896, par. 14
“Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field: and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: let his heart be changed from a man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given him, and let seven times pass over him.” Now mark what is said by this heavenly messenger as to what is the purpose of the fulfillment of this vision. “The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the Holy One: to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the lowest of men.” [Verses 10-17.]11LtMs, Ms 15, 1896, par. 15
This was the dream that came to Nebuchadnezzar, and he appealed to Daniel to declare the interpretation. Daniel was much troubled as he saw the significance of the dream was, but he told the king what would befall him, saying, “Thou shalt be driven from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and thou shalt be made to eat grass like oxen, and shalt be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” [Verse 25.] Then Daniel exhorted the king, as we have before presented, to break off his sins by righteousness, and his iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. But the light from heaven was not accepted, and did not exert a saving influence upon his character. Those who receive light will either change their course of action, or else the Word of the Lord will become less and less palatable, and will finally be set aside. The king did not heed the words of warning, and he greatly perverted his ways.11LtMs, Ms 15, 1896, par. 18
To us who believe have been committed the oracles of God. The books of Daniel and Revelation are full of matter which concerns every one of us. We should study these books, and let the Lord God of Israel communicate truth to us, so that we may be able to communicate the truth to others who live in these last days. The Lord would have His people learn of Jesus. God forbid that those for whom He has wrought shall become highminded and be left to their own way as was the king of Babylon.11LtMs, Ms 15, 1896, par. 21
The Lord designed that the greatest kingdom in the world should show forth His praise. Nebuchadnezzar says, “At the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth forever and ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” [Daniel 4:34, 35.]11LtMs, Ms 15, 1896, par. 22
In the experience of Nebuchadnezzar is contained a lesson to which we should give heed, lest we fall into temptation. The perils of the last days are upon us, and we should watch and pray, read and heed the lessons that are given us in the books of Daniel and Revelation. In mercy the Lord has wrought in behalf of the Sanitarium, the college and the Review and Herald office. Just as long as those in connection with these institutions walk humbly with God, heavenly intelligences will co-operate with them; but let all bear in mind the fact that God has said, “Them that honor me I will honor.” [1 Samuel 2:30.] The Lord manifested Himself to the four Hebrew youth in the courts of Babylon. They were surrounded with temptations on every hand, yet God set a hedge about them in order that they should not be corrupted, because they preserved their simplicity of faith. There is a lesson in this for us.Prophets and Kings
Chapter 42—True Greatness
PK 514.1
Exalted to the pinnacle of worldly honor, and acknowledged even by Inspiration as “a king of kings” (Ezekiel 26:7). Nebuchadnezzar nevertheless at times had ascribed to the favor of Jehovah the glory of his kingdom and the splendor of his reign. Such had been the case after his dream of the great image. His mind had been profoundly influenced by this vision and by the thought that the Babylonian Empire, universal though it was, was finally to fall, and other kingdoms were to bear sway, until at last all earthly powers were to be superseded by a kingdom set up by the God of heaven, which kingdom was never to be destroyed.PK 514.2
Nebuchadnezzar’s noble conception of God’s purpose concerning the nations was lost sight of later in his experience; yet when his proud spirit was humbled before the multitude on the plain of Dura, he once more had acknowledged that God’s kingdom is “an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.” An idolater by birth and training, and at the head of an idolatrous people, he had nevertheless an innate sense of justice and right, and God was able to use him as an instrument for the punishment of the rebellious and for the fulfillment of the divine purpose. “The terrible of the nations” (Ezekiel 28:7), it was given Nebuchadnezzar, after years of patient and wearing labor, to conquer Tyre; Egypt also fell a prey to his victorious armies; and as he added nation after nation to the Babylonian realm, he added more and more to his fame as the greatest ruler of the age.PK 515.1
It is not surprising that the successful monarch, so ambitious and so proud-spirited, should be tempted to turn aside from the path of humility, which alone leads to true greatness. In the intervals between his wars of conquest he gave much thought to the strengthening and beautifying of his capital, until at length the city of Babylon became the chief glory of his kingdom, “the golden city,” “the praise of the whole earth.” His passion as a builder, and his signal success in making Babylon one of the wonders of the world, ministered to his pride, until he was in grave danger of spoiling his record as a wise ruler whom God could continue to use as an instrument for the carrying out of the divine purpose.PK 515.2
In mercy God gave the king another dream, to warn him of his peril and of the snare that had been laid for his ruin. In a vision of the night, Nebuchadnezzar saw a great tree growing in the midst of the earth, its top towering to the heavens and its branches stretching to the ends of the earth. Flocks and herds from the mountains and hills enjoyed shelter beneath its shadow, and the birds of the air built their nests in its boughs. “The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: ... and all flesh was fed of it.”PK 516.1
As the king gazed upon the lofty tree, he beheld “a Watcher,” even “an Holy One,” who approached the tree and in a loud voice cried:PK 516.2
“Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.”PK 516.3
Greatly troubled by the dream, which was evidently a prediction of adversity, the king repeated it to “the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers;” but although the dream was very explicit, none of the wise men could interpret it.PK 516.4
Once more in this idolatrous nation, testimony was to be borne to the fact that only those who love and fear God can understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. The king in his perplexity sent for his servant Daniel, a man esteemed for his integrity and constancy and for his unrivaled wisdom.PK 517.1
When Daniel, in response to the royal summons, stood in the king’s presence, Nebuchadnezzar said, “O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.” After relating the dream, Nebuchadnezzar said: “O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.”PK 517.2
To Daniel the meaning of the dream was plain, and its significance startled him. He “was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him.” Seeing Daniel’s hesitation and distress, the king expressed sympathy for his servant. “Belteshazzar,” he said, “let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee.”PK 517.3
“My lord,” Daniel answered, “the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.” The prophet realized that upon him God had laid the solemn duty of revealing to Nebuchadnezzar the judgment that was about to fall upon him because of his pride and arrogance. Daniel must interpret the dream in language the king could understand; and although its dreadful import had made him hesitate in dumb amazement, yet he must state the truth, whatever the consequences to himself.PK 517.4
Then Daniel made known the mandate of the Almighty. “The tree that thou sawest,” he said, “which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beast of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: it is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.PK 518.1
“And whereas the king saw a Watcher and an Holy One coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my lord the king: that they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will. And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the Heavens do rule.”PK 518.2
Having faithfully interpreted the dream, Daniel urged the proud monarch to repent and turn to God, that by rightdoing he might avert the threatened calamity. “O king,” the prophet pleaded, “let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.”PK 519.1
For a time the impression of the warning and the counsel of the prophet was strong upon Nebuchadnezzar; but the heart that is not transformed by the grace of God soon loses the impressions of the Holy Spirit. Self-indulgence and ambition had not yet been eradicated from the king’s heart, and later on these traits reappeared. Notwithstanding the instruction so graciously given him, and the warnings of past experience, Nebuchadnezzar again allowed himself to be controlled by a spirit of jealousy against the kingdoms that were to follow. His rule, which heretofore had been to a great degree just and merciful, became oppressive. Hardening his heart, he used his God-given talents for self-glorification, exalting himself above the God who had given him life and power.PK 519.2
For months the judgment of God lingered. But instead of being led to repentance by this forbearance, the king indulged his pride until he lost confidence in the interpretation of the dream, and jested at his former fears.PK 519.3
A year from the time he had received the warning, Nebuchadnezzar, walking in his palace and thinking with pride of his power as a ruler and of his success as a builder, exclaimed, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?”PK 519.4
While the proud boast was yet on the king’s lips, a voice from heaven announced that God’s appointed time of judgment had come. Upon his ears fell the mandate of Jehovah: “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.”PK 520.1
In a moment the reason that God had given him was taken away; the judgment that the king thought perfect, the wisdom on which he prided himself, was removed, and the once mighty ruler was a maniac. His hand could no longer sway the scepter. The messages of warning had been unheeded; now, stripped of the power his Creator had given him, and driven from men, Nebuchadnezzar “did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.”PK 520.2
For seven years Nebuchadnezzar was an astonishment to all his subjects; for seven years he was humbled before all the world. Then his reason was restored and, looking up in humility to the God of heaven, he recognized the divine hand in his chastisement. In a public proclamation he acknowledged his guilt and the great mercy of God in his restoration. “At the end of the days,” he said, “I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored Him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation: and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?PK 521.1
“At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honor and brightness returned unto me; and my counselors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.”PK 521.2
The once proud monarch had become a humble child of God; the tyrannical, overbearing ruler, a wise and compassionate king. He who had defied and blasphemed the God of heaven, now acknowledged the power of the Most High and earnestly sought to promote the fear of Jehovah and the happiness of his subjects. Under the rebuke of Him who is King of kings and Lord of lords, Nebuchadnezzar had learned at last the lesson which all rulers need to learn—that true greatness consists in true goodness. He acknowledged Jehovah as the living God, saying, “I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.”PK 521.3
God’s purpose that the greatest kingdom in the world should show forth His praise was now fulfilled. This public proclamation, in which Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the mercy and goodness and authority of God, was the last act of his life recorded in sacred history.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Ms 31, 1896
11LtMs, Ms 31, 1896, par. 1
I have not been able to sleep since half past one o’clock. I was bearing to Brother John Bell a message which the Lord has given me for him. The peculiar views he holds are a mixture of truth and error. If he had passed through the experience of God’s people as He had led them the last forty years, he would be better prepared to make the correct application of Scripture. The great waymarks of truth, showing us our bearings in prophetic history, are to be carefully guarded, lest they be torn down and replaced with theories that would bring confusion rather than genuine light. I have been cited to the various erroneous theories that have been presented over and over again. Those who advocated these theories presented Scripture quotations, but they misapplied and misinterpreted them. The theories supposed to be correct were incorrect, and yet many thought them the very theories to be brought before the people. The prophecies of Daniel and John are to be diligently studied.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 56, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 56, 1896, par. 10
I cannot write more; I must close. I will have some things sent by next mail. Study Revelation in connection with Daniel, for history will be repeated. We must be true and faithful amid the iniquity that abounds. At no period of time are we in so much danger as when prosperity seems to crown our efforts. Self must be hidden in God. We are living amid the perils of the last days, and many of us are insensible to the perils that threaten our world. We, with all our religious advantages, ought to know far more today than we do know. “Watch therefore,” said Jesus, “for ye know not when the time is. Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.” [Mark 13:33; Matthew 24:42, 44.] “Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.” [Luke 13:3.] The right hand is to be cut off; the right eye is to be plucked out. There is hidden depravity that needs to be carefully considered and uprooted. God help us individually to purify our souls by obeying the truth.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 59, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 59, 1896, par. 7
It was the Lion of the tribe of Judah who unsealed the book and gave to John the revelation of what should be in these last days. Daniel stood in his lot to bear his testimony, which was sealed until the time of the end, when the first angel’s message should be proclaimed to our world. These matters are of infinite importance in these last days, but while “many shall be purified, and made white, and tried,” “the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand.” [Verse 10.] How true this is. Sin is the transgression of the law of God, and those in the denominational churches who will not accept the light in regard to the law of God, will not understand the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. The book of Daniel is unsealed in the revelation to John, and carries us forward to the last scenes of this earth’s history.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 1, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 1, 1897, par. 1
I am drawn out to address you. I am in great travail of soul for our people. We are living amid the perils of the last days. A superficial faith results in a superficial experience. There is a repentance that needs to be repented of. All genuine experience in religious doctrines will bear the impress of Jehovah. All should see the necessity of understanding the truth for themselves individually. We must each understand the doctrines that have been studied out carefully and prayerfully. It has been revealed to me that there is among our people a great lack of knowledge in regard to the rise and progress of the third angel’s message. There is great need to search the book of Daniel and the book of Revelation, and learn the texts thoroughly, that we may know what is written.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 107, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 107, 1897, par. 2
But much ignorance of Scripture prevails, even among those that preach the Word. Well-educated, intelligent men preach at the Word, and around the Word, but they do not touch the inner meaning of the Word. They do not present truth in its genuine simplicity. These men, considering themselves authority, tell their hearers that they cannot understand either Daniel or Revelation. Many ministers make no effort to explain Revelation. They call it an unprofitable book to study. They regard it as a sealed book, because it contains the record of figures and symbols. But the very name that has been given it—“Revelation”—is a denial of this supposition. Revelation is a sealed book, but it is also an opened book. It records marvelous events, that are to take place in the last days of this earth’s history. The teachings of this book are definite, not mystical and unintelligible. In it the same line of prophecy is taken up as in Daniel. Some prophecies God has repeated, this showing that importance must be given to them. The Lord does not repeat things that are of no great consequence.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 33, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 33, 1897, par. 3
Christ has given us the truth in Daniel and Revelation. In this age we can see the necessity of drawing men to Christ. This draws them to one another in that confidence, that love, that unity, for which Christ prayed in His last prayer with and for His disciples. This unity was essential for their spiritual growth. This world is a battle field, upon which the powers of good and evil are in ceaseless warfare.12LtMs, Ms 33, 1897, par. 26
Read and become faithful students of the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. The Revelation is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” Again this is repeated, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth save he which receiveth it.” [Revelation 1:1-3; 2:11, 17.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 11, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 11, 1897, par. 2
God has chosen a people who are to proclaim the third angel’s message to the world. They are to be a separate and peculiar people in this world of churches who are transgressing His commandments. We have a special work to do to prepare the people for the greatest event the world has ever seen. The books of Daniel and Revelation are of great consequence to us, and should be studied with great earnestness.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 21, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 21, 1897, par. 40
Those who make light of the third angel’s message do it because they know little of Daniel or Revelation. They have not read with a determination to find out the meaning by prayer, by study, and by fasting. If they had had the experience of Daniel or of John, they would know that the third angel’s message will go forth unto perfect victory. Those who proclaim that message because they see and believe it will understand that very much is comprehended in it. The third angel is represented as flying through the heavens with a banner on which is inscribed “The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” [Revelation 14:12.] All who will gather warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their defection, and loyalty from their treason, will triumph with the third angel’s message.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 185, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 185, 1897, par. 1
I am in great travail of soul for our people. We are living in the perils of the last days. A superficial faith results in a superficial experience. There is a repentance that needs to be repented of. All genuine experience in religious doctrines will bear the impress of Jehovah. All should see the necessity of understanding the truth for themselves individually. We must understand the doctrines that have been studied out carefully and prayerfully. It has been revealed to me that there is among our people a great lack of knowledge in regard to the rise and progress of the third angel’s message. There is great need to search the book of Daniel and the book of Revelation, and to learn the texts thoroughly, that we may know what is written.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 69, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 69, 1897, par. 17
The Word of God is the foundation of all true study, and it is a most deplorable thing that it is so poorly understood, and therefore so little appreciated. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.” [Revelation 1:3.] In Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. The book of Revelation is the complement of the book of Daniel. God foresaw the crime and guiltiness of this world. It came up in review before Him, and in Revelation is declared the completion of the eternal plan.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 141, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 141, 1897, par. 39
Daniel and Revelation must be studied, as well as the other prophecies of the Old and New Testament. Let there be light, yes, light in your dwellings. For this we need to pray. The Holy Spirit, shining upon the sacred page, will open our understanding, that we may know what is truth. We can appropriately say, as said the disciples, when Jesus walked with them on their way to Emmaus after He had risen from the dead. Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures. And “they said one to another, Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?” [Luke 24:32.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 41, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 41, 1898, par. 5
God has shown His people what is truth. He has opened to them the books of Daniel and Revelation, which set forth the truth for this time. Those who have closed their ears and their understanding to this truth, have imitated the people who in Christ’s day would not receive the light. Evidence may be piled upon evidence, but men’s hearts may be so hardened by the deceitfulness of sin that evidence, though greatly increased, will prove nothing to them, because it is not proof they want, but their own way.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 89, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 89, 1898, par. 5
Daniel and the Revelation should be gotten out in little books and made as simple as possible. This should be given to every church, and to the people scattered everywhere. It is not a money making scheme, but it will bring in means to invest in getting out other books. Elder Haskell has a whole treasure house of precious things, and he should be tenderly cherished, and everything provided for him that will help him in his work. These precious things should be taken down in shorthand, and given to our people.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 123, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 123, 1898, par. 7
This is our work. The light that we have upon the third angel’s message is the true light. The mark of the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be. All in regard to this matter is not yet understood, and will not be understood until the unrolling of the scroll; but a most solemn work is to be accomplished in our world. “Cry aloud; spare not; lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sin.” [Verse 1.] A message is to be given to arouse the churches. Every effort is to be made to give the light not only to our people, but to the world. I have been given light that the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation are to be printed in small books, with the necessary explanations, and sent all through the world. Our own people need to have the light in clearer lines before them.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 180, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 180, 1898, par. 4
We are seeing and feeling that there is much to be done, and may the Lord strengthen and bless us all to do His work intelligently. We need to study the book of Daniel and the book of Revelation more earnestly. The truth we need is revealed in Revelation.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Ms 199, 1898
13LtMs, Ms 199, 1898, par. 5
The books of Daniel and Revelation are to be carefully and prayerfully studied. You are to connect with your brethren in presenting before the people all the light you can on these two books. The Lord wants not only your talent of ability; He wants the united talents of those He has commissioned to preach the gospel, so that the best and strongest Scriptural truths shall be linked together and combined as a perfect whole.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 86, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 86, 1898, par. 22
In the evening Elder Haskell spoke in a very acceptable manner upon Daniel. The theme of his discourse was that the book of Daniel was to be read and understood. Nearly three pounds were contributed at this meeting, making about eight pounds in one day.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 132, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 132, 1898, par. 26
God chooses His workers from all classes of people, and imbues them with His own spirit. So it was in ancient times. The men and women of God’s selection were of intense earnestness, full of zeal. The last books of the Old Testament show us workers taken from the laborers in the field. Others were men of high ability and extensive learning, but the Lord gave them visions and messages. These men of the Old Testament spoke of the things transpiring in their day, and Daniel, Isaiah, and Ezekiel not only spoke of things that concerned them as present truth, but their sight reached down to the future, and to what should occur in these last days.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 174, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 174, 1899, par. 8
God desires the light found in the books of Daniel and Revelation to be presented in clear lines. It is painful to think of the many cheap theories picked up and presented to the people by ignorant, unprepared teachers. Those who present their human tests, and the nonsensical ideas they have concocted in their own minds, show the character of the goods in their treasure house. They have laid in store shoddy material. Their great desire is to make a sensation.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 169, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 169, 1900, par. 2
We must now see that a meetinghouse is built in Maitland. There are a goodly number of souls that have embraced the truth, and a church has been organized; but what bitter opposition is made by the ministers. It is pronounced and strong. Ministers who cannot evade the Bible argument for the Sabbath binding upon the people, talk in their pulpits that the Bible is not all the book it should be. (One said that Daniel should never be a part of the Bible; and other books he mentioned, and the same testimony was borne; and then he said he thought there would be a new Bible, and some of the books now in it would not appear.) Brethren Colcord and Goodheart were present.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 18, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 18, 1900, par. 7
Those who profess to believe the truth are not to separate themselves from the commandment-keeping people of God, as altogether more righteous than those God has appointed to preach His Word, to explain the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation, to give the warnings regarding the law of God and the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, the seal of the living God. The Lord declares that the Sabbath is the sign between Him and His people.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 192, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 192, 1900, par. 8
Brother Woodward is a pleasant, retiring, modest man, his wife a pleasant woman. I do not think they understand much of the truth, but they are eager to learn. I do not think they know what family prayer is. He was a Roman Catholic and has been converted to receive the truth, but knows but very little of the Bible. Sister Peck is teaching them. We commenced at once to have prayers, and meet in the morning on the front piazza and read in course; then in the evening, on back piazza, explain or have a study of the Scriptures. Both seem to be eager to get all the knowledge possible. Evenings they sit up, last Friday evening until eleven o’clock, all so interested in the study of Daniel that they kept no account of time.15LtMs, Lt 192, 1900, par. 13
I have seen nothing of Brother Robinson. We did not attend meeting anywhere on Sabbath but we had meeting in the house. We are certainly doing good missionary work right here and have a great satisfaction in trying to help those souls which need help. We shall continue to do this work, we hope, for time and for eternity. These souls need to be educated. He [Brother Woodward (?)] is anxious to understand Daniel, and Sister Peck sits right down in the evenings and goes over the investigation as a Bible study and it is a great blessing to these dear souls. Now I think I have said enough on these things.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 16, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 16, 1900, par. 2
In the past, teachers have declared Daniel and the Revelation to be sealed books, and the people have turned from them. The veil whose apparent mystery has kept many from lifting it, God’s own hand has withdrawn from these portions of His Word. The very name, “Revelation,” contradicts the statement that it is a sealed book. Revelation means that something of importance is revealed. The truths of this book are addressed to those living in these last days. We are standing with the veil removed in the holy place of sacred things. We are not to stand without. We are to enter, not with careless, irreverent thoughts, not with impetuous footsteps, but with reverence and godly fear. We are nearing the time when the prophecies of the book of revelation are to be fulfilled.15LtMs, Lt 16, 1900, par. 9
When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience. They will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven, that heart and mind will be impressed in regard to the character all must develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to be the reward of the pure in heart. The Lord will bless all who will seek humbly and meekly to understand that which is revealed in the Revelation. This book contains so much that is large with immortality and full of glory that all who read and search it earnestly receive the blessing to those “that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.” [Revelation 1:3.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Ms 59, 1900
Daniel and Revelation
15LtMs, Ms 59, 1900, par. 23
The books of Daniel and the Revelation are one. One is a prophecy, the other a revelation; one a book sealed, the other a book opened. John heard the mysteries which the thunders uttered, but he was commanded not to write them. The special light given to John which was expressed in the seven thunders was a delineation of events which would transpire under the first and second angels’ messages. It was not best for the people to know these things, for their faith must necessarily be tested. In the order of God, most wonderful and advanced truths would be proclaimed. The first and second angels’ messages were to be proclaimed, but no further light was to be revealed before these messages had done their specific work. This is represented by the Angel standing with one foot on the sea, proclaiming with a most solemn oath that time should be no longer.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 29, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 29, 1900, par. 2
Read the book of Daniel, chapter by chapter, and recognize the spirit that works in those who are under the control of the enemy of God. Many of these are church members, instructed by ministers who are doing just what God told them not to do.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)
Ms 142, 1901
16LtMs, Ms 142, 1901, par. 2
Will our brethren bear in mind that we are living amid the perils of the last days? Read Revelation in connection with Daniel. Teach these things.—Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers, No. 8, p. 24.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 224, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 224, 1902, par. 11
I ask men here in this congregation, What are you worshiping? Are you converted? Do you profess to believe the truth of Daniel and Revelation? Have you become nearly insane over your own specious theories? Has the living God taken possession of heart, mind, and soul? Have you been critically examining your own life by the Word of God, and has it had its influence to break you from the idolatry and imagery you have framed to make of none effect the Word of the living God?Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 223, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 223, 1902, par. 11
I have been deeply impressed by the Spirit of God that we are to pass through severe trials. Everyone’s faith will be tested. We must study carefully the old waymarks. These experiences in the past are to be revived. Daniel is to stand out conspicuously with the Revelation given to John on the Isle of Patmos.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Lt 170, 1902
17LtMs, Lt 170, 1902, par. 16
We need to study Revelation in connection with Daniel. Both of these books are to be carefully and prayerfully studied, and as we study them, we are to pray that their importance may be impressed on our hearts by the Holy Spirit.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 231, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 231, 1902, par. 41
Publications; I have seen that one should be on Daniel and Revelation, published right together, making scarcely any remarks or explanations, or but very few. That has been shown me for years. And they should be sold to those whom you can sell them to, and give them away to those whom you cannot sell them to.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 165, 1902
17LtMs, Ms 165, 1902, par. 20
We do not dwell sufficiently upon the Revelation and the book of Daniel. These books should be published together in pamphlet form, with a few explanations added, and they should be circulated everywhere. The words of inspiration will do their appointed work; for the Holy Spirit will impress hearts in regard to the prophecies given. In this pamphlet it should be made plain that a revelation is not a mystery which cannot be understood, but rather a mystery revealed. These two books may be prepared for publication in a pamphlet bound inexpensively, costing but a trifle, and small enough to be carried in the pocket. Printed together, the books of Daniel and the Revelation will speak to the people and tell their own story.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 1, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 1, 1903, par. 4
The books of Daniel and the Revelation should be bound together and published. A few explanations of certain portions might be added, but I am not sure that these would be needed.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 263, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 263, 1903, par. 27
A sad and alarming chapter in our experience has for years been opening before us, and much of its record needs to be blotted out with the blood of redeeming love. There are some who are betraying the truth and betraying their Saviour. Let them dismiss from their minds the theories of the great deceiver. Let them humble their hearts before God. Let them fix their minds on the science of truth contained in His Word. In the books of Daniel and the Revelation they will find truths to understand which will tax the mind to the utmost.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Lt 351, 1905
20LtMs, Lt 351, 1905, par. 10
He believes straight present truth. There is not one thread of spiritualistic science which would take the world in its deceivings. It is solemn, serious truth which is before the people, the truth of the first, second, and third angels’ messages, linking Daniel and Revelation together. And the grasp he has of the people is marvelous. The Lord has put His Spirit into the mind, heart, and soul of Brother Simpson. He is firm upon the testimonies. This work should be taken up in every city now without delay.