And at the end of the days (time) 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 for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation – Daniel 4:34.

Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylonia (605-562) B.C., the eldest son of Nabopolassar, founder of the Chaldean dynasty. As crown prince, Nebuchadrezzar accompanied his father in attacks against various peoples of the surrounding mountain territories. In one of his attacks, he brought into captivity God’s covenant people, including Daniel and the three Hebrew boys.

Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful and longest-reigning king of the Neo-Babylonian period. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that bothered him, but he didn’t remember it. The magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and the Chaldean could not interpret the dream. He became so angry that he commanded the destruction of Babylon’s wise men. The king’s captain, Arioch, informed Daniel of the dream.

Daniel made the king’s decree known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions. They entered into a prayer of agreement, and God answered it. Daniel requested that he be brought before the king to interpret the dream. Daniel interpreted the dream, and Nebuchadnezzar understood that God was the God of all gods and a revealer of secrets. Although Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged God, He still didn’t submit to Him.

Nebuchadnezzar made a golden image in his pride, and everyone in his kingdom was to bow to the golden image when they heard the sound of music. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego wouldn’t bow, and they were thrown into a fiery furnace. Although Nebuchadnezzar didn’t serve God nor had an encounter with Him when the three Hebrew boys were thrown into the furnace and the fire didn’t burn them, as he continued to look, he saw four people in the furnace and acknowledged that it appeared as the Son of God (He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God – Daniel 3:25). After his encounter, the king made a decree that if anyone spoke against the Hebrews God they would be cut into pieces (Therefore I make a decree That every people, nation, and language which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort – Daniel 3:29).

Nebuchadnezzar had an encounter with God. He acknowledged that God was God, but, in his pride and self-will, he would not submit to God’s will. God was drawing Nebuchadnezzar, but He would not come willingly. God gave Nebuchadnezzar a vision of a tree, and he called upon Daniel to interpret the dream. God gave Daniel the interpretation of the vision and informed the king what God would do to him if he wouldn’t turn from his sins.

Twelve months after Daniel gave the king the interpretation of the vision walking through the palace he begins to pat himself on the back ( 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 – Daniel 4:30). Before the king could finish his words, he heard a voice speak from heaven. The interpretation Daniel had given him was coming into manifestation. The kingdom was to be departed from him; he was to be driven from men, and he would dwell with the beasts of the field until he learned that the Most High ruled in the kingdom of men and that He gives it to whomever He will. The words spoken manifested within the hour it was spoken.

Nebuchadnezzar was driven into the wilderness, and his behavior was that of an ox eating grass. His body was wet with the dew of heaven, his hair grew like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. At the end of the appointed time, Nebuchadnezzar returned to his senses, and he recognized who God was and who ruled, and it wasn’t him. He previously wouldn’t submit to God, but God showed him how to submit willingly. God restored Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom and honor. His counselors and his lords submitted to his authority as king.

God will never go against our will because He made us free-will agents, but He has given us a will to decide whether to submit to Him or to our own will. We can have everything the world has to offer, but if we don’t have the King living within our being, we have nothing. There is life after death, and riches and substance will not be taken to the grave. There is an appointment time for each of us to leave this world, and when we awake, where will we find ourselves in the kingdom of peace or the kingdom of torment?

Pride and disobedience are what keep a lot of people from receiving salvation because they want to be their own god. God will allow them to be whatever they want to be, but at the appointed time, they will come before Him, and He will be the One who has the last word. What will His words be to you? Think about it —if you’re playing god, you need to rethink it!

There is life after death; riches and fame can’t give a person a way to escape the judgment of God. Working in various areas of the church will not give you a ticket to heaven. God wants your heart, not your works!

Like Nebuchadnezzar, God sometimes breaks us to save us. But some are so hard-hearted that, even after the breaking, they will not submit to God’s authority. Sadly, they will experience the wrath of God and not the love of God. If we can obey man’s laws, why is it so hard to obey God, the One who can give you entrance to heaven or hell?