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THE SECOND VISION

OF

NEBUCHADNEZZAR.

THE GREAT TREE.

THE Babylonic-Assyrian Empire founded by Esarhaddon, B. C. 680, remains in a Pagan or Antichristian state for 2520 years, and is restrained from receiving the doctrines of Christianity, through the idolatries of the Romano-Greek Empire (the band of iron and brass); but at the end of the 2520 years expiring, A.D. 1840, the Eastern kingdoms will reject their errors and be converted to Christianity. See DAY, 6.

Dan. iv. 10. Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed: I saw, and, behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was 11 great. The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the 12 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: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all 13 flesh was fed of it. I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and 14 an holy one came down from heaven. He cried.

aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off the branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit; let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches. 15 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 16 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 17 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 18 men. This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have 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 God is in thee.

19

seen.

Then Daniel, (whose name was Belteshazzar) was astonished for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake and said, Belteshazzar. 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 ene20 mies. The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; 21 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 22 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 23 the end of the earth. 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 24 pass over him: this is the interpretation, O king,

and this is the decree of the Most High, which 25 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, 26 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 27 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.

THE

THREE VISIONS

OF

DANIEL.

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