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{{raw:data:phimself of no reputation and humbled himself even unto an ignominious death, and was therefore brought low. (Phil.2:7,8) Therefore in harmony with the prophetic dream it is seen that it pleased Jehovah to 'set up over it [the kingdom or rulership of men] the basest [the low One] amongst men’. "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:9-11) Jehovah thus fixes the qualification of the One to whom he gives the kingdom. Those associated with Christ Jesus in the kingdom must possess similar qualifications and hence these are the low ones of earth whom the Lord uses for his purposes: "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are; that no flesh should glory in his presence." —1 Cor. 1:26-29.}}

⁹ Nebuchadnezzar as Satan's representative boasted and fell. Self-exaltation led to his fall and complete abasement. "Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off." (Ps. 138:6) Exaltation comes from Jehovah and is given only to those who are entirely obedient to him. (Isa. 57:15) In harmony with this divine rule Ezekiel was caused to write: "I [Jehovah] have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, ... Exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.” (Ezek. 17:24; 21:26) The overlordship of earth ischanged, but this change of overlordship does not take place until the end of the "seven times”, which occurred in 1914, at which time Jehovah placed his Son upon his holy hill of Zion and sent him forth to rule. (Ps. 2:6; 110:2) This is further proof that the great "tree in the midst of the earth" described in the dream of Nebuchadnezzar is Satan and his organization over men, and that Jehovah's capital organization is Christ Jesus and those under him and that such is the new tree or organization in which the nations must hope. Upon Jehovah's witnesses now on earth the obligation is laid to tell these great truths to those of mankind who have a desire to hear, and at the same time to serve notice of warning upon others that Jehovah is God and the ruler of the entire universe, and that his kingdom is here.

INTERPRETATION

¹⁰ Nebuchadnezzar called upon Daniel to give an interpretation of his dream, because none of his own wise men could interpret it. To Daniel he said: "This dream I king 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. "Here the name of Jehovah was at stake, because if Daniel the servant of Jehovah God could not give the interpretation of the dream then Nebuchadnezzar would have to retract his words on this and on a former occasion, to wit: "Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets," and, "the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.”?(Dan. 2:47) The fact that Nebuchadnezzar, the representative of the Devil, gave expression to these words concerning Jehovah is no proof whatsoever that he was Jehovah’s servant. Jehovah caused him to be used to illustrate regal power and to perform a part in the great prophetic picture that he was making. Would Jehovah now show his power by giving Daniel the interpretation?

¹¹ Daniel seemed to be disturbed in his mind and was silent for a while. "Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied 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 enemies." (Vs. 19) The "one hour" mentioned in this verse is in fact a short while or short period of time. Probably Daniel hesitated to proceed with the interpretation because that part of the dream which applied to Nebuchadnezzar was unfavorable to the king and Daniel needed courage to proceed to disclose that fact to the king.It is more likely, however, that his short silence was due to the fact that God was withholding the interpretation for a short season for his own purposes, one of which would be to more sharply draw attention to the fact that Daniel represented the Most High, His hesitancy would make those who stood by conclude that Daniel was not able to give the interpretation, but in his own due time Jehovah showed his favor to Daniel and his power over Daniel. The king signified his desire to hear the interpretation even though it were unfavorable. Daniel therefore replied to the king, "the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies."These words show that Daniel was guided by wisdom from on high. His words fit the fulfilment of the prophecy now. Seeing that Nebuchadnezzar at this particular point pictured regal power in Christ's hand, therefore the unfavorable part of the dream and its fulfilment is in fact upon the enemies of Christ. Daniel's prayer was therefore a true one.

¹² The record then shows that Daniel repeated the description of the tree which Nebuchadnezzar had seen in his dream. (Vss. 20,21) Then Daniel said to