In chapter 38, our attention was on the experiences of Daniel and his associates. In part II, we now turn our attention to four specific dreams. The first two dreams are found in chapters two and four. They were given to king Nebuchadnezzar, who then sought Daniel for their interpretation.

The dream recorded in chapter seven involving four beasts was given directly to Daniel. It occurred during the first years of Belshazzar, king of Babylon prior to the Medes-Persian conquest.

In chapter nine, we will examine our final vision that occurred during the first year of the rule of king Darius following his overthrow of the Babylonians. It was given in response to Daniel’s inquiry of the Lord regarding the continued captivity of the Jews beyond the seventy year period that Jeremiah had prophesied.

Like Isaiah, and others, Daniel’s visions and interpretations cover a wide spectrum of the earth’s history. One of Daniel’s most important dream interpretations involves Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. It relates directly to the establishment of the kingdom of God during the latter-days. It is important for us especially to understand this dream as we will then be able to see many aspects of its fulfillment.

This dream, as noted, occurred during Daniel’s third or fourth year in Babylon (603 B.C.). Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which troubled him in spirit. He made an unusual request of his royal consultants, for he demanded that his wise men tell him the dream and its interpretation without his having first told them the dream. Their response is revealing.

This statement is true, “There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king [his dream]” except that man had received the knowledge of the dream from the Lord himself. Only a prophet of God would know the dream and then be able to give its interpretation, without the king having first shared the dream with him.

The response of the king is striking, in view of the impossibility of his request.

When they failed the test, the king decreed that all wise men in his kingdom would lose their lives. This decree included Daniel and his associates Shad-rach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (see Daniel 1:7; Daniel 2:17).

Daniel upon hearing the decree, asks “the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? (see Daniel 2:15).

Daniel sought in prayer to know Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its interpretation from the Lord. All Daniel needed to do in order to answer Nebuchadnezzar’s request was time, faith, and an answer to prayer. These are also the same ingredients that each of us need in order to proceed in our lives.

God, through Daniel, was able to do what the gods of the wise men could not. The answer came and Daniel went to meet with King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel having received an answer to his prayer did not delay in expressing his gratitude and appreciations. An example we could also follow.

Daniel is now ready to meet with the king.

Daniel now gives to king Nebuchadnezzar the dream which he dreamed and its interpretation.

The response of the king to Daniel sharing with him his dream and its interpretation was overwhelming.

Nebuchadnezzar’s response was to fall upon his face before Daniel.

The following chart is provided in order to provide clarity to Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.

We will now examine the elements of the dream. They are: A great image in the form of a man with (1) Head of fine gold; (2) Breast and arms of silver; (3) Belly and thighs of brass; (4) Legs of iron, and (5) Feet of part iron and part clay. There was a stone that was cut out without hands that hit the image upon its feet. The image broke into pieces and became as chaff and the wind blew it away. On the other hand, the stone remained. The stone then became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

The interpretation is as follows: (1) The head of gold represents the Assyria-Babylonian Empire (671-538 B.C.); (2) The Breast and arms of silver represent the Medo-Persian Empire (538-331 B.C.); (3) The Belly and Thighs of Brass are the Greco-Macedonian Kingdom (331-160 B.C.); (4) The Legs of Iron – The Great Roman Empire (160-395 A.D.), and (5) The Feet and Toes – Part Iron and Part Clay – group of ten nations of Europe as they originated (496 -1829 A.D.).

The stone that was cut out without hands represents the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by the Lord Jesus Christ through his appointed latter day prophet, Joseph Smith, on April 6, 1830. From its small beginning of just six members, the church has grown to over 14 million members world-wide {2013]. It will continue to grow until it fills the entire earth.

King Nebuchadnezzar sought to honor Daniel by giving him gifts and by making him “ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and the chief of governors over all the wise men of Babylon” (Daniel 2:48). Daniel then sought appointment for positions of responsibility for his associates, Shadruch, Meshach, and Abed-nego within the province for which he was ruler which was granted by the king.

The response of Nebuchadnezzar to Daniel’s interpretation has led some to assume his conversion to Daniel’s God.

The “more” the king had to learn came in the form of another dream which we will now examine.

Chapter four is an extension of the “more” king Nebuchadnezzar had to learn. It came in the form of another dream that came to the king one evening that made him afraid. He initially consulted with his wise men.

When Daniel came in, the king told Daniel

The king now proceeds to tell Daniel his dream. In an effort to provide clarity, one column is the dream with the corresponding column providing Daniel’s interpretation.

These are the elements of the dream: (1) a great tree which had many leaves that gave shade to the animals; (2) a watcher and holy one who came down from heaven and commanded that the tree be cut down; (3) the stump and roots were to be left in the earth, with (a) a band of iron and brass; (b) it would be wet with the dew of heaven; (c) it was to eat grass; (d) its heart was changed from a man’s to a beast’s heart, and (e) seven times passed over him.

Daniel concludes his interpretation with the following words of admonishment to the king. These words of counsel may have been the final warning given by the Lord that if the king had heeded, may have prevented the following calamity from occurring.

The depth of the king’s arrogance is noted “twelve months later” (Daniel 4:29).

Thus was fully exposed the king’s self-centered refusal to recognize the hand of God, in spite of personal revelation. In order to humble the powerful, yet prideful king, the Lord chooses to humble him in an unusual manner. The king became psychotic.

This is a vision that Daniel had personally during the first year that Belshazzar, son of Nebuchadnezzar, served as king of Babylon. His vision involved the appearance of four beasts.

Before we proceed in our understanding of the elements of Daniel’s night vision. it is important that we consider the general insight given by Joseph Smith regarding actual and images of figures in dreams or visions.

We will now proceed to identify the elements of Daniel’s night vision included four beast. The first was like a lion with eagle’s wings. The second was like a bear with three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. The third was like a leopard with the four wings of a foul on its back, and lastly, the fourth was a beast that was dreadful and terrible with strong and iron teeth and ten horns. Among the horns came up another small horn in which three of the first horns plucked up from the roots were eyes like the eyes of a man with a mouth that spake great things. Then Daniel saw the “Ancient of Days,” sitting upon a throne and myriads of persons ministered to him. Judgment was set and the books were opened. The great beast with the horns was destroyed and burned with fire. The dominion of the other beasts was taken away from them, but their lives were prolonged for a time. Then one, “like unto the Son of Man” came with the clouds of heaven to the Ancient of Days. He was then given dominion, glory, and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion was to be an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom should never be destroyed (see Daniel 7:4-14).

This suggests that the four beasts represented four kings that should arise out of the earth. Thus the lion compares to the head of gold, the bear to the breast and arms of silver, etc.

Lastly, Daniel saw in vision the “Son of Man” coming with the clouds of heaven, coming even to the “Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:13). The Savior of the World, even Jesus Christ, will appear at Adam-ondi-Ahman, Davies County, Missouri (see Doctrine and Covenants 116:1). His purpose will be to receive from all the prophets of the seven dispensations, including the ‘Ancient of Days’ an accounting of their stewardship.

To whom was Daniel referring when he spoke of the “Ancient of days?” We learn through modern revelation that the title, “Ancient of days” refers to the oldest member and patriarch of the human race, Father Adam.

In accordance with Daniel’s vision, it will be those who have previously held positions of responsibility on the earth who will then present to Father Adam an accounting of their stewardship. Adam, or the Ancient of days, will then present to the Lord Jesus Christ, the final report.

This will be a glorious occasion for all who are in attendance, but likely will be unknown to the general public. It is yet another of the final events to occur prior to the Lord’s Second Coming.

Who does the fourth beast represent?

While to some Daniel’s night vision and its interpretation remains yet another event that defies understanding. To others who are blessed to receive revelation from on high, the vision has great significance and they yet await its complete fulfillment as outlined.

As previously noted, this vision, like that of the four beasts, came personally to Daniel.

We might ask “Who is the heavenly messenger or Gabriel, who appeared to Daniel?

Because not all has been revealed regarding the identities of the symbols found in the book of Daniel, much is not yet known. It may be for this reason that some will minimize the importance of visions and dreams as a source of insight and revelation. Both Daniel and king Nebuchadnezzar recognized the value of dreams as messages from the heaven and sought to understand their significance. It is important that we not dismiss the potential importance of dreams or visions, just because we do not immediately understand their complete implications. As we patiently continue to mediate and pray about their possible importance, we may yet discover their additional value in our lives.