As the prophet Daniel indicates, this dream has been later fulfilled in the person of the king of Babylon. Because of his pride, God was going to teach him a lesson in humility and modesty by afflicting him with a mental illness (a form of lycanthropy that would make him believe he was a wild bull) that would prevent him from exercising his kingship for seven times, or seven prophetic years of 360 days. Those times corresponded to the felling of the tree with the preservation of its stump in the ground (Daniel 4:10-25). After this period, the king resumed his royal function (Daniel 4:29-37).
This study examines a possible second fulfillment of Daniel’s dream in chapter 4. Some dispute the existence of a second fulfillment and question the chronological calculation presented later, citing some interpretive weaknesses. These weaknesses will be addressed subsequently, and it will be up to each reader to accept or reject the explanations that follow. While the editorial approach has acknowledged the possibility of a second fulfillment, the explanations will be presented conditionally, as a possible interpretation, without dogmatism or any desire to impose a single, dominant viewpoint.
The idea of a second fulfillment considers that the dream tree of the king of Babylon represents the dominion of God’s kingdom on earth, embodied by King David and his dynasty, reigning in Jerusalem. This fulfillment would pertain to the last days we are currently living in, as mentioned in the prophecy of Daniel (2:28; 8:19, 23; 10:14; 12:8).
Daniel chapter 4, would have had a second fulfillment which makes it possible to know when Jesus Christ, a descendant (when he was human) of King David, has been enthroned as king in Heaven, at the head of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 1:1-16; Luke 3:23-38).
By applying the momentary interruption of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, of « seven times », to the same momentary interruption, of the reign of the Davidic dynasty, in Jerusalem, which took place in 607 BCE, we get to the date of 1914 CE.
In 607 BCE, when Jerusalem has been conquered by the Babylonians, “the Davidic throne” representing God’s earthly sovereignty, has been found vacant, and no longer representing it (2 Kings 25:1-26). In the prophecy of Ezekiel, it is written that this reign of the Davidic dynasty would be restored: “This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: ‘Remove the turban, and take off the crown. This will not remain the same. Raise up the low one, and bring low the high one. A ruin, a ruin, a ruin I will make it. And it will not belong to anyone until the one who has the legal right comes, and I will give it to him” (Ezekiel 21:26, 27). The one who would have “the legal right” to the Davidic crown, is Christ Jesus (Luke 1:32, 33).
The kingship of the son of man, Jesus Christ, given by his Heavenly Father is mentioned in the prophecy of Daniel chapter 7: « I kept watching in the visions of the night, and look! with the clouds of the heavens, someone like a son of man was coming; and he gained access to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him up close before that One. And to him there were given rulership, honor, and a kingdom, that the peoples, nations, and language groups should all serve him. His rulership is an everlasting rulership that will not pass away, and his kingdom will not be destroyed » (Daniel 7:13,14).
The prophecy of Daniel, chapter 4, indicates the duration of this temporary interruption of the reign of the Davidic dynasty: 7 times, that are, 7 prophetic years of 360 days. Which are 2520 days or 7 prophetic years. The historical and prophetic context, of the events after the beginning of the temporary overthrow of the Davidic dynasty, in 607 BCE, allows to understand that these 2520 days, are in fact 2520 years. Adding 7 years, to the year 607 BCE, nothing historically important has happened: which makes it possible to discern that it is indeed the biblical correspondence, of « a day for a year », 2520 years (Ezekiel 4:6).
This conversion, a day for a year, exists in the book of Daniel chapter 9, regarding the seventy weeks of years in Daniel 9:24-27. What is interesting is that at no time is the word « week » written accompanied by the word « year ». And yet, depending on the context, in this prophecy, the seven days of the week are automatically translated into weeks of years. Therefore, converting the 2520 days into 2520 years, to arrive at the last days period mentioned in Daniel’s prophecy, also respects its context.
Adding the 2520 years, to 607 BCE, we get to the year 1914 CE. In 1 Kings 25:25,26, it is written that Jerusalem has been completely uninhabited from the seventh month of the year 607 BCE, that is, from the month of Tishri (Ethanim). The date of Tishri (Ethanim)15, is the most biblically logical, particularly according to the prophecy of Zechariah 14:16, which associates Ethanim, 15, the date of the Festival of Booths, with the celebration of Jehovah’s sovereignty (compare with Revelation 12:10, (the heavenly enthronement of Christ, in 1914 CE)).
Adding the 2520 years, to 607 BCE, we get to the year 1914 CE. In 1 Kings 25:25,26, it is written that Jerusalem has been completely uninhabited from the seventh month of the year 607 BCE, that is, from the month of Tishri (Ethanim).
***
What would represent the year 1914?
What would the year 1914 represent, both biblically and historically? 1914 is a historical marker or starting point where important events occurred, both in heaven and on earth.
In order of importance, 1914 would be the year in which Jesus Christ, as King, received a kingdom in heaven and currently reigns in the midst of his enemies (Psalm 2).
An important point to note: The biblical account shows that the investiture of a king at the head of a kingdom occurs in two stages. The first step is the anointing process, or designation by God, of the human who will be king. The second stage is when he receives a kingdom over which he will exercise his authority as king.
Jesus Christ has been anointed as King by his Heavenly Father, Jehovah God, at his baptism in 29 CE. Before the birth of the child Jesus, the angel Gabriel told Mary, his future mother, that her son would become king: « He will rule as King over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end to his Kingdom » (Luke 1:33). Thus, Jesus Christ became King anointed by his Father, at the beginning of his first visible presence on earth, in the year 29 CE.
When he ascended into Heaven to join his Heavenly Father, according to Psalms 110, he sat at the right hand of the Father expecting to receive the inheritance of the Kingdom of God, or the governance both in Heaven and on Earth: « Jehovah declared to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand Until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet »” (Psalms 110, compare with Luke 19:12). In 1914, according to the prophecy of Daniel chapter 4, and the book of Apocalypse, it would appear that King Jesus Christ was invested with this kingship with a kingdom.
It was during this same time that Satan and the demons were cast out of heaven, which had the consequences of many misfortunes for the earth, as written in the book of Apocalypse:
“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them any longer in heaven. 9 So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. 10 I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God! 11 And they conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their witnessing, and they did not love their souls even in the face of death. 12 On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time”” (Apocalypse 12:7-12).
The calamities on earth, brought about by Satan and demons following the enthronement of Jesus Christ as King in 1914, amidst his enemies, are also described in the ride of the horsemen of the Apocalypse, in this same book, chapter 6. Furthermore, these calamities of humanity, marking the beginning of the last days, are described in the prophecies of Jesus Christ regarding the last days, in Matthew chapter 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.
Historical events seem to confirm that the year 1914 represents a turning point in human history on a global scale. The First World War, a true industrial war with new combat techniques—machine guns, long-range artillery, the first aerial combat, the first bombs dropped from the sky, poison gas—all supported by global finance and the military-industrial complex.
In addition to the tens of millions of deaths, a global pandemic, the Spanish flu, claimed millions of lives. Since then, humanity has been plagued by wars, diseases, and global famines. Since then, humankind has possessed the means to bring about the extinction of the human species on Earth through these methods of mass destruction. Moreover, concerning the last days, here is what Jesus Christ said: « In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short » (Matthew 24:22).
***
The weaknesses of this interpretation leading to 1914
Many Christians have serious doubts about this interpretation and calculation. Here are four major objections: The first simple objection is that in the immediate context of Daniel chapter 4, there is no information that would indicate that this dream would have a second fulfillment. The second objection is that, assuming that there was another accomplishment, the date of 607 BCE for the first destruction of Jerusalem is not consistent with the date held by historians, which would be 586 BCE. The third objection is that nothing indicates, in the immediate context, that the seven times are 7 prophetic years. The fourth objection is that there is no indication, in the immediate context of chapter 4, that the 2520 days should be converted into 2520 years, according to Ezekiel 4:6. These four entirely admissible objections show that this interpretive date must be considered with caution and not with dogmatism. Now, taking into account these objections, here is why this date and its chronological calculation were retained in the editorial line of this biblical site, as a historical marker recognized by many historians.
Those who contest the validity of the calculation of this date, say that they are basing themselves on an exegetical study of the biblical text. However, it is appropriate to go to the end of this exegesis by admitting that the original biblical texts were not divided into chapters and verses. Thus, while remaining in the general context of the book of Daniel, it is not appropriate to reason only on the basis of the context of the single « chapter 4 », when it obviously does not directly give its meaning. Without necessarily going to another biblical book, looking at the whole context of the book of Daniel, can be usually enough. Let us see how.
Concerning the first objection, which shows that nothing indicates, in chapter 4, that there would be a second fulfillment. In any case, in the Bible, there is never any direct or written indication that there would be two fulfillments. It is only the context that allows us to understand it (see above the reasoning on the expression « great tribulation »). Furthermore, sometimes there are historical biblical narratives that have, at first glance, no prophetic dimension, and yet, it exists. Let us take two examples. The story of manna falling from heaven (Exodus 16:31-36). Nothing in the historical context of this passage shows the prophetic dimension of this story. However, Jesus Christ considered that it did indeed have a prophetic dimension (John 6:31-58). The historical account of the making of the copper serpent (Numbers 21:7-9). Nothing in the historical context of this passage shows the prophetic dimension of this narrative. However, Jesus Christ considered that it did indeed have a prophetic dimension (John 3:14,15).
Let us look at the story of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel chapter 4. First of all, it should be noted that it is his second dream sent by God to this king (Daniel 2). In his first dream, Daniel says that God has revealed to him (through the interpretation of this dream) « what is to happen in the final part of the days ». Thus, the historical account of Daniel 2 has more than a simple anecdotal value, but also a prophetic value, concerning our time. The question that arises is: should we expect less from the story of the second dream given by God to King Nebuchadnezzar? Namely, that the scope of this second prophetic dream would concern « the final part of the days ». Basing ourselves, this time on the whole context of the book of Daniel, if we were to consider the second dream of King Nebuchadnezzar as applying only to his time, and to his person alone, then it would be the only prophetic vision which would not concern our time, while the whole of this book is directly related to « the final part of the days » (Daniel 12:9). Therefore, it would be rather the failure to not admit that there would be a second fulfillment of this dream, concerning the last days, which would not respect the entire context of the prophetic book of Daniel.
The second objection is about the date of 607 BCE, which would correspond to the first destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian armies. However, all historians consider that this event happened around 20 years later, that is to say in 586 BCE. Furthermore, there is no known historical written record today regarding this date of 607 BCE. Why, on a biblical level, would this date be chosen as a starting point? Because the date of Cyrus’ edict allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem, recognized by historians, was promulgated in 539 BCE. The Jews arrived in Jerusalem in 537 BCE, ending the 70 years of desolation of that city, according to the prophecy of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11,12): « In the first year of his reign I, Daniel, discerned by the books the number of years mentioned in the word of Jehovah to Jeremiah the prophet to fulfill the desolation of Jerusalem, namely, 70 years” (Daniel 9:2). If we go back 70 years, from 537 BCE, we arrive at 607 BCE.
The third objection is about the seven times, translated into 7 prophetic years of 360 days. It is in chapter 12 that we have confirmation that this correspondence is correct: « It will be for an appointed time, appointed times, and half a time » (Daniel 12:7). This period would correspond to 3 and a half times, or three and a half prophetic years, or 1260 days. Then, the angel mentions two other periods which would begin with the 1260 days, that is, 1290 days (1260 days plus 30 days) (verse 11), 1335 days (1260 days plus 75 days) (verse 12). Which demonstrates that the three and a half times correspond to the 1260 days, and that the 7 times represent seven prophetic years, or 2520 days.
The fourth objection is about the conversion of the 2520 days, the seven times, into 2520 years. This conversion exists in the book of Daniel chapter 9, regarding the seventy weeks of years in Daniel 9:24-27. What is interesting is that at no time is the word « week » written accompanied by the word « year ». And yet, depending on the context, in this prophecy, the seven days of the week are automatically translated into weeks of years. Therefore, converting the 2520 days into 2520 years, to arrive at the last days period mentioned in Daniel’s prophecy, also respects its context.
Therefore, we can consider that the year 1914 would be the beginning of the reign of King Jesus Christ in heaven, among his enemies (Psalms 2). He is present in the sense that since this period, his attention has been turned to the earth to act on behalf of the people of God (Daniel 12:1). If his presence is currently invisible, his coming, shortly before the great tribulation, will be visible (Matthew 24:30; 25:31-33; Apocalypse 1:7). It was also during this year, it seems, according to the Apocalypse, that the Devil and the demons were expelled to the neighborhood of the earth, plunging the world into a process of self-destruction and collective suicide against the all peoples, which we can observe particularly today: « Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time » (Apocalypse 12:12). However, a little farther on, we will see what the year 1914 does not represent.
***
The Prophecy of the Book of Daniel
The study of the Prophecy of Daniel is the analysis of current prophetic events in the Middle East and in the World…
The Prophecy of the Book of Daniel – The Last Hard-Faced King (Daniel 8:23-25)
This prophecy describes the face and attitude of the last king, of the last world power…
The Prophecy of the Book of Daniel – The Conflict Between the Two Kings (Daniel 11)
This prophecy foreshadows the conclusion of events in the Middle East…
We are, it seems, currently in the last stage of the fulfillment of this prophecy of Daniel, about the two kings…
The Prophecy of the Book of Daniel – The Conflict Between the Two Kings (Daniel 11)
This prophecy foretells the conclusion of events in the Middle East…
The Prophecy of the Book of Zechariah
The prophecy of Zechariah and its prophetic riddles, explanations to know the future…
The Prophecy of Jesus Christ of the end of this system of things, with several preliminary signs…
Table of contents of the http://yomelyah.fr/ website
Reading the Bible daily, this table of contents contains informative Bible articles (Please click on the link above to view it)…
Table of languages of more than seventy languages, with six important biblical articles, written in each of these languages…
***