Twelve months later, King Nebuchadnezzar was in his palace. Full of pride, he says Babylon is great because he built it by his power, honor and majesty. A voice from heaven said, "The kingdom is departed from you." There is a psychological disorder called boanthophy, when a person thinks he is a cow or ox.

The king spoke, 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? While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from you. The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws (Daniel 4:30-31, 32, 33).

After seven years, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged God and his kingdom returned. It is interesting that a foreign king's personal story has been written in Scripture. We are not told if this is a change of mind or change of heart.

And at the end of the days 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. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase (Daniel 4:34, 37).

References: 21st Century Revelation: World Wars, Iraq Wars & End War Chapter 6 - Symbols Revealed, Chapter 13 - Minor Feasts, Major Events, Chapter 20 - Players in the Game, Chapter 23 - World Wars, Cold War, 7000 Years, Revelation Views, Bible Chronology, Daniel's Dream

Daniel chapters 1-3 describe how Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego transitioned from Judah to Babylon. God put these wise men in place to advise the king and protect the Jews in captivity. King Nebuchadnezzar had a great opportunity to watch them and learn about the God of Abraham.

Daniel said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He reveals the deep and secret things: he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him (Daniel 2:20-22).

Nebuchadnezzar reigned from 605-561 BC and in about 582 BC had a dream. After every lesson in life, there is a test. In his first dream in Daniel 2, the king required his advisors to tell the dream and the interpretation. With this dream, he told the dream but the wise men still did not know the interpretation. Finally, the king asks Daniel.

I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. Then came in the magicians … and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation. But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, … and before him I told the dream… (Daniel 4:5, 7-8).

There was a great tree in the middle of earth that reached to the heavens. It grew up, was strong and gave much food and shelter to the beasts and birds. Then a holy watcher came from heaven and commanded to cut tree down but leave a stump. His heart was changed from man to beast for seven years.

I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height was great. The tree grew, and was strong, and the height reached to heaven, and the sight to the end of all the earth: … Behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; He cried aloud, and said, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth…. Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given to him; and let seven times pass over him (Daniel 4:10-11, 13-14, 15-16)

Daniel's thoughts troubled him and he wished the dream was for the king's enemies. Nebuchadnezzar is the tree that has grown strong and reaches the heavens. Many people thrive from his empire. Because of his pride, his heart will change from man to beast as he lives in the wilderness but his kingdom will return to him when he acknowledges the God of heaven.

It is you, O king, that are grown and become strong: for your greatness is grown, and reaches unto heaven, and your dominion to the end of the earth. That they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever he will (Daniel 4:22, 25)

Daniel gives the king wise counsel. Do what is righteous and show mercy to the poor. That may lengthen his sanity (Daniel 4:27).