◄ Daniel 4:3 ►
How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; His dominion endures from generation to generation.
Study Bible
How great are His signs
The phrase "How great are His signs" emphasizes the magnitude and awe-inspiring nature of God's miraculous works. The Hebrew word for "signs" is "אוֹת" (oth), which often refers to a mark or a miraculous event that points to divine intervention. In the context of Daniel, these signs are not just mere occurrences but are profound demonstrations of God's power and authority over earthly kingdoms. Historically, signs served as divine communication, affirming God's sovereignty and His active role in the affairs of men. This phrase invites believers to reflect on the greatness of God's works throughout history, encouraging a posture of reverence and worship.

how mighty His wonders!
The word "wonders" in Hebrew is "פֶּלֶא" (pele), which denotes extraordinary events that inspire amazement. These wonders are acts that transcend human understanding and capability, showcasing God's omnipotence. In the biblical narrative, wonders often accompany signs, serving as a testament to God's intervention and His ability to alter the natural order. The use of "mighty" underscores the strength and power inherent in these divine acts. For the believer, this phrase is a reminder of God's unparalleled power and His ability to work beyond human limitations, instilling faith and trust in His divine plan.

His kingdom is an eternal kingdom
The concept of God's "eternal kingdom" is central to the biblical narrative, highlighting the everlasting nature of God's reign. The Hebrew word for "kingdom" is "מַלְכוּת" (malkuth), which signifies not just a realm but the authority and rule of a king. The term "eternal" (עוֹלָם, olam) conveys perpetuity, a kingdom without end. This stands in contrast to earthly kingdoms, which rise and fall. Historically, this declaration would have been particularly poignant in the context of Babylon, a powerful empire that seemed invincible yet was temporal. For Christians, this phrase reassures them of the unchanging and everlasting nature of God's rule, offering hope and stability in a transient world.

and His dominion endures from generation to generation
"Dominion" in Hebrew is "שָׁלְטָן" (shalṭan), referring to sovereign power and control. The phrase "endures from generation to generation" emphasizes the continuity and unbroken nature of God's rule across all ages. This reflects the biblical theme of God's faithfulness and His unchanging nature throughout history. In the ancient Near Eastern context, where dynasties often changed with the rise and fall of kings, this statement affirms the constancy of God's authority. For believers, it is a powerful reminder that God's sovereignty transcends time and human history, providing assurance that His purposes will prevail through every era and circumstance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nebuchadnezzar
The Babylonian king who is the speaker in this verse. He acknowledges the greatness of God's signs and wonders after experiencing God's power firsthand.

2. Daniel
A Jewish prophet and advisor to King Nebuchadnezzar, who interprets dreams and reveals God's messages to the king.

3. Babylon
The kingdom over which Nebuchadnezzar reigns, representing the height of human power and achievement at the time.

4. God's Kingdom
The eternal kingdom referenced in the verse, contrasting with the temporal nature of earthly kingdoms like Babylon.

5. Signs and Wonders
Miraculous acts performed by God, demonstrating His power and authority over all creation.
Teaching Points
Acknowledging God's Sovereignty
Recognize that God's kingdom is eternal, unlike human kingdoms that rise and fall. This should lead us to trust in His ultimate authority and plan.

The Power of Testimony
Nebuchadnezzar's acknowledgment of God's greatness serves as a powerful testimony. We should be willing to share how we have seen God's signs and wonders in our lives.

Living with an Eternal Perspective
Understanding that God's dominion endures from generation to generation encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on what truly matters in God's kingdom.

Responding to God's Wonders
Reflect on how we respond to God's signs and wonders. Are we moved to worship and obedience, or do we take them for granted?

The Role of Humility
Nebuchadnezzar's experience teaches us the importance of humility before God. Recognizing His greatness should lead us to humble ourselves and submit to His will.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Nebuchadnezzar's acknowledgment of God's signs and wonders challenge our understanding of God's power in our lives today?

2. In what ways can we see God's eternal kingdom at work in the world around us, and how should this influence our daily decisions?

3. How can we cultivate a heart of humility like Nebuchadnezzar eventually did, and why is this important in our relationship with God?

4. What are some practical ways we can share our testimonies of God's signs and wonders with others, and why is this important?

5. How do the themes of God's eternal kingdom and dominion in Daniel 4:3 connect with the teachings of Jesus about the Kingdom of God in the New Testament?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 145:13
This verse also speaks of God's eternal kingdom and enduring dominion, reinforcing the theme of God's unchanging sovereignty.

Isaiah 9:7
This prophecy about the Messiah highlights the eternal nature of His government and peace, connecting to the idea of God's everlasting dominion.

Revelation 11:15
This verse proclaims the establishment of God's kingdom over the world, echoing the eternal nature of His reign as mentioned in Daniel 4:3.
Sermons
Man Touching the InexpressibleJoseph Parker, D.D.Daniel 4:3
The Kingdom of GodJoseph Irons.Daniel 4:3
Royal Witness for GodJ.D. Davies Daniel 4:1-3
The Comeliness of ConfessionH.T. Robjohns Daniel 4:1-3
The Proclamation of Peace to All NationsWilliam White.Daniel 4:1-18
People
Belteshazzar, Daniel, Jonah, Nebuchadnezzar
Places
Babylon
Topics
Age-during, Dominion, Endures, Eternal, Everlasting, Full, Generation, Goes, Kingdom, Mighty, Power, Rule, Signs, Wonders
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Daniel 4:3

     1060   God, greatness of
     1140   God, the eternal
     5694   generation

Daniel 4:1-3

     8444   honouring God

Daniel 4:1-7

     8709   astrology

Daniel 4:1-37

     1443   revelation, OT

Daniel 4:2-3

     1418   miracles, responses

Library
The Life of Mr. Andrew Melvil.
Mr. Melvil, after finishing his classical studies, went abroad, and taught, for some time, both at Poictiers in France, and at Geneva. He returned to Scotland in July 1574, after having been absent from his native country near ten years. Upon his return, the learned Beza, in a letter to the general assembly of the church of Scotland, said, "That the greatest token of affection the kirk of Geneva could show to Scotland, was, that they had suffered themselves to be spoiled of Mr. Andrew Melvil." Soon …
John Howie—Biographia Scoticana (Scots Worthies)

Human Government.
Human governments a part of the moral government of God. In the discussion of this subject I will,-- I. Inquire into the ultimate end of God in creation. We have seen in former lectures, that God is a moral agent, the self-existent and supreme; and is therefore himself, as ruler of all, subject to, and observant of, moral law in all his conduct. That is, his own infinite intelligence must affirm that a certain course of willing is suitable, fit, and right in him. This idea, or affirmation, is law …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Epistle xxxi. To Phocas, Emperor .
To Phocas, Emperor [218] . Gregory to Phocas Augustus. Glory to God in the highest who, according as it is written, changes times, and transfers kingdoms, seeing that He has made apparent to all what He vouchsafed to speak by His prophet, That the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will (Dan. iv. 17). For in the incomprehensible dispensation of Almighty God there are alternate controlments of mortal life; and sometimes, when the sins of many are to be smitten, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Teaching of Matthew 13 Proves that no Era of Millennial Blessing Precedes Christ's Second Advent.
In Matt. 13 we have the record of seven parables--the number of completeness--which our Lord uttered consecutively. These parables are prophetic in their significance and scope. They deal with conditions which are to obtain here during the time of our Lord's absence. They are concerned with the visible profession of Christianity and they look forward to the closing scenes of the present dispensation. As there is much in them upon which we cannot now comment at length we shall content ourselves with …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

And the Fame of Antony came Even unto Kings. ...
81. And the fame of Antony came even unto kings. For Constantine Augustus, and his sons Constantius and Constans the Augusti wrote letters to him, as to a father, and begged an answer from him. But he made nothing very much of the letters, nor did he rejoice at the messages, but was the same as he had been before the Emperors wrote to him. But when they brought him the letters he called the monks and said, Do not be astonished if an emperor writes to us, for he is a man; but rather wonder that God …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness, Suffering
Text: 1 Peter 5, 5-11. 5 Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom withstand stedfast …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Power of God
The next attribute is God's power. Job 9:19. If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong.' In this chapter is a magnificent description of God's power. Lo, he is strong.' The Hebrew word for strong signifies a conquering, prevailing strength. He is strong.' The superlative degree is intended here; viz., He is most strong. He is called El-shaddai, God almighty. Gen 17:7. His almightiness lies in this, that he can do whatever is feasible. Divines distinguish between authority and power. God has both. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

That for the Most Part the Occupation of Government Dissipates the Solidity of the Mind.
Often the care of government, when undertaken, distracts the heart in divers directions; and one is found unequal to dealing with particular things, while with confused mind divided among many. Whence a certain wise man providently dissuades, saying, My son, meddle not with many matters (Ecclus. xi. 10); because, that is, the mind is by no means collected on the plan of any single work while parted among divers. And, when it is drawn abroad by unwonted care, it is emptied of the solidity of inward …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, K ING OF K INGS AND L ORD OF L ORDS T he description of the administration and glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom, in defiance of all opposition, concludes the second part of Messiah Oratorio. Three different passages from the book of Revelation are selected to form a grand chorus, of which Handel's title in this verse is the close --a title which has been sometimes vainly usurped by proud worms of this earth. Eastern monarchs, in particular, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &c. [1273] Seeing the chief end of all religion is to redeem men from the spirit and vain conversation of this world and to lead into inward communion with God, before whom if we fear always we are accounted happy; therefore all the vain customs and habits thereof, both in word and deed, are to be rejected and forsaken by those who come to this fear; such as taking off the hat to a man, the bowings and cringings of the body, and such other salutations of that …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold.
^A Matt. XXIV. 1-28; ^B Mark XIII. 1-23; ^C Luke XXI. 5-24. ^a 1 And Jesus went out from the temple [leaving it to return no more], and was going on his way; and his disciples came to him ^b as he went forth ^a to show him the buildings of the temple. ^b one of his disciples saith unto him, Teacher, behold, what manner of stones and what manner of buildings! ^c 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said [The strength and wealth of the temple roused …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Chorus of Angels
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour and glory, and blessing! I t was a good report which the queen of Sheba heard, in her own land, of the wisdom and glory of Solomon. It lessened her attachment to home, and prompted her to undertake a long journey to visit this greater King, of whom she had heard so much. She went, and she was not disappointed. Great as the expectations were, which she had formed from the relation made her by others, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Supplementary Note to Chapter ii. The Year of Christ's Birth.
The Christian era commences on the 1st of January of the year 754 of the city of Rome. That our Lord was born about the time stated in the text may appear from the following considerations-- The visit of the wise men to Bethlehem must have taken place a very few days after the birth of Jesus, and before His presentation in the temple. Bethlehem was not the stated residence of Joseph and Mary, either before or after the birth of the child (Luke i. 26, ii. 4, 39; Matt. ii. 2). They were obliged to …
William Dool Killen—The Ancient Church

"Seek First the Kingdom of God," &C.
Matt. vi. 33.--"Seek first the kingdom of God," &c. It may seem strange, that when so great things are allowed, and so small things are denied, that we do not seek them. The kingdom of God and his righteousness are great things indeed, great not only in themselves, but greater in comparison of us. The things of this world, even great events, are but poor, petty, and inconsiderable matters, when compared with these. Yet he graciously allows a larger measure of these great things relating to his kingdom …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Repentance
Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.' Acts 11: 18. Repentance seems to be a bitter pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad humour of sin. By some Antinomian spirits it is cried down as a legal doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent,' &c. Matt 4: 17. In his last farewell, when he was ascending to heaven, he commanded that Repentance should be preached in his name.' Luke 24: 47. Repentance is a pure gospel grace. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Daniel
Daniel is called a prophet in the New Testament (Matt. xxiv. 15). In the Hebrew Bible, however, the book called by his name appears not among the prophets, but among "the writings," between Esther and Ezra. The Greek version placed it between the major and the minor prophets, and this has determined its position in modern versions. The book is both like and unlike the prophetic books. It is like them in its passionate belief in the overruling Providence of God and in the sure consummation of His …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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