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Daniel 4:13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; 14 He cried aloud, and said thus, 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: 15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: 16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. 17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

The vision is a dream. The import of the symbols in the dream is that Nebuchadnezzar is to be afflicted with madness and become as a beast of the field until 7 times pass. This will be a miracle worked by God in that he will subsist on grass. His kingdom is to be kept secure until his recovery. The object being to demonstrate to the living that God rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whom he will.

This being the case it is hard to imagine why a fictional angel of a fictional devil would have any involvement. Why would such a being take an active part in showing all men that God alone rules the kingdom of men? Further, why would God allow him to? The notion makes no sense.

Nebuchadnezzar’s pride caused him to fall.

Daniel 4:30 The king spake, 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 honour of my majesty? 31 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 thee.

The voice from heaven restates the purpose:

Daniel 4:32 ...until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

Nebuchadnezzar makes his statement after his experience:

Daniel 4:34 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 honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

From this we learn that God’s will is done in heaven, ruling out the nonsense of ‘disobedient angels’ and that God also decides who rules on the earth, dismantling the claim that Satan is an evil angel to whom God has entrusted the earth; or worse, rules the earth in opposition to God.

Luke 4:6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

Either God rules in the kingdoms of men or a fallen angel does. If it is God (as Nebuchadnezzar’s experience is intended to make clear) then the ‘fallen angel’ doctrine needs a drastic rethink.

God’s will is done perfectly in heaven; there is no dissent.

Matthew 6:10 ...Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

The watcher and holy one who comes down from heaven can only be an angel of God, who does God’s will.

God still rules in the kingdom of men despite the widely held fallacy that governments are ‘voted’ in and out of office by the people.

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above...

Here is some useful material for you to read:

Do you believe in a Devil?

I hope this helps.

Glenn Smith