> [!question] MANKIND NEEDS BETTER RULERSHIP
> Notes Here
> > [!question] *Why do human governments fail to meet the needs of their subjects? ([Pr 29:2](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=20029002&wtlocale=E))*
> > Notes Here
> > > [!question] *Man has neither the right nor the ability to govern himself successfully ([Jer 10:23](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=24010023&wtlocale=E))*
> > > Notes Here
> > > - His efforts to do so have led to much injustice and suffering ([Ec 8:9,](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=21008009&wtlocale=E) [11](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=21008011&wtlocale=E))
> 
> > [!question] *The Bible foretells that God’s Kingdom will soon replace human rule ([Da 2:44;](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=27002044&wtlocale=E) [7:13, 14](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=27007013-27007014&wtlocale=E))*
> > Notes Here
> > - When did God’s Kingdom begin ruling, and when will it take full control?


> [!question] [**DANIEL CHAPTER 4**](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=27004001-27004037&wtlocale=E)​**—A PROPHETIC DREAM ABOUT RULERSHIP** (5 min.)
> Notes Here
> > [!question] Jehovah caused King Nebuchadnezzar to have a dream about rulership ([Da 4:10-17](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=27004010-27004017&wtlocale=E))
> > Notes Here
> > > [!question] God inspired Daniel to interpret the dream **[Read key portions of** [**Daniel 4:20-27**](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=27004020-27004027&wtlocale=E)**]**
> > > Notes Here
> > > - The dream was initially fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar himself ([Da 4:28-37](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=27004028-27004037&wtlocale=E); [_dp_ 82-94](https://docs.jw.org/finder?lank=doc-1101999025&lang=E&par=1-33))
> > > - The dream emphasizes that Jehovah God has the right to determine who will rule mankind


> [!question] **THE DREAM FORETELLS THE RULE OF GOD’S KINGDOM** (16 min.)
> Notes Here
> > [!question] The prophecy has a larger fulfillment in connection with the establishment of God’s Kingdom ([_it_-1 132-135](https://docs.jw.org/finder?lank=doc-1200000316&lang=E))
> > > [!question] What reason is there to suggest that the dream is more than just an interesting story about the humiliation of Nebuchadnezzar?
> > > 1. The dream was given at the _time_ when God had just allowed his earthly kingdom to be overthrown
> > > 2. The _person_ to whom the dream was given was the very one used by God to cut off rulership in Jerusalem
> > > 3. The _theme_ of the dream is God’s right to rule over the entire “kingdom of mankind” ([Da 4:17,](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=27004017&wtlocale=E) [25,](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=27004025&wtlocale=E) [32](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=27004032&wtlocale=E))
> > > 4. The dream’s _context,_ the book of Daniel, repeatedly points forward to the rule of God’s Kingdom
> > > 5. Daniel’s prophecies would not be fully understood until _“the time of the end”_ ([Da 12:4,](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=27012004&wtlocale=E) [8, 9](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=27012008-27012009&wtlocale=E))
> > > ---
> > > In the larger fulfillment, the tree represents Jehovah’s rulership
> > 
> > > [!help] For a period of time, Jehovah’s rulership had been represented by the Israelite kings who ruled in Jerusalem ([1Ch 29:23](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=13029023&wtlocale=E))
> > > - Jehovah promised David that one of his descendants would rule forever ([2Sa 7:16](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=10007016&wtlocale=E))
> > > - Ezekiel foretold that the earthly representation of God’s rulership would be cut off and that God would later appoint a new Ruler **[Read** [**Ezekiel 21:26, 27**](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=26021026-26021027&wtlocale=E)**]**
> > > > - In 607 B.C.E., Jehovah used Nebuchadnezzar to destroy Jerusalem; this marked the beginning of the “seven times” during which God’s rulership would be interrupted ([Da 4:16](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=27004016&wtlocale=E))
> > > > - How Long would this period last?
> 
> > [!help] **[Read** [**Luke 21:24**](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=42021024&wtlocale=E)**]** Jesus said that Jerusalem, representing God’s rulership, would “be trampled on . . . until the appointed times of the nations” were fulfilled ([_w06_ 7/15 6 ¶1-4](https://docs.jw.org/finder?lank=doc-2006521&lang=E&par=16-19))
> > - “The appointed times of the nations” are the same period as the “seven times” of [Daniel chapter 4](https://www.jw.org/finder?bible=27004001-27004037&wtlocale=E)