“Upon hearing this, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) was overcome for a time, frightened by the meaning of the dream. Then the king said to him, ‘Belteshazzar, don’t be alarmed by the dream and what it means.’ “Belteshazzar replied, ‘I wish the events foreshadowed in this dream would happen to your enemies, my lord, and not to you! The tree you saw was growing very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see. It had fresh green leaves and was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. That tree, Your Majesty, is you. For you have grown strong and great; your greatness reaches up to heaven, and your rule to the ends of the earth.” Daniel 4:19-22
Daniel after hearing the dream and being given the interpretation by the Lord, He was so awestruck that he had to ask permission to retire from the presence of the King. At last when he did interpret the dream he pulled no punches. When Daniel did stand before the King, he was in such a troubled state. He thought he would not be able to give the proper message. The King attempted to console Daniel. Daniel as a prophet of God, was not allowed to take from the dream or add to the dream. Daniel gave the interpretation as God had given it to the King.
Daniel gives us a superb pattern of how to preach the judgment of God to people. It needs to be done with a broken heart, with a true concern, pointing out the consequences with mercy and with tears. Most modern preaching addresses itself not at all with the fact that all men are sinners. The modern word of faith doctrine claims the answer to sin is to never mention it. These false teachers tell us that we should never talk about sin. We are only to talk about the love of God. Yes, God loves us so much that He gave us His Son that we can have a relationship with God, but we must realize that we are sinners and that if we are to walk with God, we must turn from our sins.
A young lady charmed the audience that night with her singing. After the concert Milan went up to her and graciously, but very boldly, said to her, “I thought as I listened to you tonight how tremendously the cause of Christ would be benefited if your talents were dedicated to His cause. You know, young lady, you are as much a sinner as a drunkard in the ditch . . . in the sight of God, but I’m glad to tell you that the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse you from all sin.” That lady became so angry at the preacher that she stomped her feet and walked away. As she was leaving he said, “I mean no offense. I pray that God’s Spirit will convict you.” Now that’s not exactly my style of witnessing, but here’s the rest of the story. The young lady went home, but she couldn’t sleep. The face of the preacher appeared before her, and his words rang through her mind. About two o’clock in the morning she got out of bed, took a pencil and piece of paper, and with tears rolling down her face, Charlotte Elliot wrote: “Just as I am.”