The fiery furnace incident is thought to have
occurred in the 18th year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign,
after Daniel and his three friends had been in Babylon
about 20 years.

Just as God had revealed to Daniel the dream of
Nebuchadnezzar, and its interpretation, years before,
He now puts into the hearts of these three men the firm
determination to be true to Him. He then goes with them
into the fire, not only to honor their faith, but to
demonstrate before the assembled dignitaries the power
of the God of Jerusalem over the boasted gods of
Babylon. Thus a second time God manifested Himself in
the palace of the mighty empire, and a second time the
mighty Nebuchadnezzar bowed before God, and proclaimed
Him to be the true God to the utmost bounds of his
empire.

Chapter 4 is actually an official Babylonian
document, written by King Nebuchadnezzar. It is the
story of his conversion, and what a story it is! Keep
in mind that it was written seven years after the
experience took place, so verses 1, 2, 3, and 37 are
Nebuchadnezzar’s public testimony of what God did to
him and for him.

In chapter 4 we see the dream received (verses
4-18); the dream revealed (verses 19-27); and the dream
realized (verses 28-36).