Daniel 4:37 (ESV)

37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

In various explanations you can read lengthy arguments about whether Nebuchadnezzar became a true believer or not. I am convinced that what we read in chapter 4 is not intended to give an answer to that question. The point of the book of Daniel so far is to show the battle between the kingdom of man and the kingdom of God. What we read in chapter 4 is the last we hear of Nebuchadnezzar’s life in this book. The last thing we hear of this mighty world ruler is that even he is forced to his knees and then brings praise to the Lord and to his kingship. He even does so in an official document sent to all the nations in his kingdom. The end of this part of the book of Daniel is that the praise is not directed to man and his kingdom but to the Lord as the Almighty.

This gives perspective to the church of all times—also for the people of God who are presently in exile. It is not those mighty princes who rule and have the ultimate power, but it is the Lord our God who is in control. He will see to it that his promises become reality. That includes the return to Israel after the xile. As well as the redemption by the promised Redeemer. And therefore it also applies to the promise of the coming of God’s perfect and eternal kingdom for God’s people who live in deep dependence on the Lord.