What does Daniel 4:29 mean?

One year after receiving the interpretation of his dream (Daniel 4:24–26) Nebuchadnezzar was walking on the huge flat roof that covered the beautiful palace he had built. God's judgment had not yet fallen on Nebuchadnezzar. Perhaps God was giving him time to repent as Daniel had advised him to do (Daniel 4:27). But God's grace cannot be spurned forever. Judgment was about to fall (Daniel 4:30–33).

Several biblical stories show how graciously God delays judgment so that the guilty may repent. First Peter 3:20 recalls that God waited patiently in the days of Noah. He also gave the Canaanites centuries to turn to Him from paganism, providing for them the witnessing of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He gave Nineveh an opportunity to repent (Jonah 3). Second Peter 3:9 explains the last two millennia: "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." However, no one should think they have unlimited time to change their mind and repent (Proverbs 27:1; 2 Corinthians 6:2; James 4:14).