Nebuchadnezzar: Did he become a believer?
Apparently, he did! What we have in Scripture is his clearly stated testimony about this.
Daniel 4:37
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. [Emphasis added]
Nebuchadnezzar lived many centuries before Jesus would be born to become his Savior who would pay the full penalty for his sins on the cross of Calvary. But he became a believer in the Lord God of Israel much as people like Abraham and some others did.
Genesis 15:6
6 And he [Abraham] believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. [Emphasis added]
There’s nothing about the cross and resurrection of Christ in this statement. The apostle Paul speaks of this.
Romans 4:2-5
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham BELIEVED God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but BELIEVETH on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. [Emphasis added]
Romans 4:16-18
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he BELIEVED, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope BELIEVED in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. [Emphasis added]
In this time long before Christ went to the cross to bear the sins of the world, salvation was based on BELIEVING what God had revealed to him. Today we have the revelation about the cross, burial, and resurrection of Christ that must be believed and relied on as the basis for one’s salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:19-21
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he [God the Father] hath made him [God the Son, Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]
It is NOW faith alone in this that God provided that gives someone immediate and permanent salvation.
Nebuchadnezzar had been a very evil man. But didn’t Jesus Christ pay the full penalty for his sins as He did for us and for the whole world of mankind? The apostle Paul certainly tells us He did!
Again, 2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For he [God the Father] hath made him [God the Son, Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]
The apostle John tells us Christ did this for the whole world of mankind.
John 1:29
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. [Emphasis added]
Not that it’s necessary to show this but we have more than one passage of Scripture that tells us this.
1 John 2:2
2 And he [Jesus Christ] is the propitiation [the One satisfying the justice of God] for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. [Emphasis added]
Could that be made any plainer? We even have this next verse that doesn’t actually tell us what Christ accomplished on the cross of Calvary [unless you read it into the verse] but it does tell us some things about God’s thinking on this.
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [Emphasis added]
The apostle Paul tells us something similar.
Romans 5:6-8
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [Emphasis added]
For more information about what people later had to believe in our age of grace for salvation, please see my article about it—
Jesus Christ: What does it mean to believe on His NAME?
Salvation has always been about taking God at His word. There was a time when works of righteousness were demanded as something that would prove one’s faith, but such is not the case today.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. [Emphasis added]
God hasn’t changed but what He demands for people’s salvation today has. Nevertheless, the expression of one’s faith has always been the heart of the issue.
Like all of us, Nebuchadnezzar had to come to a point where he realized his need for God. As we might say, he had to come to his senses to see this.
Again, Daniel 4:37
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. [Emphasis added]
It is in the first chapters of the book of Daniel that we learn about this man who had been living as a prideful idolater. Like some others in that era he even came to believe HE was God. But God struck him down to humble him, causing him to be the humblest world leader of his time.
Daniel 4:1-3
1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. [Emphasis added]
In the remaining portion of that chapter, he gives his full testimony. As it always is, before a person gains salvation they have to come to a point where they’re willing to acknowledge their need for God and the salvation He lovingly and graciously offers them and to all. Please note a simple but important statement Jesus made about this in the time of His earthly ministry.
Matthew 11:28
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [Emphasis added]
What a wonderful event it is when anyone’s rebellion against God is broken! The example of this that here comes to my mind is that of the apostle Paul who was first known as Saul of Tarsus. Concerning him too, we have been given the record of his conversion—
Acts 9:1-6
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. [Emphasis added]
Sometimes people call such an event their “come to Jesus” meeting. Whatever it is called, it is when someone finally comes to accept their need for Him. Have you fully realized YOUR need for Him? If Nebuchadnezzar could speak to you now, he’d certainly encourage you to work at leading a life that would be pleasing to God. Studying all the articles and watching the videos linked to this website would be a step in the right direction on this.
King Nebuchadnezzar’s sustained pride and rebellion against God is epitomized in this next verse we’ll note—
Daniel 4:30
30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? [Emphasis added]
King Nebuchadnezzar ignores the fact that there’s another “King” who merits his attention, even his worship. Without him realizing it he is about to be completely humbled by Him.
Daniel 4:31-33
31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. [Emphasis added]
Then to the end of this chapter we have the record of his humbling as God shows him that His power is far greater than his or that of any man.
Daniel 4:34-37
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. [Emphasis added]
God has a special place of blessing reserved in eternity for all those who humble themselves before Him, accepting His rulership over their lives. Why not resolve to be such a person!
Here’s the link to an article that would be a good follow-up to the one you’ve just read—
