He had passed through deep waters under Godâs correcting hand. It is most remarkable that the great king of Babylon became a converted man. . theological The king was angry at first when they did not worship his false religion - but they gained his respect by their stedfast loyalty to God at all costs. Yes, there is more to the life of King Nebuchadnezzar than the dream of the golden image. Was blind, but now I see. King Jehoiakim died during the siege of Jerusalem and was succeeded by his son, the 18-year-old Jehoiachin. Our Baptist forefather, John Bunyan, went through a long period of horrible desperation. But I want you to see how this came about, what methods God used to bring him to a true state of conversion. Then Nebuchadnezzar called to them and they “came forth” out of the furnace alive and unburned (Daniel 3:26-27). There is nothing to indicate that King Xerxes became a convert to Judaism and began to worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Amazing grace! Have you felt the power of sin and guilt within you? “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” (Daniel 4:37). Nebuchadnezzar was a pagan who believed in the Babylonia pantheon of gods. its clear from what Nebuchadnezzar said in his last statement in the book of Daniel that he came to faith in God Nebuchadnezzar was angry because, after three years of paying tribute, Jehoiakim had rebelled against the Babylonian. We learn that you can be impressed with the sermons and testimonies of Christians and, thus, be awakened. Will you refuse to bow down to parents and friends who want you to miss church and join in their pagan revelry instead of being where God wants you, in church the night before Christmas, Christmas Day itself, and in prayer at church on New Year’s Eve? Pharaoh, like Nebuchadnezzar, lost his conviction and was not truly converted. I pray that you will be able to say, with Dr. Watts. Israel’s God struck down Nebuchadnezzar so hard that … Otherwise, why are they recorded in the Bible - if not to warn you against losing your conviction and falling short of true conversion in Christ Jesus? This is similar to what the Pharaoh did in the time of Moses. More cannot be said; only let us remember that he did not live in New Testament times, when the gospel carries the knowledge of salvation, and makes that the basis of worship. He had humbled himself somewhat. What mercy! (Acts 24:25). Daniel 3:15, 17-18, 25, 26-27, 28; Acts 4:19-20. Read these two verses aloud. Thus far was Godâs power witnessed by his faithful captive servant. Nebuchadnezzar, on the other hand, was allowed by God to lead them captive into his land on account of their sins. Three men named Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego gave a remarkable and powerful sermon to the king, and did so with such earnestness and fearlessness that the king was deeply affected by it in his heart. By acknowledging Daniel’s spiritual abilities, Nebuchadnezzar was not acknowledging Jehovah as the only or even the supreme god. Please click here to learn how you can make a monthly donation to help us in this great work of preaching the Gospel to the whole world. After many successful campaigns in the region of the Levant (of today’s Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine), Nebuchadnezzar suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the Egyptians in 501 BC and had lost control of some of his vassal states. The sermon manuscripts are given in 43 languages to about 120,000 computers each month. And born unholy and unclean; Daniel 1 introduces Nebuchadnezzar as the king who takes Daniel and other Hebrew youths into captivity in Babylon, to be trained in "the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans". If God should grant such mercy here in our church, some of you may indeed see yourself as a ruined, mad beast, without hope. Babylon was founded by Nimrod of Gen. 10, who developed the world's first organized system of idolatry, which God condemned (Gen. 11). Why Was Daniel “Astonied”? Nebuchadnezzar had such success because he lived under the sovereign providence of the only true Lord, not because of anything he did or deserved. All this and much more might have been urged; but faith acknowledges God everywhere, as much in the distance of Babylon as in the favoured precincts of Zion; as much in the shades of captivity as in the sunshine of communion. If we fail to listen to God’s voice it can have dire consequences. The city is burned with fire. The king had been an outright idol worshipper, not a worshipper of God in any sense of the word. Nebuchadnezzar readily told his counselors this dream, but they did not tell him what it meant. When it comes to kings and rulers, Nebuchadnezzar II is said to be one of the most dominant and Through him the king is brought to learn the wisdom of the God of heaven. He was known for his military might, the splendor of his capital, Babylon, and his important part in Jewish history. What lesson did the once mighty king learn? Why did Nero blame the Christians? American rapper and recent Christian convert, Kanye West, has announced the launch of his first Biblical opera. It may be safely said that never did a prouder monarch sway the sceptre than Nebuchadnezzar. Someone may say that these Old Testament examples of Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh and Saul should not be used as a warning against someone losing conviction today. Pharaoh was overthrown in the Red Sea; Nebuchadnezzar, after a bitter lesson of humiliation, is found a worshipper of the Most High. What a voice must this have been to the king! None ruled over a wider or richer domain, and never was the word of a despot more irresistible. “28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. Ah, what a soul-subduing experience to be placed in the presence of Godâs omniscience! As already noted, Nebuchadnezzar did not live up to his royal decree in Daniel 3:29. Nebuchadnezzar was a very strict, totalitarian ruler. He said he would call for Paul to counsel him some other time. Everyone was told to bow to the 90 x 9 foot golden obelisk when they heard the music (Daniel 3:5). Felix trembled under conviction of sin, but he put off conversion. I wonder if something very similar hasn’t happened to you already? 7 years ago. They had learned how to refuse his meat, and now they know how to reject his blasphemous order. You can read Dr. Hymers' sermons each week on the Internet. As he traveled through towns andstates, he was frequently mocked, “Can a man like this reign over the entireworld? My own imagination is that he was entangled in a secret cult of moon worship. What grace! me; and I blessed the Most High; and I praised and honoured Him … He does 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?â What a lesson for earthâs proudest potentate to learn! This would have been âdefilement.â His luxuries, though pleasant to nature, were only a bait of the enemy, and the first step of faith is refusal. Nebuchadnezzar took to Babylon some utensils from the temple (2 Kin 24:10; Dan 1:1-2). The point is that God placed in the hand of Nebuchadnezzar this supreme universal sway, and hence he stands unrivalled in the list of autocrats and emperors. I once was lost, but now am found, Apparently, only a drastic humbling could convince the king of His proper place in the grand scheme of things, and so God brought him to his knees through a bout of insanity (Dan. We find that the bar-eloheen of ver. Early history (before 300) Some associate the country of Tarshish, as mentioned in the books of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, I Kings, Jonah and Romans, with a locale in southern Spain. The immediate result in Nebuchadnezzar was that he promoted Daniel, making him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of all the wise men. Hath power sufficient to atone; They would not bow down to the idol that the king raised up. Or were these common terms for any worshiped one? When conviction came to him he did not repent and turn to the Lord. In the case of Nebuchadnezzar… The king had a spiritual awakening, Daniel 4:2-3. In 597 BC, Nebuchadnezzar II (c.634 BC - c.562 BC), the Chaldean king of Babylon in Mesopotamia … Do not delay, for the next time it may be “impossible.” The next time you may have committed the unpardonable sin. There was a legend among the Sephardim that Toletum (Toledo), the capital … Behold, I fall before Thy face, Nebuchadnezzar's Pride Before His Conversion: A. Bible Evidence: Daniel Chapter 4 Describes that Nebuchadnezzar was very proud, in particular, of great palace that he had built. Nebuchadnezzar was followed by Amil-Marduk (called Evil-merodach in 2 Kings 25:27), who ruled for less than two years. But, as a result of the fearless witness of these three young men, the king was awakened to the glory of the true and living God. Regarding the children of Israel in the wilderness, the Apostle Paul wrote. But I am sorry to say that his awakening did not last long. In this situation, he decided to retaliate. None ruled over a wider or richer domain, and never was the word of a despot more irresistible. He at last praises the God of heaven, acknowledges that God is true and righteous. The king was thunderstruck with awe and amazement. The new king surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar after resisting for three months. how sweet the sound, “…reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” Nebuchadnezzar II, second and greatest king of the Chaldean dynasty of Babylonia (reigned c. 605–c. 32., and by the lion with eagles wings, Dan. Dan. First, the king was impressed by the testimonies of three godly men. Like Like Stand up and say, with kindly words, that it is better to obey God than man on these important things. Instead of seeing three men, there were four. If that should be your experience, you could sing with Newton. We must say, in the words of the New Testament, that he was born again - that he was now a new man in Christ. He made other people must fall down and worship at that idol. Nebuchadnezzar was a pagan who believed in the Babylonia pantheon of gods. The rabbis tell us that the descendants of Sisera, Nebuchadnezzar and even Haman studied Torah and became prominent Jews. AND HIS BEAST-LIKE TRANSFORMATION . Let us read these two verses aloud. A. Daniel chapter 4 is the third of a series of divine encounters of God with this ruler. Is it possible that Nebuchadnezzar renounced these false gods and instead only worshiped the one true God? This, in itself, is most interesting, but, as it is apart from the present subject, it must be passed over. He died unconverted. Some commentators have appropriately entitled the chapter, “The Conversion of Nebuchadnezzar.” It relates how God broke his pride by humbling him and then turned his heart toward Him in faith (John MacArthur, D.D., “The Rise and Fall of World Powers: How the Mighty Have Fallen,” a sermon on Daniel 4:1-37, Tape GC 27-12). God may give up on you altogether, as He gave up Pharaoh and Saul and Felix. God sometimes uses His sovereign power to break down a proud man and humble him very greatly before that man’s heart is turned to Christ. 4:28–33). We have the record in the second BOOK OF KINGS Chapters 24 – 25 in our Bibles of how he conquered Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed the temple He was the ruler of Babylon in the Chaldean Dynasty. He sounds like quite a politician. Thy blood can make me white as snow; I was unhappy, I was desponding, I was despairing. 1. IV. Also, he recognizes that those who walk in pride, as he had done, who live their lives in proud defiance of God, will be abased, cast down, humbled and brought low, if not now, then at the Last Judgment. The answer may be that they were living near the place where the fire started: the eastern part of the Circus Maximus. Click on "Sermon Manuscripts.". “Lord, I Am Vile, Conceived in Sin” (by Dr. Isaac Watts, 1674-1748). But that time never came. Yet, mark! Polemon II, king of Cilicia, converted to marry the Jewish … Moreover, one is inclined to be suspicious of Nebuchadnezzar’s criteria for whom he chose to kill or to spare (5:19). I wonder if you were once awakened to your sin, convinced that you were wrong outside and inside. The key to having people behave like animals is not just to convert them to a literal animal but to give them “the mind of a wild animal.” As long as Nebuchadnezzar carried the “mind of a wild animal,” he remained an animal and also retained his place in the bush. There is an opinion that his father was a convert. It is an ancient city in the plain of shinar on the Euphrates River, about 50 miles south of Modern Baghdad. He was not converted, and died in sin. (John Bunyan, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, Penguin Books, 1987, page 38). In Daniel 4:3, Nebuchadnezzar declares, “How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! Job, in his bereavement, abasement, and ultimate blessing, may come into the mind as an illustration of this kind of dealing. Nebuchadnezzar decided on his expedition against Jerusalem only after God showed him how He had bound the hands of Michael, Israel's guardian angel (Midr. History records Nebuchadnezzar being a follower of the Babylonian gods Nabu and Marduk. Well, the king, spite of his exaltation, confessed at least his ignorance by causing the seed royal of Judah to be educated for the office of wise men or magicians. “All scripture” refers to the whole Bible. Thus, Nebuchadnezzar did not believe in the God of Israel. Hence we shall see how this mighty instrument that God used for the correction of His people was, at the same time, wholly ignorant of the hand by which he was moved, and that he had deep waters through which to pass in order to know the God he unwittingly served. When he wants to teach us, convert us, and conscript us into his service he first tries the most gentle way. Dr. John MacArthur, though wrong on the Blood of Christ, was, I think, correct when he said. Though they will not tell you so, they will be impressed by your zeal and faith - deeply impressed. and went back to his former state. Why incur the odium and violate the religious prejudices of their victors by maintaining the worship of a God unknown in Babylon? By David J. Stewart | August 2011 | Updated January 2015. Now on turning to the book of Daniel we find accordingly that these four men purposed in heart to act for God. This is the man whom God was about to debase from such dizzy heights of earthly glory to a condition like that of the beasts, so that in measure He might make Himself known, and that the king thus humbled might publish His glory universally, and then receive, from His hand, the kingdom after a different manner. Dan. Beautiful faith! The Pharaoh said. Acts 24:25; Hebrews 6:4, 6. Thus, Nebuchadnezzar did … 4:1–3, 8 signals that a change had occurred, which he describes in this chapter. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples [for examples]: and they are written for our admonition [to warn us]” (I Corinthians 10:11). Convert between weights & measures from ancient Rome, Egypt, Greece and modern times. Add a note (optional) Why cleave to Him if He had cast them off? Let us quote: âNebuchadnezzar the king unto all people … I thought it good to show the signs and wonders that the high God had wrought toward me.â Notice this; it is a broad and bold confession of the judgment that had befallen him on account of his pride. However, the king’s retrospective confession in Dan. This often happens. Whoever did not fall down would be thrown into a blazing furnace. Where was the temple? Interestingly, Nebuchadnezzar used an image (Daniel 3:5-7) and demanded worship at the sound of the music. When conviction came to him he did not repent and turn to the Lord. These sermon manuscripts and videos now go out to about 1,500,000 computers in over 221 countries every year at www.sermonsfortheworld.com. The purpose of this website is to provide free sermon manuscripts and sermon videos to pastors and III. Are you a slave to your corrupted, sinful, Adamic nature? Nebuchadnezzar had such success because he lived under the sovereign providence of the only true Lord, not because of anything he did or deserved. The sermon manuscripts are not copyrighted, so preachers can use them without our permission. Daniel’s spiritual powers, however, did not necessarily convert Nebuchadnezzar from his polytheistic beliefs or his belief in the supreme Babylonian god Bel. Nebuchadnezzar’s vigorous rule in Babylon was finished in 562 B.C. 4:34–37 reports Nebuchadnezzar… If you have any conviction of sin, you should come to Christ immediately. Even merely as a lesson in the spiritual progress of a man in the hands of God, this chapter is a literary gem. Ekah Zuṭa, p. 70); and even then Nebuchadnezzar did not lead the expedition himself, but gave it … But he had learned the wisdom of God from the lips of Daniel, he had seen the sympathy of God with His suffering people in the fiery furnace, and he had bowed to His willâthat irresistible will that commands the army of heavenâin the seven years of sore abasementâthree deeply important lessons. All that Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges in this verse is that Jehovah really exists - that he is powerful, and the Hebrews did right to continue in the worship of their national God. Nebuchadnezzar, Part 1. Not at all, his confession still falls short of faith in the God of the Judean exiles alone. Acts 9:18; Psalm 73:21-22. But even though Pharaoh was convinced of sin, he was not converted. Third, the king lost the conviction he had when he was awakened We see conversions like this many times in Christian history. (Daniel 4:2-3). It seems that Nebuchadnezzar might have forgotten, or somehow neglected, some critical traditional practices. Will you go through the anger and rebukes of lost relatives who are upset that you are in church on the Lord’s birthday and New Year’s Eve, instead of joining them in their pagan festivities? “But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. (28-19) Daniel 4:19. Calvin said. Exodus 9:34; II Timothy 3:16; I Corinthians 10:5-6, 11; After a while the king looked in through an opening in the furnace. These young men believed in the true God. He forbids the worship of all beside. 30 The king spoke, saying, “Is 4:28–33). (“Amazing Grace” by John Newton, 1725-1807). God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ. The experience may differ, the notes of praise may be less full in the former, but yet faith knows that âGod is, and that He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.â. Why did king Nebuchadnezzar tell the people from all nations to worship the image instead of him directly? The example of Felix is given in the New Testament, in the book of Acts, to warn against losing conviction. converting to Judaism has never been the requirement for salvation. “and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” Based on his … His name meant: “O god Nebu, preserve my firstborn.” Nebu was the Babylonian deity of wisdom, son of the god Marduk, the head of the Babylonian pantheon of gods. II. Luther, Whitefield, Wesley and Spurgeon went through a howling wilderness of conviction before they came to Christ. We are now in … Lord, I am vile, conceived in sin, This is not a conversion, but it is a positive moment in Nebuchadnezzar’s life. There are lessons of “reproof” and “correction” throughout the Old Testament Scriptures, which apply today. God is a patient God. You will then say, as the Psalmist did. âMake me as one of thy hired servants,â was the formulated petition of one who did not know the grace of the Father; and God may show His sovereignty in acting thus. Now this man, like Pharaoh in earlier days, but with how different an issue, had very close dealings with Godâs people. Solo Sung Before the Sermon by Mr. Benjamin Kincaid Griffith: Do you feel that sin has such power over you that you cannot escape from it? Pharaoh held them captive with an iron grip, and refused to let them go from his land until compelled to do so by the signal judgment of God. The other prominent endeavor believed to have been constructed under Nebuchadnezzar's direction was the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. I hope that a smaller conviction from the Holy Spirit will be enough to convince you that you are one of Adam’s ruined race, hopeless without the mercy of Christ. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee” The king lost the conviction he had when he was awakened and Now this golden god became the test of faith, and we find the three friends of Daniel resisting the kingâs wicked command. Jehoiakim’s son Jehoiachin lasted three months before surrendering to Nebuchadnezzar and being deported to Babylon (along with Ezekiel, Mordecai and most of the skilled men of Judah). Jehoiakim became Nebuchadnezzar’s servant for three years, then he rebelled. Soon he pushed out of his mind the good thoughts he had experienced and went back to his proud, old God-rejecting ways. But my answer is this - then why are the experiences of these men recorded in the Bible? Home _____ The clay brick below is housed at the Museum of the Bible and bears an inscription celebrating the construction of a new palace for Nebuchadnezzar and his family in Babylon. Their fidelity cost them everything. Will you be such a young person during the coming holiday season? He commanded that the furnace be made seven times hotter than it was. Consequences were of no moment; they refused to eat the portion of the kingâs meat, and drink his wine. The Apostle Paul told us. The leprosy lies deep within. At one level his behavior seems inexplicable, and it is an open question in the Bible whether he really was a true convert to the worship of Yahweh. The king experienced another gracious awakening, Daniel 4:32-34; Fourth, the king experienced another gracious awakening. We see this also in the case of King Saul. 2. An external evidence may affect the senses, but, in order to faith, there must be a conscience work that leads to self-judgment and this, I submit, we find in the following chapter. Babylon’s second invasion into Judah took place in 597 B.C., during the eighth year that Nebuchadnezzar was king. But you may have quieted your conscience by a false profession of faith. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20). The life & death of Nebuchadnezzar, the Great, the first founder of the Babylonian Empire, represented by the golden head of that image, Dan. If you want to win them to Christ, as these young men won the king, you must stand up, as did these young men, and let them know by your actions, with the Apostles. The king had seen what was wrong with his religion. Scripture Read Before the Sermon by Dr. Kreighton L. Chan: Daniel 4:27-34, 37. The king is satisfied, and more; it dawned upon him for the first time that there was a âGod of gods and a Lord of kingsââone greater than himselfâand a ârevealer of secrets,â to whom indeed everything is naked and opened, introduced now to him as a âGod in heaven.â. Nebuchadnezzar had virtually reached that point of no return. A sermon preached on Saturday Evening, December 17, 2005 No outward forms [decisions or works] can make me clean, But if not,be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:17-18). Jesus, my God! Please click here to learn how you can make a monthly donation to help us in this great work of preaching the Gospel to the whole world. God may deign to call a man His servant who may have no spiritual qualification for the place. He was able to notice and admit that Daniel’s God is superior, but he does not give up beliefs in his own gods. The inscription by Nebuchadnezzar, Pergamon Museum, Berlin ( Wikimedia Commons ) The Hanging Gardens: One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World . It should also be remembered that such experiences have often been endured by people during seasons of revival, especially in the three Great Awakenings. First in (or about) 606 B.C. Sin Of Pride - Nebuchadnezzar The great Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, suffered from the sin of pride and lost his kingdom for it. Indeed, it is manifest on the face of the whole narrative that one great design of all that occurred was to proclaim the knowledge of the true God, and to secure his recognition. Spiritual Principles. We see this also in the case of King Saul. His power was not the result of mere fortune, or inheritance, or military success; it was assigned him by God. “Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. These men, though sharing the common judgment of their people, yet refused to surrender the principle of faith in their God. The king was impressed by the testimonies of three godly men, He had been charmed, but not changed. But what becomes of him, I will save for the last poem. How great are his signs! Jesus was with them to protect them in the flames. Nebuchadnezzar recounts his conversion experience. This may be a terrible time of conviction, as it was with Luther, Bunyan, Wesley, Spurgeon, and many others, especially in times of an outpouring of revival. And henceââI 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.â Remember that this is the effect of personal humiliation, âtoward me,â said the once proud monarch.
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