What kind of ruler was Nebuchadnezzar according to Les?
Nebuchadnezzar was a despot and a totalitarian, like any other great dictator. He had no concern for his subjects, and his decision-making rested within himself. Had he been benevolent and had God's love and graciousness, he could have had a different empire, but no human has those attributes.
Les explains that Nebuchadnezzar, like any other great dictator, was a despot and a totalitarian. He had no concern about his subjects, but his decision-making was within himself. Les points out that if Nebuchadnezzar had been a benevolent type individual and had the love and graciousness of God, he could have had that kind of empire, but no human has those attributes. Les connects this to the political weakening of empires in Daniel 2's image—head of gold, breast of silver, belly of brass, legs of iron, feet of iron and clay—as more people become involved in decision-making. He contrasts this with democracy, which is loved but poor at getting things done, and with Christ's future kingdom of one, where He will have absolute power with no confabs or consensus.