Return to Daniel Index Page
Here
in Daniel chapter three we have a fascinating story. We mentioned at the outset
of our studies that “Living a godly live
in an ungodly world,” could be one of the themes of this book. We see in
this chapter two things that those, who seek to live godly lives, must realise.
Firstly
we want to think of the call to suffering. We all like the promises we find in God’s word,
but there is a promise that perhaps you don’t like or don’t want to claim, it
is found in second Timothy.
2
Tim. 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution.
Peter
also warns us not to think it strange.
1
Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to
try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
Church
history has shown that in times of persecution there have been real times of
blessing for God’s people. We will not only discover the call to suffering, if
that’s where we were left we might feel depressed and down, we will also
discover in this chapter, the comfort in suffering.
Look
at what Jesus said on Matthew chapter twenty-eight.
Matthew
28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost:
He
said, “Go.”
Matthew
28:20 Teaching them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto
the end of the world. Amen.
He
also said “lo” when we go, we are sure of the lo. There is comfort in all our fiery furnaces in and all our
afflictions.
I want in this
study to consider the call to suffering. It’s best that you realise what it
costs to take your stand. Lukewarm, cold hearted and compromising Christians
have no problem here. Let’s see what
these three young Hebrews faced because they took their stand, they were
determined to live godly lives in an ungodly world.
1. The
Dedication invite.
The
king of Babylon is sending out invitations to a special dedication service.
Chapter Three verse two shows us who was invited to this bash.
Daniel
3:2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the
governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the
sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the
image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
What
a list of the who’s who of his kingdom. The king’s representatives from all the
regions, military chiefs, leaders of civil government, treasurers, lawyers,
judges and rulers. This was a
collection of all his representatives. They would report back to the people and
whatever took place they would encourage others to do like wise. If this took
place in the twenty first century Sky TV would surely be there to cover
it.
Among
the crowds were three young Hebrew men by now about thirty five to forty years
of age. Daniel was missing, probably
away on some foreign business. This appeared to be an innocent occasion so the
invitation was accepted and they came to this great dedication service. God’s
people need to be careful about what they attend. Make sure you are fully aware of the programme, the participants
and the purpose.
Don’t
lend support to every thing that claims to be Christian, nowadays even the word
evangelical has such a broad meaning be careful, be discerning and be wise.
It
seems that Nebuchadnezzar wasn’t open about his intentions so among the crowds
attending were three young Hebrew men. Look at verse one so we might ascertain
the purpose of this gathering.
Daniel
3:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore
cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura,
in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar
had made a great image; it was ninety foot high and nine foot wide. It was of
gold, probably overlaid with gold, but still it was a beautiful and a
magnificent statue. It was in the plain of Dura, a flat piece of land perhaps
like an aerodrome today. This image would stand out; nothing would take away
from it. Archaeologists have found
ruins, about six miles South east of Babylon, which they believe to be the base
of this great image.
What was the purpose of this image?
Cast
your mind back to Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter two. Most historians agree
that that was twenty years earlier.
Twenty years have passed from his dream, when God revealed through
Daniel what was going to happen to Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom.
Daniel
2:32-33 This image's head was of fine
gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
[33] His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
The
head of gold represented Babylon.
Daniel
2:38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the
fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler
over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
Twenty
years had passed Nebuchadnezzar hadn’t lost a battle, the words of God would
now feel outdated, perhaps God was wrong. Maybe Nebuchadnezzar thought he could
change the course of history. This
image was made all of gold. Nebuchadnezzar was defying God; he was proclaiming
that his kingdom wouldn’t end.
How privileged Nebuchadnezzar was to hear the word of God and yet like many today he chose to ignore it. Many have been privileged.
Like
Nebuchadnezzar many have rebelled against God’s word rather than accepting and
believing it. This was an enormous, disproportional figure of a man, ninety
feet high and nine feet broad. Man always sees himself bigger than he is.
Daniel
3:3 Then the princes, the governors,
and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and
all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of
the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the
image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
All
the guests had arrived and soon the celebration and dedication would begin.
This image that represented the kingdom of Babylon nationally and the person of
Nebuchadnezzar personally would be dedicated. It was only a statue, perhaps
people though it was like the statues we find even in Belfast, it seemed on the
face of it harmless enough. But we can see that it was more than just a statue.
Let’s look at:
2. The deification of the
idol.
Daniel
3:4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and
languages,
Here
we have a very ecumenical gathering people, nations and languages all together
surely this is harmless.
Daniel
3:5 That at what time ye hear the
sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of
musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king
hath set up:
Now
the truth is out this was no mere dedication of an image, this was idol
worship. This image of a man was to be
worshipped; it was really worshipping Nebuchadnezzar as if he was a god. The
herald had preached the message the king had given to him. God forbid the day
when we preach any government’s message.
We
are bombarded today in our province for the need for us to worship together,
praise together all we hear is unite, unite, unite
In
Genesis eleven Nimrod built a tower to unite the nations in worship.
Nebuchadnezzar was doing the same thing and today mystery Babylon, the Church
of Rome is still doing the same thing.
John Philips says,
“You can tie two tomcats together by the tails and they will be united, but you
won’t have unity.”
Nebuchadnezzar
didn’t want to change anyone else’s beliefs, he didn’t want to change the
Jewish beliefs, and he just wanted them to accept his. Does it not sound so familiar? What an up to date book we have.
Lets
see what Nebuchadnezzar used to help his cause, look at verse five.
Daniel
3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the
golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
All
kinds of music, what a crowd, what an occasion. As soon as the music startsthey
fall down and worship the image. Music is a powerful medium; music can make us
do certain things. Sad music can make us cry, joyful music can make us happy.
Aristotle
said, “ Music has the power to form character.” Music is sensual, music
produces feelings in us.
The
first mention of music we find in God’s word is in Genesis chapter four.
Genesis
4:21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle
the harp and organ.
Jubal
came from Cain’s ungodly line. Satan has had the use of music from the
beginning and he knows how powerful it can be. Music can be used in the Lord’s
work to help us as we worship the Lord, but when you hear much being made of
music and little being made of the message, then look out remember Satan uses
music.
Worship
here was commanded in verse four.
Worship cannot be commanded by the government or any man.
Matthew
4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall
down and worship me.
Worship
cannot be commanded or bought. We talk about a place of worship, we talk about
morning worship. Let’s us remember that
only those who are truly born again of the Spirit of God can worship. It is not
something that can be commanded or bought. Real worship comes spontaneously
from a heart filled with the knowledge of the Lord and saviour. Much of what music produces is not worship.
Could
Nebuchadnezzar be the first man ever to make an appeal with the use of music?
May
we seek to worship in spirit and in truth and may music, when used, be used to
lift the name of the saviour. Following the New Testament examples.
Ephes.
5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the
Lord;
Col.
3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in
you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Can’t
you see the parallel here for today?
Worship the system Babylon, worship the man Nebuchadnezzar. Worship the Roman church; worship the man
the pope, the so-called Holy Father.
The
crowd has gathered. The music is loud and varied, instruments are sounding
aloud. Now fall down and worship this man, this idol, and this system. But
before we fall down, let’s see the threat that was given in verse six.
Daniel
3:6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into
the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
It
was bow or burn. The three Hebrew men
had no idea what they were in for. Nebuchadnezzar had the image set up; the
music going the threat was there. Come lets all worship together and down they
went.
Daniel
3:7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet,
flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the
nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that
Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
It
is so sad today at the number who have fallen foul of the same invitation from
mystery Babylon.
3. The decree ignored.
But
there was a small remnant; there were indeed still some who wouldn’t bow.
Daniel
3:8 Wherefore at that time certain
Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
The word for
accused actually means, “They ate their pieces” they devoured them piece by
piece by slander or malicious accusations.
What is he basis of their accusation? Then they get to the point in
verse twelve.
Daniel
3:12 There are certain Jews whom thou
hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods,
nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
They
accuse them of three counts. They have no regard for the king, they do not
serve the gods of the king and they do not worship the image. In other words
they, disregard the sovereign, disobey the state and disapprove of the
statue.
There
are times when it is okay for the child of God to disobey the state. When what
is asked of us is in direct opposition to the word of God. That was clearly the
case here.
Exodus
20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any
thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in
the water under the earth:
4. The
Daunting Investigation.
Nebuchadnezzar
can hardly believe it. He demands that the perpetrators be brought before him.
Daniel
3:13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king.
Here
is a mad man, the furnace was hot but he was hotter. Nebuchadnezzar was a man
who couldn’t control his temper, remember:
Daniel
2:12 For this cause the king was
angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
In
this very angry, very powerful man came the three Hebrews. What a scene, what
horror.
Daniel
3:14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto
them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods,
nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
Is it true, said Nebuchadnezzar, that you have done such a thing? The Chaldeans and Nebuchadnezzar wouldn’t have noticed anything, if these three men had bowed. Compromisers don’t win converts, Compromisers don’t get noticed. Nebuchadnezzar gives them another opportunity to bow down.
Daniel
3:15 Now if ye be ready that at what
time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and
dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I
have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the
midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out
of my hands?
Nebuchadnezzar
says, “who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands?” I will put you
somewhere out of the reach of any god.
Isaiah
36:15 Neither let Hezekiah make you
trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us: this city shall not
be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
Oh
praise the Lord no matter where the world puts us. No matter what your furnace
of affliction the Lord is with you. Nebuchadnezzar couldn’t put them out of the
reach of their God. He brought them
nearer to their God. One of Mrs Thatcher’s famous remarks was “The Lady’s not
for turning.” These three Hebrews were not for turning.
What
a position to be in, the crowds waited, the fires burned, the music played but
compromise wasn’t even considered.
5. A
determination that is an inspiration.
Daniel
3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O
Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
We
are not careful, in other words. We don’t have to think about it, we don’t have
to pray about it, we don’t have to apologise, we don’t make any excuses, and we
don’t beg for mercy, we don’t have to study.
We know what God’s word says. There is no room for compromise; we stand
on the authority of God’s Holy Word. God’s word says no and that’s that.
Daniel
3:18 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.
We will not, what a stand these young men took.
The
Emperor of Rome once summoned Athanasius the theologian to his presence.
“Refute
what you are saying the whole world is against you.” He replied, “If that is the case then I am against the
whole world.”
1
John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any
man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
I
hope the determination of these young men will be an inspiration to all of
God’s people to stand firm.
Ch. Spurgeon was a
man who could fill a church. As many as
five thousand would listen to him. An American circus owner, who heard about
his fame, offered Spurgeon a lot of money if he would come and help him fill his
tent. Spurgeon sent a message back to him; my answer is Acts eight verse
twenty.
Acts
8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy
money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be
purchased with money.
Spurgeon wasn’t
for sale. Let’s make sure we are not
for sale. Yes taking a stand will mean the fiery furnace, we are called to suffer but we will now the comfort in suffering.
These three young men would be able to sing with loud voices and certain hearts about their God. “Great is thy faithfulness.” Let us see firstly from these verses:
1. The punishment that was severe.
Daniel
3:17 If it be so, our God whom we
serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver
us out of thine hand, O king.
In
this verse we get an insight into the faith of these young men. Facing the
fiery furnace they declared, “if it be so.” In other words, if it were God’s
will, he is able to deliver us out of the fiery furnace. Compare this with
verse eighteen.
Daniel
3:18 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.
These
men are resigned to God’s will, God is able to deliver them, but they recognise
that it may not be God’s will that they are delivered. Either way they are not
for compromising. Over in Acts twelve we read about two men in particular,
James and Peter.
Acts
12:1-2 Now about that time Herod the
king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. [2] And he killed
James the brother of John with the sword.
James
was killed. Next it was Peter’s turn to face execution.
Acts
12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter
also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
God
miraculously delivered Peter. Why? God was able to deliver both of them. This is not something we can explain but we
know that all things work together for good to them that love God. It may be
God’s will for you to suffer, it may not be his will for you to be healed. Are
we big enough to accept God’s will for our lives?
Have
we got faith like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego to accept God’s will for us?
Apparently in the original in verse seventeen there is no article before”
burning fiery furnace” that means its not thee fiery furnace only but any fiery
furnace, our God is able to deliver whatever the furnace, if he so desires. .
These three men had a “though” faith and not an “if” faith. An “if” faith says,
Yes Lord I will trust you if? A “though” faith says with Job.
Job
13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I
trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
What
would happen now? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego have refused to break God’s
holy law, they refused to defy the word of the living God as found in the Ten
Commandments.
Exodus
20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any
thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in
the water under the earth:
We
are thinking about the punishment that was severe, look at verse nineteen.
Daniel
3:19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was
changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and
commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont
to be heated.
Nebuchadnezzar
turned the heat up; the hottest thing was not the furnace but himself. This man
had trouble with his temper. I wonder Dear saint of God, has the heat been
turned up on you? You have endeavoured to be faithful, you have tried to show
forth Christ in your life, there is that determination in your soul to serve
the living and true God, and yet the heat has been turned up.
Lets
take encouragement from the three Hebrew men. Nebuchadnezzar had tried to get
them to bow; now they would surely burn.
The crowd watches this showdown the heat was now at its highest the
statue in the background, all they had to do was fall down. Can you hear the
cries of the compromisers? It’s not that important, it’s not worth it, fall
down, but oh no! God’s word was precious to these young men. They turned their back on compromise and
were ready to be consumed in the flames.
Nebuchadnezzar
was talking no chances, he asks his mightiest men to do his dirty deed as we
can see from verse twenty.
Daniel
3:20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery
furnace.
Notice
also that they were bound verse twenty gives us further details.
Daniel
3:21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and
their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery
furnace.
Fully
clothed and bound they where cast into the fiery furnace. I wonder are you
dressed for the furnace? Have you got a heavenly asbestos suit? Could you stick
the heat, spiritually speaking?
Over
in Psalm seventy-eight we have a verse that challenged my soul.
Psalm
78:9 The children of Ephraim, being
armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
The
children of Ephraim had the appearance of a mighty army, they had the weapons
at their disposal. But what happened? They fled when the heat was on. Look at
the following three verses, which indicate why they turned back when the heat
was on.
Psalm
78:4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to
come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he
hath done.
Psalm
78:6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which
should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
Psalm
78:8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a
generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast
with God.
There was a generation gap. Somewhere along the line the truth of God was not passed on to the next generation. They became weak and feeble. God’s people need to be dressed for the fiery furnace; they must spend time in the word of God. Let’s make sure we put on the whole armour of God that we might be ready for the fiery furnace when it comes.
Look
what happens to those who threw the three young men into the furnace.
Daniel
3:22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace
exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-nego.
We
are reminded that those who mishandle God’s children will not get off lightly.
The size of the furnace is a compliment to the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abed-nego.
There are many and varied furnaces that God’s people have to face. Is there a family furnace for you at the moment, have you problems at home? Is there a furnace of laughter? This is one of Satan’s cruellest treatments the laughs and jeers of the world. How often young people find themselves the objects of laughter, when they take a stand for the Lord. Refuse the dances, refuse the drink and refuse the drugs and what laughter the world will lavish upon you. We have many furnaces to face, the furnace of scorn, the furnace of mockery, the furnace of isolation or the furnace of intimidation. What furnace are you facing at this time?
2. Let’s
notice also the presence of the saviour.
Daniel
3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and
spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the
midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
Nebuchadnezzar
stayed to watch this evil act. He saw more than he bargained for. Look at verse
twenty five.
Daniel
3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see
four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and
the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
Here
are four men, and the fourth is like the son of a god. This stranger was divine looking and so he
was, it was none other than the Son of God there with his people in the midst
of the furnace. What comfort that brings to every believer. The furnace is
certainly well alight but you will never walk alone. In the fiery furnaces of
the world the Lord is with you every step of the way. Did you notice that the
fire had burned away the ropes that bound them? Some things are only removed in the furnace of affliction. Perhaps
the Lord has allowed you into the furnace so that something may be burned away
out of your life.
3. Consider
the preservation they saw.
Daniel
3:26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace,
and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most
high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego,
came forth of the midst of the fire.
Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-nego were not rushing out of the fiery furnace. Once you get
a feeling of the presence of the Lord, you will be in no hurry to get away from
it. Eventually out they came from the burning fiery furnace. Look now at verse
twenty seven.
Daniel
3:27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors,
being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no
power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed,
nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
What
a miracle no scars, no sores and no smell. They were unbound and unburned. They
experienced the help promised in Isaiah.
Isaiah
43:1-2 But now thus saith the Lord
that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I
have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. [2] When
thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers,
they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt
not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
The
Lord brought them through. Suffering is part of our calling but what comfort,
the Lord will bring us through.
Thirteen times the names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego are
mentioned in this chapter it’s as if God is shouting to his people, don’t
forget I will also be with you. What brought them through? Look at Hebrews
eleven.
Hebrews
11:33-34 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained
promises, stopped the mouths of lions, [34] Quenched the violence of fire,
escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in
fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
4. Let us see
now the promotion that surfaced.
Daniel
3:28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and
said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his
angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the
king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship
any god, except their own God.
Notice
what he said about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, they yielded their bodies,
that’s what Paul exhorts us to do.
Romans
6:13 Neither yield ye your members as
instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as
those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of
righteousness unto God.
Look
at verse thirty to see this promotion.
Daniel
3:30 Then the king promoted Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon.
Suffering
brought promotion. No one who takes his or her stand for God ever looses
When
pulpits where shut down on Wesley because of his gospel preaching. He went into
the countryside and thousands were saved. Man’s extremities are God’s
opportunities. God allows these furnaces in our lives because he wants to
refine us. Look what God said in Isaiah.
Isaiah
48:10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in
the furnace of affliction.
God
allows furnaces in our lives to prepare us for greater trials. Look at
Jeremiah.
Jeremiah
12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how
canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou
trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?
Vernon
Magee puts it like this, “If this troubles you, you ain’t seen nothing yet. The
banks of the Jordan will burst.”
5. Let’s examine the prophetic significance.
Here
at the beginning of the times of the gentiles, we have a despot ruler setting
up an image and commanding all men on penalty of death to fall down and
worship. This is a type of what is going to happen in the last days. Read
Revelation chapter thirteen the first verse for a moment.
Rev.
13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the
sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon
his heads the name of blasphemy.
The
beast, the antichrist will rise up an evil ruler just like Nebuchadnezzar. The
similarities don’t stop there, look at verse twelve.
Rev.
13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and
causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast,
whose deadly wound was healed.
The
entire world will worship the beast or death will be the result. An image will
be set up and worship commanded.
Rev.
13:15 And he had power to give life
unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and
cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be
killed.
There
are further striking similarities consider verse eighteen.
Rev.
13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath
understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and
his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Do
you see the number of the beast, six, six, and six. Notice the measurements of
Nebuchadnezzar’s image.
Daniel
3:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore
cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura,
in the province of Babylon.
Did
you notice the prevalence of the number six?
Let
us draw further comparisons. Those who threw the Hebrew men into the fiery
furnace suffered from the flames. Consider the fate of those who will rule in
the last days. Read the following two verses from Revelation.
Rev.
19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought
miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of
the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into
a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Rev.
20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and
brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented
day and night for ever and ever.
Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-nego are a picture of the Jews who will go through the
tribulation. Remember how things looked well at the beginning for them, they
were promoted in Chapter one, now they faced the flames. But as Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-nego were preserved through the flames, so will Israel be
preserved through the tribulation as Zechariah points out.
Zech.
13:8-9 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two
parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.
[9] And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as
silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my
name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say,
The Lord is my God.
I believe the Church, like Daniel here in this account, will be away before the tribulation starts. Praise God we are not looking for antichrist, we are waiting for Jesus Christ.
Titus
2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
In this passage of scripture we can see two reasons why God’s people sometimes suffer. Think of the impact this had on the ungodly Nebuchadnezzar. He would learn fronm verse twenty-one that sinners would be punished, he would learn something about God’s presence with and protection for his people from verse twenty-five. He would learn something about God’s power from verse twenty-seven.
If the Hebrew men hadn’t faced the fiery furnace Nebuchadnezzar may never have discovered these precious truths. What would he have seen if they had compromised? Look at what he says in verse twenty eight.
Daniel
3:28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-nego”
What
a statement for a pagan king to make. We see a second reason why the Lord
allows trials in our lives. Look at Malachi Chapter three.
Malachi
3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify
the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto
the Lord an offering in righteousness.
Here the Lord is depicted as a refiner, heating the precious metal. The silver goes to the bottom the dross to the top. He removes the dross and leaves the pure silver. When does he stop? When he sees his reflection in the silver.
We are being put through the furnace so that we might display his beauty to the world around us. It strengthens our faith, enlarges our witness and manifests his power and glory to the unbelieving world. Three men went into the furnace, four were in the furnace. Only three came out. Where is the fourth man? He is still in the furnace waiting to help his people whom have to go through fiery trials.
When
though fiery thy pathway shall lie.
My
grace all sufficient shall be thy supply.
The
flames shall not hurt thee I only design,
Thy
dross to consume, thy gold to refine.
We
have noticed from chapter three, a call to suffering but also a comfort in
suffering because we have a companion in suffering.
Email Pastor Ian Wilson
Return to Daniel Index Page