DANIEL

Chapter 3

"Daniel's Companions in the Fiery Furnace"

This Bible Study is written by Roger Christopherson, and it's transcription is provided with written permission by http://www.theseason.org
 

The command to worship the image is a type of what we will see in this generation, and be part of very shortly. The generation which lived and saw the forming of the tiny nation of Israel in Palestine on May 15, 1948 is nearing the end. It is that generation that is the gage to determine just how close the coming of the Lord is.

As we read about the Old Babylon requiring all mankind to worship that image, so also this generation will be required by "Mystery, Babylon mother of Harlots" to worship another image. That image will be a false Christ (the Antichrist), and the promoters, judges, religious leaders, festivities and orders will be a copy. Daniel Chapter 3 is a warning to us today, those living in the latter days.

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."

Three score cubits is 60 cubits, the biblical number for satan. Then, with the combined breadth of 6 cubits we have the dual sixes (66). This is only a type, but it is set up by the king of Babylon. It is the king of Babylon in Revelation 13 that brings to pass what we will see.

Nebuchadnezzar had just been told that he was selected by the King of Heaven. He was the head of all peoples, lands, and even the beasts of the earth. Nebuchadnezzar thought he was a deity, worthy to be worshipped. God gave him his authority, and Nebuchadnezzar lost perspective as to where and to whom the worship was to be placed. The form of the image is not known, for the only records are by traditional thought and assumptions. What is important though is that the image was a reflection of who he, Nebuchadnezzar thought he was. The ratio of 6 to 60 on 1 to 10 indicates it could only be from part of a human form.

However the use of gold leaves no doubt as to what Nebuchadnezzar intended for the image to represent. In Daniel 2:32-34, Daniel told the king the interpretation of the dream he had. In verses 37 and 38 Daniel identifies Nebuchadnezzer as "the Head of Gold"; or the first of a series of world wide empires. The dream went to the king's head, and he related his position as deity.

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."

This great event could hardly have taken place until after all battles were completed, and all known kingdoms were under Babylonian rule. This time of gathering: could and would be a victory celebration in 475 BC. At that time Nebuchadnezzar would truly be 'The head of Gold" from his dream. Daniel then would be 38 years old.

When Nebuchadnezzar sent for those to be at the ceremonies, notice that each person which was to come held a political title. The king wasn't selective; he commanded all to come. Friend, this is the same beast (or image) as in Revelation 13. The first part of that beast was political and his identified as the dragon. We know the dragon is satan.

The first beast is all political, and is put together by man. "Set up" by man by the order of the king. The mess we have today in the political order of 'One worldism" or UN is also "set up" by man. Today this ungodly from controls all four of the hidden dynasties' the Educational, the Economic, the Political, and the Economic and does it through the traditions and the Religious rulers, or leaders.

The gathering of these politicians is a fore-runner to the gathering of the world leaders to Jerusalem for he last and final abomination when the Antichrist (the final thing of Babylon) declares himself to be God. This is called the "Abomination of Desolation" Daniel 9:27, and repeated by Jesus in Matthew 24:15, and Mark 13:14

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."

This is a big day, for all rulers, and politicians of all levels on that plain of Dura, in Babylon. To show themselves to the king of the empire. These massive numbers of people are here for one purpose; to bow to an image, not the person of Nebuchadnezzar, but to an idol of him.

Daniel 3:4 "Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,"

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:"

This is the music of the sixties (i.e. "peace"). When this Babylonian music is played the whole world will fall (bow) to worship. Just as the proclamation came, and the command went forth in Nebuchadnezzar's day, so will it be in our day.

The worship wasn't to Nebuchadnezzar, but a cheap fake image of himself. The leaders think this first Christ is the real thing, but it will of course be the fake, and an idol (the Antichrist) which is satan. This is a type of what is going to come to pass. It is not Christ who prepares, or sets up the events, but man. What will everyone do? Fall down and worship the idol!

When this happens (again), the Bible refers to it as "the Abomination of desolation(er)". The lesson is don't ever worship satan or what he sets up.

Going back for a moment to Daniel Chapter 1:

Daniel 1:6-7 "Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:[6] Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego."[7]

There was no trial or delays made for those who were not bowing. At the 'hour' they were burned. Nebuchadnezzar was proud of himself, because thought he was the World ruler, and God had put him there. The only thing wrong was that he was not giving God the glory, but rather himself.

In comparing these two time periods we must remember that we must be sealed in our minds so that we don't become involved in the setting up of this New World movement, or the New World Order in the end times. It is through our involvement that woudl require our working for and commitment to the Antichrist.

Daniel 3:6 "And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace."

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."

Daniel 3:8 "Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews."

Daniel 3:9 "They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever."

We are called to the attention of the "image: and the "One World Order" which is set up by man, or in this case (the king). We must see that we are aware of those who control all things. This warning in Daniel is a warning to us to pay attention so that we do not get snared in today's satanic world wide forms.

In verse 8 and 9 what would happen to those who refused to worship? The Chaldeans accused the three Jews for not doing it. In verse 10 and 11 these Chaldeans are reminding king Nebuchadnezzar of what he said, then they start accusing.

Daniel 3:10 "Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:"

All that heard the music, followed the kings decree - and bowed down.

Daniel 3:11  "And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace."

And those who heard the music and did not bow down, were cast into the burning fire.

Daniel 3:12 "There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."

Keeo in mind the false messiah will not cast people into the firey furnace, however spiritually speaking it will be WORSE. You will not only lose your fleshly body, but your spiritual soul and body also. There the Chaldeans are pointing out to the king that the three Jews that were set over them refused to bow to the image.

When the image is formed like the one in Revelation 13, don't worship it; nor take the mark in your forehead work for it or take the mark in your hand. Stay away from all forms of activity or dedication to the false christ and his one world form, called, the New World Order.

Daniel 3:13 "Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king."

Daniel 3:14 "Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?"

Though in a rage, the king called for Shadrach, Meshach, and Agen-nego; when they came in before the king in disbelief, he asked them why they didn't serve the Babylonian gods, nor bowed down to that image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up to represent himself. The king was offended, he took pride in the fact that the God of Heaven made known his dream, in Daniel 2:47. He just didn't understand why anyone would not bow, when the God of Heaven signified that he was the head of Gold.

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?"

The king gave them a second chance, to save their lives. If there is a God that can protect and save you out of anyone's hands, He will do it. This is the faith we must have today. The Lord will save His own today just as He did then. We're in a time of testing for the Christians. The Lord will stand fast to His Word, all we must have is faith in Christ our Lord.

Daniel 3:16 "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter."

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 the Hebrew, their responce was, "it is not necessary for us to answer you on this matter". We're not going to do it, we will not bow to your image. That took faith and trust beyond any limits, no doubt whatsoever. It's strong talk for captives to say to a king, where it involves something that is so directly tied to that kings work, pride and image.

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."

Daniel 3:19 "Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated."

They totally refused, and you won't worship this image in the end times either, if you belong to the Lord. Giving any sort of help or service to the New World Order, would constitute exactly what Nebuchadnezzar required of these three servants of the Lord God.

In verse 19 the king changed from a mild mannered person into a raging one. His appearence of his countenance took a sharp turn against these 3 Jews. The king had taken them in, and promoted them to very high positions. Then to think that they would have said such a thing to his face was unthinkable.

Daniel 3:20 "And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace."

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."

This is only a type of what we will be delivered into. the furnace you will be delivered up into will be spiritual, as you are brought before satan in person, here on this earth. In a spiritual sense, you will be brought up and it will be every bit as sensational as these 3 Jews experienced. This is a type of what is to come when the Antichrist appears.

We see they had on their regular clothes, plus "other garments". What are these other garments? The other garments in Ephesians 6:11-20. They are the armour of God which prepares us for battle against satan. Though this battle was in the physical sense, it was also in the spiritual sense. At the Antichrist's return, the battle we will face is far more serious than the loss of our physical bodies; because our very soul is at stake.

Satan will know your weakness, and if we leave any part of that armor off, satan's darts will get you. Remember the battle of David and Goliath. A spot on the forehead is all that made Goliath vulnerable. What is Nebuchadnezzar a type of? Satan! What does the armor of God protect you from? the wiles (firey darts) of satan, the devil. The promise is that the final battle is not against principalities, world rulers, spiritual wickedness in high places, or the churches. It is a spiritual battle for your soul.

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 Abednego."

In verse 22, three Jews were to be killed by the flames of the furnace. In verse 23 when you are a free spirit in Christ no man can bind you It doesn't matter what shackles are on your arms or legs, it's what is in your mind that makes you free, spiritually. If Christ is in your mind you are free in Him. Build your faith and trust in Him as your saviour just as these three men did. In verse 24 the king was amazed at what he saw:

Daniel 3:23 "And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace."

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."

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."

The Son of God, Christ our Lord, himself appeared as an Angel of the Lord released the shackles that bound His three servants. He was in there with them, providing them with comfort in the middle of the raging fire!

We know that through this event in Old Babylon, that we have nothing to fear when the events of Mark 13, and after all the supporting passages come to pass. Satan can not harm you, in his short 5 month reign of Earth. When you walk with christ your spirit is free and cannot be bound. This story should be so marked in your minds that when the time comes we can endure all things through faith in Christ our Savior.

Daniel 3:26 "Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire."

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."

This is from the mouth of the king of Babylon. He knew who had saved them. They were in better shape whent hey came out then when they went in. Christ will do the same in our generation. This was and could be a type of testing, in the final period of this age. He gave us a type of what we can expect in the end times. Read Luke Chapter 21 -- it tells about what it will be like when you are delivered up, before Satan.

Daniel 3:28 "Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 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."

Luke 21:12 "But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake."

This will happen for a special reason. In verse 14; "Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:[14] For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.[15]"

This is the tongue that happened on Pentecost day, when Peter spoke, and every person heard it in their own language. It will happen again. They will turn to you for a testimony, it is our destiny.

Settle it in your hearts, let it sink into your mind. Don't worry about what you will say until the Lord God says His words through you. In Luke 21:18 "But there shall not an hair of your head perish." This is exactly the type of event tha we saw in Daniel 3. The faith and commitment of the three servants were protected by God.

To refuse the Holy Spirit to work at this time is the unforgivable sin, but who would want to refuse an opportunity like that? When you are called up, it will be a major event for these end times and the press will try to scorn and belittle you. Thinking it will be another "PTL" side show or event, like they did with Swaggart after his escapade, the Media, the Politicians, the Religious world, and the world at large simply will not be ready for the message of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2 is another sample of what will happen, it was when the Holy Spirit filled His people and they all spoke, unhindered. The disciples and followers of Christ spoke and on that day of Pentecost all the people from around the world heard the Gospel in their own language and dialect. All at the same time.

Daniel 3:29 "Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort"

Daniel 3:30 "Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon."

The crowd in Acts Chapter 2 was amazed, as were those present in Daniel Chapter 3, and many were saved in both, and became followers of the one true God, and Jesus Christ. This is the purpose for all the Christian's who will go through these trials. We will have our day before the world leaders, so that God, through His Holy Spirit within us, may speak to the world. Souls will be saved, and we will be part of this astounding event.

Are we worthy? No, but the Lord has covered our sin, and has prepared our way, as we yield to Him. Seek the Lord Jesus Christ with all our hearts and walk in the Spirit, praise Him in the Spirit, adn be lead of His Spirit. You are sealed for eternity, by His Holy Spirit, you belong to Christ Jesus King of kings.

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