DANIEL 3: AN IMAGE, A TEST, AND THE DELIVERANCE OF GOD


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. (A cubit is approximately 65 cm or 1.5 feet).

 
The events that are brought out in this chapter give us insights into events that will take place at the end of time as depicted in Revelation 13. The principles we can learn from Daniel 3 find there counterpart in the last days when the mark of the beast is urged upon the people of this world.

Nebuchadnezzar’s image had the numbers 60 and 6 in it, for the image of apostasy had not yet been fully formed, as it will be in Revelation 13 when all the world will receive the mark and the number of a man, 666. Then 666 will be the identifying number of the system of apostasy from Bible truth. As God had his faithful in Daniel’s day, so at the end of time there will be what Revelation describes as a remnant that will be true to God.

Both systems, the one in Daniel’s day and the one revealed in Revelation 13, are man-made systems of false worship that oppose the law and Word of God. In both cases the vast majority willingly follow the decree, with others following either out of fear of punishment or for the privileges gained or maintained by doing so. Revelation 13 finds the image fully developed and mankind fully debased and given over to the image of Satan; hence, the number 666 is the identifying number of the system of apostasy.

The images in Daniel and Revelation are representations of Satan, having conformed man to his own image of rebellion against God. The number 666 is the number of the mystery god Lucifer, who was behind the religion of ancient Babylon. He is the same god hidden and disguised in the religion of Babylon in the book of Revelation. Daniel chapter 3 is history, which in principle will be repeated throughout the world when Mystery Babylon rules the earth. (See Revelation 17 for a description of Mystery Babylon.)

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.

Prince—satrap or governor of a main province (in this case, Persia)1

Governor—a prefect of a province; from a root word meaning “to superintend”2

Prefect—a chief magistrate who governed a city or province in the king’s absence. A governor, commander, chief magistrate, or superintendent3

Captain—a prefect (of a city or small district)4

Judge—chief diviner or astrologer5

Treasurer—an officer who receives the public money arising from taxes and duties or other sources of revenue, takes charge of the same and disburses it upon orders drawn by the proper authority6

Counsellor—one skilled in law; a judge7

Sheriff—judicial, i.e. a lawyer. The sheriff executes civil and criminal process throughout the county, has charge of the jail and prisoners, attends courts and keeps the peace8

Ruler—a potentate, from a root word meaning “to dominate, i.e. govern; by implication to permit”9

The Bible teaches that a time is coming when the entire world will worship the beast. As in Daniel’s day, leaders and men of responsibility will readily compromise principle and go along with the new system. This is why, in Revelation 16:13–14 and Revelation 18:9, spiritual Babylon is shown to be in league with the rulers or kings of the world. Satan knows it is easier to deceive the masses if he can deceive the leaders. This is why the Bible contains many warnings against putting our confidence in men.

Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of? (Isaiah 2:22)

Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. (Jeremiah 17:5)

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

Daniel 3:3–4

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. Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages.

“To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages”

And he [the second beast] 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. (Revelation 13:12)

And [the second beast] deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. (Revelation 13:14)

For they [the three unclean spirits] are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Revelation 16:14)

All the world wondered after the [the first] beast. And they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him. (Revelation 13:3–4)

In many instances the lessons in Daniel and the events foretold there are repeated and expounded on in the book of Revelation. The past events of Daniel 3 find their future counterpart in Revelation 13.

In Daniel’s day, the call was to worship a literal image, a religious practice common at that time. In Revelation 13, the image is no longer literal, but it is nevertheless involves worship. All the world will be required to follow a man-made system of religion that will be enforced by threat of death, as it was in Daniel’s day.

The image is in the likeness of Satan, who “was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, … he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). Therefore, the counterfeit worship in both Daniel and Revelation is a substitute or perversion of the truth of God. In both instances, the commandments of mankind are exalted above the law and Word of God. Thus the image, literal in Daniel’s day and symbolic in Revelation, is the deception of Satan perfected, as he is worshipped in place of the true God.

Daniel 3:5–6

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

“Whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall … be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace”

And he [the second beast] 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. (Revelation 13:15)

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. (Matthew 24:9)

The coercion of the will is always a sign of oppressive government or false religion. It is used at the instigation of Satan, who rules the governments and churches that are not under Christ. Wherever force is pursued in religious matters, the perpetrators are simply following their “father the devil” (John 8:44).

Sadly, those involved in religious persecution usually believe, just as Jesus predicted, “that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.” Jesus said we should not be alarmed when we face persecution, because “these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me” (John 16:2–3).

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 music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

“When all the people heard … all kinds of music”

And he [Moses] said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear. And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. (Exodus 32:18–19)

And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him. (1 Samuel 16:23)

Music can be a power for good or evil and has the ability to affect the character and thinking of individuals. Today we see worldly music coming into most churches. The music whose spirit is from the world is inappropriate for the worship of God. This worldly music, used without reference to biblical principle, is designed to bring the churches together in a system of false worship and excitement.

All music communicates—and much of the popular music today is communicating Satan’s message, conditioning people to hear and follow his voice. Through this medium many are being prepared, like the people in Daniel’s day, to worship the false system of Mystery Babylon. (See Revelation 17:1–5.)

Daniel 3:8

Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

“Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews”

And the chief priests accused him [Jesus] of many things: but he answered nothing. (Mark 15:3)

[Paul] Whom I [Claudius Lysias] perceived to be accused [of the Jews] of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. (Acts 23:29)

And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist [to be his adversary and to accuse] him. (Zechariah 3:1)

And as he [Jesus] said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him. (Luke 11:53–54)

Daniel’s companions were accused of not following the king and the worship of his image. In Daniel chapter 6, we find Daniel accused for disregarding the king’s decree and continuing to worship the true God. God’s children are often accused (even as Jesus was accused by the religious leaders of His day), not because they are guilty of evil, but because of their steadfast integrity, which places them at odds with the majority, who are guided by Satan.

Many exhibit an intolerance to that which is right in deference to that which is wrong. And so it has been from the beginning. “This is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you” (1 John 3:11–13).

How then are we to live in a world of accusers? “Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (1 Peter 3:16). This was the stand of the three Hebrews and of Daniel, Jesus, and Paul. It is to be the pattern for all of God’s children.

Daniel 3:9

They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.

“O king, live for ever”

Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. (Psalm 5:8–9)

They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. (Psalm 12:2)

A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. (Proverbs 26:28)

And they watched him [Jesus], and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly. (Luke 20:20–21)

And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him [Paul], saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, we accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. (Acts 24:2–3)

To flatter is to gratify an individual’s self-love by praise, or to please a person by applause or by anything that exalts them in their own estimation. Flattery is generally false praise or commendation that is bestowed in order to gain favor and influence or to accomplish some purpose.

The Chaldeans used flattery to gain favor with the king before accusing the despised Hebrews. Rather than appreciating their God-given wisdom and talents, these leaders were jealous that the Hebrews, who worshipped a foreign God, should have such a high place in the Babylonian kingdom. The Chaldeans exalted and praised the king in hope that pride of position and authority would overrule sensible decisions.

The psychological ploy of flattering someone in hopes of gaining some advantage is used often in human relationships. Flattering someone while setting him or her up for hurt is as old as the sinful heart of man. However, if we want to follow Christ’s way, we must learn to speak the truth from the heart. That is only possible as the truth of God finds a place in our lives.

Lying and flattering tongues will have no place in the kingdom of God. “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart” (Psalm 15:1–2).

Daniel 3:10–12

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 music, shall fall down and worship the golden image: and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 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.

“Nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up”

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:1, 4–5, 12)

And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. (Revelation 15:2)

Revelation reveals another group, in contrast to those who worship the beast and his image, and who, like the Hebrews, refuse to bow to the image of man-made religion. We must study well their characteristics and, by God’s grace, exemplify them that we may be able to stand like the three Hebrew faithful in ancient Babylon.

The Curse of False Worship

But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. (2 Chronicles 7:19–20)

But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people: And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the Lord done thus unto this land, and to this house? (1 Kings 9:6–8)

Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods. (Psalm 97:7)

Then shalt thou say unto them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, saith the Lord, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshipped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law; And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me: therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour. (Jeremiah 16:11–13)

The three Hebrews knew full well that it was for disobedience to God and for worshipping idols that the nation of Israel was in Babylonian captivity. How then could they betray God and worship the golden image?

But this was not the only thing that motivated them to be true to God in the face of death. They had a deep faith in God and in how He had led them in the past. They had a “faith which worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6). Only true love and respect for God can strengthen a man to stand before such threats upon his life.

Daniel 3:13–15

Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. 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? 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 music, 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?

“Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?”

And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go. (Exodus 5:2)

Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand? And his servants spake yet more against the Lord God, and against his servant Hezekiah. (2 Chronicles 32:15–16)

Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, camp against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the Lord, against the Holy One of Israel. (Jeremiah 50:29)

Make ye him [Moab] drunken: for he magnified himself against the Lord: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision. (Jeremiah 48:26)

They [the wicked] spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? (Job 21:13–15)

How quickly Nebuchadnezzar forgot the marvelous work of Jehovah in revealing to him his dream. He became proud and stood against God in the person of His saints.

Scripture reveals other times in which the wicked, or the kings of the nations, sought to stand against Jehovah and His people. In every case God’s purpose triumphs in the end. Those who oppose Him are thoroughly defeated, as in the case of the kings of Egypt and Assyria, Moab and Babylon.

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.

“We are not careful to answer thee in this matter”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered, “Your Majesty, we will not try to defend ourselves.” (Daniel 3:16 TEV)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not worried about what will happen to us.” (Daniel 3:16 TLB)

These men of God knew full well what they were doing and the consequences their decision would bring. Their determination to serve God was fixed long before this test, which brought them face to face with death. They could answer the king with such firmness because they were fully committed to the Lord. There was nothing to consider. They had decided to be faithful to God, come what may. “Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in His commandments. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid” (Psalm 112:1, 7–8).

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.

“Our God whom we serve is able”

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen (Jude 24–25)

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (Ephesians 6:16)

Wherefore he [Jesus] is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

For in that he himself [Jesus] hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)

The ability to be firm in the face of death, to be faithful “sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation” (Philippians 2:15), can come only as men are enabled to do so by the power of God. All who will commit themselves to the Lord can have confidence in Him, for He is able to deliver all who trust in Him.

God may deliver you from death and a host of other problems in this life. But often He chooses instead to give us the grace to pass through the difficulties. God will even give the grace to “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4). It was this hope and trust in God that gave the Hebrews the ability to stand true.

“Able to deliver us”

Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. (1 Chronicles 16:35)

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake. (Psalm 79:9)

Our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father. (Galatians 1:3–4)

I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4)

Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. (Psalm 107:6)

[God] … hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. (Colossians 1:13)

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.

In life or death, deliverance or destruction, these three Hebrews possessed genuine faith and love. Godly principle does not stop to weigh the consequences of following God by worldly standards. An individual faithful to God does not ask, “What will people think of me if I do this?” or, “How will it affect my ambitions and plans if I do that?” Rather, the children of God desire to do His will so they may glorify Him. The Lord has made provision that all of His followers may be controlled by divine grace, even as were these faithful Hebrews.

Daniel 3:19–20

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. 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.

Then Nebuchadnezzar lost his temper, and his face turned red with anger at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So he ordered his men to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual. (Daniel 3:19 TEV)

Here we see the mightiest men standing against the meek and harmless children of God. How often this happens even today. Many modern governments and churches and religious groups exert great effort to stop people from worshipping God and following their conscience. But conscience, bound by the love and fear of God, cannot be stopped by mighty men or by flames, for God is above all.

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed” (Psalm 2:1–2). It is useless to fight against the Lord, for in persecuting God’s children, men are fighting against God. This is why, in persecution or in death, the believer still triumphs. God is in control and He will never allow His children to suffer unless it is for their eternal good or to advance His cause.

Daniel 3:21–23

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

And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames leaped out and killed the soldiers as they threw them in! (Daniel 3:22 TLB)

Before we proceed, let us make some comparisons for the sake of illustration.

• King Nebuchadnezzar is similar to that power in Revelation 13 that “spake as a dragon … and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed” (Revelation 13:11–12).

• The three Hebrews are representative of God’s true people who resist the beast, having the patience of the saints and the faith of Jesus and thereby keeping God’s commandments. (See Revelation 14:12.)

• The image on the plain of Dura is comparable to the image of the beast. There will not be a literal image set up in the end time, as in this story, but men will be encouraged and compelled to worship contrary to God’s law and Word. (See Revelation 13:13–14.)

• The furnace heated seven times hotter is equivalent to the death decree made by the two-horned beast of Revelation 13. (See Revelation 13:15.)

With these basic comparisons in mind, let us look again at Daniel’s narration. There was a call given to all the people to worship, which was also a sign of allegiance to the king. The king’s command conflicted with God’s first two commandments: “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. … Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them” (Exodus 20:3–5). All present had to choose whom they would obey. The entire world will again be tested on this point in the last days. All will have to choose between the commandments of God and the laws of men.

While the masses of Babylon chose to obey Nebuchadnezzar’s decree, God had three men who stood true. At the end of time He will have only a remnant who gain “the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name” (Revelation 15:2). This remnant will keep the commandments of God and worship Him alone.

As death was the punishment in Babylon, so too shall the beast “cause that as many as would not worship the image to the beast should be killed” (Revelation 13:15).

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood true, trusting in the God whom they had always loved and served. They rejected false worship and stood for principle. The people of God at the end of time will also stand true against the beast and his image. This requires a daily preparation. If we are compromising our faith now, when the testing time comes we will continue to compromise, to our eternal loss.

We learned in chapter one how Daniel and his friends were faithful even in little things, and when the bigger tests of life came, they had the experience necessary to remain faithful even in the face of death. This can be our experience also.

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.

“Men bound into the midst of the fire”

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. (Isaiah 61:1)

And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? (Luke 13:16)

The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid. (Hosea 13:12)

Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High. (Psalm 107:10–11)

Today men are still bound by sin and by circumstances seemingly beyond their control. As with the Hebrews, so with us; fire burns the cords that bind. The fire is the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, the refining fire of the Lord. However it comes, it is the means of release from sin and bondage. (See Jeremiah 23:29; Luke 3:16.)

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.

When the king carried out his death threat against the Hebrew faithful, it appeared that wickedness and false worship had triumphed. However, before the king could boast in his success, he saw a fourth being, the Son of God, walking with the Hebrews, protecting them from being consumed by the flames. So, too, at the end of time, God will sustain His children. There will be those who, by God’s sustaining grace, will gain the victory.

We see here a type of the loud cry of Revelation 18:1–4, the last message of warning and mercy to the world. Mystery Babylon, comprising the beast, the dragon and the false prophet (see Revelation 16:13), will have taken a deluded world captive and will have enforced the mark of the beast. Economic boycotts and the threat of death will seem to have stifled all dissent and true faith.

At this time, the sustaining power of Christ will overshadow His people and Christ Himself will direct the proclamation of the last message of mercy. This final message will be given with greater power than any before it, as it will be empowered by the latter rain of the Holy Spirit.
 
The world, like Nebuchadnezzar, will be astonished at the last message. However, the astonishment will be short-lived. For many, it will not lead to heart surrender and a saving relationship with God. Nevertheless, the witness shall be born and “then shall the end come” when Christ will “stand up” (Daniel 12:1) to deliver His people.

Daniel 3:26–28

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. 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.

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.

Now the king had to acknowledge the superiority of the Hebrew’s God. But the God of the Hebrews had not fully become his God. To the king, Jehovah was but the most powerful of many gods. Nebuchadnezzar had yet to learn that there is no other God but Jehovah. The king did not yet know that “the Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” (Psalm 103:8). Thus, in his ignorance of the nature and character of the true God, the king made another decree, much like his first one, in which the consciences of men were not left free to choose.

Daniel 3:29–30

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. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.

The men who stood the test in Babylon:

• Trusted in God—verse 28

• Yielded their bodies—verse 28

• Placed their confidence in the promises of God—verse 17

• Worshipped God alone—verse 12

• Were obedient to the commandments of God—verse 18

• Were men of prayer—Daniel 2:17–18

• Had temperance—Daniel 1:8

The men who will stand the test during the mark of the beast:

• Having the faith of Jesus, keep God’s commandments—Revelation 14:12

• Have God the Father’s name or character written in their foreheads—Revelation 14:1

• Have not defiled themselves with false worship—Revelation 14:4

• Follow Christ wherever He leads—Revelation 14:4

• Have no guile or falsehood in speech or life—Revelation 14:5


Endnotes

1.  James Strong, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Book House, 1987).

2.  Ibid.

3.  Noah Webster, American Dictionary of the English Language (San Francisco, California: Foundation for American Christian Education, 1967).

4.  James Strong, op. cit.

5.  Ibid.

6.  Noah Webster, op. cit.

7.  James Strong, op. cit.

8.  Noah Webster, op. cit.

9.  James Strong, op. cit.


 
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