In this video, we will be looking at Daniel chapter three about the fiery furnace.
This roughly takes place twenty-three years after King Nebuchadnezzar received the revelation
of the Great Metallic Image Dream, which spoke of the different world kingdoms.
Daniel had interpreted to the king that his kingdom, along with all the succeeding Kingdoms
would eventually be smitten by the Stone Kingdom.
Yet, Nebuchadnezzar who was told to be the head of Gold, sets up an image, fully made
of gold, perhaps in defiance to the God-given dream that his kingdom would fall.
It would probably be an image of himself, as the deification of man was a common thing
for kings and rulers.
He made a decree that at the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre and psaltery, in symphony
with all kinds of music, all were to fall down and worship the image.
Failure to submit and obey this command would lead to a death penalty in the fiery furnace.
We will see how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego remained faithful to God and refused to bow
down.
First, we take note of the measurement of the image that was set-up.
Its height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits.
The number six is impressed in the measurement.
Six is the number of men, and the number of beast.
The image of gold is used to worship a man.
Is there some kind of relationship with the Book of Revelation chapter 13 where we are
told that an image of the first beast, speaking of the Anti-Christ was erected forcing mankind
to worship it and the fact that his number is 666.
This will be explored in future videos as we study the book of Revelation.
But for now, it should provoke us to think.
Let’s go back to the image of Gold.
What was the motive behind the image?
The answer is Pride and Idolatry.
We read in Isaiah 14:12-14, how Lucifer fell because of pride.
It reads: “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer,
son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations!
For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne
above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’
Take notice how the instruments used to call for the worship of the image were the horn,
flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery.
These are all instruments used in the book of Psalms to worship God and here it is being
used to worship the image of a man.
We have a counterfeit of Psalm 150, a counterfeit of praise and worship.
The term, “Antichrist” does not only mean to be opposite or against Christ, but it also
means a substitution or a counterfeit of Christ.
That is why the bible says, that in the last days, many will be deceived.
Jesus warned us saying that if anyone says, “Here is the Christ,” do not believe it.
Deception always appear good on the outside to draw people, but its roots and intentions
are all evil.
Now, let’s look at the faithful Jews, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
It is worthy to note that Nebuchadnezzar in verse 15 gives them a second chance to fall
down and worship the image, but these three still would not.
A key lesson that we must take home is that they had already purposed in their hearts
to walk with God in chapter one.
They were not trying to make a decision there and then.
They had already resolved in their hearts right from day one when they were taken as
captives.
It would not matter how many chances they were given; they would not compromise.
Nevertheless, they continued to honour authority despite the idolatrous decree by the King.
They recognised authority and respected Nebuchadnezzar as they kept referring to him as, “O king.”
They obeyed the Government of the land but when it contradicts the law of God, they would
submit to the higher law of God.
One of the key highlights in this chapter is how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego responded.
Although Nebuchadnezzar threatened them with death, they answered and said, If that is
the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,
and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.
But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we
worship the gold image which you have set up.”
They said, Our God is able…
But if not, they still would not bow down.
They lived in such a way that they knew God could and would but even if He did not, it
wouldn’t change anything.
Matthew 10:28 says, and do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
They chose to fear God and to conquer death through faith.
These three men stood together on the Word of God, with the same faith, in agreement,
with the same conviction, with one mind, and in one accord.
Such amazing faith indeed!
The furnace was heated seven times more than usual.
So hot was the furnace that the fire even killed the men who took up Shadrach, Meshach
and Abednego.
As they were thrown into the fire, a fourth man appeared.
King Nebuchadnezzar described Him as one like, “the Son of God.”
It is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is referred to as a “Christophany,” which is a term used to describe a pre-manifestation
of Jesus Christ before His incarnation.
Matthew 18:20 tell us, for where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there
in the midst of them.”
How much should we as the church today, really stand together in Christ, just as these three
men did, especially in the times we are living in.
These three men experience protection and deliverance through the fire.
As we read verses 25-27, we observe that Number 1, They breathed freely in the fire
Number 2, Their Clothes were not burnt Number 3, They walked freely in the blazing
fire Number 4, The fire had absolutely no power
over their bodies Number 5, Not a hair on their head was singed
(burnt) Number 6, Their coats had not changed in any
way from the fire Number 7, There was not even a smell of smoke
on them Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not protected
from the fire but through the fire.
This is a very important principle to understand.
One of the many examples in scriptures is Noah and the flood.
Noah and his family were not protected from the flood but through the flood.
What does that say to us when it comes to the book of Revelation?
The Saints will be not be preserved from the Tribulation but rather, through the Great
Tribulation.
At the end of chapter three, Nebuchadnezzar blessed the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,
the only True and Living God.
The King also promoted them to higher positions in the province of Babylon.
So far, we have seen King Nebuchadnezzar experience two divine encounters with God, as seen in
chapter two and three, and in both cases, he praised and blessed God.
In spite of all this, we will find in the next video, how Nebuchadnezzar’s pride kept
him from repenting and as a result, was driven from men to live with the beasts of the field.