The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE (Chapter 3: Verses 8-18)

Hello Friends!

Welcome back to our Encouraging Concepts Bible study series focused on the powerfully PROPHETIC picture portrayed in the Old Testament book of Daniel painted as a panoramic landscape of World History in FIVE successions “written” in ardent ADVANCE some 2,600 years ago… “The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE!”

The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE (Chapter 3: Verses 8-18)

⁸ Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. ⁹ They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever. 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: ¹¹ And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 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. ¹³ Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. 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? 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? ¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 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. 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 3:8-18

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: The three “companions” serving the “King Nebuchadnezzar” alongside of “Daniel” had rightly REFUSED to wantonly “worship” the grotesque “golden image” and as a real result were crassly “cast” into the “burning fiery furnace” engulfed in FRIGHTFUL flames. And here we witness their tireless TRUST in our great “God in heaven” alone – A FULL Faith!

The “Chaldeans” had been a MAINSTAY of the “Babylonian” civic culture and hierarchy as a whole. And when these “three” young lads had deeply displayed such great CHARACTER coupled with “Daniel” being able to rightly “interpret” the daunting “dreams” of the “King Nebuchadnezzar” himself, not to mention being made Prime Minister over the ENTIRE province of “Babylon” itself, these FAITHFUL few were soon elevated to very high places of AUTHORITY within this great “kingdom” dynasty:

Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king – Daniel 2:49

The FAITHFUL Few!

Therefore, it is quite LIKELY that they were even held wholly high ABOVE these chided “Chaldeans” themselves. And as a ravenous result, they readily RESENTED these high-ranking “Hebrew” hero’s… 

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

They were no doubt very ANGRY concerning this prosperous proper PROMOTION as such. Thus, these corrupt cowardly “Chaldeans” acutely “accused the Jews” as such – An ACCUSATION of Angst!

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: The word “accused” is a very interesting term of which literally means to “eat the pieces” from the corpse of a carcass. As in devouring the flesh that is tragically TORN from a DEAD body by a RAPACIOUS animal severely stripping its purposed PREY to satisfy its HUNGER for food. Thus, these carnivorous “Chaldeans” had carnally “came near” the matter in a malicious way to swiftly SLANDER in a caustic cannibalistic way by dutifully DEVOURING these young “Jews” in full. Incidentally, this term “accused” does NOT represent a legal term found in the setting of a court of LAW via a legitimate accusation as such. Rather, it is a harsh HATE-FILLED deeply vetted desire to utterly DESTROY any kind of poised opposition at hand. And like caustic CANNIBALS at heart, these evil “Chaldeans” chiefly “came near” to acutely “accuse” these three godly “Jews” with a vicious – Venomous VENGEANCE!

These charlatan “Chaldeans” were eerily energized by the evil arch ENEMY of our saved soul “Satan” as the PAGAN pathetic priests of the false “god” known as Bel-Merodach of whom was similar to the SATANIC entity we “know” of in the “scriptures” as non-other than Baal himself. Thus, the “Chaldeans” created this opportunity to take their REVENGE upon these humble lads through their rebellious rank – RELGIOUS system!

Now, we find them HYPOCRITICALLY speaking unto “King Nebuchadnezzar” in the typical “O king, live forever” pious FLATTERING fashion as if they were actually helping him. WHY? Because they “accused the Jews” as if to supposedly AID their commanding “king” in determining if everyone had overtly OBEYED his evil edict to fully “fall down” before the gruesome “golden image” as he had sternly commanded of his citizens:

They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever – Daniel 3:9

These deranged derelicts were absolutely FURIOUS of the high positions “given” unto these “Jewish” lads by their great “God in heaven” and thus sought to do ALL they could to completely SEVER these coveted Sovereignly appointed positions…

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: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace – Daniel 3:10-11

The “Chaldeans” had swiftly “said” these things to their unsuspecting royal ruler in a DECEPTIVE manner concerning “every man” as such. And they DID indeed assess these comments quite accurately as this was VERBATIM what the “king” had commanded earlier regarding the wicked “worship” of the “golden image” itself:

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 – Daniel 3:5-6

However, the “Chaldeans” had rudely reiterated the newly sordid STANDARD unto the “King Nebuchadnezzar” by rankly revealing the riveting REAL issue poised deep within their twisted minds…

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 – Daniel 3:12

The point that really aggravated the calamitous “Chaldeans” was the firm FACT that these foreign captive “certain Jews” as solemn slaves were soundly “set over” the entire POLITICAL system and each of them gladly “given” such PROMINENT ranking places of prompted POWER and poignant PRESTIGE within the “kingdom” hierarchy provided by “King Nebuchadnezzar” himself. And as a resolute result, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” were adamantly ACCUSED of mindful malicious intent. The FIRST alluring accusation leveled AGAINST them was that they have not rightly “regarded thee” with proper RESPECT for the structure of authority and that pompous point of course was absolutely – NOT True!

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: These “three” young “men” had indeed FAITHFULLY followed the Sovereign (yet unwritten) “Scripture” of the New Testament Holy Writ in where our “Lord Jesus Christ” had personally proclaimed:

…Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's – Matthew 22:21b

Yes, these “certain Jews” had unquestionably FULFILLED their righteous responsibility unto the “King Nebuchadnezzar” insofar as it did NOT at all volitionally VIOLATE their righteous responsibility before their great “God in heaven” above. Thus, they were indeed – Good GODLY Citizens!

However, the other TWO alluring accusation leveled AGAINST them were totally TRUE indeed. WHY? Because it was rightly noted by the crass “Chaldeans” that they “serve not thy gods” and “nor worship the golden image” of which was certainly a CORRECT collaboration! These “certain Jews” keenly “knew” the very high PRICE of direct disobedience unto this maniacal “king” in kind. And they placed personal PRINCIPLE above all as to soundly STAND still while the ENTIRE mass of pragmatic “people” encompassed around them foolishly “fell down” on their FACES to wantonly “worship” that gaudy “golden image” in jest. Yet, all the while these “three” young “men” remained rightly RESOLUTE ready to be “thrown” into a brightly “burning fiery furnace” as a righteous result. This is a legitimate LIFE fully functioning on INTERNAL principle – Not EXTERNAL pressure! 

And it goes without saying that an egotistical Egomaniac absolutely can NOT accept anything that does NOT firmly conform to their DICTATES directed. In fact, ONE person is all it often takes to make them literally LIVID of mind, let alone THREE! Therefore, “King Nebuchadnezzar” through his ranting “rage and fury” frightfully “commanded” these “three” young “Jews” of whom were rankly re-named as “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” to be immediately “brought” before him. WHY? Because perhaps he sought to COERCE them into a more FAVORABLE response…

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 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? – Daniel 3:13-15

Notice how the “king” had dully dropped the first ACCUSATION that was made against “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” by the caustic “Chaldeans” stating they had not “regarded” him and just continues along in his tirade. Such Megalomaniacs are NEVER surely satisfied with anything LESS than everyone being included. However, at least the “king” gives them another opportunity to speak for themselves and “be ready” before they are quickly “cast” at that “same hour” into the “burning fiery furnace” based on the accosted accusations of the “Chaldeans” as such. Besides, he no doubt KNEW that they were quite upset about his DECISION to make “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” righteous RULERS in the – Babylonian KINGDOM!

And then the “king” abruptly ADDS this stupid statement: “and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” WOW! He is REALLY getting a bit carried away here and appears to have a very SHORT memory. Has he totally forgotten all about the very SAME great “God of heaven” of Whom was quite ABLE to rightly REVEAL to him his “troubling” deplorable “dreams” and the subsequent insightful “interpretation” promptly provided through “Daniel” via vibrant “visions” succinctly? He must have also forgotten that the grand “God” of this humble “Daniel” was far GREATER than all the false and fatal so-called “gods” of belligerent “Babylon” of which could NOT rightly answer his derailing “dreams” nor help him in ANY way what so ever – Meandered MANIAC! 

Although “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” had indeed FAITHFULLY served their Sovereignly appointed “King Nebuchadnezzar” as far as they could, they were none the less “not careful” to aptly “answer” him in this eternally IMPORTANT particular “matter” as such: 

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

They do NOT respond with the typical flattering folly “O, long-live-the-king” fluff! They simply “answered” in a non-arrogant manner. WHY? Because there was nothing else to “say” and they simply – ADMITTED Guilt!

Finally, here we find the most sublime statement any mortal “man” has ever UTTERED and is perhaps the greatest affirmation of true FAITH found wonderfully “written” absolutely anywhere in the whole of Holy “Scripture” itself:

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. 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 3:17-18

WOW! In other words: “Our great GOD whom we CONTINUALLY serve is indeed ABLE to duly DELIVER us and He is far GREATER than YOU and YOUR gods, O king. In that, we have absolutely nothing ELSE to say!” That’s pretty DIRECT isn’t it? – YES indeed!

PROPHETIC PROMISE: These FAITHFUL young lads “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” each KNEW that what “happened” to their PHYSICAL bodies was NOT the main concern here. WHY? Because their ETERNAL personal “souls” had to be rightly riveted through “trust” upon the “truth” of their great “God” Himself…

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him – Job 13:15-16

Beloved, there must be NO corrupt COMPROMISE for the ETERNALY saved “saint” of who’s “salvation” stalwartly STANDS firm “maintained” as such – Praise our GREAT God!

More to follow… STAY tuned!

In closing:

REAL REFLECTIONS: The twelve chapters of “Daniel” are powerfully PROMISED prophecies depicting the unfolding of the HISTORIC events of which will take place leading up to the literal “time” of the SECOND awaited physical “coming” of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” back to the earth:

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever – Daniel 2:44

And our SERIOUS study of these PROPHECIES will rightly REVEAL to each student of God's wonderful “Word” that the events FORETOLD some 2,600 years ago could possibly be FULFILLED in the seemingly near future…

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE (Chapter 3: Verses 1-7)

Hello Friends!

Welcome back to our Encouraging Concepts Bible study series focused on the powerfully PROPHETIC picture portrayed in the Old Testament book of Daniel painted as a panoramic landscape of World History in FIVE successions “written” in ardent ADVANCE some 2,600 years ago… “The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE!”

The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE (Chapter 3: Verses 1-7)

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. 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. 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. ⁴ Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, 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: ⁶ And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 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 3:1-7

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: In our previous “study” sessions through Chapter 2 we discovered daunting “dream” details of “King Nebuchadnezzar” and the incredible “interpretation” provided by “God” through the young lad “Daniel” as a PROPHETIC backdrop to the coming “world” history extending throughout the trying “times of the Gentiles” themselves…

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled – Luke 21:24

The FOUR chapters in which faithfully FOLLOW the great “dream” of this “Babylonian” leader found earlier in chapter 2 are of a HISTORICAL nature to OUR day. And MANY historical EVENTS are also captured of which have totally TRANSPIRED during the “ruling” reign of “Nebuchadnezzar” and his successor grandson named “Belshazzar” then followed by “Darius” the “Mede” in tow. These challenging chapters also describe the manic MORAL conditions of which held sway during these first TWO great waning – World EMPIRES!

Incidentally, the modern tumultuous textual criticism of which has CONTINUED to charge this book “written” by the prophet “Daniel” of being a faked FORGERY has been completely SILENCED by the archeological direct discoveries of the Babylonian Cylinders of Cyrus alongside Nabonnaid coupled with the Annalistic Tablets of which rightly RECORDS the daunting details of these – Deeply DARK Days!

Chapter 3: Idolatry Decreed by Nebuchadnezzar

We rightly remember the great strength of CHARACTER and vigorous VIRTUE of the young “Hebrew” lad named “Daniel” as correctly chronicled in chapter 1 and chapter 2 of this amazing HISTORICAL narrative. His UNCOMPROMISING stand taken AGAINST the caustic consumption of the “king’s meat” and “wine” of the “vine” along with a plethora of ancient pagan activities associated with the “Babylonian” culture are indeed – ENCOURAGING to Behold!

And now as we BEGIN to unpack chapter 3 of this sweet Sovereign saga, we become MUCH better acquainted with “Daniel’s” three caring “companions” named “Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael” themselves. But, WHERE in the world is “Daniel” himself? Good Question! Perhaps our loving “Lord” Sovereignly decided to rightly REDIRECT him completely OUT of the manic Monarch “King Nebuchadnezzar’s” countryside CONTAINMENT to attend some OTHER very important business as the Prime Minister representing “Babylon” itself at this particular turbulent “time” of trial to come. WHATEVER the real reason may have been, we WILL find these “three” young lads will CONFIDENTLY stand firm – Courageously ALONE!

IDOLS and ICONS!

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: The Old Testament itself EVERYWHERE explicitly pronounces that there are absolutely NO other goofy “gods” but the ONE and ONLY true great “God of heaven” above. And Holy Writ completely CRUSHES literally ALL ignorant “idols” and insolent “icons” incarcerated deep within the helpless “heart” of rebellious “sinful” mankind. WHY? Because these idiotic “idols” are the mimicking man-made sordid “stone” and worthless “wood” and meaningless “metal” monsters of the man-centered manic “mind” and heinous “heart” and elated “emotions” in kind. Whether they are totally tangible or innately intangible in nature. Whether they are erected externally or invited internally in kind. Absolutely ALL idolatrous “idols” mindlessly manufactured by the helpless HAND of meandering “man” are overtly OBILTERATED by our great “God” Almighty…

And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments – Exodus 20:1-6

And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived… – Numbers 21:6-9

The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therin: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God… Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the Lord thy God hateth… – Deuteronomy 7:25 & 16:22

Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation… – Judges 10:14

Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the Lord, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses… – 2 Kings 18:1-6

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them… – Psalms 115:1-8

Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the Lord your God – Ezekiel 20:7

And although this is the very FIRST and pointed PRIMARY common “commandment” contained within the Sovereignly sound “Scriptures” themselves of which were greatly “given” to the “Jewish” people of national “Israel” as a whole, such man-made infamous IDOLATRY quite readily REMAINS a looming REALITY found throughout the tumultuous “times” tucked away WITHIN the alluring annuls of human HISTORY itself – Man-Made IDOLATRY!

Do NOT Bow Down!

The THREE caring “Hebrew” captive “companions” named “Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael” rightly KNEW that an insolent “idolatry” was completely UNACCEPTABLE to their great “God” of absolutely ALL things. Therefore, they also KNEW that it would NOT purposely PLEASE Him if they were to belligerently “bow down” to this eerie “image” made of gorgeous “gold” of which had been erected by the nebulous “Nebuchadnezzar the king” himself…

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 – Daniel 3:1

Archeologists have uncovered a large square MASS made of brick in that area of which may have served as the foundation for this “image of gold” to be erected upon. Setting up this colossal caper in the vast flat “plain of Dura” would have added to its impressiveness, allowing for the greatest view from the VAST number of people in “Babylon” proper. Therefore, if ANYONE were found to be stubbornly “standing” upright, they would have been very conspicuous while EVERYONE else had begrudgingly “bowed down” upon their fickle “faces” fully fallen – Woeful WORSHIP!

The amount of “time” that has transpired between “Daniel’s” intense “interpretation” and the eerie ERECTING of this immense “image of gold” is NOT made “known” to us in the Sovereign “Scriptures” themselves. However, here “Nebuchadnezzar the king” constructs this ENORMOUS impenitent “image” deep down upon the “plain of Dura” located just a few miles southeast of the “province of Babylon” as an our-right insolent IDOLATROUS act of self-adoration of a HEINOUS human heart. And this ALL seems very strange in the looming LIGHT of his daunting “dream” told unto “Daniel” earlier:

Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay… The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret – Daniel 2:31-33 & 47

Not ONLY was the “head” of this mega multi-metallic incremental “image” itself CAST out of pure “gold” as such, the ENTIRE framework itself was monstrosity mined “made” completely out of “fine gold” (possibly overlaid as “thin plates” upon a wooden sub-structure) as was the “work” practice of that “time” in Biblical history:

And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work… – Exodus 39:3

Sadly, even the dire demonstration of pure POWER found to belong ONLY unto the great “God in heaven” did NOT seem to overtly override the unbelievable PRIDE of this caustic “king” as an evasive egomaniac gone wild. In fact, when “Daniel” began to intensely “interpret” this daunting “dream” in its far-reaching scope, no doubt “Nebuchadnezzar” had foolishly tuned out the other DETAILS and perhaps thought to himself: “Hey, I’M the heralding “HEAD” of grand “GOLD” and therefore EVERYTHING is absolutely INFERIOR unto ME!” This is nothing LESS than a manic man-centered humanistic WILLFUL form of – Wicked SELF-WORSHIP!

SIX… SIX,… SIX…

PROPHETIC PROMISE: Incidentally, these PROPHESIED particular “60” (“threescore cubits”) times “6” (“six cubits”) as two “sixes” in measurements “made” unto a MANDATED nigh “number of a man” sounds eerily FAMILIAR as such…

And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?... 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… And 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. 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. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 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 – Revelation 13:4 & 14-18

Thus, “Nebuchadnezzar” is no doubt a preliminary practicing PROTOTYPE picture of the PROPHESIED coming “Antichrist” figure attempting to eagerly ESTABLISH an ominous one-world unadulterated UNITY through an incredible STRATEGIC display of demonic grandeur. And as we know, “six” is the “number” of fallen “man” himself. Conversely, “seven” is the “number” of pure PROFECTION Divine and is rightly – Reserved ONLY for God!  

Therefore, this corrupt “king” had mindfully “made” an intentional IMMENSE insolent “image” out of grandiose “gold” of which massively measured to a high “height” of a full “threescore cubits” and a broad “breadth” of some “six cubits” wide. WOW! That actually equates to a whopping 90 FEET high total BY a freakish 9 FEET wide abreast and was completely cast as such – Menacingly MADE of Gold! 

And as HISTORY diligently denotes, the ancient Caesars amongst did themselves EXACTLY the very same thing. WHY? Because they eagerly desired the ENTIRE radiant Roman Empire to willfully WORSHIP them as a grand “god” via a piously POLITICAL position ultimately culminating through a UNIFYING collaboration…

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. 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 – Daniel 3:2-3

Notice how the REPETITION of these vital verses are a soundly subtle and hardily humorous insight into the utter LACK of personal integrity displayed by “all” these LAME leaders “gathered together” from throughout the Empire. WHY? Because it reiterates the frustrating FACT that they were “all” the acting big-wigs among the “provinces” abroad appointed by none other than “Nebuchadnezzar” himself. And absolutely NONE of “them” had the COURAGE to say “NO!” regarding this diabolical “dedication of the image” ceremony representing the lude LIKENESS of this self-absorbed caustic “king” of which he himself had “set up” accordingly. Thus, “they” had ALL solemnly “stood before the image” and were nothing LESS than a pragmatic procession of bumbling lemmings BLINDLY following each other OVER their consorted conscience in kind. Each of “them” had coyly COMPROMISED any contained CONVICTIONS that may have held true and thus mindlessly in angst – ALL Gathered!

Babylonian BANDSTAND!

Next, we find a “herald” henchman had “cried aloud” unto the “people, nations, and languages” in the COMMON vernacular of addressing a conglomerate assembly. And he gives them ALL this caustic COMMAND to obey: 

Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, 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 – Daniel 3:4-5

The “at what time” refers to an absolute exacting moment. And when the MASSES of these mindless “people” would “hear” the sensuous “sound” of the Babylonian Bandstand playing their mundane “musick” they were COMMANDED to fully “fall down” with their faces to the ground for wanton “worship” in surreal SUBMISSION to this grotesque “golden image” of which “Nebuchadnezzar the king” had surely “set up” wholly unto HIMSELF as a grandiose “god” figure of sorts. Therefore, the ENTIRE nation of “Babylon” is brought TOGETHER to include the leading dignitaries of the maniacal man “Nebuchadnezzar” for this wicked WORSHIP ceremony. Here the Royal Orchestra all ready to go. And when they “hear” their cue EVERYONE is readily REQUIRED to boldly BOW unto his massive “image” standing before them – EGO Eccentric!  

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: Music has ALWAYS been a part of sensuality and is directly connected with the PAGAN practice of WORSHIP unto idiotic “idols” mindlessly MADE by the hindering hands of man. And as is true of EVERY other “good” thing that “our” great “God in heaven” has indeed “given” unto us, Satan the “created” angelic “fallen” being of whom was ORIGINALLY poised the aptly “anointed” and capable “covering cherub” has surely used his maniacal “music” via his perverted “pipes” of belligerent “beauty” to pragmatically PROMOTE his waning “world” system of EVIL in full:

Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more… – Ezekiel 28:13-19

And NEVER has the arch EMEMY of our “soul” done a BETTER job with his insatiable “iniquities” than in our CURRENT days… TODAY!

Thus, for anyone throughout “Babylon” who abruptly REFUSES to immediately “fall down” before this “golden image” constitutes a treasonous act and will be “cast into” the besieging “burning fiery furnace” as a severe PUNISHMENT proper:

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

In other words, if you are standing in overt OPPOSITION to the groping greatness of “Nebuchadnezzar” and his “fiery” fierce FURY unfurled – That’s ALL Folks!

Sadly, MOST pragmatic “people” will rankly respond to the ever-present EXTERNAL coming circumstances and pious peer pressure influences. “Therefore” they constantly conform to absolutely whatever is rankly REQUIRED of them, RATHER than to “live” by the influence of INTERNAL principle…

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 3:7

However, something ELSE was also going on here BEHIND the scenes in the chided “court” of the “King Nebuchadnezzar” as well. Everyone had DECIDED to foolishly “fall down” on their faces. All EXCEPT for “three” young men. And they REALLY stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the caustic CROWD pleasers themselves. WHY? Because “they” had aptly already dutifully DECIDED within “their” humble “hearts” that “they” would defiantly DECLINE this demonic dictate – NEVER Bow DOWN! 

Beloved, representative here is the TYPICAL approach from the looming LARGE group of “people” completely COMPRISED of a non-thinking and intently intimidated brood floundering in full flux! WHY? Because they WILL do absolutely WHATEVER it takes to get what they WANT by loosely “living” on the lowest level of compromise brashly “bowing down” before the present powers that be. And they are avidly AFRAID to personally lose their popular POSITION in kind. Therefore, in coy COWARDNESS they will choose a condition of consuming – Complete COMPROMISE!

More to follow… STAY tuned!

In closing:

REAL REFLECTIONS: The twelve chapters of “Daniel” are powerfully PROMISED prophecies depicting the unfolding of the HISTORIC events of which will take place leading up to the literal “time” of the SECOND awaited physical “coming” of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” back to the earth:

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever – Daniel 2:44

And our SERIOUS study of these PROPHECIES will rightly REVEAL to each student of God's wonderful “Word” that the events FORETOLD some 2,600 years ago could possibly be FULFILLED in the seemingly near future…

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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