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…
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!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!
Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"
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