“Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages,you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up;and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace”(Daniel 3:1-25).
Warning
Nebuchadnezzar represents many people that God gives warning to. They are so caught up with themselves and will not submit to God. In their own mind have built an image of themselves and insist that others submit to them their ideas and even their gods. They don’t stop to think that it is God who has permitted all things and given them all that they have.
After Nebo built his image, he commanded all to bow or burn. He used music, drugs, alcohol and sexual immorality to lure all to bow to the image. Many believe the music, alcohol, drugs and sex will be used in the Seven Year Tribulation to cause men, women and youth to reject God. This will lead them to the fiery furnace forever. Even today Satan uses these things to destroy individuals, families, schools, local churches and nations.
Is the wrong music, drugs, alcohol and sexual immorality causing you bow, so that you are not able to hear God speak to you? I am sure many bowed to the image out of fear of the furnace. Bowing to the image said, “I don’t believe in the Living God.” He turned on the music and gloried in himself as they fell down and worshiped him.
Three faithful Jewish men would not bow (3:11-12). The king asked them: “And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” They replied with faith, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.” If you throw us into the fiery furnace “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.” “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” (v.16-18). God was in charge!
These faithful men of God refused the music, wine, alcohol and sex. They would not bow. Faith in God gave them the courage and comforted them as they gave testimony of their God to the powerful king. Who are you bowing to today? Is it music, drugs, alcohol, job, money, or sex? Where is God in your life?
Judgment
“Heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated…And he commanded certain mighty men of valor to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace… the flame of the fire killed those men” (vv 19-22).
The king looked into the furnace “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire” (v. 24)? But, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (v. 25).
How did king Nebo know who the fourth man was? I believe it was because he was being used of Satan and the demon in him recognized the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Men continue to bow to images and spend eternity in the furnace. You do not have to bow, you can refuse to bow to drugs, alcohol, sex, or music, If you continue to bow to these idols, one day you will bow to King, Jesus Christ and be cast into the furnace for eternity (Rev.20:1115). Bow to Him today!
Unbelievers do not be a prideful Nebo, saying: “Look, what I have done.” Maybe you are bowing to idols which lead you to the furnace. Don’t bow anymore! Look up to Christ! He loves you and died for you. He will keep you from the “eternal furnace.” Admit your sin! Call upon Him before it is too late.
Christian, where is your faith? What kind of testimony do you have? Be faithful! Have no fear of the fire in the furnace for the “fourth man” [Jesus] is with you!
