Light Amidst the Darkness (Part 2)

Last time we were in Daniel, we left Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in a situation where the king was giving them one last chance to bow down to the giant statue of his likeness and worship him. They proceeded to inform the king that God was able to rescue them, even from Nebuchadnezzar’s power. However, if God chose not to rescue them, they would not worship the image. We know that the reason is that they worshipped Jehovah God alone.

Today, we’ll continue on and discover what happened next.

The Condemnation - 3:19-23

Obviously, these three Jewish men, amongst the highest in the leadership of the kingdom, have not earned any special favors with the king. In fact, verse 19 suggest that the king's anger and rage overflowed. The King's facial expression became completely harsh and he was boiling with anger. We see it being fleshed out as he ordered that the furnace, which could melt any metal, actually be made seven times hotter. We must understand that there was not a thermostat there to make it seven times hotter. This is merely a figure of speech stating that he wanted the furnace heated as hot as it could possibly get.

Then Nebuchadnezzar goes for the overkill. He wanted some of the best, the roughest and toughest of soldiers to take these three Jews and toss them into the furnace. But not just that, he wanted them tied up. It seems that the king was going to do everything possible to make sure that no person or no God would be able to rescue them. The Bible says that they were thrown into the furnace with their clothes on. This, of course, would've made sure that everyone would see the flames as the clothing caught on fire.

We may wonder why the Scripture states "Because the King's command was urgent," in relation to these prized soldiers being burned up. It seems that the King's intense anger was so strong, that these soldiers could not protect themselves, as they quickly followed orders. It almost appears as if these soldiers were killed at the entrance to the furnace. The reason I state that is because the last part of verse 23 says but these three men . . . Fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up.

If you were a spectator, would it not seem that the faith of these three Jewish men was wasted with this turn of events? After all, wouldn't it have been simpler for them just to go along with the King's orders, so that they could live and continue to do the work of God? Personally, I don’t believe that is a possibility, given all that we read about obedience to God throughout the entirety of the Bible.

For the true follower of Jesus Christ, you cannot compromise and disobey Him. Just as these three understood, so we must understand, it is imperative that we live as children of light even in the midst of a dark world.

The Consternation - 3:24-27

We know that this furnace was hotter than a furnace for cremations, according to many scholars. We can also safely assume that the soldiers were completely expendable to the king, since there was no mourning or regret over the fact that they burned to death. Yet, Nebuchadnezzar was now seeing something that he had never dreamed could happen. In fact, the King's reaction was one of absolute amazement and astonishment. Just to make sure that he was seeing things accurately and was not hallucinating, he asked to make sure that three men had been thrown into the fire, completely tied up and bound. The others verified that was what happened.

The king then pointed out to the others that he was seeing four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm. Rather than being burned and turned into ashes, he was seeing the three that had been thrown into the furnace, plus one more person walking around freely in the fire. One might say that they were having a heated discussion, pun intended. What really stood out to the king was seeing this one extra person there. And he stated that this extra person had the appearance . . . like a son of the gods. Now there are some that suggest that this was the Archangel Gabriel. However, the expression which was used always referred to a supernatural being, in particular, a son of deity. One translation actually states the appearance of a god. Please do not misunderstand what Nebuchadnezzar is saying. He still believes in multiple gods. Thus, he uses the plural form. So who was this fourth person? Based upon many other appearances like this throughout the Old Testament, it would seem to be the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ. This whole scene brings to mind a verse from Isaiah 43.2: ““When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.”

As you look at verse 26, we can only assume that Nebuchadnezzar was recognizing the one true God as the most high God. But he was not yet to the point of recognizing Jehovah as the one and only God. Just as in all pluralistic societies, Jehovah would be seen as one of many gods.

As the Jewish men came out of the fire, the Bible shows that Nebuchadnezzar was not the only one who saw the incredible miracle which had taken place. According to verse 27, it seems that all the officials that were there did an investigation. Daniel writes [they] gathered around and saw that the fire had no affect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their heads singed nor were there trousers damaged nor had the smell of fire even come upon them.

Let me remind you of the quote which I shared last time: where God is not allowed to rule, He will overrule. Regardless of the earthly outcome, we must live as children of light even in the midst of a dark world. The world will hate the followers of Jesus Christ. In fact, Peter states in 1 Peter 4:12: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you . . .

We may wonder, now that Nebuchadnezzar's orders to worship the image have been disobeyed, and the punishment for individuals who refuse to do that failed, what is next for Nebuchadnezzar and these men who have chosen to follow The One true God only?

The Commendation - 3:28-30

All in all, we see that God has definitely got the attention of Nebuchadnezzar. This, most likely, would not have happened unless these three individuals would have chosen to live as children of light. If they would have dared compromise and gone along with society and the laws of the land which were contrary to God, Nebuchadnezzar would never have taken notice.

The king praises the God of the Hebrew children for His great and powerful display of rescuing these three men. We also see that the king was impressed that these three individuals would trust Jehovah God enough to go against the king and be willing to die.

Let me ask a question of us: would you and I be willing to violate the King's command and be willing to die, so as not to serve or worship any god except Jesus Christ alone? How about the president; the governor; the leadership of your community? If we truly are followers of Jesus Christ, we must be willing to live as children of light even in the midst of a dark world.

As a result of what Nebuchadnezzar had experienced, he issued a major decree. Basically, he proclaimed that it was now against the law, to the point of a brutal death and destruction of property, for anyone who dared to go against, or speak against the God of Israel. He also made a statement that there is no other God who is able to deliver in this way. He recognized the facts since he had seen with his own eyes this truth. Yet, we will continue to see that it had not changed his own heart so that he would worship Jehovah God only.

In this particular situation, God chose to work in this manner. However, we must recognize the truth which these men already believed. They understood that God could rescue them. They also understood that He might choose not to rescue them. Either way, they would live as children of light even in the midst of a dark world. And if that meant that they would no longer be in this world, that was not an issue for them.

The Conclusion

As we look at the totality of the Bible, it is helpful to understand that Babylon is more than just this city and Empire during Daniel's time. It actually represents Satan's system in this world. We saw this in our study of Revelation. It goes all the way back to Genesis 10 and 11. It is the idea that we see with the Tower of Babel as the world attempted to unite as one people. Nebuchadnezzar wanted to unite his kingdom with his government and his religion.

Warren Wiersbe reminds us that the name Bab-el means “The gate of God.” Satan would have the world believe that his way is a better way. He would like for everyone to believe that there are many ways or gates to heaven. Later, we read in Revelation chapter 17 and following, that there is a Babylon which will make sure that everything, whether it be possessions, culture, or religions, will all be united in a one world organization.

This is one more reason why I, as your pastor, want to do all that I can to help you to know that there is a diametrical opposition between God's truth and Satan's lies. Satan and this world system is constantly trying to blur the lines. That is why I have, and will continue to point out, what is going on in this world and how it correlates directly to what the Bible teaches, will happen for those who reject Christ and rebel against God. There is a major chasm between true Christianity and the religions of this world. It is the difference between life and death.

Church, I know that it may seem that the world is in charge and is winning the day. To the world, religion is okay and even good, as long as it is not narrow-minded, hateful Christianity, to quote what the world states. There are many in the world that would suggest that there is not only one way to heaven through Jesus Christ. They will often use as proof the fact that there are so many other wonderful religions, especially that of humanism, Scientology, Mormonism, or Islam, etc. To the pagan mind, that might make sense. But for those with the mind of Christ, we know better.

Just because Babylon defeated Judah, did not make them right nor did it make their gods stronger than Jehovah. My friends, if God delivered these three Hebrew men from this fiery furnace, can he not deliver the Christian from those who are opposed to God and His ways?

And for you and I, we know, by faith in God's Word, that to be absent from the body is to be present with Christ. We know that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us. We know that He who is in us is greater than he that is in the world. We know that one day we shall behold Him and see Him face to face.

Therefore, Live as children of light even in the midst of a dark world.