Putting God First

 Belshazzar was so busy celebrating his power the Medo-Persian Empire, led by Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian captured Babylon in a single night.  He had promised Daniel great authority and power for interpreting the handwriting on the wall, but lost the kingdom that same night, as Daniel 5:30-31 tells us.  “In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.  And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.”  Darius had been born about the time Daniel was taken into captivity.

 

Darius completely reorganized the government of the Babylonian Empire.  In the process, thanks to God’s direction, he gave Daniel a position very similar to the one Belshazzar had promised him, as we see in Daniel 6:1-3.  “It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.  Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.”

 

In any system where politics plays a role, whether government, business, church, or family, the focus is more about advancing ones power or prestige than about what is good for the entity they supposedly serve.  There is a constant effort to undercut anyone who poses a potential threat to someone else’s advancement, and consideration of Daniel for prime minister was seen as a threat to all the other officials,  and they began to seek some way to discredit him, as 6qanil 6:4-5 describes.  “Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.  Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” 

 

Realizing they would not be able to find any moral or financial improprieties to charge him with, they decided to make a law against something he habitually did, specifically about the way he worshipped God.  Daniel 6:6-9 describes their efforts.  “Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.  All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.  Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.  Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.”

 

Using flattery and claiming that all the people supported the idea they convinced Darius to make the law, knowing that once it had been signed, it could not be changed according to their constitution.  Swayed by the claims of popular support, like many politicians, Darius did not think about what the side effects of the law would be.  If followed, the law would require that the king personally address every problem or need of every individual in the empire.  While it would give him almost godlike power, it would keep him so busy with individual requests he would not be able to deal with national affairs.  Throughout history the idea of controlling every detail of people’s lives has destroyed government after government, but unfortunately, such power appeals to some people. 

 

Daniel had been worshipping God since his capture more than sixty years before.   He did no change his behavior or make any effort to hide his worship because of this law, as Daniel 6:10 tells us.  “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”   Daniel was not acting from civil disobedience, but in obedience to God.

The jealous officials spied on Daniel, and demanded his arrest, in Daniel 611-13, reminding the king that he could not commute Daniel’s sentence.  “Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.  Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?

 

The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

 

Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.”

 

Hearing their charges against Daniel, Darius realized he had been played for a sucker and had made a foolish mistake.  He spent the rest of the day looking for some way he could circumvent their manipulations, but was unable to find any.  The officials demanded that he follow the law, in Daniel 6:14-15.  “ Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.  Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.”

 

Forced to cast Daniel into the lion’s den, the King stated that he believed Daniel’s god would deliver him because of his faith.  He had Daniel sealed in the Lion’s den so there could be no question of his having tried to protect Daniel, in Daniel 6:16-17.  “Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.  And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.”

 

Though he believed God would take care of Daniel, the king didn’t get much sleep worrying about him.  He was tremendously relieved when he heard Daniel’s voice the next morning, as Daniel 6:18-23 tells us.  “Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep went from him.  Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.  And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

 

Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.  My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.  Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.”

 

 Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Daniel was pared because of his faith in God.  The men who had orchestrated Daniels conviction were executed, and the entire empire heard about God as a result of his faith, as Daniel 6:24-28 tells us.  “And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.  Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.  I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.  He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.  So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” 

 

Darius died seven years later and Cyrus took the throne, retaining Daniel as prime minister for at least three years, according to Daniel 9.    

God Always Keeps His Promises

 Nebuchadnezzar died and and his son Awil Marduk or Evil Merodach became king.  After just two years he was ousted and Neriglissar, one of Nebuchadnezzars sons-in law took his place.  A coup led to him being replaced with his son Labashi Marduk,.  Another coup led to another son in law, a Syrian prince known as Nabonidus becoming king.  A rebellion in northern Arabia led to him making his son Belshazzar co-regent and leaving him in charge while he went to suppress the rebellion.   The cost of his war caused severe inflation, making Nabonidus very unpopular and he decided to stay in Arabia, leaving Belshazzar as king for fourteen years.  History describes Belshazzar as extravagant and immoral.   

 

Daniel 5:1-4 describes his last party.  “Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.  Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.  Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.  They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.”

 

Over sixty years before, Nebuchadnezzar had seized control of Judah and Jerusalem.  Fifty years before Nebuchadnezzar had brought all the furniture and vessels used for worship in the Temple to Babylon for safe keeping after repeated rebellions by the Jewish people.  In open mockery of God, Belshazzar had those vessels brought to his feast to use in a drunken party celebrating the Babylonian gods.   God spoiled their celebration, as Daniel 5:5-9 tells us.  “In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.  Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.  The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and show me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.  Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.  Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.”

 

An unattached hand writing on the wall was quite disconcerting, but it got worse when even their most knowledgeable linguists could not read the writing.  Belshazzar and Nabonidus were co kings, but he offered the job of prime minister to anyone who could read the writing.  His mother, one of Nebuchadnezzars daughters remembered what had happened when Nebuchadnezzar had his vision, and recommended he consult Daniel, in Daniel 5:10-12.  “Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”

 

 

Taking her advice, Belshazzar consulted Daniel, who explained why this had happened in Daniel 5:13-24.  “Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?  I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.  And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not show the interpretation of the thing: And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.

 

Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.  O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.  But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

 

And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.”

 

Because Belshazzar had not learned from Nebuchadnezzar’s experience, he had mocked God, and the hand had been sent as a result.  He then explained what the writing meant, in Daniel 5:25-28.  “And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.  This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.  TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.  PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”  Because Belshazzar and the Babylonians had rejected God and were not living in an acceptable manner, they would be conquered by the Medo-Persian Empire. 

 

Belshazzar immediately kept his promise to reward Daniel for interpreting the message, in Daniel 5:29.  “Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.”  What Belshazzar didn’t know was that while he was planning his party, the Medo Persian army had seized the head gates of the Babylonian canal system and begun diverting the water from the Euphrates river.  They also attacked Nabonidus’ stronghold, destroying the Babylonian army.  Two days later the water level had dropped enough they were able to enter the city by through the opening that allowed the river to flow through the city that same night, as Daniel 5:30-31 tells us.  “In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.  And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.” 

 

Cyrus the Persian had united the Medes and Persians into a single Empire, with him and Darius the Mede as co-regents.  God had told Judah they would be held by Babylon for seventy years, and Prophesying that Cyrus would cause the Temple to be rebuilt in Isaiah 44:28, more than two hundred years before.  “That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.”  God used Belshazzar’s preoccupation with his feast and mocking God to set the stage for Cyrus to fulfil Isaiah’s prophecy.  God always keeps his promises, no matter how improbable they may seem or how much the world may make fun of them.  We just need to trust him. 

Our Faith Affects Other People

 Daniel had demonstrated his faith by following God’s command not to eat certain foods.  As a result god had blessed him with special knowledge and abilities.  Daniel 4 describes the effect of that faith on Nebuchadnezzar in his own words.  Daniel 4:1-3 describes his reasons for writing this chapter.  “1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.  I thought it good to show the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.  How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.” Nebuchadnezzar then describes how he came to consult Daniel about his vision or dream and describing it to him. 

 

Daniel knew immediately what the dreams meant.  He also knew that people tend to get angry when their behavior is questioned and Nebuchadnezzar was a proud man.  By telling what God had said, Daniel knew he was placing his life at risk.  Various Jewish kings had had prophets killed or imprisoned for telling them they were doing wrong without concern for either the law or their history, and Nebuchadnezzar had no such constraints.  Trusting God to work things out, Daniel explained the meaning anyway, in Daniel 4:19-27.  “Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him.

 

The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee.

 

Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.  The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

 

And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.  And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.

 

Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.”

 

For about a year, Nebuchadnezzar was pretty careful about what he said, but after a while he forgot about the prophecy, as he explains in Daniel 4:28-30.  “All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.  At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.  The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?  While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.   And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.  The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.

 

Everything happened Nebuchadnezzar exactly as Daniel had prophesied, with God reminding him of the prophecy.  Babylonian records indicate this took place about twenty five years after Nebuchadnezzar became king.  Finally, after seven years, Nebuchadnezzar recognized God’s power, and recovered, as he describes in Daniel 4:34-37.  “And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation.   And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?  At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.  Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.”

 

Because of his faith, God used Daniel to warn Nebuchadnezzar, and as a result he left the old Babylonian beliefs and began to worship God.    

Real Faith Produces Obedience

 Daniel and his three friends had completed their three years in the royal university, and had been assigned to positions of authority in the Babylonian government.  Nebuchadnezzar had conquered most of the countries in the Middle East, and to memorialize his victories, he built a huge gold statue, some ninety feet tall, and nine feet through and ordered all the government officials to demonstrate their loyalty by bowing down to it, as described in Daniel 3:1-6.  “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.  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.  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 music, 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.

 

In Exodus 20:4-5 God had commanded the Israelites, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing 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 showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” 

 

Now every Jew who has been given authority had to decide whether they will obey Nebuchadnezzar or God.   Frequently Christians today find themselves find themselves having to choose between what they believe and what the government demands.  Both Peter and paul addressed this situation, with I Peter 2:13-14 commanding, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.”  When forbidden by the Jewish authorities to teach in Jesus’ name, however, Acts 5:29 tells us, “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”  As a general rule, Christians are to obey the laws, whether federal, state or local, but when the laws go against what God has commanded, God’s command takes precedence.  Please understand that is God’s command, not our convictions or doctrines.  We are not to act out of civil disobedience, but in obedience to God. 

 

Knowing what was commanded, the majority of the rulers, including the Jewish ones followed Nebuchadnezzar’s command, but three men did not, according to Daniel 3:7-12.  “Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.  Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.  They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.  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 music, 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.  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.”

 

Satan always tries to capitalize on these conflicts between human authority and God’s authority to drive people away from God.  Nebuchadnezzar immediately called in Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, demanding that they they follow his law or face the consequences, in Daniel 3:14-15 warning them that they better not trust God to take care of them.  “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 music, 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?”

 

Knowing they were doing what God had commanded, the three were not hesitant to refuse to obey the king, though tye were respectful to him, in Daniel 3:16-18.  “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.  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.”  They believed that God was the final authority and that he might allow them to be killed, but they were going to obey him anyway. 

 

Like many political leaders today, Nebuchadnezzar rook their stance as a challenge to his authority and increased the penalties in Daniel 3:19-23.  “Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.  And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.  Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.  Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.”

 

God allowed them to be thrown into the furnace at its hottest.  He was going to show his power was greater than that of either the fire or Nebuchadnezzar, as described in Daniel 3:24-27.  “Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?

 

They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

 

He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.  Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.  And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.”

 

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not save by a last minute court order or political intervention,  They were saved by the power of God and it was obvious nothing else could have saved them.  Nebuchadnezzar himself was forced to recognize God’s power, as Daniel 3:28-30 tells us.  “Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.  Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.  Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.”

 

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego acted out of faith, because they truly believed God.  James 2:17-18 tells us, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.”  They had believed God enough to choose to follow God’s laws about what they were to eat in Daniel 1.  Because their faith was a living thing, it grew and they were able to act on it here in chapter 3, even though they didn’t know what the results would be. 

 

God doesn’t always give us the results we desire, as Hebrews 11:35-38 tells us.  “Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.  Like Job in Job 13:15, real faith says, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.”  Tod often what we call faith is in favorable results rather than in trusting God to do what is best.  We act so God will do what we want rather than seeking his will.  . 

Inoffensive Faith

In an effort to break down their cultural differences, the captives were given Babylonian names, and since the Babylonians did not follow the Jewish law, they had no hesitation about eating things the Jews were forbidden to eat, such as pork, certain kinds of fish, or other unclean animals.  Determined not to break God’s commands, Daniel requested permission to eat a diet where they didn’t have to worry about accidentally eating meats God had forbidden the Jews to eat.   

 

Because of Daniel’s respectful and undemanding attitude, he request was taken seriously by those in charge, although they were hesitant to grant it, fearing it would not provide all the needed nutrients, as Daniel 1:9-10 tells us.  “Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.  And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.”

 

When his request was denied, Daniel requested to be allowed to try the diet for just ten days.  This would give enough time for deficiencies to begin to show up, while not lasting long enough for them to become too serious.  He neither gave up hope, nor did he become demanding and rebellious, as we see in Daniel 1:11-14.  “Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.  Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.  So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.”

 

It was a reasonable request, presented in a respectful manner by a person who had consistently been respectful, and to reject it out of hand would be capricious.  They were given permission to make the test.  Because the results of the est were favorable, they were allowed to continue with a largely vegetarian diet, with most of the protein coming from beans, nuts, and grains, as we see in Daniel 1:15-16.  “And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.  Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.”

 

It is important to understand Daniel and his friends were not vegetarians or vegans.  They were simply avoiding the meat because they did not want to accidentally eat things God had forbidden for Jews.  As a result, God honored their decision, giving them special intellectual abilities, according to Daniel 1:17-20.  “As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.  Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.  And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.  And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.”

The intellectual capabilities were not the result of eating the proper diet, but were the result of God blessing their obedience.  Many today get caught up in eating a vegetarian diet or not eating certain kinds of meat, ignoring what God said in Genesis 9:3.  “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.”  Like circumcision, the prohibitions on certain meats was a sign of their covenant with God, and does not apply to other people. 

 

I Timothy 4:1-5 makes it clear that those who set dietary standards as part of being a Christian are no longer living by faith, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.  For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”  As Romans 14:23 tells us, “…whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”  The motivation behind our actions are often more important than the actions themselves.

 

Daniel has set us an important example.  As Christians, we ought not try to impose our standards on the world or get upset when they do things that are not right.  That does not mean we let down our standards, but that we follow God’s leadership and allow him to accomplish his plan.  There is no indication that God was upset with the others for not taking the same position Daniel took, but he was pleased that Daniel chose to not eat the king’s food.  Romans 14:22 instructs, “Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.”

 

God blessed Daniel in other ways, as well as his intellectual blessings.  Seventy years after he went into captivity, he was still actively prophesying, as Daniel 1:21 points out.  “And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.”

Living By Faith

Throughout history, there have been times when Christians struggled as result of government policies.  Sometimes those policies have been adopted with the obvious intention of destroying the church, while other times they are adopted without thought for some other purpose.  Today, we are going through some trying times again, with some states and jurisdictions forbidding any public worship services, and others limiting the number who are allowed to attend.  As a result, Christians are faced with situations modern American Christians have never faced.  Many of those situations closely resemble the prophecies of the period shortly before Christ’s return.  How should we respond to them?

 

The northern kingdom of Israel had been conquered and destroyed by the Assyrians, but because they followed God, the nation of Judah had remained independent.  Gradually, the nation of Judah had drifted away from God as well, even though they had a few kings who tried to prevent it from happening.  The book of Habakkuk was written Just before the Chaldean people led by Nebuchadnezzar established the Babylonian Empire, during the reign of Josiah. 

 

Josiah was one of the best kings Judah ever had, doing everything he could to turn the people back to following God completely.  While the people enthusiastically went along with his reforms, their underlying attitudes had not changed and Habakkuk warned them that God was going to use the Babylonian empire to punish them for not following him.  It was with this in mind that Habakkuk 2:1-4 was written.  “And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.  Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”  There was nothing they could do to prevent the events Habakkuk was predicting.  He was to write them down so people could understand they were from God.  Those who were living in pride would do what they though was best, but those who trusted God would obey his commands regardless of what was going on around them. 

 

Almost five hundred years before, in Proverbs 3:5-8, Solomon had advised, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.  It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”  No matter how smart or well educated we may be, we don’t know everything.  If we depend on our own intellect and abilities, sooner or later we are going to get ourselves into trouble.  Because God is all powerful, and all knowing, he can guide us in the best way, and overcome any problem we might face.  By following his leadership, we can be sure of the outcome, even though things may seem pretty bad for a while, as Romans 8:28 tells us.  “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

 

If we are going to please God, we are going to have trust God and do as he said.  Hebrews 11:6 warns, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  When we do things our own way, we often find ourselves interfering with what God has planned.  Unfortunately, when things don’t seem to be going the way we think they should, we may find ourselves trying to hedge our bets and doing it the way we think is best.  Hebrews 10:38 warns that this will not please God.  “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” 

 

No matter how bad things may seem, we need to keep following Gods direction.  In Revelation 2:10. Jesus said, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”  We are to be obedient to him even if it results in imprisonment or death.  In this series, we will be looking at how this applies to us in this present situation. 

 

The Importance of Prophecy of the End Times

In this study of prophecy, we have looked at a lot of thing that God said would happen.   Some have already happened, while others have not.   Revelation 22:6-7 tells us God described these things so that we would know what was going on when they happened.  “And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”  Just understanding what is going on makes it far easier to stay faithful to God and obey his command.  As Paul told the people in I Thessalonians 4:13-18, these prophecies should be a source of comfort, rather than of fear.   

Following God’s command, in Revelation 1:19, John wrote the things he had seen, describing the way things are, and what will happen in the future.  Impressed by the knowledge and wisdom of the angel who showed him all these things, John bowed down to him in sign of respect, according to Revelation 22:8-9.  “And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things.  Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.”  The angel forbid him to bow down to him, insisting such respect was to be given only to God.  Though he was an angel, he was only a servant of God and a brother to John and others who serve God. 

Jesus said much the same thing, stressing that we are brothers in Christ and should not use special titles to set one above another, in Matthew 23:8-10.  “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.”  Words like pastor, bishop, deacon, evangelist, or doctor, describe one’s job and are not to be used as titles in the church.    When used as titles, they distort the relationship between Christians.  Those who seem least important in the church are frequently more important than those who are most visible, as Paul explained in I Corinthians 12:22-25.  “Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”  The janitor may not seem as important as the pastor, but if no one cleans the church, people won’t keep coming regardless how good the pastor is. 

The Lord then told John not seal up the prophecy, but to make it available, in Revelation 22:10-12.  “And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.  He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”  Just as the people in Noah’s day ignored his warnings, and the Egyptians ignored Moses’ warnings, ungodly people today will ignore the warnings about what is to happen, while those who believe God will listen and obey. 

Those who believe and obey will have a place in the New Earth, while those who do not will be cast into the Lake of Fire, as Revelation 22:14-15 reminds us.  “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

The angel was sent by the Lord to tell about these things.  The Holy Spirit and the church are here on earth today to try to bring people to Christ, and anyone who comes will be saved and have a part in that new Jerusalem, according to Revelation 22:16-17.  “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Contrary to what many believe, the messages in Revelation are very important.  Revelation 22:18-19 warn, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”  Literally, Jesus said anyone who adds to or goes beyond what the prophecies say will have to suffer through the plagues that are listed, even though he believes.  Unlike the promise to the church at Philadelphia in Revelation 3:19, they will not be kept from these things.   

Those who dismiss parts or all the prophecies as impossible, or irrelevant are essentially denying God’s authority and power, and have rejected Christ.  Because their names are not written in the Book of Life, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire.  We need to take God’s words exactly as written if we want the most benefit from them.  Rather than trying to prevent these things from happening, we should be looking forward to them, knowing the Lord will take care of us regardless what is happening, as Revelation 22:20-21 tells us.  “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”