DANIEL SEMINAR

The band played, the furnace roared, the crowds bowed, while three captives and a fourth man walked unharmed among the flames.

3 Daniel Prophecy Seminar A. PRIDE IN ACTION (Daniel 3:1) “ Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of ____, whose ______ was sixty cubits" (90 ‑ 100 feet or 27 ‑ 30 metres). (Daniel 3:2 ‑ 5 ) As the ceremony opened, everyone present was ordered to fall down and worship the image when the music sounded goldheight Two outstanding features of this image?

4 Daniel Prophecy Seminar (Daniel 3:6) The penalty for disobeying Nebuchadnezzar's command to worship the image was that ‘”They shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace’’

5 "There are certain _____ whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon:... They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up." (verse 12) Daniel Prophecy Seminar Daniel 3:7 ‑ 12 ) There was an overwhelming response when the band struck up. Thousands fell to the ground before the idol. No wonder! To refuse meant death by burning. But not everyone obeyed. Informers were quick to report to the king that three prominent people had not bowed down. B.NOT EVERYONE OBEYS Jews

Upon hearing that his command had been disobeyed by three Jews, Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage. The offenders were his three governors: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed ‑ Nego, whom we met in Daniel 1. Hustled into his presence, they were angrily interrogated. Would they be thrown into the flames? No! Not yet! They would be given just one more chance! They could save their lives by simply bowing to the image the next time the music began! It would be as easy as that!

7 Daniel Prophecy Seminar (Daniel 3:13-15) Nebuchadnezzar made a clear statement that he was challenging the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed ‑ Nego And who is the God who will deliver you from my hands?" (verse 15) (Daniel 3:19 ‑ 21=> Infuriated by their reply, Nebuchadnezzar ordered his guards to Make the furnace seven times hotter- bind them and throw them in. " C.THE HIGH COST OF LOYALTY TO GOD

8 “ ") Daniel Prophecy Seminar D.COMPANION IN THE FLAMES (Daniel 3:22-25) As the king looked into the furnace, expecting to see the captives incinerated, he could not believe his eyes. “ "Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose walking in the midst of the fire and they are not hurt.

You will notice from verses 22 and 23 that the soldiers who threw the three men into the furnace were themselves killed by the searing heat. Yet their victims, who were right in the fire, survived unharmed. What had saved them so miraculously? Was it the presence of the fourth man?

10 Daniel Prophecy Seminar (Daniel 3:25) Nebuchadnezzar saw the fourth man who looks like the Son of God

11 Daniel Prophecy Seminar (Daniel 3:16 ‑ 18) Daniel's three friends decided not to bow down even if God would not save. You will notice from verses 22 and 23 that the soldiers who threw the three men into the furnace were themselves killed by the searing heat. Yet their victims, who were right in the fire, survived unharmed. What had saved them so miraculously? Was it the presence of the fourth man? Loyalty to God – regardless of consequences. (2 nd commandment).

12 Daniel Prophecy Seminar (Daniel 3:26-27) As Nebuchadnezzar called to the men in the furnace to come out, refer to their God as The Most High God Babylonian officials find no any effects of fire on the three Hebrews "The hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of the fire was not on them." E.NEBUCHADNEZZAR CHANGES HIS MIND

13 Daniel Prophecy Seminar E. THE EFFECT OF THE IMAGE (Daniel 3:28,29 ) Nebuchadnezzar change his mind because of this amazing experience he made a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against....God...shall be cut in pieces. God does not rulers the task of enforcing worship or religious belief upon their subjects God was trying to win Nebuchadnezzar, trying to save the king. The king was showing some response. Did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed ‑ Nego lose out by being loyal to God?

Would you like to have the same kind of loyalty and faith in God as the three heroes in this story? Do you want to have Christ with you, too, sharing your trials and protecting you?

Please join us again next session for “A Despot Dethroned.” We hope you have enjoyed studying the “Saga Of The Golden Idol.”