LIFE – DEATH -RESURRECTION OF CHRIST JESUS
LIFE – DEATH –RESURRECTION
OF CHRIST
This morning as I awakened the Lord gave me this section of the book of Daniel and revealed to me what He wanted to share with everyone. I am blessed to have received this request from the Lord and share it with all of you.
I truly love reading the Word of God and meditating/communing with the Lord and reading His Word. All throughout the bible we see the prophecy of the coming Messiah Lord Christ Jesus.
Today I’d like to focus on the bible scripture relating to Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. Let us read this wonderful scripture that reveals and witnessed to the Lord Jesus. So often we think of just the faith that these men had but there is so much more in this scripture to meditate on. After reading it I will break it down as the Lord has revealed. I hope this will bless you.
Daniel 3:1–30 (AMP)
NEBUCHADNEZZAR THE king [caused to be] made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits or ninety feet and its breadth six cubits or nine feet. He set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the satraps, the deputies, the governors, the judges and chief stargazers, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs and lawyers, and all the chief officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had [caused to be] set up.
3 Then the satraps, the deputies, the governors, the judges and chief stargazers, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs and lawyers, and all the chief officials of the provinces were gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
4 Then the herald cried aloud, You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages,
5 That when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, dulcimer or bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
6 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall that very hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
7 Therefore, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, dulcimer or bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
8 Therefore at that time certain men of Chaldean descent came near and brought [malicious] accusations against the Jews.
9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever!
10 You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, dulcimer or bagpipe, and every kind of music shall fall down and worship the golden image,
11 And that whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed and set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; and these men were brought before the king.
14 [Then] Nebuchadnezzar said to them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image which I have set up?
15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, dulcimer or bagpipe, and every kind of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, very good. But if you do not worship, you shall be cast at once into the midst of a burning fiery furnace, and who is that god who can deliver you out of my hands?
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, it is not necessary for us to answer you on this point.
17 If our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up! [Job 13:15; Acts 4:19, 20.]
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury and his facial expression was changed [to antagonism] against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Therefore he commanded that the furnace should be heated seven times hotter than it was usually heated.
20 And he commanded the strongest men in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
21 Then these [three] men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics or undergarments, their turbans, and their other clothing, and they were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
22 Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame and sparks from the fire killed those men who handled Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king [saw and] was astounded, and he jumped up and said to his counselors, Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered, True, O king.
25 He answered, Behold, 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 a son of the gods! [Phil. 2:5-8.]
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God, come out and come here. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the midst of the fire.
27 And the satraps, the deputies, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered around together and saw these men—that the fire had no power upon their bodies, nor was the hair of their head singed; neither were their garments scorched or changed in color or condition, nor had even the smell of smoke clung to them.
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who believed in, trusted in, and relied on Him! And they set aside the king’s command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, and language that speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be cut in pieces and their houses be made a dunghill, for there is no other God who can deliver in this way!
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
LET’S BEGIN TO ANALYZE THE SCRIPTURES
Daniel 3:1 (AMP)
NEBUCHADNEZZAR THE king [caused to be] made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits or ninety feet and its breadth six cubits or nine feet. He set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
As I reflect on line one I immediately know that we are not to worship idols, figures, statues, people and shall have nothing in our lives placed in preeminence of the Lord Jesus. We also know that Satan was the first idol in heaven as a third of the angels followed Satan and whatever comes before the one Triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) is an idol of the heart. The first deceitful and wicked heart was Satan as iniquity was found in him and angels also have free will. Idols desire to be worshiped, exalted and glorified. So here in verse one you have a king that wants to lord over people while we know there is only one King of kings Christ Jesus.
Exodus 20:3–5 (AMP)
3 You shall have no other gods before or besides Me.
4 You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;
5 You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, [Isa. 42:8; 48:11.]
Jeremiah 17:9 (AMP)
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]? [Matt. 13:15-17; Mark 7:21-23; Eph. 4:20-24.]
Let’s begin to look at lines two and three and analyze those scriptures with the Word of God.
Daniel 3:2–3 (AMP)
2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the satraps, the deputies, the governors, the judges and chief stargazers, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs and lawyers, and all the chief officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had [caused to be] set up.
3 Then the satraps, the deputies, the governors, the judges and chief stargazers, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs and lawyers, and all the chief officials of the provinces were gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
In lines 2 and 3 we notice the government of mankind and all the human rulers of mankind coming together under Satan’s influence and control. Does this align with what we are seeing in the world today? Satan wants to exalt himself above the Most High and Satan desires to usurp God and establish his own ruling power. The world we live in is vastly against the Authoritative Word of God and the government of God. Who rules the earth and is the prince of the air?
LET’S CONTINUE WITH LINE 4
Daniel 3:4 (AMP)
4 Then the herald cried aloud, You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages,
Notice, “you are commanded” signifying control, manipulation, commanded glorification and idolatry. How does this statement portray martyrdom? How will this apply towards taking the mark of the beast? “Do this or else”! Surely we are created with free will. Surely free will includes seeking truth, knowledge and revelations of Christ Jesus. Adam and Eve had free will and they knew what God had spoken yet allowed themselves to be deceived choosing to go against what God had spoken as Truth.
Revelation 3:20 (AMP)
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me.
LET’S CONTINUE WITH LINE 6
Daniel 3:6 (AMP)
6 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall that very hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
Did you notice in line six Nebuchadnezzar is using God’s word out of context to glorify and worship Satan (demonic spirits)? Every knee shall bow unto the Lord Jesus as it is written.
Philippians 2:10 (AMP)
10 That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
Revelation 20:10 (AMP)
10 Then the devil who had led them astray [deceiving and seducing them] was hurled into the fiery lake of burning brimstone, where the beast and false prophet were; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (through the ages of the ages).
2 Peter 3:9 (AMP)
9 The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.
LET’S NOW LOOK AT LINE 8
Daniel 3:8 (AMP)
8 Therefore at that time certain men of Chaldean descent came near and brought [malicious] accusations against the Jews.
When I read line eight I think of the tares and wheat together including in the local assembly. Yes, the accuser of the brethren sits amongst us and falsely accuses those who are God’s true messengers. That is what Jezebel does also, kills the message and the messengers. Think of the Beatitudes, blessed are those who are mocked, slandered and persecuted for Jesus’ namesake.
Matthew 13:24–30 (AMP)
24 Another parable He set forth before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
25 But while he was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed also darnel (weeds resembling wheat) among the wheat, and went on his way.
26 So when the plants sprouted and formed grain, the darnel (weeds) appeared also.
27 And the servants of the owner came to him and said, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then how does it have darnel shoots in it?
28 He replied to them, An enemy has done this. The servants said to him, Then do you want us to go and weed them out?
29 But he said, No, lest in gathering the wild wheat (weeds resembling wheat), you root up the [true] wheat along with it.
30 Let them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will say to the reapers, Gather the darnel first and bind it in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my granary.
Matthew 5:10–12 (AMP)
10 Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
11 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account.
12 Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is great (strong and intense), for in this same way people persecuted the prophets who were before you. [II Chron. 36:16.]
LET’S NOW LOOK AT LINE 9
Daniel 3:9 (AMP)
9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever!
It is amazing how such a short sentence can have such a great impact when you mediate on the scripture. We know that there is no other true God other than Christ Jesus so this is idolatry bowing to other gods and will not render eternal life but eternal damnation. What did Satan say to Eve in the garden contrary to God’s Word? Surely God did not say you would die if you eat this fruit! Satan is death/damnation not life. It was the “tares” that exalted and praised Nebuchadnezzar and exalted the spirits of Satan. Tares are mixed amongst the wheat just as wolves prey upon and devour sheep.
John 14:6 (AMP)
6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.
John 8:43–44 (AMP)
43 Why do you misunderstand what I say? It is because you are unable to hear what I am saying. [You cannot bear to listen to My message; your ears are shut to My teaching.]
44 You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false.
John 10:10 (AMP)
10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
LET’S LOOK AT LINE 11
Daniel 3:11 (AMP)
11 And that whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
What did the fiery furnace represent? Eternity after death! It’s either going to be the lake of fire for Satan and his followers/workers of iniquity or the refiners fire of holiness to eternal life in Christ Jesus. What we bow to is our Lord! Out of the heart the mouth speaks. Just as in Romans 10 we must believe in our heart and confess with our mouth in faith unto salvation that Jesus is Lord and Savior. The three Jews first spoke, we shall not bow and even if our Lord doesn’t save us we will not bow unto you, your gods or idols!
Luke 6:45 (AMP)
45 The upright (honorable, intrinsically good) man out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart produces what is upright (honorable and intrinsically good), and the evil man out of the evil storehouse brings forth that which is depraved (wicked and intrinsically evil); for out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks.
LET’S LOOK AT LINE 12
Daniel 3:12 (AMP)
12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed and set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.
We must refer to the number three here. What does the number three signify referring to the three Jews? Notice it says “certain Jews” not all Jews. Gentiles had not yet been addressed at this time. What type of Jews or people were “certain Jews”. The number three signifies the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus and these three “certain Jews” were being utilized by Jesus to reveal the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus and the eternal consequences of our earthly lives here on earth. The fiery furnace portrayed their eternal destiny as they were sent into the furnace to die/perish or into everlasting life with Christ Jesus the all consuming fire.
Matthew 10:33 (AMP)
33 But whoever denies and disowns Me before men, I also will deny and disown him before My Father Who is in heaven.
Matthew 18:19–20 (AMP)
19 Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven.
20 For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them. [Exod. 3:14.]
What does “into My name” mean? The vagabond Jews tried to perform exorcism in the name of Jesus and they were attacked by the demons and the demons replied, Jesus I know, Paul I know but who are you? So what is in the name of Jesus? Merely calling on the name of Jesus doesn’t necessarily mean we are fully walking in the Way, Truth and Life of Jesus. Paul addresses this nicely in Galatians 6:14 as there is no “worldliness” in Paul’s statement. Peter stated that we are to be Holy as Jesus is Holy.
John 14:6 (AMP)
6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.
Galatians 6:14 (AMP)
14 But far be it from me to glory [in anything or anyone] except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!
Colossians 3:3 (AMP)
3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
John 1:11 (AMP)
11 He came to that which belonged to Him [to His own—His domain, creation, things, world], and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not welcome Him.
Now the three Jews also revealed something from the book of revelations. How are we to overcome according to revelations? We over come by the Blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony and we love not our own life unto death. The three Jews gave a testimony of Jesus and overcame because they loved not their own lives unto death.
Revelation 12:11 (AMP)
11 And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing].
LET’S LOOK AT LINE 14 & 15
Daniel 3:14–15 (AMP)
14 [Then] Nebuchadnezzar said to them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image which I have set up?
15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, dulcimer or bagpipe, and every kind of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, very good. But if you do not worship, you shall be cast at once into the midst of a burning fiery furnace, and who is that god who can deliver you out of my hands?
When we read line 14 we see Nebuchadnezzar questioning truth. Does this sound familiar with the serpent in the garden when the serpent questioned did God surely say? We also know that genuine worship is in Spirit and Truth. We must also consider the “threat” that was spoken as threats reveal the condition of the heart! In the last part of the 15th sentence Nebuchadnezzar having demonic influences of Satan questions whom God is to try to get us into disbelief or lack of faith. Satan tries to get us into disbelieve and doubt, but Satan himself doesn’t doubt his own actions or intentions.
LET’S LOOK AT LINE 16
Daniel 3:16 (AMP)
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, O Nebuchadnezzar; it is not necessary for us to answer you on this point.
In verse sixteen we can the humility that the three Jews portrayed as they did not need to validate or vindicate themselves. They did not cast pearls before swine! They let Jesus be true and everyman a liar.
Matthew 5:5 (AMP)
5 Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth! [Ps. 37:11.]
Matthew 7:6 (AMP)
6 Do not give that which is holy (the sacred thing) to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls before hogs, lest they trample upon them with their feet and turn and tear you in pieces.
Romans 12:19 (AMP)
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God’s] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord. [Deut. 32:35.]
LET’S LOOK AT LINE 16
Daniel 3:16 (AMP)
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, O Nebuchadnezzar; it is not necessary for us to answer you on this point.
Once again we see that vindication is the Lord’s. Notice also there was a display of the “fruit of the Spirit” as they didn’t speak or return “evil for evil”. Remember the power of the tongue. Remember when the Apostles wanted to bring fire upon the people of Samaria for not accepting the Gospel/Jesus and Jesus said you know not what spirit you are of, the three Jews did not speak evil.
Luke 9:54–56 (AMP)
54 And when His disciples James and John observed this, they said, Lord, do You wish us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Elijah did? [II Kings 1:9-16.]
55 But He turned and rebuked and severely censured them. He said, You do not know of what sort of spirit you are,
56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them [from the penalty of eternal death]. And they journeyed on to another village.
LET’S LOOK AT LINE 18
Daniel 3:18 (AMP)
18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up!
Although the three Jews were uncertain of their outcome their faith and commitment to Christ Jesus was true and unwavering. They trusted the Lord with all of their heart. This reminds me of Job.
Job 13:15 (AMP)
15 [I do it because, though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust Him and] behold, He will slay me; I have no hope—nevertheless, I will maintain and argue my ways before Him and even to His face.
Proverbs 3:5–6 (AMP)
5 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6 In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
LET’S LOOK AT LINE 19
Daniel 3:19 (AMP)
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury and his facial expression was changed [to antagonism] against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Therefore he commanded that the furnace should be heated seven times hotter than it was usually heated.
Let’s notice the paradox of good verses evil in this scripture as we reflect on the number seven. We know that the number seven is the number of completion as God rested on the seventh day. We also know when spiritual deliverance takes place that a “house swept clean” that is not filled with the Holy Spirit invites 7 more demons worse than himself back into the house/body. Nebuchadnezzar ordered the fire to be intensified 7 times hotter and yet Jesus the perfect and complete Savior redeems the three Jewish men. Satan’s number 7 was the completion unto death not unto life in Christ Jesus or God’s original creation as in Genesis.
LET’S LOOK AT LINE 20
Daniel 3:20 (AMP)
20 And he commanded the strongest men in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
This scripture reminds me of David battling Goliath and how the Lord of Hosts was there with David. It also reminds me when Jesus opened the book of Isaiah and spoke that the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him to set the captives free.
1 Samuel 17:45 (AMP)
45 Then said David to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel, Whom you have defied.
Luke 4:17–19 (AMP)
17 And there was handed to Him [the roll of] the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened (unrolled) the book and found the place where it was written, [Isa. 61:1, 2.]
18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity],
19 To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.][Isa. 61:1, 2.]
LET’S LOOK AT LINE 24
Daniel 3:24 (AMP)
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king [saw and] was astounded, and he jumped up and said to his counselors, Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered, True, O king.
When I read the 24th line I reflect on Noah being a preacher of righteousness and how only 8 people were delivered from the flood. When I reflect on Daniel 3 and how only 3 stood up for righteousness that signifies a potential of backsliding nature as fewer people were willing to be totally submitted to the Lord according to Revelation 12:11. If you include Jesus as King of the Jews you have 4 Jews in the fiery furnace even though the incarnate Jesus had not yet been born.
John 1:1 (AMP)
IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. [Isa. 9:6.]
Matthew 18:20 (AMP)
20 For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them. [Exod. 3:14.]
LET’S GO TO LINE 27
Daniel 3:27 (AMP)
27 And the satraps, the deputies, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered around together and saw these men—that the fire had no power upon their bodies, nor was the hair of their head singed; neither were their garments scorched or changed in color or condition, nor had even the smell of smoke clung to them.
Just as I commented earlier about the fiery furnace representing eternity after death when I read the 27th line of scripture I think of what Paul mentioned about being caught up in the air. When Jesus returns as an all consuming fire the earth will be destroyed and no earthly life or flesh will remain. Are we living each day as if the Lord is returning? Are we prepared and are our “lamps full” of oil for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb Christ Jesus?
1 Thessalonians 4:17 (AMP)
17 Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord!
LET’S LOOK AT LINE 28
Daniel 3:28 (AMP)
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who believed in, trusted in, and relied on Him! And they set aside the king’s command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
When I read this passage of scripture I think of Joshua and what Nebuchadnezzar witnessed and needed to decide. Whom this day shall we serve? Are we totally submitted and obedient to God’s Word and will for our lives. Do we fully trust Jesus in all of His ways and seek Jesus in all of our days?
Joshua 24:14–15 (AMP)
14 Now therefore, [reverently] fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in truth; put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the [Euphrates] River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.
15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
LET’S LOOK AT LINE 29
Daniel 3:29 (AMP)
29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, and language that speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be cut in pieces and their houses be made a dunghill, for there is no other God who can deliver in this way!
Nebuchadnezzar states that there is only one true god and that is Christ Jesus. I also reflect on Paul saying he counted everything as loss and as dung for the knowledge and revelations of Christ Jesus.
Deuteronomy 6:13 (AMP)
13 You shall [reverently] fear the Lord your God and serve Him and swear by His name [and presence].
Philippians 3:8–10 (AMP)
8 Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),
9 And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.
10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]
In summary you can see how Daniel 3 reveals the Life, Death and Resurrection of Christ Jesus and the eternal plan of salvation unto eternal life in Christ Jesus. I hope you have been blessed by this message as I was blessed to share it with you.