Many faithful men and women throughout the ages refused to bow down to idols and were executed. They died, but had the hope of resurrection. No doubt Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego were preserved on this occasion to show Nebuchadnezzar and everyone else that God is in control and that the faithful come through fiery persecution to eternal life. These three faithful men came forth out of the fire unharmed vs.26-27Waiting for response for Daniel 3:26-27 and their experience is undoubtedly a representation of the multitudes who have suffered severe persecution in, as it were, the company of the Son of God. Whatever tribulations the saints have had to endure throughout the centuries they have had the assurance, reinforced by this account in Daniel, that their lives cannot be obliterated by their enemies because in the end they will be brought forth to eternal life. As Jesus promised his disciples: “Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish”. Luke 21:16-18Waiting for response for Luke 21:16-18 Ultimately, world rulers and all the people of the earth will acknowledge the one true God when he makes known his salvation in the sight of the Gentiles, Psalm 98:1-2Waiting for response for Psalm 98:1-2 as did Nebuchadnezzar at the deliverance of Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego.vs.28-30Waiting for response for Daniel 3:28-30
Nebuchadnezzar made an immense idol of gold v.1Waiting for response for Daniel 3:1 before which he required all people in his empire to fall down and worship.vs.4-5Waiting for response for Daniel 3:4-5 Any person failing to do so was to be thrown into a fiery furnace.v.6Waiting for response for Daniel 3:6 Most people obeyed v.7Waiting for response for Daniel 3:7 but certain companions of Daniel refused to worship this golden image.v.12Waiting for response for Daniel 3:12 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego explained to Nebuchadnezzar that they trusted in their God to deliver them from his threats vs.16-17Waiting for response for Daniel 3:16-17 and even if he threw them into the furnace they would not bow before the image.v.18Waiting for response for Daniel 3:18 Nebuchadnezzar was furious and commanded the temperature of the furnace be increased sevenfold and the three men be thrown therein.vs.19-22Waiting for response for Daniel 3:19-22 The furnace was made so hot that it burned to death the soldiers who cast the men into it but, astonishingly, these three faithful men were then seen by Nebuchadnezzar walking in the midst of the fire, unharmed and accompanied by a fourth individual “like the Son of God”.vs.24-25Waiting for response for Daniel 3:24-25