This is Connect the Skip Heitzigsig. Thanks for joining us for today's program. At Connect with Skip, our mission is to help you connect with God's Word in a deeper way and see how it applies to everyday life. That's why we make Bible teaching like today's available to you and people all around the world, on radio, online, and through resources that equip you to grow in your faith. One great way to do that is by taking the 30K 30-day challenge, a free daily email journey through the New Testament.
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Now, let's dive into today's teaching from Pastor Skiff Heitzig. and the story we're about to read. Um are men who Dared to stand up while everybody else around them bowed down. And because of that, they faced the trial. of their lives.
A burning fiery furnace. This chapter is one of the most well-known in all of Scripture and best-loved stories. If you grew up in Sunday school, you're familiar with it. But I want to look at these 30 verses. In three different cuts, three different slices, because of three different truths and principles they bring out.
Number one, the world wants you to shut up. But your God, number two, wants you to... Speak up. Stand up. And number three, And we'll see this at the end of the chapter.
Your opponents may learn to look up. That's the flow that we get as we go through chapter 3 of Daniel. We look now at verse 1 and It says, Nebuchadnezzar the king. We remember him. He made an image of gold whose height was sixty cubits Its width six cubits.
He set it up in the plain of Durah in the province of Babylon. And King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps. Those are princes. The administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates. the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
And so the satraps and the rest of these nincum poops. 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, and a herald cried aloud. To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages. that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
So at that time, When all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and symphony with all kinds of music. All The people, nations, and languages fell down. and worship the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. If we were to simply read this without the benefit of chapter two, we would say.
So what? This is just another example of a pagan king. Putting up another idol. Been there, done that. But we do have the benefit of chapter 2.
And a couple of ancient sources tell us that there is a 16-year gap between chapter 2 and chapter 3.
Now let's piece a couple things together. Sixteen years have come and gone. Lot of water under the bridge. Sixteen years ago, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream. That's chapter 2.
Nobody could tell him what it was, nobody could tell him what it meant, except for Daniel. Daniel came and said, What it means is that you are the head of gold, Nebuchadnezzar, but after you shall arise a kingdom inferior to yours. You're not the only dog on the block.
Somebody else is going to push you off the hill and be king after you. That was 16 years ago. Nebuchadnezzar has been waiting for 16 years. He has not grown weaker, he has since grown stronger. And after waiting for this dream to be fulfilled, He now makes a golden image.
You think he's making a statement? Do you think he has something to say? He is in effect saying that's to the gold. And the bronze and the iron and the clay, nuts to other kingdoms who will come after me. I am invincible.
I'm going to make an image whose head is not of gold, but the entire thing is made out of gold. As if to say, my kingdom is an eternal kingdom. Which historians tell us was the idea of the Babylonians. They insisted their kingdom would outlast even time. This is important.
Because so often we think, well, Just give this problem some time. Just give that person some time. Time will soften them up. Time will heal all wounds.
Sometimes that's true, but not always.
Sometimes, as time wears on, a person doesn't soften the heart, but hardens the heart. Things can grow worse. rather than better. We have a warning given to us in the book of Hebrews, chapter 2. I'll read it to you.
We must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away. From it. That is the tendency of People, us, as we listen to truth that we heard a long time ago. But we're not affected by it. As time goes on, we drift away from it.
There are some truths you may have heard as a child, and wow, they were special to you. They made an impact on you, but. Not so much now. You perhaps have drifted away as Nebuchadnezzar did from a very ominous revelation that shook his world. But now he's not as affected by it.
In a in effect, Nebuchadnezzar is in love with Nebuchadnezzar. The whole idea of this statue is him showing himself off.
Now, in the next chapter, we get another glimpse into this. In chapter four, This king will walk through Babylon. And will declare as he looks around. Is not this the great Babylon that I have built by my majesty and for my glory? Of course, God will have a message to give to him.
After he says that. Vernon McGee tells of a downtown Los Angeles store, a business, that put a giant mirror out in front where people walked every day. Um They wanted to study human beings walking by the mirror. And how many would stop and look at themselves? Check themselves out, turn around, kind of do a little, hmm, I am very, very cool kind of a deal.
And they discovered that a lot of people did stop. But get this, men stopped more and looked at themselves longer. than women did. Just thought you'd like to hear that, gals. This gold image in the plain of Dura is what Nebuchadnezzar saw as he looks in the mirror.
A ninety-foot tall statue of gold, not head of gold. one that is imposing and ominous. and will last over time. I can't resist something that I noted, I want to pass on to you. You'll notice that it's 60 cubits by 6.
That This worship system is enforced. You have to bow down to it or you will die. And the reason that's important to me is if I fast forward. To the book of Revelation chapter 13, I read about another image that will be cast. And another enforced worship that will Take place around the entire world.
Yeah. The Antichrist. People are told to bow down to the image, and the text of scripture says, Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, For it is the number of a man, his number is six. Six.
Six. The number of man So here is the six million dollar man. The image, or the $666 million man, I suppose. Nebuchadnezzar is the quintessential humanist. Magnifying humanity.
Diminishing God. That's what the statue is about. But If we keep reading, we find that the demand to bow is met by Defiance. There's three guys in the crowd who make a stand. Verse 8, therefore at that time Certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews.
They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever. You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of all these instruments shall fall down and worship the golden image. Whoever does not fall down and worship will be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
Now, look at this. There are certain Jews. Whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon. Shadrach. Meshach, and Abednego.
These men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods. or worship the gold image. which you have set up. I heard about a preacher who could never remember the names of these guys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
And he wanted to tell his congregation this story one Sunday as an illustration.
So he wrote. The names Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego on a card. and put them right here in his suit pocket. The idea is that during the message, you could just sort of open it up and glance down and tell them the names. and go on.
It didn't work out so well because he said, Well, you guys remember the story, don't you? Hart, Schaffner, and Marx. That's the name of his suit company. He read the wrong label. Three Hebrews, yes, but the wrong ones.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were names given to these. Jewish captives by the king. In changing their names. We read on. Then verse 13, Nebuchadnezzar enraged.
and fury. gave the command to bring Sadrach, Mesach, and Abednego.
So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up?
Now, if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, psaltery, and symphony with all kinds of music. And you fall down and worship the image that I have made good. But if you do not worship You shall be cast immediately into the midst of the burning fiery furnace, and who is the God? who will deliver you. from my hands.
You're listening to Connect with Skip-Heitzig. Before we return to today's teaching, let me ask. Are we living in the last days? With uncertainty, conflict, and moral confusion dominating the headlines, it's a question many believers are asking. Pastor Skip wants to help you understand what God's Word says about the end times so you can face the future with confidence.
That's why this month we're offering two timely resources: his 2 CD teaching from Daniel, Bible from 30,000 feet. and his booklet, Are We Living in the Last Days? These will give you a clear biblical perspective on what's happening in the world. and how to be ready for what's ahead. Request your copies when you give a gift of $25 or more at connectwithgift.com/slash offer.
or call 800-922. 1888.
Now let's get back to today's teaching. Three guys have done nothing wrong. In fact, They would get our applause. They love God. They serve God.
They're loyal to God's name. And yet they are facing the trial of their lives. They are faced with an ethical dilemma. Obey the government. and bow.
or obey God's command. God is the one who said, I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods besides me.
Well, they're gonna pick Option number two. But that is the dilemma that Nebuchadnezzar gives to them. You and I, we face the same pressure, different circumstances, same pressure. The pressure to conform. The pressure to not stand up or stick out.
But go along with the crowd. Be quiet, blend in, be like everybody else. W. C. Fields, remember him?
W. C. Fields, that great intellect. Said something very profound. He said, Any dead fish can float downstream.
Of course, he said that any dead fish can float downstream. He said it takes a live one to swim upstream. They're banking on the fact that everyone will do what everybody else does, that there will be a mass conformity. In fact, there is, for the most part. In verse 7, All people and nations and languages fell down and worshiped The gold image.
But these three did not. They kept standing. I remember the first time I went to Israel. I was single, and I went to live on a kibbutz, a farm, a working farm. And I just could not wait to go to the Holy Land.
I thought, this is going to be the most exciting. I'm going to wake up every day and feel the presence of God. It's going to be so holy and awesome and wonderful. I was in for a shock. It was a trial because In that day, at that time, on that kibbutz, Volunteers from all over the world, young kids, came to work, but I discovered that The Europeans that came, my age, All came to party.
They wanted to work, but at night it was all party, and there were lots of things going on. It was loose living. And a lot of temptation came my way to conform to that. Because I was young and single and of that age. And I was so glad I had other believers with me on that kibbutz that I came with, and we could strengthen each other.
In fact, I'm convinced that's why Jesus sent. his disciples out two by two. And why Paul the Apostle often went with other people around him to strengthen the choices that he was making.
So these three Encouraging each other, stand up against the mass conformity. of bowing down. Did you notice number 12 verse 12. There are certain Jews. I can't help but read a little cynicism into that.
Anti-Semitism is nothing new. And these Chaldeans have been waiting for 16 years because 16 years when that dream. had been interpreted Nebuchadnezzar gave a promotion, a raise to Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And the other Chaldeans were waiting for an opportunity just like this. to get back.
There are certain Jews They say. They're brought before the king. Let's go on and see what happens. Verse 16. Shows us the second slice of this message.
Yeah, the world wants you to shut up, but your God wants you to stand up. Shadrach Meshach and Abednego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, We have no need to answer you. In this matter Isn't that interesting? That's their way of saying, we're not at a loss for words here. This is a no-brainer for us.
We already know what the answer is going to be. We don't have to think about this long. If that is the case, verse 17, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace. and he will deliver us from your hand, O king.
Now notice the twist. But if not, Let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods. Nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up. No explanation is offered. No long elaborate explanation just simply No.
We're not going to do it. We don't have to think about this, no.
Now pause here a minute. Couldn't these three guys Have done something different. Couldn't they have come up with a different approach? Maybe a little rationalization. would be fitting at this moment.
For example, they could have thought, well, you know, Nebuchadnezzar, he's treated us pretty well. He's given us a good job and a good pay scale. Um We should at least show our appreciation to him and just bow. Get it over with. Or perhaps they could have thought, It's really not idolatry if we just get down quickly and get back up, and the rest of our lives serve the Lord.
Or perhaps they could have rationalized by saying, look, we're thousands of miles away from home, nobody will see us. And besides, Didn't God through the prophets predict That we would be taken captive and serve other gods in a foreign land, we'd just be fulfilling scripture if we were to bow. Maybe this is God's will that we bow. It shows you how warped we get when we start rationalizing. We're really good at rationalizing, you know that.
We have an infinite ability to do so. Just ask anybody on a diet. We're good at rationalizing why we need that extra. Pastry. I found some um other rationalizations about that.
Rules for dieting. If you drink Diet Coke with chocolate, the calories in the chocolate are canceled out by the Diet Coke. That's how we think, isn't it? Foods like hot chocolate or cheesecake for medicinal purposes don't count. Comfort food.
Sort of like medical marijuana. Cookie pieces have no calories. The process of breaking the cookies causes Calorie loss. Isn't that funny how we'll take a little break, a little Piece of it.
Well, we're gonna eat the whole thing, but we'll do it in pieces.
Somehow it makes us feel better. And finally, things licked off of knives and spoons have no calories if you're in the process of preparing something else. We rationalize. These three men did not rationalize the decision that they made. We don't have to think about it, we don't have to ponder it, we don't have to make a defense for ourselves.
We're not going to bow. God can deliver us. If not, Not going to do it. God's people throughout Scripture often go against the flow. That's what Paul encourages us to do, Romans chapter 12.
Do not be conformed to this world. but transformed by the renewing of your mind. Or as the J.B. Phillips translation puts it best, Don't let the world squeeze you into its own mold. They didn't.
Verse 17, again, notice. If this is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us. But if not, verse 18: let it be known to you, O king, we do not serve your gods. Let me retranslate that. We serve a sovereign God who can deliver us.
and he will deliver us. In life, Or by death. Either way, it's a deliverance from you, O king. It's remarkable. If you want to get a good book on suffering, get a book.
That was put out. A few years ago, by Yancey, Philip Yancey, called Where is God When It Hurts? In that book, he writes a story. About an athlete by the name of Brian Sternberg. Sternberg was a pole vaulter, and he set record after record after record.
And one time he set a new world record. Three weeks after he set that record, he was pole vaulting again, cleared the pole, but this time when he landed, he landed on his neck. He heard it snap. And then he felt nothing. And from that day forward was a quadriplegic consigned to a wheelchair.
Less than a year after the accident, a major magazine in America asked him to write an article about. His Athletic career. The accident. And how he, as a Christian, because he claimed he was one. was dealing with the fact that he was now in a wheelchair as a quadriplegic.
He wrote that article. I'll just give you the last four short sentences of it. He writes Having faith is a necessary step toward one of two things. Being healed is one of them. But peace of mind if healing does not occur is the other.
Either one will suffice. Close quote. Faith to be healed? Faith, I have peace if I don't get healed. Either one will suffice.
Either one will suffice. Here's these three guys before the king. We might be delivered miraculously, we might die. Either one will suffice. Either one.
Verse 19, Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury. And the expression on his face changed towards Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Have you ever had that happen? Have you ever been in a conversation with somebody and they're tracking with you, and then suddenly you say something they don't like, and it's written all over their face? They can tort, and you can just see.
They don't like what I just said. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. It's called overkill. And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound.
In their coats and trousers, their turbans and other garments, and they were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore, because the king's command was urgent and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame and the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Fell down bound. Third time it's mentioned they were bound. Tied up.
into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar was astonished, and he rose in haste, and he spoke, saying to the counselors, Uh did we not cast three men? Bound Into the midst of the fire? They answered and said to the king, True, O king Look, he answered. I see four men what?
Loose. They went inbound. But now they're loose, walking in the midst of the fire and they are not hurt. And the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Thanks for listening to Connect with Skip Heitzik.
Before you go, don't miss your chance to request this month's featured resources from Pastor Skip. The Bible from 30,000 feet 2 CD teaching from Daniel, and his booklet, Are We Living in the Last Days? Together, they'll help you understand what the Bible says about the future and how to be ready for it. These resources are our thanks for your gift of $25 or more to help share God's word with more people. Call 800-922-1888 or visit connectwithskift.com slash offer.
And while you're there, sign up for the free 30K 30-day challenge to grow in your knowledge of God's Word. Thanks for spending time with us today, and we'll see you next time on Connect with Skip-Heitzig. Make a connection. Make a connection at the foot of the crossing. Catch your burdens on his wood.
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