GOD IS ABLE

DANIEL 3:1-30


Heb. 11:34 [ESV]. quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.


  I. Anti-christ (3:1-6)


      In the last days, just like Nebuchadnezzar, Anti-christ will attempt to unify the world politically and religiously.


      A. Image of world-ruler (Dan. 7:8; Rev. 13:2)


      Young commented, “When Daniel called the king the ‘head of gold,’ the king became puffed with pride and decided to erect a golden image.” Endnote


      The statue stood as a symbol of man, 60 cubits high and 6 cubits wide (90' in height by 9'), a prophetic picture of the number of man–666. Baldwin explained, “The Sumero-Akkadian number system was mainly sexagesimal, as opposed to the decimal system rigidly adhered to Egypt.” Endnote


      B. Image of worship (Mt. 24:15; Dan. 9:27; 2 Th. 2:4)


      Nebuchadnezzar designed the statue for the:

•          Deification of the King

•          Glorification of Man

•          Unification of Religion Endnote


          1. Music (Is. 14:11; Ps. 137:3)


      Aristotle said, “Music has the power to form character.” Jerry Vines said, “Music can either be used to glorify God or it can be used to drag men down and to pull men down. Now you can tell a great deal about a society by the kind of music in that society. Everywhere you find offbeat, depraved, trashy, junky music you will find a society that is filled with permissiveness and immorality. Music directly reflects the spiritual and the moral condition of a society.” Endnote


          2. Mark


Ex. 20:5 [ESV]. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,


      All others gave in with the philosophy of “gotta live.”


 II. Accusation (3:7-12)


      The jealousy and envy toward these three caused the officials to accuse them before Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 6:4).


      Baldwin noted, “Maliciously accused translates the picturesque expression ‘eat the pieces of flesh torn off from someone’s body’ and so ‘to slander.’” Endnote


      A. Conformity of ideas


      B. Charge of incorrectness


Mt. 24:9 [ESV]. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.


      Jerry Vines said, “This old world is always upset with people who dare to have convictions and who dare to stand for something and they always get upset with people who have some real convictions in their hearts.” Endnote


III. Arrogance (3:13-15)


Ex. 5:2 [ESV]. But Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and moreover, I will not let Israel go."


      A. Recant


      B. Refuse (Jer. 29:22; Mt. 5:12)


      When they told Athanasius, who stood for sound doctrine, that the emperor, bishops, and whole world stood against him, Athanasius answered, “Then I am against the whole world.”


      Remember the protester who stood in Tiananmen Square during the student protests of 1989? On June 5, a lone unarmed white-shirted man stood in front of a column of 18 tanks that attempted to drive out of Tiananmen Square. As the column approached an intersection on the Avenue of Eternal Peace, the protester reportedly said, "Why are you here? You have caused nothing but misery." The "tank man" jumped back and forth as the tank driver attempted to go around him. He continued to stand defiantly in front of the lead tank for a while, then climbed up onto the turret of the lead tank to speak to the soldiers inside, and then returned to his position blocking their way when the lead tank again attempted to move. Time Magazine dubbed him The Unknown Rebel and later named him one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.


 IV. Answer (3:16-18)


      A. God’s salvation (able–1 Sam. 17:37; Dan. 3:15-17, 6:20; Mt. 3:9; Rom. 11:23, 14:4; 2 Cor. 9:8; Eph. 3:20; 2 Tim. 1:12; Heb. 2:18, 7:25, 11:19)


      Jerry Vines, said, “Sometimes He delivers us out of the fire, sometimes He delivers us through the fire. But the promise of God is that deliverance, one way or the other, will always come.” Endnote


      B. God’s sovereignty


      Baldwin said, “They do not doubt the power of their God to deliver them from the king’s furnace, but they have no right to presume that He will do so. If He does not, they are ready to take the consequences rather than compromise on such a contrived issue.” Endnote


Job 13:15. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.


  V. Anger (3:19-23)


      A. Rage (hotter than the furnace)


      The furnace heated through an opening at the bottom. Soldiers cast the men into the furnace from the top.


      B. Rampage


1 Pet. 4:12 [ESV]. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.


 VI. Astonishment (3:24-27)


      A. Unbound


      The walking of the Hebrew children demonstrated freedom from bonds.


          1. Son of God (Rev. 1:17)


          2. Servants of God


      B. Unharmed (Rev. 7:14)

 

•          Would not bow

•          Would not bend

•          Would not burn


Is. 43:2 [ESV]. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.


Ps. 66:12 [HCSB]. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us out to abundance.


 VII. Acknowledgment (3:28-30)


Phil. 2:10-11 [ESV]. so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

 11. and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


      A. Trust


      B. Triumph


Ps. 75:6-7. For promotion [cometh] neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.

 7. But God [is] the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.


      The pathway to glory always requires the pathway of suffering.


He is able to deliver thee,

He is able to deliver thee;

Though by sin oppressed, go to Him for rest;

“Our God is able to deliver thee.” Endnote


NIV

 1. King Nebuchadnezzar made an image (Dan. 2:31-32-34-35, 3:1-2-3-5-7-10-12-14-15-18-19) of gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29), ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up (Dan. 2:21-31-39-44, 3:1-2-3-5-7-12-14-18-2427, 4:17, 5:11-21, 6:1-3-7-8-15-19, 7:4-5-10-16-17-24) on the plain of Dura in the province (Dan. 2:48-49, 3:1-2-3-12-30) of Babylon (Dan. 2:12-14-18-24-48-49, 3:1-12-30, 4:6-29-30, 5:7, 7:1).

 2. He then summoned (Dan. 3:2-28, 5:24, 6:22) (Dan. 3:2-3-27) the satraps (3:2-3-27, 6:1-2-3-4-6-7), prefects (Dan. 2:48, 3:2-3-27, 6:7), governors (Dan. 3:2-3-27, 6:7), advisers (Dan. 3:2-3), treasurers (Dan. 3:2-3), judges (Dan. 3:2-3), magistrates (Dan. 3:2-3) and all the other provincial (Dan. 2:48-49, 3:1-2-3-12-30) officials (Dan. 3:2-3) to come to the dedication (Dan. 3:2-3) of the image (Dan. 2:31-32-34-35, 3:1-2-3-5-7-10-12-14-15-18-19) he had set up (Dan. 2:21-31-39-44, 3:1-2-3-5-7-12-14-18-2427, 4:17, 5:11-21, 6:1-3-7-8-15-19, 7:4-5-10-16-17-24).

 3. So the satraps (3:2-3-27, 6:1-2-3-4-6-7), prefects (Dan. 2:48, 3:2-3-27, 6:7), governors (Dan. 3:2-3-27, 6:7), advisers (Dan. 3:2-3), treasurers (Dan. 3:2-3), judges (Dan. 3:2-3), magistrates (Dan. 3:2-3) and all the other provincial (Dan. 2:48-49, 3:1-2-3-12-30) officials (Dan. 3:2-3) assembled (Dan. 3:2-3-27) for the dedication (Dan. 3:2-3) of the image (Dan. 2:31-32-34-35, 3:1-2-3-5-7-10-12-14-15-18-19) that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up (Dan. 2:21-31-39-44, 3:1-2-3-5-7-12-14-18-2427, 4:17, 5:11-21, 6:1-3-7-8-15-19, 7:4-5-10-16-17-24), and they stood before it.

 4. Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples (Dan. 3:4-7-29), nations (Dan. 3:4-7-29) and men of every language (Dan. 3:4-7-29):

 5. As soon (Dan. 2:8-9-21, 3:5-15, 4:16-23-25-32, 7:12-25) as you hear the sound (Dan. 3:5-7-10-15) of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music (Dan. 3:5-7-10-15) , you must fall (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-15, 7:20) down and worship (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-12-14-15-18-28) the image (Dan. 2:31-32-34-35, 3:1-2-3-5-7-10-12-14-15-18-19) of gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29) that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up (Dan. 2:21-31-39-44, 3:1-2-3-5-7-12-14-18-2427, 4:17, 5:11-21, 6:1-3-7-8-15-19, 7:4-5-10-16-17-24).

 6. Whoever does not fall (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-15, 7:20) down and worship (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-12-14-15-18-28) will immediately (Dan. 3:6-15, 4:19-33, 5:5) be thrown (Dan. 3:6-11-15-20-21-24, 6:7-12-16-24, 7:9) into a blazing (Dan. 3:6-11-15-17-20-21-22-23-24-25-26-27, 7:9-10) furnace (Dan. 3:6-11-15–17-19-20-21-22-23-26)."

 7. Therefore, as soon (Dan. 2:16-21, 3:7-8, 4:36, 6:10-13, 7:12-22) as they heard the sound (Dan. 3:5-7-10-15) of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music (Dan. 3:5-7-10-15) , all the peoples (Dan. 3:4-7-29), nations (Dan. 3:4-7-29) and men of every language (Dan. 3:4-7-29) fell (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-15, 7:20) down and worshiped (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-12-14-15-18-28) the image (Dan. 2:31-32-34-35, 3:1-2-3-5-7-10-12-14-15-18-19) of gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29) that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up (Dan. 2:21-31-39-44, 3:1-2-3-5-7-12-14-18-2427, 4:17, 5:11-21, 6:1-3-7-8-15-19, 7:4-5-10-16-17-24).

 8. At this time (Dan. 2:16-21, 3:7-8, 4:36, 6:10-13, 7:12-22) some astrologers (Dan. 2:5-10, 3:8, 4:7, 5:7-11-30) came forward and denounced (Dan. 3:8, 6:24) the Jews (Dan. 3:8-12).

 9. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever (Dan. 2:4, 3:9, 5:10, 6:6-21)!

 10. You have issued a decree (Dan. 3:10-29, 4:6, 6:26), O king, that everyone who hears the sound (Dan. 3:5-7-10-15) of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music (Dan. 3:5-7-10-15) must fall (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-15, 7:20) down and worship (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-12-14-15-18-28) the image (Dan. 2:31-32-34-35, 3:1-2-3-5-7-10-12-14-15-18-19) of gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29),

 11. and that whoever does not fall (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-15, 7:20) down and worship (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-12-14-15-18-28) will be thrown (Dan. 3:6-11-15-20-21-24, 6:7-12-16-24, 7:9) into a blazing (Dan. 3:6-11-15-17-20-21-22-23-24-25-26-27, 7:9-10) furnace (Dan. 3:6-11-15–17-19-20-21-22-23-26).

 12. But there are some Jews (Dan. 3:8-12) whom you have set (Dan. 2:24-49, 3:12, 5:26) over the affairs (Dan. 2:49, 3:12) of the province (Dan. 2:48-49, 3:1-2-3-12-30) of Babylon (Dan. 2:12-14-18-24-48-49, 3:1-12-30, 4:6-29-30, 5:7, 7:1)--Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Dan. 1:7, 2:49, 3:12)--who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve (Dan. 3:12-14-17-18-28, 6:16-20, 7:14-27) your gods (Dan. 2:11-47, 3:12-14–18, 4:8-9-18, 5:4-11-14-23) nor worship (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-12-14-15-18-28) the image (Dan. 2:31-32-34-35, 3:1-2-3-5-7-10-12-14-15-18-19) of gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29) you have set up (Dan. 2:21-31-39-44, 3:1-2-3-5-7-12-14-18-2427, 4:17, 5:11-21, 6:1-3-7-8-15-19, 7:4-5-10-16-17-24)."

 13. Furious with rage (Dan. 3:13-19), Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,

 14. and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve (Dan. 3:12-14-17-18-28, 6:16-20, 7:14-27) my gods (Dan. 2:11-47, 3:12-14–18, 4:8-9-18, 5:4-11-14-23) or worship (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-12-14-15-18-28) the image (Dan. 2:31-32-34-35, 3:1-2-3-5-7-10-12-14-15-18-19) of gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29) I have set up (Dan. 2:21-31-39-44, 3:1-2-3-5-7-12-14-18-24-27, 4:17, 5:11-21, 6:1-3-7-8-15-19, 7:4-5-10-16-17-24)?

 15. Now when (Dan. 2:8-9-21, 3:5-15, 4:16-23-25-32, 7:12-25) you hear the sound (Dan. 3:5-7-10-15) of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music (Dan. 3:5-7-10-15), if you are ready to fall (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-15, 7:20) down and worship (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-12-14-15-18-28) the image (Dan. 2:31-32-34-35, 3:1-2-3-5-7-10-12-14-15-18-19) I made, very good. But if you do not worship (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-12-14-15-18-28) it, you will be thrown (Dan. 3:6-11-15-20-21-24, 6:7-12-16-24, 7:9) immediately (Dan. 3:6-15, 4:19-33, 5:5) into a blazing (Dan. 3:6-11-15-17-20-21-22-23-24-25-26-27, 7:9-10) furnace (Dan. 3:6-11-15–17-19-20-21-22-23-26). Then what god will be able (1 Sam. 17:37; Dan. 3:15-17, 6:20; Mt. 3:9; Rom. 11:23, 14:4; 2 Cor. 9:8; Eph. 3:20; 2 Tim. 1:12; Heb. 2:18, 7:25, 11:19) to rescue (Dan. 3:15-17-28, 6:14-16-20-27) you from my hand?"

 16. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

 17. If we are thrown into the blazing (Dan. 3:6-11-15-17-20-21-22-23-24-25-26-27, 7:9-10) furnace (Dan. 3:6-11-15–17-19-20-21-22-23-26), the God we serve (Dan. 3:12-14-17-18-28, 6:16-20, 7:14-27) is able (1 Sam. 17:37; Dan. 3:15-17, 6:20; Mt. 3:9; Rom. 11:23, 14:4; 2 Cor. 9:8; Eph. 3:20; 2 Tim. 1:12; Heb. 2:18, 7:25, 11:19) to save (Dan. 3:15-17-28, 6:14-16-20-27) us from it, and he will rescue (Dan. 3:15-17-28, 6:14-16-20-27) us from your hand, O king.

 18. But even if he does not (2 Kg. 2:10), we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve (Dan. 3:12-14-17-18-28, 6:16-20, 7:14-27) your gods (Dan. 2:11-47, 3:12-14–18, 4:8-9-18, 5:4-11-14-23) or worship (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-12-14-15-18-28) the image (Dan. 2:31-32-34-35, 3:1-2-3-5-7-10-12-14-15-18-19) of gold (Dan. 2:32-35-38-45, 3:1-5-7-10-12-14-18, 5:2-3-4-7-16-23-29) you have set up (Dan. 2:21-31-39-44, 3:1-2-3-5-7-12-14-18-24-27, 4:17, 5:11-21, 6:1-3-7-8-15-19, 7:4-5-10-16-17-24)."

 19. Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious (Dan. 3:13-19) with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude (Dan. 2:46, 3:19) toward them changed (Ezra 6:11-12; Dan. 2:9-21, 3:19-27-28, 4:16, 5:6-9-10, 6:8-15-17, 7:3-7-19-23-24-25-28). He ordered the furnace (Dan. 3:6-11-15–17-19-20-21-22-23-26) heated (Dan. 3:19-22) seven times hotter than usual

 20. and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up (Dan. 3:20-21-23-24) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw (Dan. 3:6-11-15-20-21-24, 6:7-12-16-24, 7:9) them into the blazing (Dan. 3:6-11-15-17-20-21-22-23-24-25-26-27, 7:9-10) furnace (Dan. 3:6-11-15–17-19-20-21-22-23-26).

 21. So these men, wearing their robes (Dan. 3:21-27), trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound (Dan. 3:20-21-23-24) and thrown (Dan. 3:6-11-15-20-21-24, 6:7-12-16-24, 7:9) into the blazing (Dan. 3:6-11-15-17-20-21-22-23-24-25-26-27, 7:9-10) furnace (Dan. 3:6-11-15–17-19-20-21-22-23-26).

 22. The king's command was so urgent (Dan. 2:15, 3:22) and the furnace (Dan. 3:6-11-15–17-19-20-21-22-23-26) so hot (Dan. 3:19-22) that the flames (Dan. 2:31, 3:22, 4:36, 5:12-14, 6:3, 7:7-19) of the fire (Dan. 3:6-11-15-17-20-21-22-23-24-25-26-27, 7:9-10) killed (Dan. 2:13-14, 3:22, 5:19-30, 7:11) the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,

 23. and these three men, firmly tied (Dan. 3:20-21-23-24), fell into the blazing (Dan. 3:6-11-15-17-20-21-22-23-24-25-26-27, 7:9-10) furnace (Dan. 3:6-11-15–17-19-20-21-22-23-26).

 24. Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement (Dan. 2:25, 3:24, 6:19) and asked his advisers (Dan. 3:24-27, 4:36, 6:7), "Weren't there three men that we tied up (Dan. 3:20-21-23-24) and threw (Dan. 3:6-11-15-20-21-24, 6:7-12-16-24, 7:9) into the fire (Dan. 3:6-11-15-17-20-21-22-23-24-25-26-27, 7:9-10) ?" They replied, "Certainly (Dan. 2:8-45, 3:24, 6:12, 7:16), O king."

 25. He said, "Look! I see four men walking around (Dan. 2:22, 3:25, 5:6-12-16) in the fire (Dan. 3:6-11-15-17-20-21-22-23-24-25-26-27, 7:9-10), unbound and unharmed (Dan. 3:25, 6:23), and the fourth looks like (Dan. 2:31, 3:25) a son of the gods."

 26. Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing (Dan. 3:6-11-15-17-20-21-22-23-24-25-26-27, 7:9-10) furnace (Dan. 3:6-11-15–17-19-20-21-22-23-26) and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants (Dan. 3:26-28, 6:20) of the Most High God (Dan. 3:26, 4:17-24-25-32-34, 5:18-21, 7:18-22-25-27), come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire,

 27. and the satraps (3:2-3-27, 6:1-2-3-4-6-7), prefects (Dan. 2:48, 3:2-3-27, 6:7), governors (Dan. 3:2-3-27, 6:7) and royal advisers (Dan. 3:24-27, 4:36, 6:7) crowded (Dan. 3:2-3-27) around them. They saw that the fire (Dan. 3:6-11-15-17-20-21-22-23-24-25-26-27, 7:9-10) had not harmed (rule–Dan. 3:27, 6:24) their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes (Dan. 3:21-27) were not scorched (Ezra 6:11-12; Dan. 2:9-21, 3:19-27-28, 4:16, 5:6-9-10, 6:8-15-17, 7:3-7-19-23-24-25-28), and there was no smell of fire (Dan. 3:6-11-15-17-20-21-22-23-24-25-26-27, 7:9-10) on them.

 28. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise (Dan. 2:19-20, 3:28, 6:10) be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent (Dan. 3:2-28, 5:24, 6:22) his angel (Dan. 3:28, 6:22) and rescued (Dan. 3:15-17-28, 6:14-16-20-27) his servants (Dan. 3:26-28, 6:20)! They trusted in him and defied (Ezra 6:11-12; Dan. 2:9-21, 3:19-27-28, 4:16, 5:6-9-10, 6:8-15-17, 7:3-7-19-23-24-25-28) the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve (Dan. 3:12-14-17-18-28, 6:16-20, 7:14-27) or worship (Dan. 2:46, 3:5-6-7-10-11-12-14-15-18-28) any god (Dan. 3:12-14-28-29) except their own God.

 29. Therefore I decree that the people (Dan. 3:4-7-29) of any nation (Dan. 3:4-7-29) or language (Dan. 3:4-7-29) who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces (Dan. 2:5, 3:29) and their houses be turned into piles of rubble (Ezra 6:11; Dan. 2:5, 3:29), for no other god (Dan. 3:12-14-28-29) can save (Dan. 3:29, 6:14-27) in this way."

 30. Then the king promoted (Dan. 3:30, 6:28) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province (Dan. 2:48-49, 3:1-2-3-12-30) of Babylon (Dan. 2:12-14-18-24-48-49, 3:1-12-30, 4:6-29-30, 5:7, 7:1).