Daniel Unlocked #24. Do You Fear Death?
The historical experience of Daniel’s friends offers us a concrete example of what it looks like to be put under pressure because of loyalty to God. How will you fare when the Revelation 13:13-17 scenario comes into play. It is looking ominous as I write.
The most crucial issue at stake in this narrative, then, now, and in the future, is worship. Most likely, Nebuchadnezzar was not demanding exclusive worship. The three Hebrew youths could continue to worship their God, Yahweh. Had they just bowed before the image, they would have been spared any trouble. However, their faithfulness and profound convictions did not allow them to perform any external gesture that would contradict their theology. For them, certain actions had profound consequences.
Although the three exiles had no doubt about God’s ability to save them from the fire, they were not sure it would happen. This uncertainty is implied in the expression “if not” (3:18). So they chose rather to die than to compromise their loyalty to God,
In his arrogance the king intended to secure the allegiance of governors, ministers and other government officials to the ideology of the empire. In the ancient world, religion and politics were tightly intertwined. So, patriotism was expressed by means of adoration of the national Gods. Hence the Hebrews refusal was not just an act of religious dissension but an open rejection of the totalitarian claims of the Babylonian political and religious ideology.
The Hebrew captives never would give to the empire what was due to God only. The final days of earth’s history will see a similar picture.
We all face circumstances in our lives that demand we take a strong and definite stand showing clearly where our ultimate loyalty belongs. The most important lesson we learn from the episode of the fiery furnace is not the deliverance of the three Hebrew exiles.
Rather, the main message lies in the fact that the Lord strengthened them – they did not fear death – and He walked with them in the fire.
Although these three young men firmly believed that God was able to protect them, they also knew God did not always do so (3:17-18). The lament psalms testify to this. There are times when the faithful people of God are called upon to endure suffering, sometimes even martyrdom. Daniel himself would chronical the sufferings of God’s people in latter prophecies that span the ages to our day.
Some are miraculously delivered like these three Hebrews and the Jews later in Esther’s time during the period of the Persians. However, this does not always happen. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and John the Baptist sealed their faith with their own lives. In the light of these outcomes, do you feel prepared to reap the unpleasant consequences of your own convictions? I do not fear death because I believe “in the power of His ressurection.” (Philipians 3:10)
Lord give me the strength to always stay strong in these last days even if it means death
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:8. Trusting God is vital to us calling ourselves children of God. He knows best for us. He did not give us a spirit of Fear but of power and love and a sound mind. He is with us always…