Bible Study – Daniel 3 – Prophetic Presentation of the End of the Age
The ‘Times of the Gentiles’ has begun and is in full swing. We saw last week, that God placed ‘His servant’ King Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 27:2-8) on the throne of Babylon, bringing the remnant of the ‘seed of Abraham’ into captivity under King Nebuchadnezzar, for the express purpose demonstrating that God is sovereign. God is setting the stage for the First and Second Advent of the Messiah. The Lord began by giving Nebuchadnezzar a dream describing the main events of the ‘Times of the Gentiles’.
The dream demonstrated the present situation of the king, how he came by his power, and to some degree, an insight into who the God of Daniel is. We saw in chapter 1, how God judged Gentile customs. In chapter two, we noticed that God judged Gentile philosophy. Now, in chapter 3 we will see Gentile pride judged.
In His infinite foresight and with a typical teaching, God gives us an insight into some of the details of the events at the end of the ‘Times of the Gentiles’ including a “mystery”. We will find, in the New Testament that this “mystery” is no other than the Rapture of the Church.
Part 1 – The Image of Gold and Decree to Enforce a World-Wide Religion
Daniel 3:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
I. Nebuchadnezzar defies interpretation that taught him who God is and what God gave him.
A. Remember what Nebuchadnezzar said after God revealed his dream?
Daniel 2:37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
Daniel 2:38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
Daniel 2:47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
B. This image was built about twenty-three years after the dream of chapter 2
C. It was made completely of gold
1. The dream had only the head, (Nebuchadnezzar) of gold.
2. Pride was evident
a. Everybody was to worship him
b. In his eyes, this is “one better” than the dream
D. It was built on the Plain of Dura – Just south of Babylon
1. He placed it in a plain where rulers from all over would worship the image
2. He undoubtedly thought he needed a “State Religion” to hold together
a. His Empire from many nations
b. His Empire of many religions – To establish a one-world religion.
II. The Dedication of the image
Daniel 3:2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
Daniel 3:3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Daniel3:4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
Daniel 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
Daniel 3:6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
A. All the nations of the earth that had become subject to Babylon
B. They were to send representatives to the great ceremony
C. Babylon was full of great men, rulers of the nations and representatives
D. A herald commanded aloud
1. To all people, nations, and languages,
2. When they heard the signal – music
3. They fall down and worship the Image
4. If they do not worship the image
a. In the same hour
b. They will be cast into the midst of a burning 'Fiery Furnace.
E. The result was the vast multitude fell upon their faces - But not all.
Daniel 3:8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
Daniel 3:9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
Daniel 3:10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
Daniel 3:11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
A. Three men, all prominent officials, refused to bow the knee
1. They were Jews
2. Their names were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
B. Where Was Daniel - We don’t know
1. He may have been ill, or away on State business
2. If he had been there he would have refused to Worship the Image. More on this later…
C. Their failure to worship was noticed by certain Chaldeans
1. Undoubtedly jealous of the Jews get them out of the way
2. They said about the three Jews to Nebuchadnezzar
a. Did not regard the king
b. Don’t serve your gods
c. Don’t worship your image
Daniel 3:13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
Daniel 3:14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
Daniel 3:15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
A. Nebuchadnezzar is furious
1. Insisted that the 3 Jews be brought before him
2. He gave them a second chance
B. Nebuchadnezzar Reasoned With them
1. Told them they would be well if they worshipped
2. They would die in the furnace if they did not worship
3. Asked them: “Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?”
Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
Daniel 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
Daniel 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
A. They were not worried about the situation
B. God was able to deliver them
C. If God didn’t, they would still not worship the image
D. They would not compromise – even in face of death
E. Why? Just like in chapter one- It was the Word of God:
Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Daniel 3:19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
Daniel 3:20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:22 Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Daniel 3:23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
A. Commanded that the furnace heated 7 times hotter than usual
B. The Jews to be bound
C. Thrown into the furnace
D. The heat killed the men who threw them into the furnace
Daniel 3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
Daniel 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
Daniel 3:26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
Daniel 3:27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
A. Nebuchadnezzar was astonished
1. Hadn’t they thrown 3 men into the furnace?
2. He saw 4 – one was like the Son of God – Nebo’s own words, Seen enough to discern
B. Told the servants of the Most High God to come out of the furnace
C. The fire had no power over them
1. Their hair was not singed
2. Their coats were the same as before the fire
3. They had no smell of fire on them
C. They had been part of the promise in Isaiah – They Trusted God
Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Daniel 3:29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
A. Non Other can deliver like this
B. Anyone that speaks against the true God
1. Will be cut into pieces
2. House made a dunghill
Daniel 3:30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
I. We See Nebuchadnezzar As Type of the antichrist
A. Nebuchadnezzar Build An Image For The World
To Worship - D. He had the 1st Gentile world Empire - Antichrist will have the last
Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
1. The dimensions of the Image are symbols
a. Height was 60 cubits - its breadth 6 cubits.
1. 6 is the ‘Number of Man’
2. 6 is the number of human incompleteness
a. Man was made on the 6th day
b. Man is appointed 6 days of labor
3. 6 stops short of seven
2. 7 is the ‘Perfect Number’
1. Or the number of Completeness.
2. The 7th day is the Day of Rest, because God rested on the 7th
B. The number six reminds us of the number of the ‘Beast’
Revelation 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Revelation 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Revelation 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Revelation 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
Revelation 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Revelation 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Revelation 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
II. We See the Image a Type of the Image of the Beast
A. Image worship fore-shadows the Image of the ‘False Prophet’
1. An Image that shall be given life, and the power to speak.
Revelation 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
Revelation 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Revelation 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
Revelation 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Revelation 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
2. Those that do not worship will be killed
Revelation 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
3. All who will not worship the Beast will be beheaded.
Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
4. No one will be able to buy or sell without the mark, name or number
Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Revelation 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
B. The Idolatrous Religion – A Type of the Harlot
Revelation 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
Revelation 17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Revelation 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Revelation 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Revelation 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
III. We See the Hebrew Children a Type of the Jewish Remnant
A. Those not worshiping the image foreshadow ‘Jewish Remnant’ - the 144,000 sealed ones
Revelation 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
Revelation 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Revelation 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
B. They sing the new song of "Moses and of the Lamb,"
Revelation 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
C. As the Hebrew children were delivered and promoted - so the end time remnant will be promoted and given positions of power and influence in the Millennial Kingdom of Christ.
Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
IV. The Fiery Furnace Is a Type of the Great Tribulation
A. The Tribulation in Revelation 6-19
B. Christ said it will be worse than the world has ever seen
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
V. We See Daniel Is a Type of the Church
A. The church will not be around during The Great Tribulation
B. The Book of Revelation is in three parts
Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
1. The word church or churches is used in Revelation – Word Study
2. 19 times in chapters 1-3 – (The things which are)
3. Not again until Chapter 22:5 – (The things which shall be hereafter)
I Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
I Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
I Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
I Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
I Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
I Thessalonians 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words
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A Type Of Events In The Tribulation |
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Daniel Chapter Three |
Tribulation Dispensation |
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Nebuchadnezzar Is A Type Of The Antichrist Building An Image At The Beginning Of The Times Of The Gentiles - All Worship It Or Die |
Image Of The Beast To Be Set Up In Jerusalem At The End OF The Times Of The Gentiles – All Worship Him Or Die Revelation 13:13-15; 20:4 |
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Dimensions Of The Image Point To The Number Of Man |
Number Of The Beast Revelation 13:18 |
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The Fiery Furnace – A Type Of The Great Tribulation |
The Great Tribulation – Revelation 6-19 Matthew 24:21 |
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The Three Hebrew Men God Protected In The Furnace – A Type Of The Remnant |
The 144,000 Remnant Jews God Will Seal And Protect During The Tribulation. - Revelation 7:3-8; Revelation 12:16 |
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The Worship Of The Image – A Type Of The Last Days Babylonian Religion |
Mystery Babylon, The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth – Revelation 17:1-6; 19:2-3 |
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The Three Hebrew Men Were Promoted In The Kingdom |
The Remnant Will Be Promoted In The Millennial Reign - Revelation 20:4 |
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Daniel Is No Where To Be Seen – A Type Of The Church “Mystery” – Romans 11:25-29; |
The Church Is Raptured - Not Heard From Revelation 4:1-22:16 – I Corinthians 15:51-53 |
Word Study – Church in Revelation
Revelation 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Revelation 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Word Study – Churches in Revelation
Revelation 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Revelation 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Revelation 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.