'Book of Daniel'
Dan 3:13-14 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up?
When the three Jews refused to bow down to worship the golden image of Nebuchadnezzar, the king was in rage and demanded that they worship his golden image otherwise they would be cast into fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:15 "Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?"
In his rage, King Nebuchadnezzar forgot that Yahweh the Almighty God of the Jews is the Creator of heaven and earth and that He is all powerful and is able to set up or remove kings. In anger, he even mocked Yahweh saying, `who is the god who will deliver them from his hands.' It is no wonder that the word of God reminded us to be rational and do not sin when we are in anger. If not, you have just fallen into the devil's deception.
Eph 4:26-27 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil."
Dan 3:17-18 "If that is the case, 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. 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."
The three Jews had witnessed the faithfulness of God, who had fulfilled His prophecies and promises to all those taken captives and serving Babylon. With such faith in Yahweh, they committed themselves into Him that He will deliver them from the fiery furnace. If it was God's will for them to be taken back to heaven, they were happy to be martyrs. This reminded the king that Yahweh is the Almighty God, but instead of repentance, his pride made him more furious that he made the fiery furnace extremely hot to ensure their certain death.
Dan 3:19, 23 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated... And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
It is a pity that so many godly servants have fallen because of pride and covetousness, and have refused to repent.
Brethren, are you persecuting your poor godly brethren who are helpless against your onslaught because of your power, riches and positions? Are you accusing them as false teachers, heretics, and smearing their reputation with lies?
Remember – these godly and helpless brethren are the beloved of our Lord – just like Lazarus the beggar, Daniel and his three friends. They are your blessing if only you will obey His word to love one another as Jesus has loved us.
Heb 13:1-3 Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.
