The Fiery Furnace

Daniel 3:25 ESV “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

The three Hebrew young men refused to bow to the idol set up by King Nebuchadnezzar, knowing that it may cost them their lives.  They loved not their lives even unto death. 

Revelation 12:11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

When they were brought before the king for refusing and he threatened them with being thrown into the fiery furnace they did not flinch they confidently declared, “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17, 18)

 I remember someone saying, “You can’t threaten me with going to heaven. What kind of threat is that?” In many parts of the world that threat is faced daily.  The reports of Christian martyrs doubled in 2013 from what it was in 2012.  There is a possibility that we will eventually face it here in the USA. How will we respond?

http://www.persecution.org/2014/01/08/reported-christian-martyr-deaths-double-in-2013/

At their response the king became quite angry and ordered the furnace to be stoked up to burn seven times hotter.  The men who threw the Hebrews into the fire were instantly killed by just being that close to it.  Once they were in the fire whatever they were bound with was burned off of them and they were not harmed by the fire.  A fourth person walked with them in the fire. They were not alone.  When they were brought forth from the fire they did not even smell of smoke. (Daniel 3:19-27)

I know this story is familiar, but a reminder once in a while of the victory they had in the fire is always good.  The fire that was supposed to kill them set them free of the enemy bonds and killed the enemy forces that put them in the fire. They were not alone in the fire, Jesus walked with them through the fire. 

Isaiah 43:1-2 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 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.

 As a result the Babylonian king blessed their God, acknowledged that no other God could deliver like that, and made a decree in favor of their God in the land.  In addition Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were promoted. (Daniel 3:28-30)