Daniel 3:1-30: Faithful in the Fire

Perhaps incorrectly inspired by his dream of a statue, Nebuchadnezzar builds an enormous golden statue. He issues a decree that all people must bow down to worship it at the sound of any music. The penalty for disobedience is death in a fiery furnace. Some of the king’s pagan advisors, jealous of the high standing of the Judean exiles Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego, bring accusations against these men’s faithfulness to the LORD. When Nebuchadnezzar threatens them with death, they make the good confession that their God is the only one to be worshiped. Even though Nebuchadnezzar heats the furnace seven times hotter than usual, the LORD delivers the three young men. Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Daniel 3:1-30. "God’s Kingdom Endures Forever” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Daniel. Although God’s people were exiled in Babylon, the LORD remained the true King. He strengthened His people for faithful confession in the face of idolatry, and through prophetic visions and dreams revealed that He would establish His everlasting Kingdom. This points to Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, who reigns over us and all creation.