The Book of Daniel: End Time Playbook for the Saints (Part Three)
The Fiery Furnace and Den of Lions
The Book of Daniel may have more to say about the End Times than we know. The prophecies of Beasts and Empires have shaped what the Church has believed about the Antichrist’s final kingdom. But what if Daniel reaches beyond this? I believe the Book of Daniel gives us the layout of what Saints should expect as we endure the End Time drama unfolding before the return of the King.
In chapters 3 and 6, we read about two similar scenarios. Both stories demonstrate the price tag of divine devotion in Babylon. The first is the story of Daniel’s three faithful friends who will not bow their knees before an idolatrous statue. The second is the story of how Daniel insisted on bowing his knee before God. The result of each story ends with deliverance for the Saints.
Most of us are very familiar with the story of the Fiery Furnace and the Lion’s Den. There is no need to go into the details. We’ve heard of how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego unflinchingly face the literal fires of Babylon because they refuse to worship at a state mandated ceremony. We have also heard how Daniel would not be stopped from praying and worshiping the Lord even in the face of a conspiracy to end his palatial influence. But have you considered how these two scenarios relate to the End Times?
Like Nebuchadnezzar, the False Prophet of Revelation 13 will
“cause those who do not worship the image of the Beast to be slain.” - Revelation 13:15
Daniel and his friends aren’t the only ones in the Bible that encounter this dramatic scenario. The day is coming where the Saints will encounter what Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego endured. End Time saints will withstand a man greater than even mighty Nebuchadnezzar. The False Prophet will demand allegiance from all as the Beast is worshiped by the fallen.
Like King Darius, the Antichrist will make a decree to end the worship of God,
“he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering” - Daniel 9:27
The Bible tells us that one day it will be against the law to worship God. What will we do when worshiping our Creator is a crime against the state; punishable by death? Will we stand like Daniel stood? Will we face the specter of death with faith?
If the Book of Daniel truly is a playbook for the saints living in the End Times, then we can be confident that we will find Jesus there, in the fire.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “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.” - Daniel 3:24
There is no question in my mind; God will make His Bride ready for her King. Jesus Christ is worthy of a Church that faithfully endures trouble to the end. He will be with us every step of the way as He brings to pass the otherwise impossible.