June 1: PROPHETIC FORESHADOWING
So the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Daniel 3:3
The list of invitees is completely repeated — but now they are attendees: those that have accepted the invitation to gather together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. This is an auspicious occasion indeed. “Everybody who’s anybody” is there at the invitation of the King of Babylon who has set up the entire scenario. Our writer, the prophet Daniel, has clearly and repeatedly made a point of the details of this scene:
Who? The Imperial Ruler and all of his influential appointees
What? A great gathering to celebrate the unveiling of a magnificent image
When? The invitation itself to such an event required intense planning and expense ahead of time, due to materials and hand-written labor, travel for delivery, responses, and travel time for attendees.
Where? This event occurred on the same location as the building site and attempted establishment of the tower of Babel (see Genesis 11). It is also the symbolic location of worldwide Babylon’s end-time establishment, with the support of both conservatives and liberals* gathered together under Babylon’s banner (see Zechariah 5 and notice that v.6 contains the location: throughout the earth).
Why? The event was ostensibly described ahead of time as a dedication, but as we will see, this was a front for another activity altogether, a religious one.
Jesus described last-day Christians as asleep (Matthew 25:5) and lukewarm (Revelation 3:16). This is a sobering indictment from the Savior that deserves much focus and consideration, as well as determination to understand the events of today and ears to hear the true remedy. The dedication of Nebuchadnezzar’s image was an enormous occasion. It is incredible to see the labor and expense that people will go to in order to support idolatrous and false systems of worship. Alas, that those who claim to follow the true religion are too often outdone by the supporters of the false and the counterfeit.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” Matthew 23:15
*meaning professed believers who did not heed the word (see Isaiah 30:21)