June 2: AN ILLUSION OF BUILDING PEACE

Then a herald cried aloud: “To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up” Daniel 3:4-5

At this point they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up (3:3), but up until now nothing had been spoken concerning the fact that worship [of] the gold image would be demanded. The elaborate invitation that had been multiplied and distributed to the leading officials throughout the kingdom certainly made it clear that attendance to this event was strongly encouraged, as in a requirement, of the king, if at all possible. But it spoke only of the dedication of the image, not of worship.

Daniel the prophet is providing details that foreshadow end-time events. A wide variety of peoples, nations, and languages who are gathered in unity under the leadership of King Nebuchadnezzar is a fit representation of modern mixed cultures. People of all languages today are becoming exhausted with the world’s strife; they are drawing closer to world leadership under a banner of “peace as our greatest need”, unaware of any misrepresentation. People are stressed, anxious, and hurting. Jeremiah wrote: They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, “Peace, peace!” when there is no peace (Jeremiah 6:14; see also 8:11).

A widely used medium for drawing people together is music. This is certainly not a new phenomenon. Music often has a powerful effect. Whether that effect is positive or negative is a matter of spiritual discernment. Today’s music scene is a broad display of newly named genres, many of which have overlapping elements. Can any of us doubt that all kinds of music are being recorded as “Christian” music?

Notice the stages of the presentation recorded for us by Daniel. So far, it has consisted of 1) an invitation under pretense of a dedication. Acceptance of the invitation appears to be 2) voluntary, though most of the attendees understood the “writing between the lines”: it was a 3) requirement of the king. Complying with the requirement of attendance 4) does not appear to violate any principles of morality. However, beware of the 5) “bait and switch” strategy: the command to worship anything other than the LORD God crosses a distinct boundary that our Creator has given to us for our current good and for our future (eternal) safety. The herald’s commandment to worship, accompanied by music, wafted its way through an inviting atmosphere that had been carefully designed and orchestrated by the king of Babylon and his underlings. As we will soon see, only three people in attendance recognize the enemy’s subtle tactics, backed up by coercion. In today’s world, we still have a need to be watchful and diligent if we are to see through the illusionary building plans of false prophets…

Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying “Peace!” when there is no peace—and one builds a wall, and they plaster it with untempered mortar—say to those who plaster it with untempered mortar, that it will fall. Ezekiel 13:10-11

Note: Untempered mortar was a cheap substitute for mortar that added strength to walls. In prophecy, it symbolizes building a theology upon deceptive teachings that offer a false sense of security. Such a theology is inherently weak and will collapse under pressure.