June 3: AT THAT TIME…(part 1)

…and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Daniel 3:6-7

One of Satan’s oft-applied strategies upon the minds of those who read the written word of God is the idea that ancient history recorded therein has no bearing or application in our day. Nothing could be further from the truth. This very mindset has sadly blinded countless individuals to many of God’s truths, all of which are given to bless and protect His people.

The herald’s cry is a succinct summary of a situation to come in the last days of earth’s history. The great deceiver has been conditioning church-goers for centuries to believe erroneous doctrines regarding essential traits of God’s character, such as: He is the God of love, and He does not change (Jeremiah 31:3; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; 1 John 4:8).

This worship response on the plain of Dura (v.1) in the land of Shinar (Genesis 10:10; 11:2; Isaiah 11:11; Daniel 1:2; Zechariah 5:11) was lavishly accompanied by all kinds of music. Who in their right mind could possibly object to compliance with the “harmless” demand of bowing down before the king’s image? But, to ensure total harmony and obedience at this great gathering, extra incentive was added at the end of the herald’s announcement. Surely no one in their right mind would choose to be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

How temporal are the coercions presented to impel men and women, boys and girls, to move in any particular direction! In every generation, such are ever the influential motives to push people this way or that: immediate pleasure on one hand, immediate pain on the other…

With the exception of the Hebrews, the various ancient cultures did not object to idol worship. But the religious instruction of this exceptional culture places in high esteem the Ten Commandments, including the second one: You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them… (Exodus 20:4-5a) Those who know and love God do not want to make for themselves any sort of substitute, with the understanding that no tradition or man-made representation of Him could even compare to the greatness, the majesty, and the glory of the King of the Universe!

Oh, beloved, hear these ancient words given to enrich and strengthen your life, both now and for eternity:

For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand. Psalm 149:4-6