John Bradshaw - Daniel The Prophet

March 2, 2025 | S25:E9

It Is Written seeks to impact lives for Christ.

#Faith #Hope #Visions/Dreams #Peace #Faithfulness #Work #Religion #Overcoming #WordofGod #Future #inActive #Worship #ItIsWrittenwithJohnBradshaw #JohnBradshaw #Amos3:7

Closed captions

Show Timecode

It Is Written with John Bradshaw | John Bradshaw - Daniel The Prophet | March 2, 2025

♪[dramatic, triumphant theme music]♪
00:00:00.020 --> 00:00:12.666
♪[music ends]♪♪
00:00:16.136 --> 00:00:18.572
♪[reflective music]♪
00:00:19.539 --> 00:00:21.374
>>john bradshaw: in the third chapter of the book of daniel
00:00:21.374 --> 00:00:23.944
We find a story, an historical account
00:00:23.944 --> 00:00:27.681
That's also prophetic in nature,
00:00:27.681 --> 00:00:29.349
And it speaks directly to earth's last days.
00:00:29.349 --> 00:00:32.686
The book of daniel was written 2,500 years ago,
00:00:32.686 --> 00:00:35.355
600 years before revelation.
00:00:35.355 --> 00:00:38.425
It was written to reveal events that would take place
00:00:38.425 --> 00:00:40.927
In the latter days and at the time of the end.
00:00:40.927 --> 00:00:44.698
As amos wrote, "surely the lord god does nothing,
00:00:44.698 --> 00:00:48.068
Unless he reveals his secret[s] to his servants the prophets."
00:00:48.068 --> 00:00:52.205
The young man daniel who wrote the book of daniel
00:00:52.205 --> 00:00:54.674
Was a slave in babylon.
00:00:54.674 --> 00:00:57.043
Babylon was located in the fertile crescent,
00:00:57.043 --> 00:00:59.446
A region that stretches north from israel and jordan,
00:00:59.446 --> 00:01:02.716
Up to lebanon, syria, and southern turkey,
00:01:02.716 --> 00:01:05.819
And down through iraq and iran to about the persian gulf.
00:01:05.819 --> 00:01:09.990
Egypt, lydia, and medea were also
00:01:09.990 --> 00:01:12.759
Significant middle-eastern powers.
00:01:12.759 --> 00:01:15.262
But babylon was by far the dominant nation.
00:01:15.262 --> 00:01:18.932
Nebuchadnezzar came against jerusalem three times.
00:01:18.932 --> 00:01:22.569
On the first occasion in 605 bc,
00:01:22.569 --> 00:01:25.205
He forced king jehoiakim of judah to break with egypt
00:01:25.205 --> 00:01:29.676
And sign a treaty with babylon.
00:01:29.676 --> 00:01:31.845
Jehoiakim didn't honor his end of the bargain,
00:01:31.845 --> 00:01:34.948
And things didn't turn out well for him or for judah.
00:01:34.948 --> 00:01:39.986
"the lord sent against him raiding bands of chaldeans,
00:01:39.986 --> 00:01:43.590
"bands of syrians, bands of moabites,
00:01:43.590 --> 00:01:46.159
"and bands of the people of ammon;
00:01:46.159 --> 00:01:48.328
"he sent them against judah to destroy it,
00:01:48.328 --> 00:01:50.964
"according to the word of the lord which he had spoken
00:01:50.964 --> 00:01:53.600
By his servants the prophets."
00:01:53.600 --> 00:01:55.235
You find that in 2 kings, chapter 24.
00:01:55.235 --> 00:01:59.206
God told judah they would be under babylonian rule
00:01:59.206 --> 00:02:02.609
For 70 years.
00:02:02.609 --> 00:02:04.678
"after seventy years are completed at babylon,
00:02:04.678 --> 00:02:07.747
I will visit you and perform my good word toward you,
00:02:07.747 --> 00:02:12.052
And cause you to return to this place."
00:02:12.052 --> 00:02:14.921
And then we read a well-known bible verse. [whoosh]
00:02:14.921 --> 00:02:19.092
"for i know the thoughts that i think toward you, says the lord,
00:02:19.092 --> 00:02:22.329
"thoughts of peace and not of evil,
00:02:22.329 --> 00:02:24.931
To give you a future and a hope."
00:02:24.931 --> 00:02:27.067
Jeremiah 29:11.
00:02:27.067 --> 00:02:28.702
That was said in the context of god assuring a rebellious people
00:02:28.702 --> 00:02:33.773
That the trial, as severe as it was,
00:02:33.773 --> 00:02:36.276
Was intended to lead them to a better future,
00:02:36.276 --> 00:02:39.579
To a place of faith.
00:02:39.579 --> 00:02:41.948
The trials god allows to come to you are for the same purpose.
00:02:41.948 --> 00:02:46.253
There might seem to be nothing redemptive
00:02:46.253 --> 00:02:48.755
In a challenging diagnosis or a financial scrape or a job loss,
00:02:48.755 --> 00:02:52.926
But anything god permits he permits to encourage you
00:02:52.926 --> 00:02:57.897
To come closer to him.
00:02:57.897 --> 00:02:59.566
Too often people allow their trials
00:02:59.566 --> 00:03:01.434
To push them away from god. it shouldn't be that way.
00:03:01.434 --> 00:03:04.604
Hardships are a time to lean in to god,
00:03:04.604 --> 00:03:07.374
Not to get angry with god or harden your heart.
00:03:07.374 --> 00:03:10.744
Judah was going into 70 years of captivity.
00:03:10.744 --> 00:03:14.014
God was permitting that for their good.
00:03:14.014 --> 00:03:17.117
[whoosh] ♪[orchestral music swells]♪
00:03:17.117 --> 00:03:20.787
[tinkling sound of wind-blown sand]
00:03:20.787 --> 00:03:23.023
[whoosh, distant bell rings]
00:03:23.023 --> 00:03:26.326
[wind blowing, sand swishing]
00:03:26.326 --> 00:03:29.529
Without a doubt, one of the most remarkable stories
00:03:31.665 --> 00:03:34.934
In the entire bible is found in daniel, chapter 3.
00:03:34.934 --> 00:03:38.338
First, let's recap.
00:03:38.338 --> 00:03:39.839
While a teenager, daniel was taken from his home in judah,
00:03:39.839 --> 00:03:42.842
Forcibly relocated to babylon,
00:03:42.842 --> 00:03:45.111
And pressed into the service of the king of babylon.
00:03:45.111 --> 00:03:47.981
In chapter 1, when beginning their training,
00:03:47.981 --> 00:03:50.383
Daniel and his friends refused to eat the food
00:03:50.383 --> 00:03:53.253
Provided by the king, choosing instead of follow a simple diet
00:03:53.253 --> 00:03:57.090
That honored god. they excelled.
00:03:57.090 --> 00:04:00.327
And when the king himself examined them,
00:04:00.327 --> 00:04:02.162
They were found to be "ten times better"
00:04:02.162 --> 00:04:04.898
Than all of their colleagues.
00:04:04.898 --> 00:04:06.499
Then in daniel 2, daniel interpreted the king's
00:04:06.499 --> 00:04:09.436
Remarkable dream of a statue made from gold, silver,
00:04:09.436 --> 00:04:12.639
Brass, and iron, standing on feet of iron and clay.
00:04:12.639 --> 00:04:16.409
A stone, cut out without hands, not of human origin,
00:04:16.409 --> 00:04:20.980
Crashed into the image and broke it to pieces,
00:04:20.980 --> 00:04:24.084
And the entire thing was swept away,
00:04:24.084 --> 00:04:26.686
While the stone became a great mountain that filled the earth.
00:04:26.686 --> 00:04:29.823
That's the return of jesus.
00:04:29.823 --> 00:04:33.126
Daniel interpreted this dream to mean that kingdoms would arise,
00:04:33.126 --> 00:04:37.063
First babylon, then medo-persia,
00:04:37.063 --> 00:04:40.033
Then greece and rome, and then rome would divide.
00:04:40.033 --> 00:04:44.738
Daniel predicted in around 600 bc
00:04:44.738 --> 00:04:48.007
What would take place in the world
00:04:48.007 --> 00:04:49.342
Over the next 2,500 years and beyond.
00:04:49.342 --> 00:04:53.646
Daniel's predictions have proven to be stunningly accurate.
00:04:53.646 --> 00:04:57.584
Clearly, the word of god can be trusted and believed.
00:04:57.584 --> 00:05:02.922
And now the incredible daniel, chapter 3,
00:05:02.922 --> 00:05:05.725
A life-and-death story that prefigures events
00:05:05.725 --> 00:05:09.028
In the end of time.
00:05:09.028 --> 00:05:10.363
It's a story with big implications,
00:05:10.363 --> 00:05:12.532
And if you consider it carefully, it will shine a light
00:05:12.532 --> 00:05:16.770
On the prophecies of earth's final days.
00:05:16.770 --> 00:05:19.639
After the dream of daniel 2,
00:05:20.607 --> 00:05:22.208
The image made from different metals,
00:05:22.208 --> 00:05:24.677
King nebuchadnezzar had his artisans construct an image
00:05:24.677 --> 00:05:28.214
Made entirely out of gold.
00:05:28.214 --> 00:05:31.785
His dream had made clear that babylon would not last forever,
00:05:31.785 --> 00:05:36.122
But here, he shook his fist in god's face,
00:05:36.122 --> 00:05:39.058
Making it clear that in his mind
00:05:39.058 --> 00:05:41.528
Things were going to work out differently.
00:05:41.528 --> 00:05:43.530
The story starts bluntly:
00:05:43.530 --> 00:05:46.166
"nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold."
00:05:46.166 --> 00:05:50.036
And it was like nothing that had ever been seen.
00:05:50.036 --> 00:05:53.506
Its "height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits.
00:05:53.506 --> 00:05:58.144
"he set it up in the plain of dura,
00:05:58.144 --> 00:05:59.813
In the province of babylon."
00:05:59.813 --> 00:06:01.748
Sixty cubits high is around 90 to 100 feet, around 30 meters.
00:06:01.748 --> 00:06:06.286
Now, babylon used the sexagesimal system
00:06:06.286 --> 00:06:08.855
Of numbering, a system based on the number six.
00:06:08.855 --> 00:06:12.525
Most nations today use the decimal system,
00:06:12.525 --> 00:06:15.595
Based on the number 10.
00:06:15.595 --> 00:06:17.764
The babylonian system gave us 60 seconds in a minute,
00:06:17.764 --> 00:06:21.201
60 minutes in an hour, 360 degrees in a circle, and so on.
00:06:21.201 --> 00:06:26.773
And if you're wondering about 666 in the book of revelation,
00:06:26.773 --> 00:06:32.111
You're making a good connection--
00:06:32.111 --> 00:06:33.513
With that number connecting directly to babylon.
00:06:33.513 --> 00:06:37.417
So, this image was roughly the height of a nine-story building.
00:06:37.417 --> 00:06:42.055
Whether that was all statue or if the height
00:06:42.055 --> 00:06:44.424
Included a pedestal, we really don't know,
00:06:44.424 --> 00:06:46.259
But either way it was tall.
00:06:46.259 --> 00:06:49.229
And being as it was erected on a plain,
00:06:49.229 --> 00:06:52.665
It would have been visible for miles.
00:06:52.665 --> 00:06:55.869
Solid gold, gleaming in the shining middle-eastern sun--
00:06:55.869 --> 00:07:00.306
The king was making a statement.
00:07:00.306 --> 00:07:04.244
He summoned anyone who was anyone to come
00:07:04.244 --> 00:07:07.347
To the dedication of the image,
00:07:07.347 --> 00:07:09.015
Something shadrach, meshach, and abed-nego did.
00:07:09.015 --> 00:07:12.051
While they knew this was going in a bad direction,
00:07:12.051 --> 00:07:15.154
They did everything they could to comply.
00:07:15.154 --> 00:07:18.491
They were obedient to civil authority
00:07:18.491 --> 00:07:21.828
As far as they were able.
00:07:21.828 --> 00:07:23.530
But then, [whoosh]
00:07:23.530 --> 00:07:25.431
"then a herald cried aloud: 'to you it is commanded,
00:07:25.431 --> 00:07:30.370
"'o peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time
00:07:30.370 --> 00:07:33.740
"'you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre,
00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:37.143
"'and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music,
00:07:37.143 --> 00:07:40.980
"'you shall fall down and worship the gold[en] image
00:07:40.980 --> 00:07:45.218
That king nebuchadnezzar has set up."
00:07:45.218 --> 00:07:47.120
They knew what god had said:
00:07:48.087 --> 00:07:50.390
"don't make graven images. don't worship them."
00:07:50.390 --> 00:07:53.493
The king had commanded, but god had forbidden.
00:07:53.493 --> 00:07:57.997
So, what do you do in a situation like this?
00:07:57.997 --> 00:08:00.333
The herald continued: "and whoever does not fall down
00:08:00.333 --> 00:08:03.836
"and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst
00:08:03.836 --> 00:08:07.640
Of a burning fiery furnace."
00:08:07.640 --> 00:08:09.542
Now, that upped the ante considerably.
00:08:09.542 --> 00:08:12.812
The passage says that when the people heard the music play,
00:08:12.812 --> 00:08:16.449
They all bowed down and worshiped the golden image.
00:08:16.449 --> 00:08:21.654
Couldn't shadrach, meshach, and abed-nego
00:08:21.654 --> 00:08:23.389
Have found a workaround?
00:08:23.389 --> 00:08:24.991
Couldn't they have bent down to tie their sandals
00:08:24.991 --> 00:08:27.560
Or to scratch their ankles
00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:29.062
Or to, to look at something on the ground?
00:08:29.062 --> 00:08:31.397
No. they wouldn't even give the impression
00:08:31.397 --> 00:08:34.400
That they were compromising.
00:08:34.400 --> 00:08:36.002
They didn't want it to even look like
00:08:36.002 --> 00:08:38.204
They were worshiping that statue.
00:08:38.204 --> 00:08:40.506
At that time, someone in the crowd approached the king
00:08:40.506 --> 00:08:42.842
And informed him that shadrach, meshach, and abed-nego
00:08:42.842 --> 00:08:45.278
Did not bow down.
00:08:45.278 --> 00:08:46.746
They were brought before the king, who was furious.
00:08:46.746 --> 00:08:51.451
He told them that if they cooperated, all would be well.
00:08:51.451 --> 00:08:54.921
"but if you do not worship, you shall be cast
00:08:54.921 --> 00:08:57.924
"immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
00:08:57.924 --> 00:09:01.694
And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?"
00:09:01.694 --> 00:09:05.398
They were facing certain death,
00:09:06.366 --> 00:09:09.302
Caught between courage and compromise,
00:09:09.302 --> 00:09:12.138
Caught between what they knew to be right and saving their lives,
00:09:12.138 --> 00:09:15.675
Between obeying god and paying the ultimate price.
00:09:15.675 --> 00:09:20.880
♪[somber music]♪
00:09:20.880 --> 00:09:22.181
What do you do when you're a young man,
00:09:22.181 --> 00:09:25.084
You're in proximity to wealth and position,
00:09:25.084 --> 00:09:27.720
You've got a great job in the king's inner circle,
00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:30.790
And the most powerful man on the planet says,
00:09:30.790 --> 00:09:34.327
"worship an idol or else,"
00:09:34.327 --> 00:09:36.996
And when everyone else is doing it?
00:09:36.996 --> 00:09:40.366
Peer pressure is nothing new.
00:09:40.366 --> 00:09:42.935
Whether it's teenagers experimenting with drugs,
00:09:42.935 --> 00:09:45.638
Alcohol, or immorality, the culture at work
00:09:45.638 --> 00:09:48.908
And the pressure to go along with the crowd,
00:09:48.908 --> 00:09:51.544
The pressure to lie to get ahead or to misrepresent the facts
00:09:51.544 --> 00:09:55.148
To get more sales, it's real.
00:09:55.148 --> 00:09:57.817
The eyes of a nation were on three foreigners who didn't eat
00:09:57.817 --> 00:10:02.889
The same food or drink the same wine or worship the same gods
00:10:02.889 --> 00:10:07.593
As everyone else there that day.
00:10:07.593 --> 00:10:10.797
What would they do?
00:10:10.797 --> 00:10:12.932
You know, god is looking for people who will dare
00:10:12.932 --> 00:10:16.335
To live their faith, who'll take their cue not from other people
00:10:16.335 --> 00:10:20.940
But from heaven, who rely on the bible as their guide for life,
00:10:20.940 --> 00:10:26.813
Even when other people don't.
00:10:26.813 --> 00:10:29.582
God is looking for people who've looked at the cross
00:10:29.582 --> 00:10:32.585
And decided they want to honor jesus.
00:10:32.585 --> 00:10:34.921
And if you've ever wondered how that works out,
00:10:34.921 --> 00:10:37.557
Watch and see what happens next.
00:10:37.557 --> 00:10:40.893
The boys responded, "o nebuchadnezzar,
00:10:40.893 --> 00:10:43.496
"we have no need to answer you in this matter.
00:10:43.496 --> 00:10:46.399
"if that is the case, our god whom we serve
00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:49.268
"is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,
00:10:49.268 --> 00:10:52.972
And he will deliver us from your hand, o king."
00:10:52.972 --> 00:10:56.476
Was this bold? was it courageous?
00:10:56.476 --> 00:10:58.945
No. it's what people of faith do.
00:10:58.945 --> 00:11:03.950
The king asked, "who is the god who [is able to] deliver you
00:11:03.950 --> 00:11:06.686
From my hands?"
00:11:06.686 --> 00:11:07.920
Well, shadrach, meshach, and abed-nego knew who that god was.
00:11:07.920 --> 00:11:12.892
Keep this in mind--when another pagan ruler had sought
00:11:12.892 --> 00:11:17.363
To kill god's people, god opened up the red sea.
00:11:17.363 --> 00:11:21.200
Israel escaped, and the pharaoh lost his life.
00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:25.204
They knew that story.
00:11:25.204 --> 00:11:26.706
Only 100 years or so before this, an angel slew
00:11:26.706 --> 00:11:30.543
185,000 assyrian soldiers
00:11:30.543 --> 00:11:35.214
As they were positioned to attack jerusalem.
00:11:35.214 --> 00:11:37.717
The boys knew that story.
00:11:37.717 --> 00:11:40.019
Only a couple of years before this,
00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:42.188
They'd been faithful to god when they just arrived in town,
00:11:42.188 --> 00:11:44.490
And subsequently god revealed to daniel the king's dream
00:11:44.490 --> 00:11:48.761
And what it meant.
00:11:48.761 --> 00:11:50.930
God had come through for the hebrew boys and for his people
00:11:50.930 --> 00:11:54.734
Again and again, and they knew this.
00:11:54.734 --> 00:11:57.236
So they had reason to be confident
00:11:57.236 --> 00:11:58.738
In god's providence now.
00:11:58.738 --> 00:12:01.340
And that's true for you.
00:12:01.340 --> 00:12:03.342
You have the entire history of the bible demonstrating to you
00:12:03.342 --> 00:12:07.747
That god is faithful.
00:12:07.747 --> 00:12:08.915
You have your own experience of how god time and again
00:12:08.915 --> 00:12:12.919
Has come through for you, provided for you,
00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:14.620
Done wonders for you.
00:12:14.620 --> 00:12:16.956
When a friend of mine was visiting a prison,
00:12:16.956 --> 00:12:19.625
He spoke to a rough inmate about god.
00:12:19.625 --> 00:12:21.727
The man said he wasn't interested.
00:12:21.727 --> 00:12:23.596
He said god wasn't real.
00:12:23.596 --> 00:12:24.831
So my friend asked him, "was there ever a time in your life
00:12:24.831 --> 00:12:31.170
When god did something for you?"
00:12:31.170 --> 00:12:32.538
The man thought about that.
00:12:32.538 --> 00:12:34.440
He said, "you know, there was a time, one time."
00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:37.910
He said, "i was fleeing the police
00:12:37.910 --> 00:12:41.180
"when i lost control of the stolen car i was driving.
00:12:41.180 --> 00:12:44.517
"it went up a bank, launched into the air; it flipped
00:12:44.517 --> 00:12:48.120
"and was going to land right on its roof.
00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:50.056
I called out, 'god, save me!'"
00:12:50.056 --> 00:12:52.592
He said, "everyone who saw the car afterwards was convinced
00:12:52.592 --> 00:12:55.228
There's no way anyone could have made it out of there alive."
00:12:55.228 --> 00:12:58.831
The man walked away without a scratch.
00:12:58.831 --> 00:13:01.567
A week later, after reflecting on that,
00:13:01.567 --> 00:13:03.603
That man gave his heart to jesus,
00:13:03.603 --> 00:13:06.505
And he's a christian today.
00:13:06.505 --> 00:13:08.341
You don't want to forget what god has done.
00:13:08.341 --> 00:13:12.011
A friend of mine texted to let me know
00:13:12.011 --> 00:13:13.880
That wildfires were heading towards his house.
00:13:13.880 --> 00:13:16.849
His neighborhood was burning street by street,
00:13:16.849 --> 00:13:20.253
And the flames were now at the top of his street.
00:13:20.253 --> 00:13:23.756
Now, my wife and i, we prayed.
00:13:23.756 --> 00:13:25.324
No doubt others were praying as well.
00:13:25.324 --> 00:13:27.460
We prayed specifically that god would change the direction
00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:30.463
Of the wind and spare our friend's home
00:13:30.463 --> 00:13:32.932
And the other houses on his street.
00:13:32.932 --> 00:13:35.668
He got back to me later. the wind changed direction.
00:13:35.668 --> 00:13:40.106
His house and the other houses on that street were spared,
00:13:40.106 --> 00:13:44.744
Even though all around them
00:13:44.744 --> 00:13:47.113
Houses were completely destroyed.
00:13:47.113 --> 00:13:49.015
Now, come on. how good is our god?
00:13:49.015 --> 00:13:51.717
So when you hear stories like that
00:13:51.717 --> 00:13:53.219
Or you experience something like that,
00:13:53.219 --> 00:13:55.221
Remember those stories and let them grow your faith
00:13:55.221 --> 00:13:58.557
And strengthen your confidence in god.
00:13:58.557 --> 00:14:01.027
That's what shadrach, meshach, and abed-nego did.
00:14:01.027 --> 00:14:04.697
They remembered god's greatness.
00:14:04.697 --> 00:14:08.567
And notice what they said:
00:14:08.567 --> 00:14:10.236
"our god whom we serve is able to deliver us
00:14:10.236 --> 00:14:14.373
"from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us
00:14:14.373 --> 00:14:18.411
"from you hand, o king.
00:14:18.411 --> 00:14:20.446
"but if not, let it be known to you, o king,
00:14:20.446 --> 00:14:24.016
"that we do not serve your gods,
00:14:24.016 --> 00:14:26.819
Nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."
00:14:26.819 --> 00:14:30.823
That is faith!
00:14:30.823 --> 00:14:34.961
"god can deliver us. we believe god will deliver us.
00:14:34.961 --> 00:14:38.397
"but if he doesn't,
00:14:38.397 --> 00:14:39.632
We're still not going to worship your image."
00:14:39.632 --> 00:14:42.201
That's one of the greatest stands made in the entire bible.
00:14:42.201 --> 00:14:46.806
It's like joseph: i'm not sinning against god.
00:14:46.806 --> 00:14:49.775
It's like jacob:
00:14:49.775 --> 00:14:51.210
"i will not let you go unless you bless me!"
00:14:51.210 --> 00:14:53.946
It's like abraham:
00:14:53.946 --> 00:14:55.614
"god [shall] provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering."
00:14:55.614 --> 00:15:00.553
God is able.
00:15:00.553 --> 00:15:04.357
"but if he chooses not to, if we burn,
00:15:04.357 --> 00:15:08.694
We're still not bowing down."
00:15:08.694 --> 00:15:11.130
What an example!
00:15:11.130 --> 00:15:12.798
Anyone can have faith when things are going smoothly.
00:15:12.798 --> 00:15:15.334
The test of your faith is what you do
00:15:15.334 --> 00:15:17.970
When you don't get what you ask for.
00:15:17.970 --> 00:15:21.307
Does the fact that someone was not healed
00:15:21.307 --> 00:15:23.009
Mean that god isn't god?
00:15:23.009 --> 00:15:24.777
You didn't get the job, and, and now god stopped being god?
00:15:24.777 --> 00:15:27.913
Your spouse leaves you, your kids make poor decisions,
00:15:27.913 --> 00:15:30.516
You were victimized somehow, and god is no longer god?
00:15:30.516 --> 00:15:35.021
That cannot be true.
00:15:35.021 --> 00:15:36.122
Even when things are rough, god is still god.
00:15:36.122 --> 00:15:41.560
So what does the most powerful man in the world do
00:15:41.560 --> 00:15:44.864
When three teenagers defy him?
00:15:44.864 --> 00:15:48.334
And what does god do?
00:15:48.334 --> 00:15:49.835
Nebuchadnezzar was so mad the expression on his face changed,
00:15:49.835 --> 00:15:53.406
And he gave the command
00:15:53.406 --> 00:15:54.473
To heat the furnace seven times higher than usual.
00:15:54.473 --> 00:15:58.844
Now, whether that's actual seven literal times high
00:15:58.844 --> 00:16:02.548
Or symbolic doesn't really matter.
00:16:02.548 --> 00:16:04.350
He made it hotter, and in iraq, with its abundant resources
00:16:04.350 --> 00:16:09.055
Of oil and so forth, he had the means to do so.
00:16:09.055 --> 00:16:12.158
He gave the order for the young men
00:16:12.158 --> 00:16:13.392
To be cast into a fiery furnace.
00:16:13.392 --> 00:16:15.728
And the heat was so intense that the soldiers,
00:16:15.728 --> 00:16:19.365
Who threw those young men into the flames,
00:16:19.365 --> 00:16:21.667
Were themselves killed.
00:16:21.667 --> 00:16:24.036
In those boys went.
00:16:24.036 --> 00:16:26.705
Three young men, likely still teenagers,
00:16:26.705 --> 00:16:30.543
Cast into a furnace like garbage might have been.
00:16:30.543 --> 00:16:34.146
Their lives sacrificed because of the arrogance and pride,
00:16:34.146 --> 00:16:39.351
Because of the rebellion in the heart of a man
00:16:39.351 --> 00:16:41.487
Who one chapter earlier had said,
00:16:41.487 --> 00:16:44.523
"truly your god is the god of gods,
00:16:44.523 --> 00:16:47.093
The lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets."
00:16:47.093 --> 00:16:50.563
But none of that is what's most fascinating about this story.
00:16:50.563 --> 00:16:54.467
As i said earlier, this story is history--and prophecy.
00:16:54.467 --> 00:16:59.738
It's a story about what happened about 600 years
00:16:59.738 --> 00:17:01.941
Before jesus was born.
00:17:01.941 --> 00:17:03.476
And it's a story about what is going to happen
00:17:03.476 --> 00:17:06.879
In the end of time before jesus returns.
00:17:06.879 --> 00:17:10.282
As we've learned, the book of revelation is built
00:17:10.282 --> 00:17:13.119
Upon the book of daniel, and because history repeats,
00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:18.157
We're going to see the same scenario
00:17:18.157 --> 00:17:20.159
Repeated in the close of time.
00:17:20.159 --> 00:17:22.895
In daniel 3, a king makes an image and commands people
00:17:22.895 --> 00:17:27.766
To worship it, contrary to the word of god.
00:17:27.766 --> 00:17:30.836
In revelation 13, in the heart of the global end-time conflict,
00:17:30.836 --> 00:17:36.175
There's another image, an image to the beast.
00:17:36.175 --> 00:17:40.346
Verse 15 says, [whoosh]
00:17:40.346 --> 00:17:42.181
"he was granted power to give breath
00:17:42.181 --> 00:17:43.916
"to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast
00:17:43.916 --> 00:17:46.318
"should both speak and cause as many
00:17:46.318 --> 00:17:49.021
As would not worship the image of the beast to be killed."
00:17:49.021 --> 00:17:54.026
An image again--this time, not an actual statue
00:17:54.026 --> 00:17:59.165
But an image of a likeness to the beast of revelation 13,
00:17:59.165 --> 00:18:04.637
Combining the trappings of religion
00:18:04.637 --> 00:18:08.040
And the might of the state.
00:18:08.040 --> 00:18:09.875
Just as we see in daniel 3.
00:18:09.875 --> 00:18:13.679
Just as nebuchadnezzar compelled the conscience of all,
00:18:13.679 --> 00:18:16.182
The same will happen again.
00:18:16.182 --> 00:18:18.184
And just as the king of babylon threatened the faithful ones
00:18:18.184 --> 00:18:21.587
With death, revelation 13 says
00:18:21.587 --> 00:18:23.956
The same scenario will play out once more.
00:18:23.956 --> 00:18:27.126
Those who won't worship the image of the beast
00:18:27.126 --> 00:18:30.129
Will be threatened with death.
00:18:30.129 --> 00:18:31.730
No, god's not trying to scare anyone--that's the devil's mo.
00:18:31.730 --> 00:18:35.935
God's trying to prepare everyone.
00:18:35.935 --> 00:18:40.039
Christianity is surrendering your heart to jesus
00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:42.675
So that when things are going well,
00:18:42.675 --> 00:18:44.476
You're turning to him like a flower turns to face the sun.
00:18:44.476 --> 00:18:47.213
And when things are not going so great, you'll do the same.
00:18:47.213 --> 00:18:52.351
And in all things, you'll be faithful,
00:18:52.351 --> 00:18:54.286
According to god's word.
00:18:54.286 --> 00:18:56.622
But this story that overshadows events
00:18:56.622 --> 00:18:59.391
To take place in the world at the end of time,
00:18:59.391 --> 00:19:02.494
How did this story turn out?
00:19:02.494 --> 00:19:04.997
What became of the three young men thrown into a kiln
00:19:04.997 --> 00:19:09.835
Heated seven times hotter than usual?
00:19:09.835 --> 00:19:14.306
"these three men, shadrach, meshach, and abed-nego,
00:19:14.306 --> 00:19:18.477
"fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
00:19:18.477 --> 00:19:23.882
"then king nebuchadnezzar was astonished;
00:19:23.882 --> 00:19:26.685
"and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors,
00:19:26.685 --> 00:19:31.056
"'did we not cast three men bound into the midst
00:19:31.056 --> 00:19:34.727
"of the fire?' they answered and said to the king,
00:19:34.727 --> 00:19:36.962
"'true, o king.' 'look!' he answered,
00:19:36.962 --> 00:19:41.166
"'i see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire;
00:19:41.166 --> 00:19:46.372
"'and they are not hurt,
00:19:46.372 --> 00:19:48.407
And the form of the fourth is like the son of god.'"
00:19:48.407 --> 00:19:54.780
The three worthies, as they're often called,
00:19:54.780 --> 00:19:57.883
Weren't harmed by the flames of that furnace
00:19:57.883 --> 00:20:01.020
Or troubled by the intense heat.
00:20:01.020 --> 00:20:03.622
Instead, when they stood for god,
00:20:03.622 --> 00:20:06.258
Jesus appeared and stood for them.
00:20:06.258 --> 00:20:09.528
The pagan king was able to say he saw a fourth person
00:20:09.528 --> 00:20:13.132
Who was like the son of god
00:20:13.132 --> 00:20:15.567
Because he had seen jesus in them.
00:20:15.567 --> 00:20:18.637
He called to them to come out of the furnace,
00:20:18.637 --> 00:20:20.339
"these men on whose bodies the fire had no power;
00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:23.976
"the hair of their head was not singed
00:20:23.976 --> 00:20:26.045
"nor were their garments affected,
00:20:26.045 --> 00:20:27.746
And the smell of fire was not on them."
00:20:27.746 --> 00:20:31.317
All that was damaged by the fire
00:20:31.317 --> 00:20:34.386
Were the babylonian ropes that bound them.
00:20:34.386 --> 00:20:37.122
See, when god allows you to step into the furnace of affliction,
00:20:37.122 --> 00:20:40.359
It's to burn out of your life whatever is babylonian.
00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:44.797
As malachi wrote, "he shall purify the sons of levi...,
00:20:44.797 --> 00:20:48.467
"that they may offer unto the lord
00:20:48.467 --> 00:20:50.769
An offering in righteousness."
00:20:50.769 --> 00:20:53.706
Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying,
00:20:53.706 --> 00:20:55.641
"'blessed be the god of shadrach, meshach,
00:20:55.641 --> 00:20:59.178
"'and abed-nego, who sent his angel and delivered his servants
00:20:59.178 --> 00:21:01.814
"'who trusted in him, and they have frustrated the king's word,
00:21:01.814 --> 00:21:05.317
"'and yielded their bodies,
00:21:05.317 --> 00:21:06.985
"'that they should not serve nor worship any god
00:21:06.985 --> 00:21:10.756
"'except their own god!
00:21:10.756 --> 00:21:12.458
"'therefore i make a decree that any people, nation,
00:21:12.458 --> 00:21:16.228
"'or language which speaks anything amiss against the god
00:21:16.228 --> 00:21:19.965
"'of shadrach, meshach, and abed-nego
00:21:19.965 --> 00:21:22.167
"'shall be cut in pieces,
00:21:22.167 --> 00:21:24.636
"'and their houses shall be made an ash heap;
00:21:24.636 --> 00:21:27.840
"because there is no other god who can deliver like this.'
00:21:27.840 --> 00:21:31.744
"then the king promoted shadrach, meshach, and abed-nego
00:21:31.744 --> 00:21:36.315
In the province of babylon."
00:21:36.315 --> 00:21:39.051
Looking ahead to earth's last days, we can say with the king,
00:21:39.051 --> 00:21:43.055
"there is no other god who can deliver like this."
00:21:43.055 --> 00:21:45.924
That's 100 percent undeniably true.
00:21:45.924 --> 00:21:50.429
With an eye on the end of time, daniel 3 reveals that god
00:21:50.429 --> 00:21:53.599
Is faithful, he is able, and that he's a great deliverer.
00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:58.303
Three captives revealed to the world,
00:21:58.303 --> 00:22:00.205
In a story that survived more than 2,500 years,
00:22:00.205 --> 00:22:05.110
That when you make a stand for god, jesus stands with you.
00:22:05.110 --> 00:22:11.850
Are you willing to make a stand today?
00:22:11.850 --> 00:22:14.920
Is there an area of your life
00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:16.355
You need to surrender more fully to god?
00:22:16.355 --> 00:22:18.757
Maybe it's a matter of making a decision for the first time.
00:22:18.757 --> 00:22:21.927
Amidst the prophecies and the symbols and the stories,
00:22:21.927 --> 00:22:24.763
We see that daniel is a book of salvation.
00:22:24.763 --> 00:22:28.467
Three chapters in and we see that god is doing all he can
00:22:28.467 --> 00:22:32.037
To reach a pagan king.
00:22:32.037 --> 00:22:34.640
This idolater was special to god,
00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:37.443
As are all the sinners of the world.
00:22:37.443 --> 00:22:41.780
Judah was in babylon so god could get through
00:22:41.780 --> 00:22:43.982
To their hard hearts, and while they were there,
00:22:43.982 --> 00:22:47.052
God wanted to use them to reach this hardened
00:22:47.052 --> 00:22:51.723
Middle-eastern monarch.
00:22:51.723 --> 00:22:54.526
What would become of king nebuchadnezzar?
00:22:54.526 --> 00:22:57.996
Would he give his heart to the god of heaven?
00:22:57.996 --> 00:22:59.832
We'll find that out next time.
00:22:59.832 --> 00:23:01.934
But what will become of you?
00:23:01.934 --> 00:23:04.403
Jesus died for you.
00:23:04.403 --> 00:23:05.971
God wants for you to be in heaven.
00:23:05.971 --> 00:23:10.209
The spirit of god is speaking to your heart,
00:23:10.209 --> 00:23:13.812
Inviting you to make a decision for jesus.
00:23:13.812 --> 00:23:18.650
Why don't you make that decision for jesus now?
00:23:18.650 --> 00:23:21.420
Invite him to take your sins and give you the gift
00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:25.591
Of everlasting life, knowing that he will.
00:23:25.591 --> 00:23:29.094
Jesus died for you. god loves you.
00:23:29.094 --> 00:23:32.331
And if you'll make the decision right now,
00:23:32.331 --> 00:23:34.867
You can become a saved child of god.
00:23:34.867 --> 00:23:39.238
Now, there's something i want you to see,
00:23:39.238 --> 00:23:40.839
Something i'd like to give you.
00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:42.040
It's a little book that i've written to go along
00:23:42.040 --> 00:23:43.775
With this very series of programs.
00:23:43.775 --> 00:23:46.011
It's absolutely free, and i'd love you to get it right now.
00:23:46.011 --> 00:23:50.315
>>announcer: to get today's free offer,
00:23:50.315 --> 00:23:52.217
"the stories of daniel,"
00:23:52.217 --> 00:23:53.719
Call 800-253-3000.
00:23:53.719 --> 00:23:56.421
That's 800-253-3000.
00:23:56.421 --> 00:23:59.658
You can request "the stories of daniel"
00:23:59.658 --> 00:24:01.493
Online at iiwoffer.com.
00:24:01.493 --> 00:24:05.297
You can write to the address on your screen
00:24:05.297 --> 00:24:06.965
Or text "freedaniel" to 71392.
00:24:06.965 --> 00:24:11.103
"the stories of daniel," faith-building stories
00:24:11.103 --> 00:24:14.406
Given by god to prepare you
00:24:14.406 --> 00:24:15.974
For the major events of earth's last days.
00:24:15.974 --> 00:24:19.077
"the stories of daniel,"
00:24:19.077 --> 00:24:21.013
Call 800-253-3000.
00:24:21.013 --> 00:24:23.849
Go to iiwoffer.com
00:24:23.849 --> 00:24:26.518
Or text "freedaniel" to 71392.
00:24:26.518 --> 00:24:30.355
Grow your faith as you prepare for the return of jesus.
00:24:30.355 --> 00:24:33.892
>>john: thank you for remembering that it is written
00:24:35.527 --> 00:24:37.596
Exists because of the kindness of people just like you.
00:24:37.596 --> 00:24:41.400
To support this international life-changing ministry,
00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:43.936
Please call us now at 800-253-3000.
00:24:43.936 --> 00:24:48.340
You can send your tax-deductible gift
00:24:48.340 --> 00:24:50.042
To the address on your screen,
00:24:50.042 --> 00:24:51.476
Or you can visit us online at itiswritten.com.
00:24:51.476 --> 00:24:55.547
Thank you for your prayers and your financial support.
00:24:55.547 --> 00:24:57.749
Our number again is 800-253-3000,
00:24:57.749 --> 00:25:01.353
Or you can visit us online at itiswritten.com.
00:25:01.353 --> 00:25:05.057
>>john: let's pray together now.
00:25:06.158 --> 00:25:07.993
Our father in heaven, in jesus' name we come to you,
00:25:07.993 --> 00:25:10.262
Thanking you that you are a great deliverer,
00:25:10.262 --> 00:25:12.998
Thanking you that you would even go after the heart
00:25:12.998 --> 00:25:15.100
Of a hardened middle-eastern monarch,
00:25:15.100 --> 00:25:18.103
And grateful that in time of huge distress,
00:25:18.103 --> 00:25:21.640
You delivered the three young men who were faithful.
00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:25.510
We are grateful that you deliver us.
00:25:25.510 --> 00:25:28.580
And right now there's somebody in the midst
00:25:28.580 --> 00:25:30.415
Of a, a fiery furnace experience.
00:25:30.415 --> 00:25:33.685
Deliver that one right now,
00:25:33.685 --> 00:25:35.687
Or keep that person's faith strong,
00:25:35.687 --> 00:25:39.458
Even in the midst of difficulty.
00:25:39.458 --> 00:25:42.160
Lord, we look forward to the day when jesus returns.
00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:45.631
We're thankful that one day gravity will lose its hold
00:25:45.631 --> 00:25:48.467
On the soles of our feet,
00:25:48.467 --> 00:25:50.135
And we will go up to be with you forever.
00:25:50.135 --> 00:25:55.073
So now take our hearts, make us yours.
00:25:55.073 --> 00:25:58.343
We believe you're coming back for your own.
00:25:58.343 --> 00:26:00.479
Friend, would you make that decision to jesus right now?
00:26:00.479 --> 00:26:03.548
Would you say, "jesus, be my lord and savior.
00:26:03.548 --> 00:26:05.884
I trust you with my life. change my heart.
00:26:05.884 --> 00:26:08.487
I give it to you now." if you pray that prayer,
00:26:08.487 --> 00:26:10.255
You know that god will do what only god can do.
00:26:10.255 --> 00:26:13.692
Then when we say "amen," you can know that your burden
00:26:13.692 --> 00:26:15.894
Has been taken, your sins have been assumed by jesus,
00:26:15.894 --> 00:26:20.732
And they were borne to the cross for you.
00:26:20.732 --> 00:26:23.368
We thank you, dear lord.
00:26:23.368 --> 00:26:24.670
Keep us, we pray. we trust in you.
00:26:24.670 --> 00:26:27.472
And we believe that the god who saved shadrach, meshach,
00:26:27.472 --> 00:26:31.076
And abed-nego saves us now through faith in jesus.
00:26:31.076 --> 00:26:34.579
In jesus' name we pray. amen.
00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:38.283
Thank you so much for joining me.
00:26:38.283 --> 00:26:40.118
I'm looking forward to seeing you again next time.
00:26:40.118 --> 00:26:42.120
Until then, remember:
00:26:42.120 --> 00:26:43.622
"it is written, 'man shall not live by bread alone,
00:26:43.622 --> 00:26:46.825
But by every word that proceeds from the mouth of god.'"
00:26:46.825 --> 00:26:50.395
♪[dramatic, triumphant theme music]♪
00:26:50.395 --> 00:27:23.528
♪[music ends]♪♪
00:27:26.998 --> 00:27:26.998

John Bradshaw - Daniel The Prophet

March 2, 2025 | S25:E9

Closed captions

Share