John Bradshaw - Daniel The Prophet: The Fiery Furnace

April 6, 2025 | S25:E14

It Is Written seeks to impact lives for Christ.

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It Is Written with John Bradshaw | John Bradshaw - Daniel The Prophet: The Fiery Furnace | April 6, 2025
  • ♪[dramatic, triumphant theme music]♪
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  • ♪[music ends]♪♪
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  • ♪[reflective music]♪
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  • >>john bradshaw: in the third chapter of the book of daniel
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  • We find a story, an historical account
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  • That's also prophetic in nature,
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  • And it speaks directly to earth's last days.
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  • The book of daniel was written 2,500 years ago,
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  • 600 years before revelation.
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  • It was written to reveal events that would take place
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  • In the latter days and at the time of the end.
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  • As amos wrote, "surely the lord god does nothing,
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  • Unless he reveals his secret[s] to his servants the prophets."
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  • The young man daniel who wrote the book of daniel
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  • Was a slave in babylon.
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  • Babylon was located in the fertile crescent,
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  • A region that stretches north from israel and jordan,
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  • Up to lebanon, syria, and southern turkey,
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  • And down through iraq and iran to about the persian gulf.
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  • Egypt, lydia, and medea were also
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  • Significant middle-eastern powers.
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  • But babylon was by far the dominant nation.
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  • Nebuchadnezzar came against jerusalem three times.
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  • On the first occasion in 605 bc,
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  • He forced king jehoiakim of judah to break with egypt
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  • And sign a treaty with babylon.
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  • Jehoiakim didn't honor his end of the bargain,
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  • And things didn't turn out well for him or for judah.
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  • "the lord sent against him raiding bands of chaldeans,
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  • "bands of syrians, bands of moabites,
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  • "and bands of the people of ammon;
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  • "he sent them against judah to destroy it,
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  • "according to the word of the lord which he had spoken
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  • By his servants the prophets."
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  • You find that in 2 kings, chapter 24.
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  • God told judah they would be under babylonian rule
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  • For 70 years.
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  • "after seventy years are completed at babylon,
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  • I will visit you and perform my good word toward you,
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  • And cause you to return to this place."
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  • And then we read a well-known bible verse. [whoosh]
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  • "for i know the thoughts that i think toward you, says the lord,
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  • "thoughts of peace and not of evil,
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  • To give you a future and a hope."
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  • Jeremiah 29:11.
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  • That was said in the context of god assuring a rebellious people
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  • That the trial, as severe as it was,
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  • Was intended to lead them to a better future,
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  • To a place of faith.
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  • The trials god allows to come to you are for the same purpose.
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  • There might seem to be nothing redemptive
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  • In a challenging diagnosis or a financial scrape or a job loss,
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  • But anything god permits he permits to encourage you
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  • To come closer to him.
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  • Too often people allow their trials
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  • To push them away from god. it shouldn't be that way.
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  • Hardships are a time to lean in to god,
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  • Not to get angry with god or harden your heart.
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  • Judah was going into 70 years of captivity.
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  • God was permitting that for their good.
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  • [whoosh] ♪[orchestral music swells]♪
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  • [tinkling sound of wind-blown sand]
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  • [whoosh, distant bell rings]
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  • [wind blowing, sand swishing]
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  • Without a doubt, one of the most remarkable stories
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  • In the entire bible is found in daniel, chapter 3.
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  • First, let's recap.
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  • While a teenager, daniel was taken from his home in judah,
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  • Forcibly relocated to babylon,
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  • And pressed into the service of the king of babylon.
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  • In chapter 1, when beginning their training,
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  • Daniel and his friends refused to eat the food
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  • Provided by the king, choosing instead of follow a simple diet
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  • That honored god. they excelled.
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  • And when the king himself examined them,
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  • They were found to be "ten times better"
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  • Than all of their colleagues.
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  • Then in daniel 2, daniel interpreted the king's
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  • Remarkable dream of a statue made from gold, silver,
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  • Brass, and iron, standing on feet of iron and clay.
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  • A stone, cut out without hands, not of human origin,
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  • Crashed into the image and broke it to pieces,
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  • And the entire thing was swept away,
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  • While the stone became a great mountain that filled the earth.
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  • That's the return of jesus.
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  • Daniel interpreted this dream to mean that kingdoms would arise,
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  • First babylon, then medo-persia,
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  • Then greece and rome, and then rome would divide.
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  • Daniel predicted in around 600 bc
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  • What would take place in the world
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  • Over the next 2,500 years and beyond.
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  • Daniel's predictions have proven to be stunningly accurate.
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  • Clearly, the word of god can be trusted and believed.
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  • And now the incredible daniel, chapter 3,
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  • A life-and-death story that prefigures events
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  • In the end of time.
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  • It's a story with big implications,
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  • And if you consider it carefully, it will shine a light
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  • On the prophecies of earth's final days.
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  • After the dream of daniel 2,
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  • The image made from different metals,
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  • King nebuchadnezzar had his artisans construct an image
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  • Made entirely out of gold.
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  • His dream had made clear that babylon would not last forever,
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  • But here, he shook his fist in god's face,
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  • Making it clear that in his mind
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  • Things were going to work out differently.
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  • The story starts bluntly:
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  • "nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold."
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  • And it was like nothing that had ever been seen.
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  • Its "height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits.
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  • "he set it up in the plain of dura,
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  • In the province of babylon."
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  • Sixty cubits high is around 90 to 100 feet, around 30 meters.
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  • Now, babylon used the sexagesimal system
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  • Of numbering, a system based on the number six.
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  • Most nations today use the decimal system,
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  • Based on the number 10.
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  • The babylonian system gave us 60 seconds in a minute,
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  • 60 minutes in an hour, 360 degrees in a circle, and so on.
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  • And if you're wondering about 666 in the book of revelation,
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  • You're making a good connection--
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  • With that number connecting directly to babylon.
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  • So, this image was roughly the height of a nine-story building.
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  • Whether that was all statue or if the height
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  • Included a pedestal, we really don't know,
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  • But either way it was tall.
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  • And being as it was erected on a plain,
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  • It would have been visible for miles.
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  • Solid gold, gleaming in the shining middle-eastern sun--
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  • The king was making a statement.
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  • He summoned anyone who was anyone to come
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  • To the dedication of the image,
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  • Something shadrach, meshach, and abed-nego did.
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  • While they knew this was going in a bad direction,
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  • They did everything they could to comply.
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  • They were obedient to civil authority
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  • As far as they were able.
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  • But then, [whoosh]
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  • "then a herald cried aloud: 'to you it is commanded,
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  • "'o peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time
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  • "'you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre,
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  • "'and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music,
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  • "'you shall fall down and worship the gold[en] image
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  • That king nebuchadnezzar has set up."
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  • They knew what god had said:
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  • "don't make graven images. don't worship them."
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  • The king had commanded, but god had forbidden.
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  • So, what do you do in a situation like this?
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  • The herald continued: "and whoever does not fall down
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  • "and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst
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  • Of a burning fiery furnace."
  • 00:08:07.643 --> 00:08:09.545
  • Now, that upped the ante considerably.
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  • The passage says that when the people heard the music play,
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  • They all bowed down and worshiped the golden image.
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  • Couldn't shadrach, meshach, and abed-nego
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  • Have found a workaround?
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  • Couldn't they have bent down to tie their sandals
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  • Or to scratch their ankles
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  • Or to, to look at something on the ground?
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  • No. they wouldn't even give the impression
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  • That they were compromising.
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  • They didn't want it to even look like
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  • They were worshiping that statue.
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  • At that time, someone in the crowd approached the king
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  • And informed him that shadrach, meshach, and abed-nego
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  • Did not bow down.
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  • They were brought before the king, who was furious.
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  • He told them that if they cooperated, all would be well.
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  • "but if you do not worship, you shall be cast
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  • "immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
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  • And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?"
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  • They were facing certain death,
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  • Caught between courage and compromise,
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  • Caught between what they knew to be right and saving their lives,
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  • Between obeying god and paying the ultimate price.
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  • ♪[somber music]♪
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  • What do you do when you're a young man,
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  • You're in proximity to wealth and position,
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  • You've got a great job in the king's inner circle,
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  • And the most powerful man on the planet says,
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  • "worship an idol or else,"
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  • And when everyone else is doing it?
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  • Peer pressure is nothing new.
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  • Whether it's teenagers experimenting with drugs,
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  • Alcohol, or immorality, the culture at work
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  • And the pressure to go along with the crowd,
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  • The pressure to lie to get ahead or to misrepresent the facts
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  • To get more sales, it's real.
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  • The eyes of a nation were on three foreigners who didn't eat
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  • The same food or drink the same wine or worship the same gods
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  • As everyone else there that day.
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  • What would they do?
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  • You know, god is looking for people who will dare
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  • To live their faith, who'll take their cue not from other people
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  • But from heaven, who rely on the bible as their guide for life,
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  • Even when other people don't.
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  • God is looking for people who've looked at the cross
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  • And decided they want to honor jesus.
  • 00:10:32.588 --> 00:10:34.924
  • And if you've ever wondered how that works out,
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  • Watch and see what happens next.
  • 00:10:37.560 --> 00:10:40.896
  • The boys responded, "o nebuchadnezzar,
  • 00:10:40.896 --> 00:10:43.499
  • "we have no need to answer you in this matter.
  • 00:10:43.499 --> 00:10:46.402
  • "if that is the case, our god whom we serve
  • 00:10:46.402 --> 00:10:49.271
  • "is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,
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  • And he will deliver us from your hand, o king."
  • 00:10:52.975 --> 00:10:56.479
  • Was this bold? was it courageous?
  • 00:10:56.479 --> 00:10:58.948
  • No. it's what people of faith do.
  • 00:10:58.948 --> 00:11:03.953
  • The king asked, "who is the god who [is able to] deliver you
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  • From my hands?"
  • 00:11:06.689 --> 00:11:07.923
  • Well, shadrach, meshach, and abed-nego knew who that god was.
  • 00:11:07.923 --> 00:11:12.895
  • Keep this in mind--when another pagan ruler had sought
  • 00:11:12.895 --> 00:11:17.366
  • To kill god's people, god opened up the red sea.
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  • Israel escaped, and the pharaoh lost his life.
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  • They knew that story.
  • 00:11:25.207 --> 00:11:26.709
  • Only 100 years or so before this, an angel slew
  • 00:11:26.709 --> 00:11:30.546
  • 185,000 assyrian soldiers
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  • As they were positioned to attack jerusalem.
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  • The boys knew that story.
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  • Only a couple of years before this,
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  • They'd been faithful to god when they just arrived in town,
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  • And subsequently god revealed to daniel the king's dream
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  • And what it meant.
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  • God had come through for the hebrew boys and for his people
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  • Again and again, and they knew this.
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  • So they had reason to be confident
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  • In god's providence now.
  • 00:11:58.741 --> 00:12:01.343
  • And that's true for you.
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  • You have the entire history of the bible demonstrating to you
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  • That god is faithful.
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  • You have your own experience of how god time and again
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  • Has come through for you, provided for you,
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  • Done wonders for you.
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  • When a friend of mine was visiting a prison,
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  • He spoke to a rough inmate about god.
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  • The man said he wasn't interested.
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  • He said god wasn't real.
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  • So my friend asked him, "was there ever a time in your life
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  • When god did something for you?"
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  • The man thought about that.
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  • He said, "you know, there was a time, one time."
  • 00:12:34.443 --> 00:12:37.913
  • He said, "i was fleeing the police
  • 00:12:37.913 --> 00:12:41.183
  • "when i lost control of the stolen car i was driving.
  • 00:12:41.183 --> 00:12:44.520
  • "it went up a bank, launched into the air; it flipped
  • 00:12:44.520 --> 00:12:48.123
  • "and was going to land right on its roof.
  • 00:12:48.123 --> 00:12:50.059
  • I called out, 'god, save me!'"
  • 00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:52.595
  • He said, "everyone who saw the car afterwards was convinced
  • 00:12:52.595 --> 00:12:55.231
  • There's no way anyone could have made it out of there alive."
  • 00:12:55.231 --> 00:12:58.834
  • The man walked away without a scratch.
  • 00:12:58.834 --> 00:13:01.570
  • A week later, after reflecting on that,
  • 00:13:01.570 --> 00:13:03.606
  • That man gave his heart to jesus,
  • 00:13:03.606 --> 00:13:06.508
  • And he's a christian today.
  • 00:13:06.508 --> 00:13:08.344
  • You don't want to forget what god has done.
  • 00:13:08.344 --> 00:13:12.014
  • A friend of mine texted to let me know
  • 00:13:12.014 --> 00:13:13.883
  • That wildfires were heading towards his house.
  • 00:13:13.883 --> 00:13:16.852
  • His neighborhood was burning street by street,
  • 00:13:16.852 --> 00:13:20.256
  • And the flames were now at the top of his street.
  • 00:13:20.256 --> 00:13:23.759
  • Now, my wife and i, we prayed.
  • 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:25.327
  • No doubt others were praying as well.
  • 00:13:25.327 --> 00:13:27.463
  • We prayed specifically that god would change the direction
  • 00:13:27.463 --> 00:13:30.466
  • Of the wind and spare our friend's home
  • 00:13:30.466 --> 00:13:32.935
  • And the other houses on his street.
  • 00:13:32.935 --> 00:13:35.671
  • He got back to me later. the wind changed direction.
  • 00:13:35.671 --> 00:13:40.109
  • His house and the other houses on that street were spared,
  • 00:13:40.109 --> 00:13:44.747
  • Even though all around them
  • 00:13:44.747 --> 00:13:47.116
  • Houses were completely destroyed.
  • 00:13:47.116 --> 00:13:49.018
  • Now, come on. how good is our god?
  • 00:13:49.018 --> 00:13:51.720
  • So when you hear stories like that
  • 00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:53.222
  • Or you experience something like that,
  • 00:13:53.222 --> 00:13:55.224
  • Remember those stories and let them grow your faith
  • 00:13:55.224 --> 00:13:58.560
  • And strengthen your confidence in god.
  • 00:13:58.560 --> 00:14:01.030
  • That's what shadrach, meshach, and abed-nego did.
  • 00:14:01.030 --> 00:14:04.700
  • They remembered god's greatness.
  • 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:08.570
  • And notice what they said:
  • 00:14:08.570 --> 00:14:10.239
  • "our god whom we serve is able to deliver us
  • 00:14:10.239 --> 00:14:14.376
  • "from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us
  • 00:14:14.376 --> 00:14:18.414
  • "from you hand, o king.
  • 00:14:18.414 --> 00:14:20.449
  • "but if not, let it be known to you, o king,
  • 00:14:20.449 --> 00:14:24.019
  • "that we do not serve your gods,
  • 00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:26.822
  • Nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."
  • 00:14:26.822 --> 00:14:30.826
  • That is faith!
  • 00:14:30.826 --> 00:14:34.964
  • "god can deliver us. we believe god will deliver us.
  • 00:14:34.964 --> 00:14:38.400
  • "but if he doesn't,
  • 00:14:38.400 --> 00:14:39.635
  • We're still not going to worship your image."
  • 00:14:39.635 --> 00:14:42.204
  • That's one of the greatest stands made in the entire bible.
  • 00:14:42.204 --> 00:14:46.809
  • It's like joseph: i'm not sinning against god.
  • 00:14:46.809 --> 00:14:49.778
  • It's like jacob:
  • 00:14:49.778 --> 00:14:51.213
  • "i will not let you go unless you bless me!"
  • 00:14:51.213 --> 00:14:53.949
  • It's like abraham:
  • 00:14:53.949 --> 00:14:55.617
  • "god [shall] provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering."
  • 00:14:55.617 --> 00:15:00.556
  • God is able.
  • 00:15:00.556 --> 00:15:04.360
  • "but if he chooses not to, if we burn,
  • 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:08.697
  • We're still not bowing down."
  • 00:15:08.697 --> 00:15:11.133
  • What an example!
  • 00:15:11.133 --> 00:15:12.801
  • Anyone can have faith when things are going smoothly.
  • 00:15:12.801 --> 00:15:15.337
  • The test of your faith is what you do
  • 00:15:15.337 --> 00:15:17.973
  • When you don't get what you ask for.
  • 00:15:17.973 --> 00:15:21.310
  • Does the fact that someone was not healed
  • 00:15:21.310 --> 00:15:23.012
  • Mean that god isn't god?
  • 00:15:23.012 --> 00:15:24.780
  • You didn't get the job, and, and now god stopped being god?
  • 00:15:24.780 --> 00:15:27.916
  • Your spouse leaves you, your kids make poor decisions,
  • 00:15:27.916 --> 00:15:30.519
  • You were victimized somehow, and god is no longer god?
  • 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:35.024
  • That cannot be true.
  • 00:15:35.024 --> 00:15:36.125
  • Even when things are rough, god is still god.
  • 00:15:36.125 --> 00:15:41.563
  • So what does the most powerful man in the world do
  • 00:15:41.563 --> 00:15:44.867
  • When three teenagers defy him?
  • 00:15:44.867 --> 00:15:48.337
  • And what does god do?
  • 00:15:48.337 --> 00:15:49.838
  • Nebuchadnezzar was so mad the expression on his face changed,
  • 00:15:49.838 --> 00:15:53.409
  • And he gave the command
  • 00:15:53.409 --> 00:15:54.476
  • To heat the furnace seven times higher than usual.
  • 00:15:54.476 --> 00:15:58.847
  • Now, whether that's actual seven literal times high
  • 00:15:58.847 --> 00:16:02.551
  • Or symbolic doesn't really matter.
  • 00:16:02.551 --> 00:16:04.353
  • He made it hotter, and in iraq, with its abundant resources
  • 00:16:04.353 --> 00:16:09.058
  • Of oil and so forth, he had the means to do so.
  • 00:16:09.058 --> 00:16:12.161
  • He gave the order for the young men
  • 00:16:12.161 --> 00:16:13.395
  • To be cast into a fiery furnace.
  • 00:16:13.395 --> 00:16:15.731
  • And the heat was so intense that the soldiers,
  • 00:16:15.731 --> 00:16:19.368
  • Who threw those young men into the flames,
  • 00:16:19.368 --> 00:16:21.670
  • Were themselves killed.
  • 00:16:21.670 --> 00:16:24.039
  • In those boys went.
  • 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:26.708
  • Three young men, likely still teenagers,
  • 00:16:26.708 --> 00:16:30.546
  • Cast into a furnace like garbage might have been.
  • 00:16:30.546 --> 00:16:34.149
  • Their lives sacrificed because of the arrogance and pride,
  • 00:16:34.149 --> 00:16:39.354
  • Because of the rebellion in the heart of a man
  • 00:16:39.354 --> 00:16:41.490
  • Who one chapter earlier had said,
  • 00:16:41.490 --> 00:16:44.526
  • "truly your god is the god of gods,
  • 00:16:44.526 --> 00:16:47.096
  • The lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets."
  • 00:16:47.096 --> 00:16:50.566
  • But none of that is what's most fascinating about this story.
  • 00:16:50.566 --> 00:16:54.470
  • As i said earlier, this story is history--and prophecy.
  • 00:16:54.470 --> 00:16:59.741
  • It's a story about what happened about 600 years
  • 00:16:59.741 --> 00:17:01.944
  • Before jesus was born.
  • 00:17:01.944 --> 00:17:03.479
  • And it's a story about what is going to happen
  • 00:17:03.479 --> 00:17:06.882
  • In the end of time before jesus returns.
  • 00:17:06.882 --> 00:17:10.285
  • As we've learned, the book of revelation is built
  • 00:17:10.285 --> 00:17:13.122
  • Upon the book of daniel, and because history repeats,
  • 00:17:13.122 --> 00:17:18.160
  • We're going to see the same scenario
  • 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:20.162
  • Repeated in the close of time.
  • 00:17:20.162 --> 00:17:22.898
  • In daniel 3, a king makes an image and commands people
  • 00:17:22.898 --> 00:17:27.769
  • To worship it, contrary to the word of god.
  • 00:17:27.769 --> 00:17:30.839
  • In revelation 13, in the heart of the global end-time conflict,
  • 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:36.178
  • There's another image, an image to the beast.
  • 00:17:36.178 --> 00:17:40.349
  • Verse 15 says, [whoosh]
  • 00:17:40.349 --> 00:17:42.184
  • "he was granted power to give breath
  • 00:17:42.184 --> 00:17:43.919
  • "to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast
  • 00:17:43.919 --> 00:17:46.321
  • "should both speak and cause as many
  • 00:17:46.321 --> 00:17:49.024
  • As would not worship the image of the beast to be killed."
  • 00:17:49.024 --> 00:17:54.029
  • An image again--this time, not an actual statue
  • 00:17:54.029 --> 00:17:59.168
  • But an image of a likeness to the beast of revelation 13,
  • 00:17:59.168 --> 00:18:04.640
  • Combining the trappings of religion
  • 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:08.043
  • And the might of the state.
  • 00:18:08.043 --> 00:18:09.878
  • Just as we see in daniel 3.
  • 00:18:09.878 --> 00:18:13.682
  • Just as nebuchadnezzar compelled the conscience of all,
  • 00:18:13.682 --> 00:18:16.185
  • The same will happen again.
  • 00:18:16.185 --> 00:18:18.187
  • And just as the king of babylon threatened the faithful ones
  • 00:18:18.187 --> 00:18:21.590
  • With death, revelation 13 says
  • 00:18:21.590 --> 00:18:23.959
  • The same scenario will play out once more.
  • 00:18:23.959 --> 00:18:27.129
  • Those who won't worship the image of the beast
  • 00:18:27.129 --> 00:18:30.132
  • Will be threatened with death.
  • 00:18:30.132 --> 00:18:31.733
  • No, god's not trying to scare anyone--that's the devil's mo.
  • 00:18:31.733 --> 00:18:35.938
  • God's trying to prepare everyone.
  • 00:18:35.938 --> 00:18:40.042
  • Christianity is surrendering your heart to jesus
  • 00:18:40.042 --> 00:18:42.678
  • So that when things are going well,
  • 00:18:42.678 --> 00:18:44.479
  • You're turning to him like a flower turns to face the sun.
  • 00:18:44.479 --> 00:18:47.216
  • And when things are not going so great, you'll do the same.
  • 00:18:47.216 --> 00:18:52.354
  • And in all things, you'll be faithful,
  • 00:18:52.354 --> 00:18:54.289
  • According to god's word.
  • 00:18:54.289 --> 00:18:56.625
  • But this story that overshadows events
  • 00:18:56.625 --> 00:18:59.394
  • To take place in the world at the end of time,
  • 00:18:59.394 --> 00:19:02.497
  • How did this story turn out?
  • 00:19:02.497 --> 00:19:05.000
  • What became of the three young men thrown into a kiln
  • 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:09.838
  • Heated seven times hotter than usual?
  • 00:19:09.838 --> 00:19:14.309
  • "these three men, shadrach, meshach, and abed-nego,
  • 00:19:14.309 --> 00:19:18.480
  • "fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
  • 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:23.885
  • "then king nebuchadnezzar was astonished;
  • 00:19:23.885 --> 00:19:26.688
  • "and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors,
  • 00:19:26.688 --> 00:19:31.059
  • "'did we not cast three men bound into the midst
  • 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:34.730
  • "of the fire?' they answered and said to the king,
  • 00:19:34.730 --> 00:19:36.965
  • "'true, o king.' 'look!' he answered,
  • 00:19:36.965 --> 00:19:41.169
  • "'i see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire;
  • 00:19:41.169 --> 00:19:46.375
  • "'and they are not hurt,
  • 00:19:46.375 --> 00:19:48.410
  • And the form of the fourth is like the son of god.'"
  • 00:19:48.410 --> 00:19:54.783
  • The three worthies, as they're often called,
  • 00:19:54.783 --> 00:19:57.886
  • Weren't harmed by the flames of that furnace
  • 00:19:57.886 --> 00:20:01.023
  • Or troubled by the intense heat.
  • 00:20:01.023 --> 00:20:03.625
  • Instead, when they stood for god,
  • 00:20:03.625 --> 00:20:06.261
  • Jesus appeared and stood for them.
  • 00:20:06.261 --> 00:20:09.531
  • The pagan king was able to say he saw a fourth person
  • 00:20:09.531 --> 00:20:13.135
  • Who was like the son of god
  • 00:20:13.135 --> 00:20:15.570
  • Because he had seen jesus in them.
  • 00:20:15.570 --> 00:20:18.640
  • He called to them to come out of the furnace,
  • 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:20.342
  • "these men on whose bodies the fire had no power;
  • 00:20:20.342 --> 00:20:23.979
  • "the hair of their head was not singed
  • 00:20:23.979 --> 00:20:26.048
  • "nor were their garments affected,
  • 00:20:26.048 --> 00:20:27.749
  • And the smell of fire was not on them."
  • 00:20:27.749 --> 00:20:31.320
  • All that was damaged by the fire
  • 00:20:31.320 --> 00:20:34.389
  • Were the babylonian ropes that bound them.
  • 00:20:34.389 --> 00:20:37.125
  • See, when god allows you to step into the furnace of affliction,
  • 00:20:37.125 --> 00:20:40.362
  • It's to burn out of your life whatever is babylonian.
  • 00:20:40.362 --> 00:20:44.800
  • As malachi wrote, "he shall purify the sons of levi...,
  • 00:20:44.800 --> 00:20:48.470
  • "that they may offer unto the lord
  • 00:20:48.470 --> 00:20:50.772
  • An offering in righteousness."
  • 00:20:50.772 --> 00:20:53.709
  • Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying,
  • 00:20:53.709 --> 00:20:55.644
  • "'blessed be the god of shadrach, meshach,
  • 00:20:55.644 --> 00:20:59.181
  • "'and abed-nego, who sent his angel and delivered his servants
  • 00:20:59.181 --> 00:21:01.817
  • "'who trusted in him, and they have frustrated the king's word,
  • 00:21:01.817 --> 00:21:05.320
  • "'and yielded their bodies,
  • 00:21:05.320 --> 00:21:06.988
  • "'that they should not serve nor worship any god
  • 00:21:06.988 --> 00:21:10.759
  • "'except their own god!
  • 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:12.461
  • "'therefore i make a decree that any people, nation,
  • 00:21:12.461 --> 00:21:16.231
  • "'or language which speaks anything amiss against the god
  • 00:21:16.231 --> 00:21:19.968
  • "'of shadrach, meshach, and abed-nego
  • 00:21:19.968 --> 00:21:22.170
  • "'shall be cut in pieces,
  • 00:21:22.170 --> 00:21:24.639
  • "'and their houses shall be made an ash heap;
  • 00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:27.843
  • "because there is no other god who can deliver like this.'
  • 00:21:27.843 --> 00:21:31.747
  • "then the king promoted shadrach, meshach, and abed-nego
  • 00:21:31.747 --> 00:21:36.318
  • In the province of babylon."
  • 00:21:36.318 --> 00:21:39.054
  • Looking ahead to earth's last days, we can say with the king,
  • 00:21:39.054 --> 00:21:43.058
  • "there is no other god who can deliver like this."
  • 00:21:43.058 --> 00:21:45.927
  • That's 100 percent undeniably true.
  • 00:21:45.927 --> 00:21:50.432
  • With an eye on the end of time, daniel 3 reveals that god
  • 00:21:50.432 --> 00:21:53.602
  • Is faithful, he is able, and that he's a great deliverer.
  • 00:21:53.602 --> 00:21:58.306
  • Three captives revealed to the world,
  • 00:21:58.306 --> 00:22:00.208
  • In a story that survived more than 2,500 years,
  • 00:22:00.208 --> 00:22:05.113
  • That when you make a stand for god, jesus stands with you.
  • 00:22:05.113 --> 00:22:11.853
  • Are you willing to make a stand today?
  • 00:22:11.853 --> 00:22:14.923
  • Is there an area of your life
  • 00:22:14.923 --> 00:22:16.358
  • You need to surrender more fully to god?
  • 00:22:16.358 --> 00:22:18.760
  • Maybe it's a matter of making a decision for the first time.
  • 00:22:18.760 --> 00:22:21.930
  • Amidst the prophecies and the symbols and the stories,
  • 00:22:21.930 --> 00:22:24.766
  • We see that daniel is a book of salvation.
  • 00:22:24.766 --> 00:22:28.470
  • Three chapters in and we see that god is doing all he can
  • 00:22:28.470 --> 00:22:32.040
  • To reach a pagan king.
  • 00:22:32.040 --> 00:22:34.643
  • This idolater was special to god,
  • 00:22:34.643 --> 00:22:37.446
  • As are all the sinners of the world.
  • 00:22:37.446 --> 00:22:41.783
  • Judah was in babylon so god could get through
  • 00:22:41.783 --> 00:22:43.985
  • To their hard hearts, and while they were there,
  • 00:22:43.985 --> 00:22:47.055
  • God wanted to use them to reach this hardened
  • 00:22:47.055 --> 00:22:51.726
  • Middle-eastern monarch.
  • 00:22:51.726 --> 00:22:54.529
  • What would become of king nebuchadnezzar?
  • 00:22:54.529 --> 00:22:57.999
  • Would he give his heart to the god of heaven?
  • 00:22:57.999 --> 00:22:59.835
  • We'll find that out next time.
  • 00:22:59.835 --> 00:23:01.937
  • But what will become of you?
  • 00:23:01.937 --> 00:23:04.406
  • Jesus died for you.
  • 00:23:04.406 --> 00:23:05.974
  • God wants for you to be in heaven.
  • 00:23:05.974 --> 00:23:10.212
  • The spirit of god is speaking to your heart,
  • 00:23:10.212 --> 00:23:13.815
  • Inviting you to make a decision for jesus.
  • 00:23:13.815 --> 00:23:18.653
  • Why don't you make that decision for jesus now?
  • 00:23:18.653 --> 00:23:21.423
  • Invite him to take your sins and give you the gift
  • 00:23:21.423 --> 00:23:25.594
  • Of everlasting life, knowing that he will.
  • 00:23:25.594 --> 00:23:29.097
  • Jesus died for you. god loves you.
  • 00:23:29.097 --> 00:23:32.334
  • And if you'll make the decision right now,
  • 00:23:32.334 --> 00:23:34.870
  • You can become a saved child of god.
  • 00:23:34.870 --> 00:23:39.241
  • Now, there's something i want you to see,
  • 00:23:39.241 --> 00:23:40.842
  • Something i'd like to give you.
  • 00:23:40.842 --> 00:23:42.043
  • It's a little book that i've written to go along
  • 00:23:42.043 --> 00:23:43.778
  • With this very series of programs.
  • 00:23:43.778 --> 00:23:46.014
  • It's absolutely free, and i'd love you to get it right now.
  • 00:23:46.014 --> 00:23:50.318
  • >>announcer: to get today's free offer,
  • 00:23:50.318 --> 00:23:52.220
  • "the stories of daniel,"
  • 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:53.722
  • Call 800-253-3000.
  • 00:23:53.722 --> 00:23:56.424
  • That's 800-253-3000.
  • 00:23:56.424 --> 00:23:59.661
  • You can request "the stories of daniel"
  • 00:23:59.661 --> 00:24:01.496
  • Online at iiwoffer.com.
  • 00:24:01.496 --> 00:24:05.300
  • You can write to the address on your screen
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  • Or text "freedaniel" to 71392.
  • 00:24:06.968 --> 00:24:11.106
  • "the stories of daniel," faith-building stories
  • 00:24:11.106 --> 00:24:14.409
  • Given by god to prepare you
  • 00:24:14.409 --> 00:24:15.977
  • For the major events of earth's last days.
  • 00:24:15.977 --> 00:24:19.080
  • "the stories of daniel,"
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  • Call 800-253-3000.
  • 00:24:21.016 --> 00:24:23.852
  • Go to iiwoffer.com
  • 00:24:23.852 --> 00:24:26.521
  • Or text "freedaniel" to 71392.
  • 00:24:26.521 --> 00:24:30.358
  • Grow your faith as you prepare for the return of jesus.
  • 00:24:30.358 --> 00:24:33.895
  • >>john: thank you for remembering that it is written
  • 00:24:35.530 --> 00:24:37.599
  • Exists because of the kindness of people just like you.
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  • To support this international life-changing ministry,
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  • Please call us now at 800-253-3000.
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  • Or you can visit us online at itiswritten.com.
  • 00:24:51.479 --> 00:24:55.550
  • Thank you for your prayers and your financial support.
  • 00:24:55.550 --> 00:24:57.752
  • Our number again is 800-253-3000,
  • 00:24:57.752 --> 00:25:01.356
  • Or you can visit us online at itiswritten.com.
  • 00:25:01.356 --> 00:25:05.060
  • >>john: let's pray together now.
  • 00:25:06.161 --> 00:25:07.996
  • Our father in heaven, in jesus' name we come to you,
  • 00:25:07.996 --> 00:25:10.265
  • Thanking you that you are a great deliverer,
  • 00:25:10.265 --> 00:25:13.001
  • Thanking you that you would even go after the heart
  • 00:25:13.001 --> 00:25:15.103
  • Of a hardened middle-eastern monarch,
  • 00:25:15.103 --> 00:25:18.106
  • And grateful that in time of huge distress,
  • 00:25:18.106 --> 00:25:21.643
  • You delivered the three young men who were faithful.
  • 00:25:21.643 --> 00:25:25.513
  • We are grateful that you deliver us.
  • 00:25:25.513 --> 00:25:28.583
  • And right now there's somebody in the midst
  • 00:25:28.583 --> 00:25:30.418
  • Of a, a fiery furnace experience.
  • 00:25:30.418 --> 00:25:33.688
  • Deliver that one right now,
  • 00:25:33.688 --> 00:25:35.690
  • Or keep that person's faith strong,
  • 00:25:35.690 --> 00:25:39.461
  • Even in the midst of difficulty.
  • 00:25:39.461 --> 00:25:42.163
  • Lord, we look forward to the day when jesus returns.
  • 00:25:42.163 --> 00:25:45.634
  • We're thankful that one day gravity will lose its hold
  • 00:25:45.634 --> 00:25:48.470
  • On the soles of our feet,
  • 00:25:48.470 --> 00:25:50.138
  • And we will go up to be with you forever.
  • 00:25:50.138 --> 00:25:55.076
  • So now take our hearts, make us yours.
  • 00:25:55.076 --> 00:25:58.346
  • We believe you're coming back for your own.
  • 00:25:58.346 --> 00:26:00.482
  • Friend, would you make that decision to jesus right now?
  • 00:26:00.482 --> 00:26:03.551
  • Would you say, "jesus, be my lord and savior.
  • 00:26:03.551 --> 00:26:05.887
  • I trust you with my life. change my heart.
  • 00:26:05.887 --> 00:26:08.490
  • I give it to you now." if you pray that prayer,
  • 00:26:08.490 --> 00:26:10.258
  • You know that god will do what only god can do.
  • 00:26:10.258 --> 00:26:13.695
  • Then when we say "amen," you can know that your burden
  • 00:26:13.695 --> 00:26:15.897
  • Has been taken, your sins have been assumed by jesus,
  • 00:26:15.897 --> 00:26:20.735
  • And they were borne to the cross for you.
  • 00:26:20.735 --> 00:26:23.371
  • We thank you, dear lord.
  • 00:26:23.371 --> 00:26:24.673
  • Keep us, we pray. we trust in you.
  • 00:26:24.673 --> 00:26:27.475
  • And we believe that the god who saved shadrach, meshach,
  • 00:26:27.475 --> 00:26:31.079
  • And abed-nego saves us now through faith in jesus.
  • 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:34.582
  • In jesus' name we pray. amen.
  • 00:26:34.582 --> 00:26:38.286
  • Thank you so much for joining me.
  • 00:26:38.286 --> 00:26:40.121
  • I'm looking forward to seeing you again next time.
  • 00:26:40.121 --> 00:26:42.123
  • Until then, remember:
  • 00:26:42.123 --> 00:26:43.625
  • "it is written, 'man shall not live by bread alone,
  • 00:26:43.625 --> 00:26:46.828
  • But by every word that proceeds from the mouth of god.'"
  • 00:26:46.828 --> 00:26:50.398
  • ♪[dramatic, triumphant theme music]♪
  • 00:26:50.398 --> 00:27:23.531
  • ♪[music ends]♪♪
  • 00:27:27.001 --> 00:27:27.001