Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and
language, which speak any thing miss against the God of
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces,
and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is
no other God that can deliver after this sort. Then the king promoted Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon (Dan 3:29-30).
The book of Daniel is about the coming and passing of time—to the end of this age. Sunrise and sunset illustrate that truth beautifully as does this photo by Yair Karelic in Israel. The book of Daniel contains both history and prophecy (history written in advance). Sometimes the prophecy is simply a clear statement in words. Sometimes the prophecy is embedded in a type—that is, a figure or picture revealed through a person, place, or event. The Bible is full of types. There is also the device that we call a primary and secondary fulfillment of prophecy. A preliminary event or person partially portrays the big event or person that is to follow.
Nebuchadnezzar is a type of the anti-Christ, the man of sin who will come to world power after the Church of Christ (the real believers) are caught up to Heaven while the anti-Christ is in power. He will force all religions into one unit under one head. This will be Satan's ecumenical church. Anyone who refuses to conform in every way will be killed (Rev.13:4-15). (Rub your curser over the reference and access the passage. Click the little speaker icon at the top for excellent reading of Rev.Ch.13. The next little icon will bring up the Matthew Henry Commentary on the passage.)
"There is a close parallel between Daniel 3 and Revelation 13. In both chapters there is a ruling despot and an image to be worshipped. Nebuchadnezzar is a type of the political 'beast' who creates an image of himself as an object of state worship. In each instance the image is external, visible, magnificent, and impressive"
The image in Daniel 3 is a type of an image that will be set up by the anti-Christ. Today we are awaiting the construction of a Jewish temple on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. The stones for this temple have been sawed and crated for at least forty years. I heard of them that long ago. The temple IS going to be built. But shortly after the temple is built, the anti-Christ will set up a satanic image inside the temple.
Jesus referred to this: When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) (Mat.24:15) (Go here and listen to entire chapter)
Satan will perform a miracle by giving life to the image and causing it to speak (Rev.13:15). Daniel 3 is related to the beginning of the times of the Gentiles. Revelation 13 marks the end of the times of the Gentiles.
We will continue with at least one more study relating to Daniel 3:29-30. It is extremely important to grasp the basic outline of the simple prophecies contained in chapters 2 and 3. Tomorrow's newspapers are rolled up in Daniel and Revelation.
(Information in this letter may be found in "The Prophecies of Daniel" by Lehman Strauss. However, this study is standardized in various study Bibles and several books that include "Daniel" in their titles. Strauss is one of my favorite writers and his books on Daniel and Revelation are outstanding. I have heard him speak many times in Bible conferences and radio. The bibliography in his book on The Prophecies of Daniel includes 48 other writers including McGee, DeHaan, Ironside, Larkin, Pentecost, Epp, Pettingill, etc. Good writers can also be found at www.e-Sword.net). Walvoord and Rice are also favorites on Bible prophecy.
Dan Carr
Memory Verses for This Week: (If you know your phone number you can memorize Bible verses.)
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. (Dan 3:17-18)
Quotation for this week: "Often a cold shudder has run through me, and I have asked myself whether I may have not devoted myself to a fantasy." —Charles Darwin, Life and Letters, 1887, Vol. 2, p.229.
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