The Spirit of Babylon
Introduction
In the last episode we talked about a dream Nebuchadnezzar had and the interpretation Daniel gave of said dream. Daniel 3 continues with Nebuchadnezzar building an idol that sounds an awful lot like the one from his dream—except this time its only of gold. There isn't any direct prophecy in this chapter but there are a lot of spiritual parallels that I think will be in full effect during the last days. For that reason, we're going to dive in to this chapter.
Bowing to the Image
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:13-15 KJV
Nebuchadnezzar was impressed by the miracle God worked through Daniel, but not impressed enough to submit to the Most High. Instead of letting it be, Nebuchanezzar creates a grand statue of all gold, as though Babylon will last forever.[1] It can seem a bit odd, but we must remember that until people seek a relationship with God, they still don't have the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2 tells us that spiritual things are spiritually discerned. This is why you can't make people see spiritual truth many times. Nebuchadnezzar did not have a relationship with the Most High God. Since he likely processed the interpretation of his dream in a worldly mindset, as a king, he was obligated to project a longlasting and wealthy kingdom. This statue is a result of Nebuchadnezzar's desire to make a statment (even if we never understand what the statement was).
Nebuchadnezzar commands all of the high ranking officials to worship the image when music plays, or else they would be thrown into a fiery furnance. This very much parrallels Revelation 13:15. When the music plays, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah do not bow or worship the image. It seems that Nebuchadnezzar cannot see them to know that they have disobeyed, because it is other officials that rat them out. Nebuchadnezzar is not quick to condemn the men but wants to give them a second chance.
The beauty of the young men's reply is that they are all in for the Most High. They don't jump to the idea that God will save them—this parallel's Messiah's rebuke of Satan in Matthew 4. If they had said God would save them, they would have been speaking for Him and put Him on the spot to prove His existance on their time. This is tempting God as Messiah says to Satan in Matthew 4:6-7. Instead, they admit that it is possible the Most High won't intervene and they will in fact die in the fire. Even in the face of death, they are determined to stay faithful to the Most High and the command He has given us.
- Although the command to worship a false deity came from the king (re: government) it was the everyday people that turned Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah in. In the end times, it won't just be that the people in charge are out to get God's people; it will be our neighbors and coworkers who have been brainwashed by Satan that are eager to see us killed. Similar things have happened in modern history, as well, such as the practice of citizen turning in their Jewish neighbors and/or snitching of those helping Jewish people during the Halocaust.
- We aren't quite at the point that we are being explicit told to worship or die, but there are several things God commanded of us that go against our current society. If we are following him, we won't necessarily be the most popular people nor will our path be easy. Our parallel moments might be choosing between our job and God or a love interest and God.
- During the end times, it says that those who do not take the mark of the beast will be killed. This is the same decree Nebuchadnezzar made. A major difference between Nebuchadnezzar's day and the end times is that in the end, there isn't necessarily a message to be sent to save others. We read about Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah today and receive hope. However, if the mark is in effect after the sealing of the saints and the closing of the Book of Life, there won't be a need for God to reveal Himself to the lost. The time line of Revelation isn't exactly the easiest to follow so I'm not 100% on when the mark will be issue in relation to when God states that people's fates are sealed. As such I thought it was only right to point out that during the end times we very well may die for standing for Christ (as many have been martyred throughout history).
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Revelation 22:10-12 KJV
References & Footnotes
- In truth, the spirit of Babylon has lasted and will exist all the way til the end times
Daniel, Daniel 3, Faith, Podcast, Season 6, Under Construction
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