It’s the Final Countdown… 2 days left
Today we begin the book of the Prophet Daniel. He prophesied during the Babylonian captivity.
The purpose of this book is to provide a historical account how the Lord God protected and provided for His faithful followers while in captivity.
In the first six chapters, which we are reading today, Daniel writes about his own life in captivity. He was selected to work for the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel (or his Babylonian name Belteshazzar), and his friends made bold and tough decisions and several times displayed their integrity to stand for Godliness instead of culture.
In Chapter Three, King Nebuchadnezzar constructs a golden cult image of himself which he orders the populace to worship. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah defy the king’s order, refusing to worship anyone but God alone. Nebuchadnezzar, in a fit of rage, orders that the three children be thrown in a furnace. Inside the furnace, Azariah prays for the forgiveness of his sins and those of his people, asking God to demonstrate his power to the Babylonians. They are delivered from the fire by an angel who makes the flames feel like a cool breeze over dew. Seen in the furnace walking with a fourth individual unscathed and praising God, the three children emerge. Nebuchadnezzar then orders the people to worship their God instead of the idol.
Daniel also interpreted the king’s dreams twice then was promoted as chief over all the wise men in Babylon. Yet, through all the great things that Daniel did He claimed it was God that did it through him and he gave all the glory to God,
“It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him” (2:22).
It’s the Final Countdown… only 2 days left.
Just keep reading.
