Reason...

Reason

There’s a brief review of truth that I would like to invite us to reason with God

concerning Daniel, our brother in Christ. Where was Daniel during the

ceremony that Nebuchadnezzar held on the Plain of Dura? Remember,

Nebuchadnezzar’s attempt was to drive God out of the Hebrew people. Of

the thousands, four stood for God. The four young men were amazing godly

men. The Babylonians thought to change their names, their education, their

diet, but these were blessed by God for their faithfulness. Let’s pray!!!

Daniel 3:1-3

These verses lay out the intent of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dedication of the

image of gold that he erected in defiance of God’s message. Note the high

rankings of the attendees. Note particularly the rank of the three Hebrew

men: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. We note that bowing down to the

golden image would signify an act of worship.

Daniel 2:49

Did you catch the position that the three Hebrew men held? They were

appointed officials assigned to govern the affairs of the province of Babylon.

Such affairs related to keeping track of who owned what in Babylon, judging

disputes among the citizens, as well as counseling. Babylonian business

was based on the notion of private property. King Nebuchadnezzar instituted

a monetary system based on the silver standard so that all could do business

together throughout the empire. In Babylon the notion of interest rates was

established. This banking system entailed an involved penalty system for

borrowers that amounted to compound interest over longer periods of time.

Imagine the just and fairness instituted under the men of God. The Hebrews

men managed the economic system of Babylon.

Silver Standard

Again, the inquiry, where was Daniel?

Read Daniel 2:49

Daniel was with Nebuchadnezzar; in the gate of the king. This was a royal

phenomenon. To be sitting in the gate means judgment, or simply to

demonstrate majesty. Nebuchadnezzar had so elevated Daniel that he, like

Nebuchadnezzar was not required to bow. He more that elevated Daniel...

Daniel 2:46

SOP - Daniel sat in the gate of the king,”—a place where judgment was

dispensed, and his three companions were made counselors, judges, and

rulers in the midst of the land. These men were not puffed up with vanity, but

they saw and rejoiced that God was recognized above all earthly potentates,

and that His kingdom was extolled above all earthly kingdoms. {FE 412.2}

Did Daniel oppose what Nebuchadnezzar was doing?

Daniel, as we must be, was strong in the faith of Jesus. Daniel was spiritually

united with his three companions and he knew by experience that their faith

and total dependence was in God to do what is best for them. Here is the

faith of Jesus that we too will demonstrate when our test comes. We will not

need to defend our brother, our sister...we know to whom they belong and

our faith will demonstrate that. How many thousands were in the catacombs

of Rome when their companions were taken to be delivered to the lions. And

yet none cried out for release...faith in God! Daniel knows his God. Daniel

experienced divine knowledge from God. No offer of an oblation and sweet

odors were made unto Daniel because he did not accept the king’s gesture.

Nebuchadnezzar was so accustomed to veneration that he forgot both that

Daniel was a man and that himself was a king.

Daniel 2:47

This concludes that his attention was turned back to God. He readily

acknowledged the God of Daniel to be the great God, the true God, the only

living and true God.

Recall what Cornelius’ gesture was to Peter...you too, if you are among the

144000 will ask others to rise who will think to worship you.

Acts 10:25, 26

Revelation 3:9

PRAY....