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The appointed day came； and a vast concourse from all 〃people； nations； and languages；〃 assembled on the plain of Dura。 In harmony with the king's command； when the sound of music was heard； the whole company 〃fell down and worshipped the golden image。〃 On that eventful day the powers of darkness seemed to be gaining a signal triumph； the worship of the golden image bade fair to become connected permanently with the established forms of idolatry recognized as the state religion of the land。 Satan hoped thereby to defeat God's purpose of making the presence of captive Israel in Babylon a means of blessing to all the nations of heathendom。
But God decreed otherwise。 Not all had bowed the knee to the idolatrous symbol of human power。 In the midst of the worshipping multitude there were three men who were firmly resolved not thus to dishonor the God of heaven。 Their God was King of kings and Lord of lords； they would bow to none other。
To Nebuchadnezzar； flushed with triumph； was brought the word that among his subjects there were some who dared disobey his mandate。 Certain of the wise men； jealous of the honors that had been bestowed upon the faithful companions of Daniel； now reported to the king their flagrant
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violation of his wishes。 〃O king； live forever；〃 they exclaimed。 〃There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon； Shadrach； Meshach； and Abednego； these men； O king； have not regarded thee： they serve not thy gods； nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up。〃
The king commanded that the men be brought before him。 〃Is it true；〃 he inquired； 〃do not ye serve my gods； nor worship the golden image which I have set up？〃 He endeavored by threats to induce them to unite with the multitude。 Pointing to the fiery furnace； he reminded them of the punishment awaiting them if they should persist in their refusal to obey his will。 But firmly the Hebrews testified to their allegiance to the God of heaven； and their faith in His power to deliver。 The act of bowing to the image was understood by all to be an act of worship。 Such homage they could render to God alone。
As the three Hebrews stood before the king； he was convinced that they possessed something the other wise men of his kingdom did not have。 They had been faithful in the performance of every duty。 He would give them another trial。 If only they would signify their willingness to unite with the multitude in worshiping the image； all would be well with them； 〃but if ye worship not；〃 he added； 〃ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace。〃 Then with his hand stretched upward in defiance； he demanded； 〃Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands？〃
In vain were the king's threats。 He could not turn the
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men from their allegiance to the Ruler of the universe。 From the history of their fathers they had learned that disobedience to God results in dishonor； disaster； and death； and that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom； the foundation of all true prosperity。 Calmly facing the furnace； they said； 〃O Nebuchadnezzar； we are not careful to answer thee in this matter。 If it be so ＇if this is your decision＇； 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。〃 Their faith strengthened as they declared that God would be glorified by delivering them； and with triumphant assurance born of implicit trust in God； they added； 〃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。〃
The king's wrath knew no bounds。 〃Full of fury；〃 〃the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach； Meshach； and Abednego；〃 representatives of a despised and captive race。 Directing that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than its wont； he commanded the mighty men of his army to bind the worshipers of Israel's God； preparatory to summary execution。
〃Then these men were bound in their coats； their hosen； and their hats； and their other garments； and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace。 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent； and the furnace exceeding hot； the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach； Meshach； and Abednego。〃
But the Lord did not forget His own。 As His witnesses were cast into the furnace； the Saviour revealed Himself to
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them in person； and together they walked in the midst of the fire。 In the presence of the Lord of heat and cold； the flames lost their power to consume。
From his royal seat the king looked on； expecting to see the men who had defied him utterly destroyed。 But his feelings of triumph suddenly changed。 The nobles standing near saw his face grow pale as he started from the throne and looked intently into the glowing flames。 In alarm the king； turning to his lords； asked； 〃Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire？ 。 。 。 Lo； I see four men loose； walking in the midst of the fire； and they have no hurt； and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God。〃
How did that heathen king know what the Son of God was like？ The Hebrew captives filling positions of trust in Babylon had in life and character represented before him the truth。 When asked for a reason of their faith； they had given it without hesitation。 Plainly and simply they had presented the principles of righteousness； thus teaching those around them of the God whom they worshiped。 They had told of Christ； the Redeemer to come； and in the form of the fourth in the midst of the fire the king recognized the Son of God。
And now； his own greatness and dignity forgotten； Nebuchadnezzar descended from his throne and； going to the mouth of the furnace； cried out； 〃Ye servants of the most high God； come forth； and come hither。〃
Then Shadrach； Meshach； and Abednego came forth before the vast multitude； showing themselves unhurt。 The presence of their Saviour had guarded them from harm； and only their fetters had been burned。 〃And the princes； governors；
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and captains； and the king's counselors； being gathered together； saw these men； upon whose bodies the fire had no power； nor was an hair of their head singed； neither were their coats changed； nor the smell of fire had passed on them。〃
Forgotten was the great golden image； set up with such pomp。 In the presence of the living God； men feared and trembled。 〃Blessed be the God of Shadrach； Meshach； and Abednego；〃 the humbled king was constrained to acknowledge； 〃who hath sent His angel； and delivered His servants that trusted in Him； and have changed the king's word； and yielded their bodies； that they might not serve nor worship any god； except their own God。〃
The experiences of that day led Nebuchadnezzar to issue a decree； 〃that every people； nation； and language； which speak anything amiss against the God of Shadrach； Meshach； and Abednego； shall be cut in pieces； and their houses shall be made a dunghill。〃 〃There is no other god；〃 he urged as the reason for the de