3:24Daniel 3:24

Nebuchadnezzar was seized with terror as he gazed at the furnace, his face paling as he rose in haste to ask his counselors whether three bound men had been cast into the fire, and they answered that it was true.Ms 73, 1909, par. 12–14+4 What astonished him was the contrast, for the furnace had been heated seven times hotter than usual and had killed those who threw them in, yet he saw four men loose and walking unharmed amid the flames, with the fourth like the Son of God.ST Dec 24, 1912+4 The Fourth with them was Christ Himself, present to preserve those who honored Him rather than worship a human image, so that the fire could not consume them.Lt 118, 1910, par. 2+4 Even the king and his nobles trembled and had to acknowledge the living God above every earthly power, and through that steadfastness the knowledge of the true God was spread throughout Babylon and to many countries.ST Oct 19, 1882+4 Their firmness to be true to principle come what may is the pattern for steadfast adherence to the close of the controversy, when the same abiding presence will be with followers in the time of trouble so that Satan with all evil hosts cannot destroy even the weakest saint who trusts Him.STBk 121.2+4

The king was seized with sudden terror and astonishment while gazing into the furnace, his countenance paling as his eyes remained fixed on the flames, and he rose up in haste to question his counselors and lords.Ms 110, 1904, par. 52–56+4 His astonishment broke upon him as he watched what was taking place in the fire he had ordered heated seven times hotter than usual to punish defiance in the height of his power and glory.BS 33.1–2+2 He turned to those beside him to have them confirm what had been done, asking whether three men bound had been cast into the midst of the fire, and they answered that it was true.Ms 73, 1909, par. 12–14+4 Their confirmation was given by the very counselors and lords who had devised the ensnaring decree, having hit upon the scheme of leading the king to proclaim that every knee should bow to the golden image.PK 503.2+2

The furnace had been made so fierce that the bursting flame killed the men who thrust the Hebrews in with haste, even as the three bound exiles were cast in.BS 33.1–2+2 What astonished him was the contradiction of what had been done, for instead of three bound men he saw four men loose walking unharmed and unhurt amid the flames.ST Dec 24, 1912+4 The three were no longer bound but walking freely without injury, and the fourth figure with them appeared like the Son of God, like the Son of Man.ST Dec 24, 1912+4 His question about the three therefore opened the way to his declaration of the four, setting the contrast between what was cast in and what was now seen.Ms 73, 1909, par. 12–14+4

The setting was the plain of Dura, where the idolatrous golden image had been set up to represent the kingdom of Babylon and more particularly the glory of Nebuchadnezzar himself.Ms 168, 1898, par. 1–3+2 He had set it up after reading the interpretation of his dream in the light of his own idolatrous mind instead of in the light of Scripture and the living oracles, supposing the image had sufficient authority to convert all nations to its worship as representing the excellence of Babylon.Ms 168, 1898, par. 1–3+1 These events came in the same year the youthful Hebrews entered the service of the king of Babylon, severely testing their integrity and proving before an idolatrous nation the power and faithfulness of the God of Israel.BS 33.1–2+1 The men who sought to destroy the three Hebrews were themselves destroyed by the bursting flame, destroyed by the recoil of their own actions.BS 33.1–2+2 The king could recognize the divine likeness of the fourth as the Son of God, the representative of God, because his connection with Daniel and the three Hebrews had taught him about God and about Christ.Ms 163, 1898, par. 5–11

This verse belongs to the history of the Lord's wonderful deliverance of the three Hebrew worthies from the fiery furnace.Lt 118, 1910, par. 2+1 That history teaches important principles regarding the working out of His purpose for the children of obedience and the children of disobedience.Lt 118, 1910, par. 2 It shows that God is near to those who honor Him rather than worship human-made images, and that He accompanies them through trial.Ms 73, 1909, par. 12–14 They stood firm when the furnace was heated seven times hotter than usual and were cast in bound, yet they were not forsaken of God.STBk 121.2+2 The form of the Fourth was with them walking in the flames, and they came forth without even the smell of fire upon their garments.STBk 121.2+2

The Fourth seen with them was Christ Himself, the Lord Jesus, present to preserve them from all harm.Ms 168, 1898, par. 1–3+2 He manifests Himself to them as He promises to manifest Himself to those who have His commandments and keep them, and as He abides in the heart by faith.13MR 60.1–61.2 God had not forsaken them, and the king called them out to find them unharmed with no smell of fire on their garments.3MR 95.4+1 Their faith in the living Word was honored in the sight of all, for they had relied on God and remembered His promise to be with them through waters and fire so they would not be burned.PK 511.1 God takes His stand with the oppressed in this deliverance and rebukes all earthly powers that rebel against the authority of Heaven.PK 511.1

Their deliverance displayed God's wonderful power and made known that the God of heaven rules over earthly kings.Ms 16, 1896, par. 31–34+1 It fulfilled their trust that He could save them, though they had remained loyal even if He did not.Ms 16, 1896, par. 31–34 God has not promised His people exemption from trials, but He has promised strength equal to the day and grace sufficient in weakness. Imprisonment and persecution do not mean He has ceased to reign or abandoned His obedient people, for Jesus was with the faithful three and the flames could not harm them.Lt 49, 1886, par. 7–8 Even when they face suffering and seem abandoned they remain under His care, for He remains mindful of them and protects them in times of deadly trial.4SP 445.2–446.1+1 Christ is with His faithful people amid persecution, even at the stake, and reveals Himself to them in their deepest trial.18MR 78.2

Because the Son of God was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walking unharmed, the fire could not consume them.Ms 159, 1903, par. 15–19 Their walking so united with Him shows that at the Lord's coming smoke and flame will not harm the righteous who are united with Him.Ms 159, 1903, par. 15–19 They endured because Jesus walked with them in flames they did not deliberately seek.3T 47.2 Had they deliberately entered the fire themselves they would have been consumed, teaching that God sustains those who do not deliberately seek temptation when it comes.3T 47.2 Anyone called to go through the fiery furnace for Christ's sake will have Jesus by his side just as the three had Him.

When Christ showed Himself in the fire even the king and his nobles trembled and had to acknowledge that the living God is above every earthly power.ST Oct 19, 1882 The king was convinced that the Hebrews' God was the living God with superior power over every kingdom and over every earthly king.13MR 60.1–61.2+2 He was led to proclaim the supremacy of the God whom his Hebrew captives worshiped.DA 28.3 His wrath was turned into praise and thanksgiving to Jehovah.Lt 151, 1904, par. 6–8

God's wise providence works unceasingly over human affairs and comes into close contact even with idolatrous minds to give them light.Lt 109a, 1898, par. 5–8 He brought His servants face to face with the greatest monarch when idolaters rose to crush out the truth in Babylonian persecution over refusal to disregard the Sabbath and to observe heathen festivals, so that the king and his people might receive light.DA 28.3 The astonished questioning marks the moment that purpose came to bear on the king's heart until he believed.DA 28.3+1

Through their steadfastness the knowledge of the true God was spread abroad throughout the length and breadth of Babylon.Ms 2b, 1895, par. 25–26 The attempt to force idolatry brought that knowledge before the princes and great men of Babylon.5T 453.1–4 Representatives of the different nations gathered for the dedication carried the tidings of the wonderful deliverance to many countries, so that through the faithfulness of His children God was glorified in all the earth.PK 511.1 In this the purpose for which God had permitted them to be carried as captives to that heathen land was accomplished to His honor.PK 511.1+1 Although convinced by the wonderful miracle, the king lost the holy impression made upon his mind because he did not continue to walk in the light.13MR 60.1–61.2

The three in Babylon purposed to be true to principle come what may and would not turn aside from allegiance to the truth, standing firm in trial though the flaming fiery furnace was heated seven times hotter than it was wont to be heated and they were cast in bound.STBk 121.2+4 They were not forsaken of God in the furnace, for the form of the Fourth was seen walking with them in the flames, and they came forth delivered without even the smell of fire upon their garments.STBk 121.2+4 Their firmness is the pattern for steadfast adherence to truth through the continual and sharp contests that will continue to the close of the controversy between the two great powers of good and evil, requiring the same purpose to stand firm at any cost now.STBk 121.2+4

Its lessons apply in this day, when though innocent of wrongdoing many of God's servants will be given over to suffer humiliation and abuse at the hands of those inspired by Satan and filled with envy and religious bigotry.PK 512.1 Especially the wrath of man will be aroused against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and at last a universal decree will denounce these as deserving of death.PK 512.1 Their stand illustrates loyalty required when human authority demands disobedience to God, including future decisions for or against the commandments of God in the Southern States.Lt 35, 1895, par. 1–3+1

Those who make cruel enactments seeking to destroy God's people are destroyed by the recoil of their own actions, as the men who sought to destroy the three Hebrews were themselves destroyed.12MR 218.2–220.1 So men today who strive to turn God's people from their allegiance by setting up an idol Sunday sabbath will likewise be destroyed.12MR 218.2–220.1 So it will be in the end of the world, when students of God's Word must work away from the customs and appointments of the world's great counselors with the same refusal to bow as those who would not bow the knee to the idolatrous golden image.Ms 168, 1898, par. 1–3 They will not say the Lord delays His coming, and only those prepared like wise virgins with oil in their vessels with their lamps will go forth to meet the Bridegroom.Ms 168, 1898, par. 1–3

That same abiding presence that comforted and sustained the worthies, the Lord Himself walking with them, will be with His followers wherever they are in the closing period of earth's history.PK 513.1 In the midst of the time of trouble such as has not been since there was a nation, His chosen ones who stand steadfastly for the right will stand unmoved.PK 513.1 Satan with all the hosts of evil will be unable to destroy even the weakest of God's saints, angels that excel in strength will protect them, and Jehovah will reveal Himself as a God of gods able to save to the uttermost those who have put their trust in Him.PK 513.1

Shadrach and his companions stood in the fire as men utterly helpless in themselves who trusted the word of God and withstood the power of the whole world seated on its throne.ED 254.2–3+2 In the later test they openly disregarded the king's requirement in the very face of death rather than surrender principle, compromise truth, or prove disloyal to God.Ms 2b, 1895, par. 25–26 Their stand witnesses to the power of God's word against human power and policy in support of evil, and places them among the world's true nobility and royal line in which the youth of today are called to take their places.ED 254.2–3+1

Their refusal to worship the idol rather than be untrue to God reveals the principle of self-denial and self-sacrifice.5T 42.2–43.2+2 All appetites and passions, all hereditary or cultivated habits or tendencies, and all circumstances and surroundings are to be servants to the God-fearing man, not rulers over him.Lt 73, 1896, par. 39–42 The Christian is not to be enslaved by habit nor to be the servant of circumstances, but to rule the animal passions and to control circumstances by an inwrought principle learned of the greatest Teacher the world ever knew.Lt 73, 1896, par. 39–42 That principle, as seen in Christ, in John the Baptist, in Daniel and in the three worthies, passes like a plowshare through hereditary and cultivated habits and through all circumstances and surroundings, so that those in solemn position toward the world today must practice duty now and not wait until will and circumstances are adjusted.Lt 73, 1896, par. 39–42 No threat of the furnace and no offer of favor, worldly honors, or exalted position moves such faithful men to deny and betray the truth, because human reputation is to them as nothingness.Ms 201, 1898, par. 11 To live is to obey the word of Christ, and to die for the truth's sake is gain, and this steadfastness comes from having the divine principles inwrought in the heart as if written with the finger of God by believing and practicing the Word.Ms 201, 1898, par. 11

Their deliverance in the fiery furnace gives reason to trust that God can preserve His servants when they face danger for the gospel.GC88 145.1–146.1+2 The Lord preserved the life of His faithful servants in persecution, keeping the three Hebrews alive in the fiery furnace when the fire should have killed them, in the same way He kept John alive when cast into boiling oil.ST Mar 22, 1905+2 When the three worthies were cast bound into the midst of the fire God preserved them alive and their testimony was not silenced, because the Son of God was with them, abiding in the heart by faith.Ms 150, 1899, par. 8–10 The same divine presence and preservation keeps faithful witnesses in other deadly punishments for Christ's sake, such as being cast into a cauldron of boiling oil.Ms 150, 1899, par. 8–10

That same preserving power belongs to a fearless advocate of truth when powerful enemies summon him to answer, determine to silence him, and cry for his blood.SG4 275.3–276.3 Trust in that God who still lives and reigns removes anxiety and care for self and for ease, and turns anxiety toward the truth not being exposed to the insults and scorn of the ungodly, giving readiness to die rather than allow enemies to triumph.SG4 275.3–276.3+1 That preservation gives ground for trust to one called by God to appear before hostile rulers, even when sick and when violence is very probable, as it gave Luther reason to trust God when he faced danger for defending the truth.GC 146.1+3 The outcome is placed in the Lord's hands, for if He will not save, life is of little consequence, and faithfulness means not fleeing and not retracting, preventing the gospel from being exposed to scorn even by shedding blood for it, and leaving it to God whether life or death will contribute most to the salvation of others.GC 146.1+1

Anyone called to go through the fiery furnace for Christ's sake will have Jesus by his side just as the three had Him in Babylon. Those who love their Redeemer will rejoice at every opportunity to share His humiliation and reproach, and love for Him makes suffering for His sake sweet.