Daniel 3:25, commentary and pictures

Though only three bound men had been thrown into the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual, the king looking into the flames saw four men loose and walking unharmed in the midst of the fire. The fourth, whose form was like the Son of God, was Jesus Christ himself personally present with his faithful servants, also described as the radiant angel of God sent to deliver those who trusted in him. In the Lord's presence the flames were powerless to hurt them, burning only their fetters and leaving not even the smell of fire upon them while those who cast them in were consumed. The verse shows that God does not forsake those who remain true to him under threat of death, but stands with them in trial, making suffering bearable and giving strength and peace proportioned to the day. The furnace heated seven times hotter is a pattern for the sharp contests to the close of the controversy, when those who purpose to be true to principle will have the same divine companionship, complete protection, and sustaining presence in the time of trouble.

Historical Setting Before Furnace

The verse belongs to the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to bow when Nebuchadnezzar set up an idolatrous golden image in the plain of Dura to be worshiped by all. That image was set up to represent Babylon and its glory, and especially the king of Babylon himself. He had been shown in his dream that earthly kingdoms would pass away and be followed by the kingdom of the Prince of heaven filling the whole earth, but he perverted that light to fit his own idolatrous mind and ambitions and determined to make an image all of gold to take the place of God and be worshiped as God.

Nebuchadnezzar in the height of his power and glory took the defiance of these representatives of a despised and captive race as an unbearable insult. He commanded the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual, hotter than it was wont to be heated, and had the bound Hebrew exiles cast in for their loyalty to the God of heaven. The flames were so furious that the men who threw them in were themselves burned to death and destroyed.

The event took place in the same year Daniel and his companions entered the service of the king of Babylon. It severely tested the integrity of these youthful Hebrews. In doing so it proved before an idolatrous nation the power and faithfulness of the God of Israel.

What Nebuchadnezzar Saw Inside

Though only three bound men had been thrown in, the king fixed his eyes on the glowing flames and paled with terror at what appeared within them. He turned to his lords to confirm that three bound men had been cast into the fire, and when they affirmed it he declared that he saw four men loose and walking unhurt in the midst of the fire. The defiance he had taken as an unbearable insult from representatives of a despised and captive race had led him in the height of his power to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual, with flames so furious that the men who threw the exiles in were burned to death. Yet the three were now free from their bonds and walking in the fire with no hurt, and the form of the fourth was like the Son of God.

The four were unbound and on foot amid the flames, moving about unharmed where bonds should have held them fast. The fourth who had joined the three Hebrews appeared like the Son of God, a radiant angelic presence beside them. He was Christ himself present with them in their trial, God near to those who honor Him and standing with them in the fire. The king afterward testified that God had sent His angel and delivered the servants who trusted in Him, and their preservation displayed His power and vindicated their faithfulness while making even the threat of death bearable. The sight was not seen by the king alone but was witnessed by him together with the courtiers around him.

Identity of Fourth Figure

The fourth figure walking loose and unharmed with the three men in the fiery furnace is Jesus Christ himself, the Son of God and the Saviour to come, personally present with His three faithful servants in their trial. Though cast in bound, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were seen free and walking through the fire without hurt, with not even a thread of their garments burned, because in the Lord's presence the flames were powerless to consume them. His glorious presence convinced the proud king of Babylon that He was the Son of God and displayed the power and majesty of God before the vast assembly. That presence shows that God does not forget those who trust Him and remain faithful under threat, that heaven is near to those striving for everlasting life, with heavenly helpers guarding them as they pray and resist evil, and that God takes His stand with the oppressed to overthrow every earthly power that tramples the authority of heaven.

He is also the radiant, angelic presence among them, the angel of God sent by God to walk with the three faithful Hebrews and deliver the servants who trusted in Him, so that they came through the fire unharmed. The fourth is Christ, the representative of God in person with the captives, preserving them from all harm and fulfilling His promise to manifest Himself to him who has His commandments and keeps them. The sight was witnessed by the king and his courtiers around him, and when Nebuchadnezzar saw the form of the Fourth he was convinced that the God of the three Hebrews was the living God, yet because he did not continue to walk in the light he lost the holy impression made upon his mind.

Nebuchadnezzar recognized Him as like the Son of God and as Christ, the Redeemer to come, from the captives' description of Him. The Hebrew captives had taught him about God and Christ, and Daniel and the three men had spoken to him about them and had represented the truth through their lives and character. The king therefore was not ignorant of God and His Son, and the sight showed that God could preserve those who worshiped Him even in the fire.

Deliverance and Its Witness

In the Lord's presence the flames were powerless to consume them, for the fire burned only their fetters and left them unbound and walking unharmed with not a thread of their garments burned and not even the smell of fire upon them, while the men who cast them in were consumed by the same heat. The deliverance was complete, for at the king's call the servants of the most high God came forth unhurt before the multitude, heaven thus showing itself near to those who trust Him and remain faithful under threat and who strive for everlasting life in prayer and resistance to evil. A divine companion walked with them in the flames so that they came through the fire without harm, and God did not forsake those who stood firm for truth under trial.

His glorious presence convinced the proud king of Babylon that He was the Son of God and displayed the power and majesty of God before the vast assembly. Before His majesty kings and nobles trembled and acknowledged that the living God is above every earthly power, and the wonderful miracle wrought upon Nebuchadnezzar's heart so that he believed in God and in His superior power over every other kingdom and could see that the God they worshiped could preserve them. His wrath was turned into praise and thanksgiving to Jehovah, the miracle turned minds from the golden image, and he was moved to decree death to any who should speak against the God who could deliver after this sort. The deliverance declares that God takes His stand with the oppressed and will rebuke and overthrow every earthly power that tramples the authority of the God of heaven, and their faithfulness had influence in Babylon.

Though by seeing the form of the Fourth he was convinced that the God of the three Hebrews was the living God and acknowledged the wonderful miracle by which He preserved them from all harm in fulfillment of His promise to manifest Himself to him who has His commandments and keeps them, Nebuchadnezzar did not continue to walk in the light and so lost the holy impression made upon his mind.

Their steadfastness honored God and vindicated their faithfulness to Him, displaying His power to protect those who remained loyal to Him despite the threat of death and confirming their loyalty in the sight of all. What was meant to enforce idolatry was turned into a public witness to the true God before Babylon's princes and leading men, for God brings His servants face to face with kings and rulers when idolaters are roused to crush out the truth so that kings and their people might receive the light, and the greatest monarchs are time after time led to proclaim the supremacy of the God whom their Hebrew captives worshiped. The three Hebrews used their deliverance to declare their faith in God to the whole nation of Babylon, relying on Him and on His promise to be with His people through waters and rivers and through fire without being burned, and their faith in the living Word was honored in a marvelous manner in the sight of all. The tidings of their deliverance were carried to many countries by the representatives of the different nations gathered for the dedication, so that through the faithfulness of His children God was glorified in all the earth and the very purpose of their captivity in Babylon was accomplished.

Faithfulness That Brought Deliverance

The three had purposed to be true to principle come what may, refusing to turn aside from allegiance to truth even when threatened with death in a furnace heated seven times hotter than usual. They did not weigh consequences or worldly prospects but longed only to know God's will and to glorify Him. When they were cast in for their faithfulness, they were not forsaken, for the divine Fourth walked with them in the flames and they came forth unhurt without even the smell of fire upon their garments. That deliverance stands as the pattern for the continual sharp contests that will last to the close of the controversy between good and evil.

They were able to stand firm because they had been taught to worship and serve God only and that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Their minds were already made up not to bow to the golden image of the kingdom. Though utterly helpless in themselves, they trusted the word of God and held fast their faith, and so withstood the power of Nebuchadnezzar and of the whole world. Such trust in God's word proves stronger than all human power and policy in support of evil.

Their steadfast integrity exhibits genuine sanctification, hearts and lives controlled by divine grace. Their lives shine as burning lights until all associates understand the faith that ennobles life and beautifies character. They belong to the world's true nobility, its royal line, in which the youth of today are called to take their places.

Their example is one of self-denial and sacrifice, remaining faithful to God rather than being ruled by circumstances, surroundings, or human tendencies. It calls God's people to let these principles break through hereditary and cultivated habits. It shows the duty to remain faithful when human authority demands worship contrary to God's law, when a time comes to decide whether to obey God's commandments or submit to human demands. Yet faithfulness does not act presumptuously or needlessly make the work more difficult. Those who take Christ's sayings, lay preconceived opinions aside, receive the Word as Thus saith the Lord, believe and practice the bread of life, and have divine principles inwrought in the heart as if written with the finger of God cannot be intimidated by the fiery furnace to deny and betray the truth for any favor, worldly honors, exalted position, or human reputation, which are to them as nothingness. For them to live is to obey the word of Christ and to die for truth's sake is gain, as soldiers enlisted to serve under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel.

God Present in Trials

The fourth walked beside the three after they refused to worship the king's image, the four standing free and unharmed in the fire with the fourth appearing like the Son of God. His presence shows that God is near to those who honor Him and stands with them in trials, and that He does not forget or forsake those who trust Him and remain faithful under threat. That deliverance was wonderful, for His presence made the flames powerless to consume them while the men who cast them in were consumed. His glorious presence convinced the proud king of Babylon that He was the Son of God and displayed the power and majesty of God before the vast assembly. God thereby takes His stand with the oppressed and rebukes and overthrows every earthly power that tramples the authority of the God of heaven.

Daniel and his fellows had purposed to be true to principle come what may, refusing to turn aside from allegiance when threatened with the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual, and a divine companion walked with them so that they came out unharmed without even the smell of fire on their garments. The three used their deliverance to declare their faith in God to the whole nation of Babylon, relying on Him and remembering His promise to be with His people through waters and rivers and through fire without being burned. Their faith in the living Word was honored in a marvelous manner in the sight of all, and tidings of their deliverance were carried to many countries by representatives of the different nations gathered for the dedication, so that through the faithfulness of His children God was glorified in all the earth. The verse is thus a pattern for the continual sharp contests that will last until the controversy between good and evil is ended.

His presence made even the threat of the most cruel death bearable and showed that God was with them in their trial. Jesus is personally present with those who go through the fiery furnace for Christ's sake, even as He was with the faithful three in Babylon, the fourth figure being Jesus by the side of the persecuted. God has not promised exemption from trials, but strength proportioned to the day and grace sufficient in weakness, fulfilled in Christ's companionship in suffering, and that presence makes suffering for Him sweet and turns persecution for righteousness' sake into reason for joy. Jesus and angels watch over the trusting believer in trial: Satan may heat the furnace of affliction, but his power is limited, and the fire cannot destroy or truly hurt the faithful, consuming only the dross and leaving the true metal unharmed. God did not forget the three faithful men, they were unharmed and the Lord was with them, and their experience assures God's people that enemies may imprison them but no dungeon can cut them off from Christ, for He knows their weakness and trials and His presence brings light and peace.

Christ walking with His faithful witnesses amid the fiery flames and keeping them from harm shows that He is ready to help those who seek Him and to subdue the evil in their nature. He does not desire those purchased at such cost to become the sport of the enemy's temptations or to be overcome and perish. The same Deliverer who curbed the lions is just as ready now to work in behalf of tempted, trembling souls to subdue every evil in their nature, to pardon and restore all who come for forgiveness, and to lift those who turn to Him for refuge above accusation and strife. He will likewise work to help those who trust Him overcome evil in their character. The verse teaches important principles regarding the working out of the Lord's purpose for the children of obedience and the children of disobedience. Left to themselves the three would have been consumed, for Jesus walked with them in the flame, and angels may be sent to rescue; it is a great thing to be right with God with the soul in harmony with its Maker amid the contagion of evil example that in deceitful appearance would lure the soul from duty. God will sustain a person when unsought temptation comes, but a person who deliberately walks into temptation and invites it will not have divine aid to keep from being overcome.

End-Time Prophecy and Warning

The furnace heated seven times hotter than usual is the pattern for continual and sharp contests that will last to the close of the controversy between good and evil. Those who purpose as Daniel and his fellows in Babylon did to be true to principle come what may will refuse to turn aside from allegiance to truth even when threatened with that furnace. When they are cast in for faithfulness the divine Fourth walks with them in the flames, Christ personally joining His faithful servants in the fiercest persecution. They are not forsaken of God in trial but are brought through with complete deliverance, coming forth unhurt without even the smell of fire upon their garments. The same steadfastness is required now because the controversy between the two great powers of good and evil is soon to be ended yet will have continual sharp contests up to its close, and those who now purpose to be true under pressure will have the same divine companionship and protection.

As a lesson for this day, 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. 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. As the advisers of Nebuchadnezzar ensnared the Hebrew captives by leading the king to proclaim that every knee should bow to the golden image set up to take the place of God and be worshiped as God, so men today strive to turn God's people from their allegiance. The demand that all observe an idol Sunday sabbath as sacred and holy by human law is set up as was this image, putting it where God's holy Sabbath of the fourth commandment should be.

That same abiding presence that walked with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be with His followers wherever they are in the closing period of earth's history. His presence will comfort and sustain them in the midst of the time of trouble such as has not been since there was a nation, and His chosen ones will stand unmoved. Satan with all the hosts of evil cannot destroy 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. Enemies may imprison them, but no dungeon can cut them off from Christ, for He knows their weakness and trials, He enters prisons and is present with those facing death at the stake, and His presence brings light and peace. Oppression does not extinguish His people, and in their darkest trials His glory shines most clearly.

At the Lord's coming the righteous who are united with Him will be unharmed by fire and other calamities, as the Son of God was with the three so the flames could not consume them. 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 in the midst of the fire were themselves destroyed while the faithful were preserved.

Links to Other Scripture

The three used their deliverance to declare their faith to the whole nation, relying on the promise to be with his people when passing through waters and rivers and when walking through fire without being burned. Their faith in the living Word was honored in a marvelous manner in the sight of all, as God took his stand with the oppressed and rebuked earthly powers that rebel against heaven's authority. Tidings of that deliverance were carried to many countries by representatives of different nations gathered for the dedication, so that through the faithfulness of his children God was glorified in all the earth. As the three Hebrews were preserved alive and unharmed because the Son of God was with them, abiding in the heart by faith, so John was preserved when cast into a cauldron of boiling oil for his faith. That same divine presence preserves God's servants in later trials.

The preservation of the three walking unharmed with a fourth figure like the Son of God shows that God can protect his people from violence. Luther trusted that the God who had preserved the three faithful men alive in the fire would also preserve him amid danger and threats of death for the truth. He drew confidence from their deliverance to face danger, while accepting that God might not spare his life if that was not God's will and leaving the outcome to God.

Jesus Christ himself walked with his faithful witnesses amid the flames and kept them from hurt, because he does not desire those purchased at such cost to become the sport of temptation and to be overcome and perish. The same Deliverer who curbed the lions is just as ready now to work for tempted, trembling souls, to subdue every evil in their nature, to pardon and restore all who come for forgiveness, and to lift those who turn to him for refuge above accusation and strife. He is with his faithful people in the midst of persecution, entering prisons and standing present with those facing death at the stake. Oppression does not extinguish his people, and in their darkest trials his glory shines most clearly.

Living the Lesson Today

Living faith in the merits of the crucified Redeemer carries people through the furnace of affliction and trial, and they emerge unharmed even from the fiercest suffering, without even the smell of fire upon their garments. Christ is with His people in that furnace, the Fourth was with the faithful in the flames, and the Lord is present with the faithful and does not abandon them amid opposition. The Lord preserved the life of His faithful servants when condemned to death, keeping the three Hebrews alive and unharmed in the midst of the fiery furnace, giving them protection amid mortal danger as an example of the protection He can give those who trust in Him. The same preserving power delivers others who suffer for Christ.

Jesus walked with the three faithful men in the fiery flame and kept them from harm, and left to themselves they would have been consumed. Their deliverance illustrates that God sustains those who meet temptation and trial when it comes without deliberately entering it. It is a great thing to be right with God with the soul in harmony with its Maker amid the contagion of evil example that in deceitful appearance would lure the soul from duty, and angels may be sent to rescue. But a person who chooses to walk into temptation and invites it cannot count on divine aid to keep from being overcome, and choosing to enter temptation removes the assurance of divine protection.

Children need firm Bible-based principles to withstand the perils of the last days. Those who hold fast to the truth under opposition are assured that the Lord was with the faithful men in the furnace so that though surrounded by fire they were unharmed, and that He will not leave them.

God remains with His faithful people when they suffer unjust persecution for doing right, and the flames could not harm the three men because Jesus was with them. He remains with His faithful people in a heated furnace of trial and does not abandon them amid opposition, and His strength is sufficient for holding fast to the truth, as applied as personal assurance to Sister Gorham.

The Lord proves His people in the furnace to vindicate their loyalty and make His power known, rescuing the three Hebrew captives from the flames and making His power known to Nebuchadnezzar and the idolatrous nation of Babylon. Christ Himself walked loose in the midst of the fire with His three faithful servants who would not bow the knee to the idolatrous golden image set up in the plain of Dura to represent Babylon and its king, leaving them unhurt and working upon Nebuchadnezzar's heart so that he believed in God and His superior power over every other kingdom. God's providence incessantly at work over human affairs thus came in close contact even with idolatrous minds for a purpose, bringing the king into reasoning relation about prophecy, exalting Jehovah, and rebuking the reading of dreams and providence by human understanding instead of reading dreams in the light of the living Oracles.