The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1917-09-13

Al'fs-ihhltAiA foHss
|. The Occasion wv. ~, The fact
that God said to Nebuchadnc2zar,
"rhou art this head Of gold t2:3S)
was too much for him. Though he APP
pcarcd TO have been deeply impressed
with Daniels God, his pride got the
better Of him. As he grew great and
became conscious Of II. he grew proud.
This moved him TO set up colossal
idol Of gold In the Plain of Dura TO be
worshiped by all the people Of his
realm. II was an attempt nt self-deif-
cation. II combined with IL n political
move, the object of which was 10 weld
together the various Kingdoms and
peoples into one homogeneous body.
He inaugurated Il religious festival,
and called upon NIL the people to wor-
ship the Image which he set up. He
backed this demand by civil authority.
The penalty for refusal to bow down
and worship the Image was 10 be cast
Into the burning fiery furnace. lmpos-
ing images are set up In many places,
and men and women are being called
upon 10 bow down and worship them.
Some Of these images are money,
fashion, scholarship, worldly ambition,
pleasures, etc, and woe be 10 those
who will not worship before them.
u. The Behavior Of the Hebrews
wv. S-1S). ~ the accusation by the
envlous spies wv. S12).
Daniels three friends had been pro-
NOTED to positions Of honor and re-
sponsibilIty. Certain Chaldcans whose
envy had been excited by the promo
tlon of these Hebrews, sought occasion
against them. This they found when
the Hebrews would not bow down TO
and worship the image. Envlous eyes
are always watching Gods faithful
ones. Had these Chaldeans been faith.
fully worshiping, they would not have
seen the Hebrews.
(2) The kings rage wv. 1870.
He calls the Hebrews before him,
questions them and gives them another
change The ofTense was not serious
they were defying the authority of
the one who had honOred them in their
promotion; II savored Of ingratitude.
After closely questioning them he gave
them another opportunity to consider
their position before consigning them
to the fire. His supreme mistake was
In the challenge he made TO the God
Of the Hebrews. He seems to have
forgotten entirely the confession he
had made with reference to God (2:47).
(3) The courageous reply Of the
faithful Hebrews wv. 1919. \
They replied without passion or fear.
The peace of God filed their hearts.
Their behavior is an expression of
triumphant faith. "We are not care
ful 10 answer thee in this matter. If II
he so, our God whom we serve is aBle
tn deliver us from the burning fiery
furnace, and he will deliver us out OF
thine hand, o king. But If not, be
II known unto thee, o king, that we
will not serve thy gods. nor worship !
the golden image which thou hast set |
up" They courageously showed their |
contempt for death. They were not
afraid TO die, but were afraid to sin |
against God. They knew that TO bow
down before this image was to dlsobey
and dlShonor God. While they did not |
know what God would do, In the prem
ises they knew that he would do the
right thing. These Hebrews were far
AWAY from home, exposed to the most
severe temptation, but they saw their
duty clearly set before them. Gods
law plainly settled II for them. They
did not try TO find an excuse to evade
their duty, and seeing the way clearly
they acted accordingly. Their creed
was, "Our God whom me serve Is
lble." Therefore they could burn but
could not turn. These Jews are type
IF the faithful remnant in the Great
rrihulation, also of all Gods faithful
)nes, for furnaces are everywhere for
hem. If 1t be not the literal fire, II
nay be ridicule, scOrn and contempt.
III. The Glorious Issue (vv. 1880.
Q) The harmless furnace wv. 1929.
The infuriated king ordered the heat
If the furnace to be intensified. his
most mighty men to bind the Hebrews
md fling them into the fire. Though
he heat was so intense that the SOL
Hers who cast them into the furnace
we're slain, the Hebrews we're seen
Walking loose in the fire without any
lurt. Equally astounding was the fact
hat fourth one was seen with them.
(2) The convinced king (vv. 262S).
The spectacle was so wonderful that
he King called the Hebrews together
Mt of the fire. They came forth un.
ARMED, for the fire had no power over
heir bodies; not even q hair of thelr
eads was singed, their coats changed,
or the smell of fire upon them ". 27).
(3) The kings decree ". 29).
This was most foolish and wicked.
wen a king has no right to kill people
or not worshlping God.
(D Promotion of the Hebrews ".
o.. -FiHyA W. Sep .S..,.
Their fidelity In this trying ordeal
esulted in their promotion instead of
ownfall. May we learn from this that:
(a) God alone is Lord Of the con. |
rience. Ones faith and worship
hould be determined by the individual
efore his God. No church, king or (
ller has right to interfere. {
(b) We should meet religious intol- .
rance by being obedlent to God rather
IAN man.
tc) God will support those who are
lithful. He can easily control natural
'rces In the interest of his faithful