Let us continue from Daniel 3:29-30 (KJV) 29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar was a king who served other gods, not the God of Israel. But if you speak against their god, you will be severely punished. This is because there is no other god who can save you from the fiery pit. In other words, the pagan gods they believe in cannot do that. But ironically they still believe in them. Nebuchadnezzar recognized that the God the Jews worship is the mightiest. Better than many religious people today. That is why God appointed Nebuchadnezzar in his generation as a king to rule over the entire world. God just used him as a servant. He chose Nebuchadnezzar to rule and chastise the Jews. God also uses the devil as a servant because the time has not yet come. Satan’s been judged, but he’s still serving God even today. However, while Nebuchadnezzar said this, he did not acknowledge the God of Israel was the true God and that the other gods were counterfeits. Obviously, Nebuchadnezzar praises the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, but he has no will to serve Him. Many people come to church and praise Jesus Christ and glorify the Heavenly Father, yet have no desire to serve Him. That is an unbeliever serving another God, another Jesus. If you truly believe that God manifested in flesh, Jesus Christ, is the One and only who can save you from death and deliver you from hell, then you can serve Him. Serving God means being able to go out with gratitude no matter what circumstances He allows. Unfortunately, people today worship other gods. Another Jesus conjured up from within their own hearts who only blesses them via another gospel. Pastors serve Jesus who only revives their churches. Nebuchadnezzar knelt down and bowed down to Daniel and gave him many gifts, a simple gesture which was better than today’s Christians. Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged God as another god, but not as THE absolute Almighty Creator. There is no other god who can rescue them like this. He did lay down a decree to never speak against God. This just shows that God of Israel is the greatest, does it not? And yet the king himself did not turn from serving his pagan gods. Korean ministers who did not worship at Shinto shrines during the Japanese colonial era truly believed in Jesus Christ. The faithful few who lived according to the words our Lord asked Martha even if it meant their death; John 11:25-26 (KJV) 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Do you really believe in these words Martha? When she acknowledged, he called and resurrected Lazarus. Why don’t Christians today experience God’s saving power in their lives? Why can’t we experience God who saves us not only from hell, but also from death and hardship in life? It’s because we don’t trust Him. God has led you to such a place and want you to experience how will lead you from there. But people just don’t want to. When there is trouble, it is just resentment and anger. Apostle Paul said: Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV) When he was thankful, God saved him because Paul fully trusted in the Lord. Many typically fear over physical, carnal issues, not believing in the scripture though he were dead, yet shall he live and yet claim to be a Christian. Such times we are living. Think about it for a second. Babylon is where everybody serves many other pagan gods, except for Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These are a model of the Jewish remnant during the Great Tribulation, and at the same time a model of the true Christians remaining in the end times. Since the majority today is not like this, it is just a religious act to worship on Sunday. There is not much difference between modern day Christians and the people of the world once they go outside the church. There is one thing that Nebuchadnezzar clearly gets wrong here. He didn’t understand the greatest proof that makes God THE God. A God must have the ability to save. Salvation from death and hell. Fast forward to (Daniel 6:27 KJV) He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. This is what Darius says when Daniel comes out of the lions’ den. Darius, Cyrus and Nebuchadnezzar are much better people than those who claim to be Christian presidents. A true God delivers and rescues. (Psalm 50:15 KJV) says: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Glorifying God is not done by dressed in expensive luxury goods and singing hallelujah only when all is well and everyone in my family are in good health. What glorifies God is when I rely on the Lord in the midst of difficulties, trusting Him completely and believing in God who saves me from the mouth of the lion and the mouth of the devil in the midst of death, ultimately experiencing Him saving me as I am grateful to the end. This is what glorifies God. If God puts people into some stressful events to gain a little glory from them, they can’t or won’t withstand it and fall into temptation being deceived. Then you can’t experience God. We must experience God who saves us from distresses, trials, and persecutions now, while we are living on this earth. Only then can we overcome the various trials that are thrown at us. If we believe that Jesus Christ, the Creator and God we believe in, is the only true God, then we must believe that He can save us from all suffering, pain, sin, and hell. If not, He is of no use. For those who go to church, including us, Are you really happy when you say that you go to church? Second question, are you sure that your sins are forgiven? Third, are you sure you won’t go to hell if you die today? If you cannot answer “YES” to these questions, that is proof that you are not yet saved. It’s simple.
In other words, all of us are already dead. Since the body is dead and when you accept Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit comes in only when your sins are forgiven, and the Spirit of Jesus, who is God, is the Spirit of Prophecy. And anyone who does so can see their future clearly. Today, people do not receive the true Spirit of prophecy, but rather receive another spirit and they like to receive prophecies about how well their business and children will do in the future. The real prophecy is that when I am forgiven, the Spirit of God comes in, otherwise you’ll die. “I’m 100% sure I’m not going to hell. I’m going to meet the Lord when He returns.” If you have this certainty, you have received the Spirit of prophecy, the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, people who go to church to solve the problems of the corruptible world while still serving other gods. It’s a pity how churches across the world are filled with these sort of people. That’s why we all need to examine ourselves. Is the God I really believe in Jesus Christ or some other god? Is Jesus Christ, the God I believe in, really the God who can deliver me from death, hell, and all suffering? Do I really believe in Him? Happy is he who believes in him. People who are doing well on earth are rather unfortunate. Truly happy are those who have experienced God’s hand of deliverance at unthinkable moments. When we call on the Lord, he hears us and saves us no matter how difficult our situations may be. That’s when the Lord is glorified. The Lord received glory through Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. If they hadn’t been thrown into the lions’ den or the fiery furnace, they wouldn’t have experienced deliverance. When the three men went into the furnace, another man appeared and Nebuchadnezzar said, the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. (Daniel 3:25 KJV) But the NIV or other Revised Bible translations say a son of the gods. Not only the translators did not recognize Jesus Christ, but they do not believe in Him either. Rather, Nebuchadnezzar said: like the Son of God, with capital letters S& G while theologians and perverted Bible translators believed it to be a son of the gods. Unregenerate theologians altered the Bible because that was a son of the many gods they worshipped. What happens when pastors learn from and teach such a Bible? The problem of serving and worshiping other gods arises in the church. The apostle Paul served the true God, Jesus Christ who he constantly testified, which upset many during that time, labeling him as a heretic and imprisoning him. The reason being: many testified about Christ, but they also preached other gods as well in those days. The apostle Paul said, he rejoice that Christ is preached, whether for good or evil. Even if He is preached with evil intent, when the Holy Spirit works, He works as the true Christ for them, as it is recorded in the Bible through Nebuchadnezzar that God of Israel is the One and only Almighty God. Nebuchadnezzar probably did not know that his words were recorded in the Bible sin he has been long dead.
Continuing with (Daniel 4:1-3 KJV) ¶ Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. The time of the Gentiles began with Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon. All the sanctuaries of the nation of Israel were burned down and destroyed so that they could not offer sacrifices. The fact that there is no tabernacle or temple means that God has left. This is how the nation of Israel was captured by Babylon. From that time on, the times of the Gentiles ruling the world began. God’s kingdom of heaven has departed for Israel. Jesus said:…Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luke 21:24 KJV) In other words, when Jerusalem is restored, the times of the Gentiles will come to an end. The Rapture will take place and the Great Tribulation will begin. In 1967, the eastern Jerusalem was restored from the Six Day War. The Jews were pressured to evacuate from Samaria and Gaza during the Bush presidency by funding billions of dollars towards moving expenses. Prime Minister Netanyahu at the time was tricked into giving an “evacuation order”. What happened afterwards? It’s not a coincidence that United State was hit with hurricane Katrina for what it did to Israel. But when Netanyahu realized that Jerusalem was their God given land after reading the Bible, he started to build houses there again. The U.S. President at the time didn’t like that at all. Romney instead was favored, not only because he and his people claimed to be tribe of Manasseh and Joseph.; which is a lie, and then prayed at the Western wall. Even today, the Prime Minister of Israel should never rely on the United States as in Old Testament times when Israel fell into a trap while relying on Babylon, Egypt or Assyria. Only rely on God.
Half of Jerusalem has already been restored, and because of this, more Jews than Gentiles are returning to the Lord, believing that the time of the Gentiles is over. When we see broken branches sprouting, grafted and putting forth leaves, we must raise our heads and wake up, knowing that the time of the Lord’s return is near. Again, God granted Nebuchadnezzar the dominion. In reality, it was the devil who was given the dominion by the law of God’s justice. After Adam and Eve sinned, they became slaves of the devil because those who have sinned are enslaved to sin. God acknowledged this. In the Gospels, when Jesus Christ came up after baptism in the Jordan River, the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness where the devil tested Him. “The whole world has been given to me. Bow down to me and I will give it to you.” The the Lord said nothing even though He created the world, because He is a God of justice. He has to die in order to save us, so He gave the dominion to the devil. Until when? Until the Second Coming. Why? To make sinners like us children of God. For this reason, God is being patient with you even today. The kings and presidents of all nations were given principalities and powers by God’s permission. Principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and evil spirits are the four legions of the devil that we fight against. God chose Nebuchadnezzar to rule the whole world. For (Daniel 2:37-38 KJV) says: Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. You must remember this authority was given by God. Even the devil who currently rules this world is given authority by God for a short time because man have sinned. Therefore, with these words, King Nebuchadnezzar reaffirmed that his authority extended over all his land. Here, he speaks as if He himself is God:…unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. (Daniel 4:1 KJV) He said this because he had been entrusted by God with the authority to rule, just as the apostle Paul said, “Grace and peace be with you” whenever he closed his epistles. Even today, political powers are delegated to those who are chosen according to God’s will. ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (Romans 13:1-2 KJV) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. (Romans 13:4-5 KJV) If we obey the law, the police will help us. If your car breaks down, they come and help you, and if you don’t, they give you a ticket. God granted them authority. When Pastor Song was in Covina, he went to worshiped with the officers at the police station once a week. Turns out, the chief of police was a born-again Christian. Including the mayor. Nevertheless, all local gangsters in the area disappeared. Such miraculous things happen even in our times.
Skip ahead to (Daniel 4:17 KJV) This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. In the end, as mentioned before, God briefly entrusted the full sovereignty of the earth to the devil. That’s why the devil divides the power to rule the world entrusted to him one by one and distributes it to many. Not anyone becomes the president. That doesn’t mean that person is a man of God. As we all know by now, they elect the obedient members among the Freemasons. Therefore, we must fight against the principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and evil spirits, the government officials setup by Satan, armed with the words of the Bible. The battle is a spiritual, not of blood and flesh. We must put on the full armor of God and overcome by trusting in the Lord spiritually. We can’t win if we don’t put on the full armor. But many people claim that God is ruling right now. These sort of folks are like sitting ducks. True, God reigns, but because of man’s sin, He delegated the authority unto Satan. That is God’s law of justice. The source of sovereignty always comes from God. That’s why we must obey and carry out the decrees created by these officials of the world. Only then can we be protected, as they are also angels sent by God to help us as long as we do not commit crime or break the law.
(Daniel 4:2 KJV) I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. The signs and wonders of God, which were manifested through truly mysterious events of Daniel interpreting dreams and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being thrown into the fiery furnace and surviving unharmed, were already known to Babylon. There was no Internet at that time, but such news would soon spread by word of mouth like a wild fire. But now, in chapter 4, Daniel interprets yet another dream. These signs and wonders are happening again, and Nebuchadnezzar thinks it’s good to officially inform all the people and says, I have been given authority from God. If you tell the people about it yourself, won’t the people see you as a god? It’s a calculated political tactic. Politicians these days will use any good thing to raise their status. You don’t elevate somebody for the sake of that person, but by elevating that person and raising your status, that makes you look good. Politics ultimately comes from Satan. To deceive the masses. (Daniel 4:3 KJV) How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. He sure sounds like what the prophets and apostles would say. Nebuchadnezzar sure sound like the voice of the 144,000 Jews who received the seal of God during the Great Tribulation, praising the Lord and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom on this earth. In the Bible, Nebuchadnezzar is a representative type of the coming Antichrist. Of course, so is Pharaoh. Caesar. Hitler. Cain. King Saul also. All who persecute the people of God are examples of the Antichrist. The apostle John said 2000 years ago The Antichrist will come, but he is already here. However, THE actual Antichrist appears as the incarnation of the devil. Once such man makes his appearance into this world in a human body this world will be out of control. Once America collapses, such character will be wrecking havoc in the world as they welcome him. The devil has to appear in a human body and take over the world. We are currently in the era of the ten toes of Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image. The ten toes are the ten kings of the Book of Revelation. The Antichrist sets them up for a short time, allows them to rule for one hour, he then becomes an absolute dictator. It’s all described in detail in the Bible. However, because people do not study the Bible, they have no idea what will happen in the future. The Bible tells us when the Holy Spirit comes, He will lead us to the truth and tell us what will happen in the future. The Holy Spirit wrote the Bible through inspiring the chosen men to bare record of God’s words. When you meticulously study all the verses from Genesis to Revelation, you will know God’s will and the future Biblical events that coincide with our timeline. And such people can rebuke politicians like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did. Pastors too. They can rebuke them while speaking boldly about what will happen in the future. But you can’t if you follow the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life instead of the Lord, because you are following other gods. These are other gods. The lust of the flesh. I, my own fleshy body, is another god. Your eyes. Honor. Even church elders run for presidency to boast in this life.
Joseph is a representative figure among many who are types of Christ found in the Bible. Yet he could not serve God perfectly. He deceived by putting the silver cup in Benjamin’s money bag. He’s not 100% perfect. The same with Moses and David. (Romans 3:10 KJV) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: The only righteous is Jesus Christ, God manifested as a man. Therefore, when the Antichrist makes a covenant with the Jews during the Great Tribulation and takes a favorable attitude toward them until the middle of the Great Tribulation, the The Antichrist would probably speak as if he were praising God like Nebuchadnezzar. So the Jews would follow him. But when he sits on the throne in the Temple during the last three and a half years of the Tribulation and says, “I am God. Serve me,” the Jews will flee to the mountains. Jesus said, ¶ But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: (Mark 13:14 KJV) Also In the book of Ezekiel, they all flee to the mountains. They have nothing to eat. Needy. Some get caught and thrown in jail. Some get sick because they have nothing to eat. When Jesus returns at the end of the tribulation and gathered all the nations dividing them into sheep and goats, He said to the sheep nations, For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. (Matthew 25:35-36 KJV) Brethren in this context are Jews during the Tribulation. If you interpret that as Christian, it is a false doctrine. God can use anyone He wants. From the time that Nebuchadnezzar was used for a short time, the time of the Gentiles began and has not yet ended. But we’re almost at the end. Once we’re there, the Lord will come to take away the Bride of Christ. And everyone who’s been religiously attending church serving other gods will fall into the Great Tribulation. Those who go through the purification process, repent, and keep their faith will be like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. Those who keep their faith without receiving the mark of the beast will enter the Millennial Kingdom. However those who don’t will all die, just as in the days of Noah. This is right before our eyes now. People don’t realize this because they’re in the darkness. They are blindly wandering in the darkness even today because they have not received the Holy Spirit and do not know the Word of God at all.
Let us pray. Father God, thank you for making us realize many things through the book of Daniel today. We truly confess. Only our Lord Jesus Christ is the true God who truly saves us from sin, death and hell. No matter what happens to us, we will only trust in you Lord. When we trust in You, we will glorify You every time You deliver us. Father God! We want you to sustain us and fill us with your Holy Spirit. Give the same grace to all who hear the word. Help us to become powerful who keep the faith like Daniel Shadrach Meshach Abednego in today’s Babylon-like world. Please help us all to enjoy the joy of the remission of sins and glorify the Lord by living in the faith that we will live even if we die today. Only a few kept their faith and became sacrifices for martyrdom during the Shinto shrine worship during the Japanese colonial occupation era in Korea. Reflecting upon this grave mistake, we pray all Christians today examine themselves by checking their faith asking whether the God I believe in is the God of Israel or another god. Help us to remember and awake to the words of the apostle Paul, another spirit, another Jesus and another gospel are well received. We thank and pray in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Amen.