Daniel 3:8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. 9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. 10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man"... "shall fall down and worship the golden image: 12 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.
This passage of scripture teaches us of the experience of the three Hebrew boys who stood firmly for the right when it was unpopular and even dangerous to do so. These three Hebrews had learned in the school of Christ that it is better to die doing right than to live doing wrong, and because this mode of thought governed their every thought and action, they refused to bow down to the graven image which the king had set up, because to do this would put them at odds with the commands of God that were given in the Decalogue. There is never a good reason to "bow", and thus, it is only when as Christians we stand rigidly for the right, that the omnipotent power of God can be made manifest in and through us.
In the above passage, the words "Certain Jews" are used, suggesting to us that there were many others who were bowing, who had buckled under pressure from the king. It is also worthy of note that of the many thousands who were taken into captivity, only three of the king's appointees remained faithful to God in this instance, when their lives were put in danger through the decree of the king. True Christians will never be in the majority in this world, which is arrayed against God and His righteousness, therefore we should not think it a strange thing, if many of our fellow Christians begin to capitulate to the the powers that be, in order to enjoy the approbation of the masses, or in order to avoid financial persecution.
Persecution of those who stand true to God's law is a principle that will exist once there is a devil, and therefore we should now brace ourselves for the barrage of pressures, scorns, and various types of social bullying that are scheduled to be leveled against the righteous. This specific situation the word of God has warned us about in several different passages, and now that it is right upon us, we must be strengthened with might in the inner man, to withstand the forces of evil that stand ready to persecute all who remain true to The God of heaven. Let's read:
2nd Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Revelation 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
However, there is one snare we must avoid at all costs, that of aligning ourselves too closely with those who may seem to be "Certain Jews", for it is a fact that many Christians who are now very incensed about the violence done to the marriage institution, may still cling to the substitute day of worship, in direct violation of the commands of God on this point. Whilst we are not to draw any premature conclusions about any fellow Christian, yet the Bible teaches us of the fruits of obedience that are made manifest in those who truly choose to follow Jesus all the way. In other words, if as Christians we cling tenaciously to the God-ordained marriage institution as given in Eden, while at the same time we continue to deliberately desecrate the true Sabbath, The Lord is saying to us, "These things ought ye to have done, and not to have left the others undone". Let's read:
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
In our day, The God of heaven is again looking for "Certain Jews" who will not be bought or sold, who will not buckle under censure or applause, and who will stand for the right though the heavens fall. The practice of allowing popular sentiment to alter our world views, or of succumbing to economic persecution by those who disagree with the scriptures, is one of the snares of the last days, and according to the scriptures, this mode of conduct is scheduled to fully mature in the institution of the mark of the beast, by which all of our economic privileges will be permanently suspended if we dare to stay true to the Bible.
It is therefore of the utmost importance that we set our hearts on Christ and eternal realities, instead of seeking to make this world our home, because the times here spoken of are right upon us. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to be faithful, even unto death, and God will sustain us through the very difficult days that are just ahead. Let's read:
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!