18/01/2020
_Sabbath School Summary_
*From Furnace to Palace*
_Lesson 4_
_Memory Text: Daniel 3:17_
*SATURDAY*: The deliverance of the three Hebrew boys from the fiery furnace is a perpetual testimony that amidst “fire” (problems & persecutions) we shall come out “higher” (victorious, HP, p. 149). Their faithfulness also inform us that if there is anything to preserve, it should not be our life on earth but our eternal life in heaven. Our faith will be tested in these last days but God bids; “be faithful unto death.”
*SUNDAY*: “Everything will pass away”, safe God’s kingdom. This king Nebuchadnezzar refused to digest. After careful thought to the meaning of his dream, it was pride that sprouted in his heart. He built an image of gold to signify that Babylon shall not only be the head, but the entire image (symbolically to mean that his reign is forever). The king purposefully hardened his heart towards God (Dan. 3:1-7).
*MONDAY*: Babylon is just here with us. Ancient Babylon foreshadowed what the future Babylon would do. Around the image of gold (called Akkadian) was the fiery furnace & music that demanded the attention of all. Likewise, we’re stressed on every side to accept the order of the world through worship & music (Dan. 3:8-15). The number of the beast “six” (666) is also aimed at “six” types of men (Rev. 13:11-18).
*TUESDAY*: Daniel & his friends were apt to serve the king, but their human loyalty had its limit. Their loyalty for God overruled what they had for the king. As Hebrew men, they vowed not to bow to any image (Exod. 20:3-6, Deut. 6:4). Their accusers reported the matter to the king but the king gave them a second chance. Yet, the Hebrew boys were to serve God at the cost of their lives (Dan. 3:15, 17, 18).
*WEDNESDAY*: Threats from the king to induce the three Hebrew boys to worship the golden image failed. “Full of fury”, he decreed for them to be cast into a fiery furnace. Yet a fourth man (Christ) came to be with them. His presence caused the flames to lose its power (Dan. 3:19-27, PK, p. 508, 509). God does not forget His own (Isa. 43:2). Daniel’s godly life helped the king to know the fourth man was Christ.
*THURSDAY*: “What is the secret of so a strong faith” exhibited by the three Hebrew boys? They had confidence in God (Heb. 11). They knew that even if their mortal bodies are burned, God will give them an immortal body which is incorruptible. True faith is accepting God’s will, not seeking for God’s will to conform to ours. True faith is built on having a personal relationship with God.
*FRIDAY*: In the plain of Dura when the golden image was set before the eyes of men, when the musical cords were struck, only three men stood for God. How many men shall stand for God when their faith is tried today? Take counsel from the life of the Hebrew youth & stand firm. The Sabbath would be an issue in this end times. We need a faith that will not falter/shaken. God is the only object of worship.
—Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, pp. 512, 513.
*Keywords*
_HP- In Heavenly Places_
_Golden image (called Akkadian)- means “walled place”_
_666- The mark of the beast; an imagery can be seen with the 6 & 60 in the golden image (Dan. 3:1)_
_PK- Prophets and Kings_
*Captions*
_SUNDAY- The Golden Image_
_MONDAY- The Call To Worship_
_TUESDAY- The Test Of Fire_
_WEDNESDAY- The Fourth Man_
_THURSDAY- The Secret Of Such A Faith_
_For January 18-24. Happy Sabbath._
