The Fiery Furnace Will Fashion Us into the Image of Christ

The Fiery Furnace Will Fashion Us into the Image of Christ and Our Authority Will Increase as We Overcome by Barbie Breathitt

The fiery furnace in Daniel 3 will fashion us into the image of the "Fourth Man."

Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, "Is it true, you do not serve my gods or worship my image? Now, when you hear the sound of my music, fall down and worship what I have made. If you do not bow down and worship my image you will be thrown into the furnace. Then we will see if your god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"
The three replied to the king, "We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand. But even if He does not, and He requires us to walk with Him through the fire, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

This infuriated King Nebuchadnezzar and his attitude changed. He commanded the furnace heated seven times hotter. His strongest soldiers tied up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and threw them into the blazing furnace. The flames of the fire killed the soldiers as these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blistering, fiery furnace.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his worldly advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king." He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."

Nebuchadnezzar approached the open furnace and shouted, "Come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
"The God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, sent His angel and rescued His servants! They trusted in Him and defied my command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God." Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon. (Paraphrased)

No one likes to be thrown headlong into a fiery situation, but when difficulties, bondages or limitations are overcome, our influence and authority is increased. Once these three men walked through the fire, the image of the fourth Man was seared on them and world leaders gathered around to hear their wisdom and counsel.

God will keep us safe as we dwell in His presence. He will hide us from the days of trouble and exalt us over our enemies. We will rejoice for the days of testing, trouble, and trials because they perfect us as fine, pure gold. The favor of the Lord will rest upon His golden vessels and He will establish the works of our hands.

Sin, doubt and disobedience keep us from the promise of entering God's rest. When we rest in Christ He will find His resting place in us. It is the Christ in us that gives us power to demonstrate the "greater works" of the Gospel.