The Times of The Fiery Furnace
WILL YOU BOW?
These are the times of the fiery furnace. How do we know? Let’s take a look at history before we move forward. Christians are being challenged on their faith by standing on the word of God in various areas such as the killing of aborted babies. We know this because of the laws implemented in several U.S. states earlier this year. However, there is a movement upon us to bow down to these various idolatrous mimics of biblical abominations against God’s true intention for the human race. You might ask what idols are you referring to? One such movement of idolatry is the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, queer of transgender most widely known as the (LGBTQ movement). Today, decrees (laws) are being proposed to enforce pastoral and ministry representatives to stop going against the LGBTQ movement. According to a recent article by CBN correspondence article written on June 18, 2019, by Andrea Morris states, “California lawmakers are attempting to force pastors to preach pro-LGBTQ sermons” as seen in the attached article. See https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2019/june/ca-lawmakers-trying-to-force-pastors-to-preach-pro-lgbt-sermons
On a daily basis, Christians are in a battle for territory. This is just one of many examples Christians are faced with a decision to stand firmly on what they believe based upon the word of God. First and foremost, if we are going to stand on the word of God then let’s start with the first one which speaks volumes to me every time, I declare it. Jesus was right in the middle of His wilderness experience and stated, “But Jesus answered him (satan) saying, “It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4 NKJV. I tell my children all the time. It is very simple and God has made it very clear. It is very easy to discern which road or path you will take. The Kingdom of God (unseen and spiritual) or the kingdom of darkness (seen and destructive). I truly believe history repeats itself and we must reference it through biblical times in order to see what is clearly before us. Today, I’d like to reference the time of the fiery furnace in Daniel chapter three, when three faithful followers of God Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were spared their lives because they refuse to bow down to the idol King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon set up and then decreed everyone bow to. It just so happened certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jewish men for now bowing at the time they heard the sound of a horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony of all kinds of music to bow and worship the golden image (See Daniel 3:5-8). The three Jewish men refused to bow to the intimidations of the king and decrees (laws) of the land to worship the idol which was set up. In a rage, the king set them up in a furnace made by fire and instructed the servants to turn up the heat exceedingly hotter than ever before. The servants that even got close to the furnace were also burned. Yet, the Lord prevailed over the men and eventually, they were saved and a miracle was witnessed. The Jewish men stood their ground and trusted the Lord would prevail against every influential attempt to get them to bow to idols and abominations towards the word of God. The miracle of the men being spared from a fiery death turned the heart of the king, “Therefore I make a decree (law) that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut into pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap: because there is no other God who can deliver like this.” (See Daniel 3:29-30). Then promotion came in honor of them. Saints we are in very serious time when the enemy is taking the fight to the front door of our hearts. Will you bow to the enemy and his push to make decrees (laws) for us to bow to the idols and abominations against God, “You shall not lie with a male as with a women. It is an abomination” Leviticus 18:22. If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them” Leviticus 20:13. An abomination” is often used to describe idolatry. God has always been against idolatry, yet the battle continues’ and the Anti-Christ move of satan is clearly in operation. “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” (Romans 1:19). Saint’s we are called to love but we are also called to truth. The truth which frees one from the deceptive practices of God intended natural affections between men and women which today reflect the unnatural affections of men and men and women and women. The Lord is against and this fight is coming our way. “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” 1st Corinthians 6:9-10). This article is a reminder we are about to face even more fiery furnaces moments to refuse to bow to idolatry. Are we ready to stand? Are we ready to speak up? Are we ready for the reformation that must come upon the land to bring the rains of righteousness, “Rain down, you heavens, from above, And let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together, I, the Lord, have created it” Isaiah 45:8. Saint’s we are called to be ready to preach the word! “Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” 2ND Timothy 4:2-4.
BE WATCHFUL WE ARE ALL CALLED EVANGELISTS
“But be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, for the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” 2nd Timothy 4:5. Here and now, we are to treasure the word of God in the perilous times we are in and defend it tirelessly, being careful to communicate its truth with accuracy. This is no feat because the word of God faces scrutiny every single day and faces violent opposition by demonic forces in the unseen spiritual battle we are in. The fight is at our door and be ready, be alert, be watchful because the adversary of souls is seeking who he can devour. Whether you make the decisions to fall to the idol or stand up against it because the ball is in our court now to fight against idolatrous influences and you can see it moving and slithering its way into the family, religion, education, business, arts and entertainment, media and business. The fight is here and this is a word to stand encouraged that God will deliver you from the fiery furnace because you stood for Him and His word of truth.