One of the more interesting observations that came up lately has to do with a clear-cut Biblical example of how God can help us learn how to deal with false authority. In Daniel 3, the conflict between Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel's three associates reaches a boiling point after Hananiah, Mishael And Azariah (to be called HMA for brevity's sake) refused to bow down to the king's orders. This story is hardly news. It's been around about 2-1/2 millenia. What does add new light to the story is how similar the plot that unfolds in Daniel mimics what happens in Revelation 20.

When Nebuchadnezzar ordered HMA to bow down to the golden statue (Dan. 3:4-5), Daniel recorded this by using the word "image" to describe the statue. The Hebrew word for "image" noted by Daniel is "tselem". One other major passage that uses this word is Exodus 20:4, where Moses records the commandment, "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the image of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below." Now, to me, there is no coincidence that Nebuchadnezzar challenges God's commandment in this way.

It is a direct attempt of the enemy to try and break these prophets. By challenging HMA to disobey God, Nebuchadnezzar was merely serving as a mouthpiece for the enemy. Yet, beyond this well-understood fact, there is a masquerade intended to deceive HMA. As outlined in Revelation all we be brought before God to be judged. Those who were not recorded in the book of life were to be cast in the lake of fire. In Daniel, HMA was not only threatened with but actually thrown into a furnace for disobeying the king's law.

Ironically, the power of God's judgement, damnation and eternal destruction, is not possessed by the enemy. When the false threat of Nebuchadnezzar's power gets unmaksed a major lesson is revealed: the enemy will even try to deceive the elect by resorting to mimicing God's plans. Counterfeiting is hardly headlines for Christians who have had to deal with the enemy face-to-face.

What comes out here is that authority can be an instrument for trying to effect Satan's plans. In this case, Nebuchadnezzar was simply a mask for challenging HMA on their willingness to obey the commandments at the risk of their very lives. We can apply this to our lives by understanding there are times when we will be confronted with the enemy. Don't put it past him to threaten by pretending to be God. But, the dead giveaway is the fact that the challenge is directly against what God says to do.

The power of comparing the vision of Revelation, that is, the real judgement of God, and the events of Daniel, show how the power of God can, yet again, provide protection through trusting him. This highlights the real power of God to save his people from real power when the power is not used by God. Pay attention to those in authority and be willing to challenge those that pose as God without his righteousness or love. You will be amazed at how many strongholds possess power, not in reality, but, rather, only in the minds of those who are subject to them. Remember, the truth shall set you free...and HMA were a great testimony to Christ's words even before he uttered them.