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The King's Image

by Phil Maxwell July 1997

The King Meets the Servant of God Almighty

Nebuchadnezzar was a pagan ruler over the Israelites who had been carried off as slaves in the Babylonian captivity approximately 600 years prior to the birth of Christ.

Nebuchadnezzar worshipped many gods which weren't gods at all, and worshipped them via icons, as was common those days, and still is in many circles today. In reality, though, he considered himself to be the highest authority, so his worship was not as one might think. To Nebuchadnezzar, the gods he worshipped were the ones that profited him, and his worship was entirely self-serving. He even had scores of wise men, magicians, sorcerers, astrologers, and the like to help him harness all the gain he could get out of these gods, and whom he held the power of life and death over them if they failed.

With such a mind, he made Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, wise men in his kingdom. God obviously had a few things to do with Daniel, and Nebuchadnezzar was a part of God's plan, even though he was such a man.

In the book of Daniel, chapter 2, Nebuchadnezzar had a very disturbing dream, the subject of which is not directly relevant to this message. To his dismay, none of his assembly of magicians, sorcerers, etc. could reveal the meaning of the dream, a task made harder because he refused to tell them what the dream was, for he wanted to prove the validity of the interpretation. A proud man, he passed a death sentence upon all the wise men in the kingdom because the Chaldeans, the wise men he had summoned, tried to reason with him that his requirement was too hard. Though Daniel and his friends were not a part of the assembly of advisors originally summoned, they were also sentenced to die.

But God revealed the dream to Daniel in a night vision, and thus saved Daniel, his friends, and the rest of the wise men. Before Daniel revealed the dream he testified that it was not by his wisdom, but by the revelation of God in heaven that he did this, a testimony that is consistent throughout the book of Daniel.

The King Worships Daniel

Nebuchadnezzar was quite impressed with Daniel. He even gave credit to Daniel's God, though he did so while worshipping Daniel on his face and commanding that oblation and sweet odours be offered unto him. Daniel was just another icon of another god to him, and in his own mind, Nebuchadnezzar still considered himself to be the supreme being. He saw profit to be made in Daniel's ability, and ultimately he was his own object of worship. Though not specifically recorded, there is no doubt that Daniel objected to the king worshipping him and commanding others to do the same.

Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king. (Da.2:46-49)

Daniel had been named Belteshazzar by his captors, though he and I'm sure his friends in the captivity continued to use their given Hebrew names. After his promotion, however, Nebuchadnezzar not only calls him Belteshazzar but adds "according to the name of my god" and says things like, "the spirit of the holy gods is in thee." Though Daniel had no desire to be worshipped by this pagan king and tried to reveal the true God to him, Nebuchadnezzar remained blind to the truth. He had no problem recognizing the power vested in Daniel, but was not able in his proud heart to recognize any god that he couldn't control.

The King Sets Up an Image

The next account after Daniel was worshipped and promoted by the king for revealing the king's dream is interesting:

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. (Da.3:1-6)

What follows is that everyone except Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego do as the king commanded. The Chaldeans, undoubtedly moved by jealousy, accused them before the king, and the king in his fury had them thrown into a fiery furnace. God delivered them, however, and they came out of the fiery furnace with no evidence of smoke or fire on them. Again, Nebuchadnezzar was impressed, and pronounced a death sentence upon anyone who spoke anything against their God and promoted the three over all the province of Babylon.

Foreshadows of the End Times

The Kingdoms

Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian kingdom under him is a clear foreshadow of the end time beast spoken of in Revelations. In the statue Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of, Daniel declares:

Thou art this head of gold. (Da.2:38)

After several other kingdoms that will follow are described, Daniel reveals that:

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: (Da.2:44)

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Re.11:15)

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Re.19:20)

Daniel, a Type of Christ

As a foreshadow of Christ, God anointed Daniel to save others from a death sentence that had been passed on them.

Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation....But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. (Da.2:24,30)

Therefore, as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (Ro.5:18-19)

Name Changes

Like Christ, both Daniel's and the Messiah's names were changed:

Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego. (Da.1:7)

The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar (Da.2:26)

But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my [Nebuchadnezzar's] god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: (Da.4:8)

...Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: (Da.5:12)

The name the Messiah is most commonly known as today is Jesus. It is common knowledge (verifiable by any dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.), however, that the name given by God (Mt.1:21, Lu.1:31) to His only begotten Son was Yahshua (or Y'shua, Yeshua, Yehoshua), not Jesus.

It is unknown by whom or how the Greek "Iesous" (i-ee-soos), from which "Jesus" is taken, came into use. It would be unreasonable to conclude that "Iesous" in any way represents an effort to properly transliterate the spelling and pronunciation of the Messiah's given name, as it sounds nothing like "Yahshua". It does, however, sound very much like the names of some of the pagan gods worshipped in the days of the Roman empire, particularly "Zeus". Such would be in keeping with Nebuchadnezzar's naming Daniel according to the name of his god (Da.4:8).

The significance of this is that naming someone or something is indicative of exercising authority over that person or thing, as it has been since Adam named all the animals and Eve. This is evidenced throughout the Bible, history, and even modern culture. God renamed Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, for instance, and even named John the Baptist, who was filled with the Holy Ghost and chosen for his calling from the womb. Historically and traditionally, inventors named their inventions, explorers named the lands they discovered, parents name their children, and wives take on the names of their husbands, indicating subjection in accordance with the will of God.

This is what is meant by Daniel and his peers being renamed in their captivity, and from whatever source, the renaming of the only begotten Son has strong implications of the same. Nonetheless, it corroborates the similitudes between Daniel and the Messiah.

Image Worship Commanded

The image Nebuchadnezzar set up for worship is also a foreshadow of end time prophecy. The measurements of it resemble a prior generation of the image of the beast in Revelation:

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. (Da.3:1)

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (Re.13:18)

Music and Idol Worship

Much emphasis is put on the elements of the command to worship Nebuchadnezzar's image: music is the initiator and falling down is the manner in which this worship is done. In fact, this is restated four times in chapter 3, at every mention of the king's commandment.

Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: (Da.3:4-5)

Having personally experienced the power of music as a Satanic device, and being convinced that music is being used to very subtle and destructive ends within the Christian community, I find this means of heralding this mandatory idol worship also to have strong, very relevant to our times, prophetical implications.

Increasingly churches are heralding new waves of the "Spirit" being manifested through means very similar to the scenario being portrayed in Daniel 3. Music, usually repetitious and loud, is being played until physical reactions that usually involve falling down on the floor are manifested within the congregation. Many churches have become so engrossed in these practices that they have even have scores of designated "catchers" for these falling worshippers. Such is proclaimed to be a new, great work of God, testimonies are given to support it, and thousands are being drawn into this.

It is not only possible, but probable that our chief adversary would use music in his effort to deceive the masses. Music is has been his strength since he was created:

...the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. (Ez.28:13 - in reference to the king of Tyrus, though context generally accepted as referring to Satan)

And his music is mentioned as ending upon his fall (thus not before):

Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: (Is.14:11- in reference to the king of Babylon as a type of Lucifer v.14)

And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; (Re.18:22 -- in reference to the fall of "Babylon" the great whore in Revelations)

Many tacitly believe that any music that seems to glorify God and Jesus can't possibly be of an evil spirit. While God's arch enemy can't inspire music that actually glorifies God the Father and Yahshua the Messiah, he is very clever, and music is his specialty. Deception is possible and probable.

Let me cite a simple example of how subtle our enemy can be in the area of music. Though blatant issues like pornography, movies like "The Last Temptation of Christ", and graphically violent/explicit pop music get much attention in the secular and Christian media, I've never even heard a mention of this blasphemous suggestion in a song a few years ago. Most will remember the African relief fund raiser done by many of the most famous performers of our day, a song called, "We Are the World." By all appearances this seemed to be a good work, and I'm sure that many destitute people were helped by the proceeds.

There was one line in the lyrics, however, that Christians should be outraged over, that charges that Christ "changed the stones into bread". Is there any recorded time that Christ changed stones into bread? No, I checked, there isn't.

There is one occasion where Satan tempted Him to do just that. Had He actually yielded to that temptation, it would have been sin, and the entire premise of Salvation would be nullified. Please indulge me for a moment, and consider the contrast between the subtlety and the significance of this lie of Satan guised in music and an apparently profoundly good work.

Friend, don't be too quick to dismiss the possibility that Satan is using music to subtly and significantly deceive the people of the Living God.

Death to the Faithful

Now, back to Nebuchadnezzar's image. Another point of this passage that is directly similar to the end times is the fact that refusal to worship as commanded by this pagan king was punishable by death.

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. (Da.3:6)

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. (Re.13:15)

Deliverance of the Faithful

And, of course, the certainty of deliverance to those who are faithful to God:

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

...And the princes, governors, and captains, and the kings counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was a hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. (Da.3:16-21, 27)

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Re.3:21)

And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. (Re.6:11)

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

.... And he said to me, these are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Re.7:9, 14-17)

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Re.12:11)

Where is Daniel?

Finally, there is one more point to made about this passage, and it is not on what is written, but rather what is omitted: Where is Daniel?

We know that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were compelled to go the dedication of Nebuchadnezzar's image, and we know they put their lives on the line by refusing to worship the king's idols and gods. It is a fair assumption that Daniel didn't worship the image, either, and it also seems reasonable to assume that the accusers of these three would have been anxious to accuse Daniel, also, were he guilty of transgressing the king's commands. There is no such account, though, so we must also conclude that Daniel was not required to worship the king's statue.

So, where was Daniel? Recognizing that there could be any number of explanations for this, the evidence supports the possibility, even likelihood that the answer is that the statue was made as an image of/to Daniel, and that is why he wasn't required to be there.

1) Nebuchadnezzar worshipped Daniel and required others to do the same in the preceding passage:

Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. (Da.2:46)

2) Nebuchadnezzar not only rescinded the death sentence he had placed on Daniel and others, but promoted him to rule over all the Babylonian province after Daniel interpreted his dream:

Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. (Da.2:48)

3) In an unusual utterance, he refers to Daniel as "Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god." At this point, Nebuchadnezzar is a polytheistic pagan, and almost always refers to gods (plural) rather than as said here in regards to the name Daniel had been given. Understanding how important these things were to the king, his other utterances about Daniel support this uncanny regard or worship for Daniel.

But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying, O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof. (Da.4:8-9)

Power Through Proxy

It is a universal law implemented by God upon creation that the material world is subject to the spiritual realm. In the beginning, Adam, a man of flesh, was subject to God Almighty, a Spirit. When Adam disobeyed God, he brought a curse upon not only himself, but also upon all his seed, which would include every man, woman, and child born of the flesh since then (except Yahshua the Messiah who was not of the seed of Adam, but rather the begotten Son of God). Furthermore, as Adam had been given dominion over the material world, his disobedience also placed the world under this curse.

In essence, the curse that was brought on through Adam's disobedience was this: through the intermediary of the woman, Eve, he subjected himself to the serpent, who is Satan, the spirit who is God's adversary. Thus from that point on, all that was subject to Adam (humanity and the material world) has been subjected to the spiritual head of this world, Satan, the adversary of God.

(Notice the serpents use of a proxy, who was able to accomplish his ends without him actually having to deal directly with Adam)

It is important to note that God had a purpose in creation: to build a temple for Him to dwell in. We know that God cannot truly dwell in a temple made of wood and stone, but rather, as a Spirit, dwells in living stones, which are people who are willingly subject to His authority. That was His primary purpose in creation, and the fulfillment of this purpose is the subject of the end of the written Word.

It is also important to note that Satan is also a spirit, and also dwells (or at least can) within people who are willingly subject to his authority. Seating himself in the temple of God has always been his goal, at least since his rebellion.

In understanding Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon in which the children of Israel were captive, we see an image of the true spiritual hierarchy. In the carnal or earthly realm, Satan is the supreme authority, as Nebuchadnezzar was in Babylon. The people of God are subject to this authority in the flesh, as were the children of Israel to Nebuchadnezzar. This is why flesh and blood will not inherit the kingdom of God, because flesh and blood is subject to the authority of Satan. This is why it is said that all who are in Adam were made sinners by Adam's disobedience. (Ro.5:19) This is why it is impossible for those that are in the flesh to please God.

In the case of Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon, we see a clear picture of what is and will be happening as we move towards the end of this age. Nebuchadnezzar considered himself supreme, and was forever seeking ways to further exalt himself. In this frame of heart and mind, therefore, those who honored any god that wasn't under him was the enemy.

Nebuchadnezzar was not worshipping Daniel as one who was higher than himself, he was applying his pagan religious mind in trying to appeal to the "spirit of the holy gods" he perceived Daniel to have charge of to be of profit to himself. He didn't exalt Daniel for the sake of Daniel, he did so for his own sake, his own glory. Since Daniel, whom he had renamed Belteshazzar (indicating subjection), according to the name of his god, was under him, any elevation of Daniel also elevated himself. Daniel was used as a proxy of the King's own desire to be worshipped and exalted, like Eve was used to bring Adam and all under him into subjection to the serpent. This is a very important glimpse of the strategy of our adversary.

Modern Day Idolatry - Self-Exaltation

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ep.5:5)

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: (Col.3:5)

This cuts to the delusion of our day, the pride of life, if you will. Though this is absolutely a matter of the individual heart, of which we can only see reflections (though God sees our hearts clearly), there is much called worshipping God these days that in no way honors God. Like Nebuchadnezzar spoke words that honored the God of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nigo, it is apparent that he still considered this God to be subject to them, who were subject to him.

The point is that his worship was from a heart that was proud and self-exalting, not one that was humble to the Creator, seeking to love Him and keep His commandments, as is the whole duty of man who was created by God and for His pleasure.

The same is true today, as a fulfilment of prophecy:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2Tim.3:1-5)

This is a description of people whose primary motivation for all things (including the practice of their faith) traces back to satisfying their own desires (including many that seem to be good). The people described here have a form of godliness, but in their heart they deny the power thereof.

Friends, these are church goers, people who profess salvation and done many wonderful works in the Lord's name, but will be cast away from the Lord because He never knew them. Likewise, Nebuchadnezzar denied the power of the God of Daniel, though he made many a profession of honoring Him, and he paid dearly for it (Da.4).

Many worship a Jesus Christ (whose name has been given by some authority other than God), for the ultimate purpose of accomplishing their own glory (prosperity, exaltation, ease of conscience, feelings, etc.) not the glory of God, the Father.

With no individual reflection intended, this is most evidenced in discernible ways by the lack of true Godly love amongst the people of God. Where is the bearing of one another's burden? The confessing of faults and praying for each other? Holding nothing as our own, but all things in common? Forbearance? Forgiveness? Kindness? Gentleness?

The picture is clear even within most congregations, that is, even amongst our neighbors (even the heathen love their neighbors), and vividly evident between the sectors of Christianity. Yes, because of the lack of love amongst God's people, the enemy has nearly accomplished his goal of scattering the power of the holy people.

Now let us consider the delusion of self-exaltation:

We must realize that as Nebuchadnezzar was seeking his own exaltation through the proxies of his image in Da.3 (which seems to have been an image of Daniel, as said before), so goes the delusion of pride. By using proxies such as this image, Nebuchadnezzar concealed the real aim of his command to worship his idol from the undiscerning; those who worshipped the image didn't realize that in so doing they were exalting Nebuchadnezzar. If, in fact, the image was of Daniel, they probably thought they were honoring his God, which had become famous through the king's promotion of Daniel. As we have seen, however, this in no way honored God Almighty, regardless of whatever deception may have been in the hearts and minds of the worshippers of Nebuchadnezzar's image.

Many are seeking to make their own lives better, as opposed to taking up their cross, forsaking all and following the Messiah, through their faith. The delusion of this comes from the lack of acknowledgment that any such efforts done in the flesh may, in fact, yield apparently positive results, they just don't glorify God. In fact, anyone engaged in such is exalting by proxy of their own flesh the prince of this world, Satan. That is the delusion. If we worship the king's idol, his god, or anything that is under his dominion (like our flesh is under Satan's dominion) no matter what we think we are doing, we are contributing to exalting the king. If we worship (that is, render worth-ship) in the flesh for the flesh, this present life, no matter what we think we are doing, we are exalting Satan.

Satan is going about setting up many agents and agencies that cause people to choose obedience to him rather than God (like Adam's choice), thus subjecting themselves to him. This is in the churches, and is spreading rapidly. Satan is doing this secretly, being content for now to be exalted by proxy of these things and people. People like sheep being led to the slaughter are pursuing self-gratification (as a matter of the intent of the heart) to a degree unprecedented in all of history, and much of it is being done in the name of Jesus Christ, the pagan name that has been given Him. The delusion of self-improvement is short-lived, for Satan who has authority over the flesh will not forever be content to remain hidden: his goal is direct worship, to unseat God as the object of worship even amongst God's own people, the Church, which is also the temple of God.

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2Th.2:3-12)

Notice, if you will, that the mystery of iniquity is already working in Paul's day. John called it the spirit of antichrist. Yahshua himself said that many would come in HIS name, but presenting false christs (like having a form of godliness), and for us to not follow them. Notice also, that in the last days that "Wicked" shall be revealed, meaning that until then that "Wicked" will be hidden.

Who Do You Worship?

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Ro.1:17-25)

There is a similarity between most modern doctrines of Christ and the elevation and worship of Daniel, a type of Christ (as initiated by Nebuchadnezzar, a type of Satan), to something he wasn't and didn't want to be known as, probably any more than he wanted a name given by his captors. He didn't have the mind of the pagans around him who considered their many gods to be spiritual means to profit themselves, but rather he worshipped the Almighty Creator God and sought His glory, even at great personal expense. If you can bear it, in this we also have a picture of the days we are in, and that are coming soon.

Please refer to Mt.16 where Peter answered the question of the Lord, "Who do you say I, the son of man, am?" Yahshua already declared his humanity in the question, and Peter by inspiration of the Father in heaven responded with a full and complete answer, needing nothing added, changed, or taken away.

Yahshua, after affirming Peter's confession in the strongest possible language, went on to say that His Church (the temple of the Living God) would be built upon this truth, would withstand the gates of hell, and then proceeded to place a seal upon the special knowledge these few disciples had been given. Peter's answer, the perfect answer, was "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Though simple, it was nonetheless complete then, and is still the correct answer today. The seal was broken on the day of Pentecost when Peter preached that this man...Yahshua, whom they had crucified, God had raised from the dead and made both Lord and Christ. The power of this truth is underscored by the fact that upon hearing this, 3,000 repented and were baptized in Yahshua's name, and the Church was started.

The churches today have been duped into "Christology" equations that say much more than what Peter said, and doctrines of the essence of Christ that go well beyond the simple picture of the Scriptures: the only begotten, beloved Son of God, born of a virgin, perfect in his humanity, crucified, resurrected, glorified. This is what Nebuchadnezzar did with Daniel, whom he called Belteshazzar, according to the name of his god. He promoted worship of Daniel, a Godly man, as a means to glorify himself, as Satan is doing today with our precious Savior.

In the introduction to this passage in Mt.16, it is made clear that all others except these few who were with Him (shortly before the enemy moved to have him killed) were deceived. No one else knew who He was, though everyone had an opinion. Would it seem so strange that this simple, but spiritual knowledge would have eluded most today, who have neither seen nor touched Him, as Thomas did? What does your church say to the question, who is Yahshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ)? What do you say? Are you being deceived into worshipping an image, apparently exalted, but not the one, true Almighty God, the Father of Yahshua the Messiah?

Though to Daniel, God Almighty was always the issue, friends and foes alike always tried to make him the issue. Nebuchadnezzar worshipped Daniel and commanded others to do the same, no matter how much Daniel tried to point him towards the one, true God.

Daniel's enemies tried to get him killed, also making Daniel the issue, instead of the God that Daniel served. After quite a tribulation, Nebuchadnezzar came to his senses and acknowledged God, though Daniel's foes were fed to the lions. Nebuchadnezzar was deceived, believing only what he could see, of which he was supreme. The others, however, were just plain evil, and were dealt with accordingly. God is very just, and justly had mercy on the king, as he justly destroyed those who sought to kill his servant.

In this story, Daniel is a type of Christ, and Daniel's friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo are types of Christ's people. Like Daniel, these servants of the true God had enemies who sought to kill them. Daniel was charged with CONTINUING to serve God Almighty against the king's order, as Yahshua refused to submit to Satan's temptations, and continued to serve God, His Father. Daniel's friends, in contrast, REFUSED to worship the king's blasphemous image, which was of Belteshazzar, the name he gave Daniel, according to the name of his god, as the people of God will refuse to worship the false prophet's image in the last days.

Yahshua humbled himself, being obedient to God even unto death. Therefore, God exalted Him, giving him a name above all names. Daniel humbled himself similarly, and was exalted to be over all the people of the kingdom of Babylon. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo, friends of Daniel, who was also their master, refused to worship a pagan image, albeit of Daniel, for they served the VERY SAME GOD that Daniel served. Because they refused, they were despised by those WHO DID worship the king's blasphemous image of Daniel, the servant of God. These enemies of God and Daniel's servants also tried to kill them, but the servants of God went safely through the very same fire that was used in judgment against them.

Likewise, I will not bow to the blasphemous image of God's only begotten son that has been set up by the enemies of God. I will serve Yahshua the Son of God as my Lord and Master, for that He is. I will honor and regard Him as the One who saved me from my sins, for that He did. But I will still look beyond Him and honor MY GOD which is HIS GOD, and MY FATHER which is HIS FATHER.

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto MY FATHER, and YOUR FATHER, and to MY GOD, and YOUR GOD. (Jn.20:17)

If you insist that I worship such an image, I will not. If you cast fiery accusations at me, it shall not hurt me, but that fire shall turn again and devour you.

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