Prophetic Prayer-Rescued from the Jaws of Death
As the World moves further away from the G3D of Creation, the persecution of His Followers will intensify. But now that everything the World put its trust in has begun to collapse, and they all cry out for help, trapped in the clutches of Destruction, whose desperate pleas will be heard?
After the exile of the Southern Tribes of Israel (Judea) by the Babylonian Empire, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered that the most intellectually promising men be selected for service in the palace and the empire’s bureaucrat system. Of these men, Daniel and his three friends from the Tribe of Judah, Hananiah, Mishael, & Azariah, were recognized for their wisdom and aptitude and sent to the academy for three years to learn how to read, write, and serve within the administrative system.
In order to cut off those who had been conquered from their previous heritage and history, the Babylonian Empire had people given new names. Daniel was known as Belteshazzar, Hananiah became Shadrach, Mishael was given Meshach, and Azariah named Abednego. But, despite having their names changed, Daniel resolved that he would maintain his dedication to keeping the G3D of Israel’s Commandments regarding dietary laws.
When Daniel asked the court official over them if they could eat a diet aligned with their religious obligations, to avoid eating blood and drinking wine, the court official informed them that he was afraid King Nebuchadnezzar would kill him for changing the menu. Babylonians, at that time, may have adopted the beliefs of the nations they conquered, that consuming animal blood and strong wine gave people greater life force, strength, and knowledge. Since the King was allocating food to his administrators from his own table, rejecting it was insulting, but doing so and handicapping your ability to serve him was worthy of death.
Daniel trusted that G3D would protect them and asked that a test be conducted that Daniel and his three friends be allowed to drink water and eat vegetables instead of their assigned meals for ten days to see how the dietary changes affected their health and ability to fulfill their duties. After ten days of this diet, popularly known as a Daniel Fast, they looked healthier and better nourished than the rest of the young men who at the royal food.
For their faithfulness in keeping G3D’s Commands & trusting in His Protection, He gave them greater knowledge and perception of all kinds of literature and learning. These blessings surpassed all man-made knowledge, as Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. Their wisdom and understanding was ten times greater than all the magicians and enchanters in the entire empire (ref. Daniel 1).
Later, when the king had a disturbing dream, he summoned all the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to not only interpret his dream, but first tell him what it was to prove that they had received divide revelation. If they could not do this, they would be torn apart and their homes would be demolished. When no one stepped forward to the challenge, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered that all the wise men in all of Babylon be executed.
When Daniel learned of what was coming, he told his friends to plead to G3D for Mercy, asking for insight as to the king’s dream and its interpretation. Later, Daniel received a vision and the mystery of the king’s dream had been revealed to him; he composed a song in praise.
After Daniel correctly recalled the dream and its interpretation to King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel was placed over the entire Babylonian province and was in charge of its wise men. Daniel also petitioned to have Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego appointed as administrators over the province while Daniel remained at the royal court.
Though they were separated, both groups would face daunting challenges that would greatly test their faith and the power of prayer.
After having his dream interpreted, King Nebuchadnezzar decided to replicate the statue from his vision made with gold and ordered that whenever fanfare was played before the image, everyone should bow before it, or else they would be thrown into a fiery furnace as punishment. It came to the King’s attention that Daniel’s friends refused to bow before the image and when confronted, they firmly declared that they would not bow to down to the golden image nor serve the Babylonian gods, because the G3D they serve would deliver them. Even if He did not, they would not disobey Him and serve their gods or bow before the idol.
The king was so enflamed from their insolence, they he ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual. After being tied up, they were thrown into the furnace, where the king and his royal court watched in wonder. They saw four men walking around in the fire, one in the likeness of an angel. After the three men stepped out of the furnace, the king praised G3D and recognized that He had sent His Angel to protect them for their dedication. Afterwards, he promoted them to more prestigious positions (ref. Daniel 2).
Soon afterwards, the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians, but the new ruler, Darius recognized Daniel’s skill as an administrator and placed him as one of the governors over the kingdom. Jealous of his position, and knowing Daniel would not stop praying to G3D, lower ranking officials convinced King Darius to issue a decree that no one could pray to or worship any other god or human besides the king or they would be thrown into the lion’s den.
When Daniel was caught openly disobeying the edict, King Darius tried to find a way to stop the deadly consequences, only to be reminded by his officials that no Persians laws could ever be revoked. As Daniel was being thrown into the lion’s den, the conqueror of the known world prayed “May your G3D, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”
The king was not able to eat or sleep or be distracted in any way that night and at daybreak, he rushed to see what had become of Daniel. When the king asked if G3D had rescued him, Daniel proudly replied that He had sent his angel to shut the mouths of the lions and had not been hurt. King Darius issued a decree to the whole nation declaring the Power of the G3D who saves (ref. Daniel 6).
Each time they were challenged to break their loyalty and trust to G3D, Daniel and his friends refused to bend to the pressures of the World. Even as they gained more power and prestige, and were put in increasingly more dangerous situations, they continued to worship and trust Him.
While we might not be placed in such life-threatening positions, we will have our own unique challenges that will intimidate us to bend to society’s demands, dangling our reputations, careers, and relationships as collateral. It is in these moments that we need to realize that G3D will rescue us from anything that might threaten us, but we must place Him first in our lives and be willing to lose everything in the pursuit of serving Him. If we try to save our lives, we will lose them. If we live them worshiping and serving Him, we will experience the Power and Love of the G3D who Saves.
Prepared by, Kent Simpson, Apostolic Prophet & Eric Sepulveda, PMT Administrator