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Three men put God first

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego make a stand for God.
Contributed by MYELLOVE
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King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon made a huge gold statue and asked all the rulers of his kingdom to gather before it. <br/>When they had all arrived and were standing before the statue, a herald shouted out, ‘The King commands that when the band strikes up, you are to fall flat on the ground to worship the gold statue. Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a flaming furnace.’ <br/>So, when the band began to play, everyone—whatever his nation, language, or religion—fell to the ground and worshiped the statue. – Slide 1
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Everyone bowed down –except three Jews. Their names were Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego. They believed in the one true God and refused to bow down before this idol. – Slide 2
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Some Babylonian officials reported them to the king, ‘Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, whom you have made rulers in your Kingdom, are refusing to serve your gods or to worship the gold statue you set up.’ <br/>King Nebuchadnezzar, in a terrible rage, ordered the three Jews to be brought in before him. – Slide 3
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‘Is it true,’ he demanded, ‘that you are refusing to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I set up? I’ll give you one more chance. When the music plays, if you fall down and worship the statue, all will be well. But if you refuse, you will be thrown into a flaming furnace. And what god can deliver you out of my hands then?’ <br/>The three Jews were determined to obey God and replied, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not worried what will happen to us. If we are thrown into the flaming furnace, our God is able to deliver us. But if he doesn’t, please understand, will never under any circumstance serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have erected.’ – Slide 4
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Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury and his face became dark with anger. He commanded that the furnace be heated up seven times hotter than usual. Then he called for some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and throw them into the fire. <br/>The furnace was so hot that the flames leaped out and killed the soldiers as they threw them in! – Slide 5
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Suddenly, as he was watching, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisors, ‘Didn’t we throw three men into the furnace?’ <br/>‘Yes,’ they said, ‘we did indeed, Your Majesty.’ <br/>‘Well, look!’ Nebuchadnezzar shouted. ‘I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire, and they aren’t even hurt by the flames! And the fourth looks like a holy person!’ – Slide 6
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Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the open door of the flaming furnace and yelled: ‘Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God! Come out! Come here!’ So they stepped out of the fire. <br/>The three Jews stepped out of the furnace. Not a hair of their heads was singed; their coats were unscorched, and they didn’t even smell of smoke! God had protected them. <br/>Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, for he sent His angel to deliver his servants. <br/>Anyone in the future who speaks against the God of these three Jews will be punished. For no other God has the power of their God.’ <br/>The king them promoted them to more important roles in his kingdom. – Slide 7
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