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.  Living Hope Fellowship Church
Church Study Course

WHO WILL YOU SERVE? Church 11-7

JESUS OR THE GOLDEN IMAGE/ANTICHRIST?

          Read Deuteronomy 30:15 and 19, John 5:24, and Romans 6:23.  God has set before us life and good, death and evil, blessing or cursing.

          When you compromise your salvation experience in Christ Jesus, you will lose him!  God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:3-6).

          Read Daniel 3:1-30 before going any further.  Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold and set it up in Dura, a province of Babylon.  He dedicated it.

(4) Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,  (5) That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, suckbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:  (6) And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.  Daniel 3:4-6.

          Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego regarded not the king's command.  The king sent for them and gave them another chance to sin!  They had time to think it over (verses 14-15).  The king mocked God in verse 15. 

(16) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.  (17) 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.  Daniel 3:16-17.

          So the king commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than usual.  The men that threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the burning furnace died from the heat.  The king was astonied (bewildered, dazed) (verse 24).

He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.  Daniel 3:25.

          The king told them to come out of the fire.  All those dignitaries he had gathered to the dedication saw these men upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them (in verse 27).

(28) Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.  (29) Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.  Daniel 3:28-29.

          Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

          Do you see similarities in today's rulers?  Whereas King Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden image, there will be the ANTICHRIST who will say "Worship me".

          The Antichrist is a representative of Satan.  The Satan (Lucifer) represents the prince of this world  (John 12:31, John 14:30, John 16:11, Ephesians 2:2).  Satan only rules for a time (Revelation 20:10).

          Jesus is the representative of God the Father.  Jesus is the Son of God.  Of Christ's kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:33).  Read John 14:9-11.  Jesus is in the image of his Father.

          Nebuchnezzar had a golden image.  The last day Antichrist will have an image. 

And I sw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them:  and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  Revelation 20:4.

          The Antichrist has a mark.  God also has a mark, but his is supernatural-read Ezekiel 9:3-6. 

          GOD has an image also.  JESUS is the image of God.

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  2 Corinthians 4:4.

          See the differences:  The people were (1)  commanded to worship the golden image.  The golden image represents (2)  money,  the means to supply all your needs and livelihood.  God (1) gives you a choice (Deuteronomy 30:15 and 19).  You can choose Jesus and eternal life or your will and sin and go to hell.  (2)  God promises to supply all our needs according to his riches in glory BY Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19) 

          Anti means against.  Therefore anything Antichrist is against Christ.  There is no way to God but through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12 & 1 Timothy 2:5).

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.  Exodus 20:3.

Fear ye not, neither be afraid:  have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses.  Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.  Isaiah 44:8.

          The king commanded that at the sound of all kinds of music, people, nations, and languages fall down and worship the golden image that he set up; but God tells us in his Word (Psalm 150) to praise HIM with instruments, and to "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord."

          Just as the king gave the 3 Hebrew men a second chance to denounce God, the Devil tempted Jesus 3 times in Matthew 4.  Read Matthew 4,  1 Corinthians 10:13,  2 Peter 2:9 and James 1:12-15. 

          Just as Jesus delivered God's people then, he will deliver now.  Do not take the MARK of the beast.  If you do, you will go to hell.  Read Revelations 13.  Luke 12:4 says not to be afraid of them  that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.  Luke 12:5 says to fear God who hath power to cast into hell. 

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul:  but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  Matthew 10:28.

          Read Isaiah 45:5-7.  God has created all things (Isaiah 40:28-31).  There is no other God beside Jehovah God (Psalm 83:18).

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.  Revelation 13:15 

          Doesn't this sound familiar?  By the scriptures in Daniel we know that King Nebuchadnezzar tried to kill the three Hebrew children of God.  God delivered these three men that stood up for God.  It  caused the king to change his decree.  The Antichrist of Revelations will not change his decree!  BUT those who have set themselves for God against the Devil, will receive courage and faith from God and will give courage to others to stand for God, and not take Satan's MARK.

          If you don't take the MARK, you will be separated from those that do. 

(16) And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:  (17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.  (18) 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.  Revelation 13:16-18.

           King Nebuchadnezzar gave them time to think about dying and time to change their minds.  They did not weaken!  There were not careful how they answered.  They said God was able to deliver them, and they would not worship the image.

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.  Daniel 3:18.

          Just as the three Hebrews were in a fiery trial, we sometimes go through fiery trials.

(12) Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  (13) But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.  1 Peter 4:12-13.

          Prove means to learn or know by experience.  God proves us by putting us in situations where we will learn and know by experience.  Abraham's heart was proved true when he, by faith, obeyed God and would have sacrificed his son, except that God stopped him.  God proved him, and he was found faithful and obedient.

          In this day and time we need sanctified godly leaders and lay members who are willing to stand in the gap for souls to be saved and delivered out of the hand of the enemy and the many Antichrists (1 John 2:18-22).  Read 1 John 4:1-6.  Read 2 John 1:6-11.  We must grow up and put away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11).  We must lay aside weights and sins and go on in Christ.  (Hebrews 12:1-4).

          All of us have to denounce the devil and the world and the lusts of the flesh in order to be saved and stay saved.  Every decision is important.  Seek God.  Be strengthened in God!  He gives us courage (Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 10:25, 1 Chronicles 19:13, Psalm 27:14, Psalm 31:24, Isaiah 40:29-31.  Be strengthened in God and not hardened against him through the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13).

Read Isaiah 51:7-16.  We know:

 1.  God is ABLE to deliver us just as he delivered the three Hebrews from the fiery furnace.

2.  We must be WILLING to die if God chooses not to deliver us from persecution or death.  Read Revelation 2:10.

3.  We must be OBEDIENT to God's will for us.  Our reward for doing these things is eternal life.  It is not too high a price.  (Romans 2:6-11)

(42) He saved others; himself he cannot save.  If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.  (43) He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him:  for he said, I am the Son of God.  Matthew 27:44. 

          This was said to Jesus, the Son of God, our Saviour.  We are his servants.  The servant is not above his master (Matthew 10:24-25).

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28.        

WHEN PERSECUTION COMES, WILL YOU KEEP THE FAITH, OR WILL YOU DENY YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS?

I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.  Revelation 2:13.

          Read all of Revelation 13.  Verse seven tells us that the beast was given power to make war with the saints and to overcome them.  Then read verse 10 about the patience and the faith of the saints.  Contend NOW (read Jude 1:3) for the faith that delivers as it did for Daniel in the Lion's den, for the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, and all the others of faith in the Bible (read Hebrews 11).  Remember "these things were written for our admonition" (1 Corinthians 10:11-13).  Remember also what the three Hebrew children said to the king.

(16) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.  (17) 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.  (18) 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.  Daniel 3:16-18.

          They were willing to die rather than serve the Devil or anything that represented the Devil!!! 

          The 666 Antichrist spoken about in Revelation is coming.  Don't deny the faith that you have in Jesus Christ.  Man can only kill the body and after that have no more that they can do!  Try to memorize Luke 12:4-5.  Be faithful unto death and you will receive a crown of life (James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10).

          Read Revelation 14:9-13.  It plainly states that if you worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in your forehead or hand, you shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.  You will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.  Then it speaks of the saints of God, and how they are blessed if they die in the Lord.

But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.  Luke 12:9.

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.  Matthew 10:33.

          Peter said he would not deny Jesus.  Jesus knew what Peter would do and told him.  Read Mark 14:27-72.  Verse 50 said,  "And they all forsook him, and fled."

But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise.  Likewise also said they all.  Mark 14:31.

          Read in Acts what happened after they repented and prayed and received the Holy Ghost!!!

(12) If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:  (13) If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.  2 Timothy 2:12-13. 

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  2 Timothy 3:12.

          There are many ways to deny the Lord:  being ashamed of him, by living for the devil, by just not serving him, out right rejecting him, etc.

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.  Titus 1:16.

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.  Acts 3:13.

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;  Acts 3:14.

I know thy works:  behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.  Revelation 3:8.

          Jesus said we are to deny ourselves!  Read Luke 14:25-27 and Luke 9:23-25.

(21)From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.  (22) Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord:  this shall not be unto thee.  (23) But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan:  thou art an offence unto me:  for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.  (24) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  (25) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:  and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  (26) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  Matthew 16:21-26. 

          "THESE THAT HAVE TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN ARE COME HITHER ALSO" was said of Paul and those who helped him preach in Thessalonica (Acts 17:6).  He had been reasoning with them out of the scriptures, preaching about Jesus and his suffering, death, and resurrection.  Paul had to be sent away by night to escape persecution or death.  The same will be true today.  If you stand for JESUS CHRIST you will suffer for his name but eternal life is worth it (2 Timothy 3:12).  There are many examples in the Bible of those who stood by faith in God. 

          God does not lie (Numbers 23:19), neither does he change (Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8).  Don't fear the devil.  Be strong in the Lord.  Read Hebrews 3:14.  Don't deny the Lord Jesus.  Lay hold on eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12) and endure to the end to receive the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:9).

Here is the patience of the saints:  here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

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