Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered

Civil Power Invades God’s Realm

What decree did King Nebuchadnezzar once make? BR-ASI9 327.11

“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.” Daniel 3:4-6. BR-ASI9 327.12

Note.—This decree was in direct conflict with the second commandment of God’s law, which forbids making, bowing down to, and serving images. It was religious, idolatrous, and persecuting in character. BR-ASI9 328.1

What answer did the three Hebrew captives give? BR-ASI9 328.2

“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. . . . But if not, . . . we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” Daniel 3:16-18. BR-ASI9 328.3

What did Nebuchadnezzar then do? BR-ASI9 328.4

“He commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.” Daniel 3:19, 20. BR-ASI9 328.5

After their miraculous deliverance, what did Nebuchadnezzar say? BR-ASI9 328.6

“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.” Daniel 3:28. BR-ASI9 328.7

Note.—By preserving these men in the fire, God was demonstrating before all the world that religion is a realm outside the legitimate sphere of civil authority; and that every individual should be left free to worship, or not to worship, according to the dictates of his own conscience. BR-ASI9 328.8

How only could the envious princes complain of Daniel? BR-ASI9 328.9

“We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” Daniel 6:5. BR-ASI9 328.10

What decree did they prevail upon the king to make? BR-ASI9 329.1

“That whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.” Daniel 6:7. BR-ASI9 329.2

Note.—Unlike the decree of Nebuchadnezzar, this decree forbade the worship of the true God, and was therefore in direct conflict with the first commandment, which forbids the worship of any other god. BR-ASI9 329.3

How did Daniel regard this decree? BR-ASI9 329.4

“He went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” Daniel 6:10. BR-ASI9 329.5

What was finally done with Daniel? BR-ASI9 330.1

“Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions.” Daniel 6:16. BR-ASI9 330.2

What did Darius say when he came to the lions’ den? BR-ASI9 330.3

“O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?” Daniel 6:20. BR-ASI9 330.4

What was Daniel’s reply? BR-ASI9 330.5

“O king, live for ever. My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” Daniel 6:21, 22. BR-ASI9 330.6

Note.—Here again was demonstrated by a miracle that civil governments should not interfere with an individual’s exercise of religion. BR-ASI9 330.7