NUL SDASM

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PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION: CHAPTER FOUR
Part (h): Cut it down, why encumbers it the ground?

1. What specific sin was God going to punish Nebuchadnezzar for?
Daniel 4:30, 37
The king spoke, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

"A year of probation was granted the king after this solemn warning had been given. At the end of this time the king was in his royal palace, and thinking of his kingdom with pride and satisfaction, exclaimed, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?” He was repeating the thoughts, almost the exact words, of Satan, when he sought to exalt his throne above God."

"When proud thoughts were entertained, and these words were uttered, the sentence was pronounced which blasted the tree, and degraded the monarch whom the tree symbolised."

"It was God who had given the king his reason and ability to establish a kingdom like this. The same God could take away the judgment and wisdom upon which the king prided himself. And God did so. It is the mind which elevates man above the beasts. When the power of the mind is removed, he sinks to the lowest level." Stephen Nelson Heskell, the story of Daniel the prophet (1901), p. 57

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION: CHAPTER FOUR
Part (g): God has his ways of humbling the pride

1. What was Daniel’s admonition to the king after sharing God’s judgment?
Daniel 4:27
Why, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of your tranquility.

Acts 8:22
Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

"There was yet time for repentance, and had the king heeded this counsel, it would have saved him from the great humiliation which came upon him. But when men’s hearts are set, the message to change, though given by an angel from heaven, remains unheeded. Consequently, “all this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.” Haskell Stephen Nelson, p. 56.3

"It is your work ... to humble yourself and not wait for God to humble you. God's hand at times bears heavily upon men to humble them and bring them into a proper position before Him; but how much better it is to keep the heart daily humbled before God. We can abase ourselves, or we can build ourselves up in pride and wait till God abases us...." Ellen g White, Lift Him up: Trus Humility; September 25.

PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION: CHAPTER FOUR
Part (f): God has his ways of humbling the pride

1. Before Daniel revealed the dream to Nebuchadnezzar, how was his demeanor described?

Daniel 4:18-19
This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now you, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, for as much as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation: but you are able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.

Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spoke, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble you. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate you, and the interpretation thereof to your enemies.

“My lord,” Daniel answered, “the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.” The prophet realized that upon him God had laid the solemn duty of revealing to Nebuchadnezzar the judgment that was about to fall upon him because of his pride and arrogance.

Daniel must interpret the dream in language the king could understand; and although its dreadful import had made him hesitate in dumb amazement, yet he must state the truth, whatever the consequences to himself.” {PK 517.3}

Christ’s ambassadors have nothing to do with consequences. They must perform their duty and leave results with God. Ellen g White, the great controversy (1888), p. 609.

Some Today Like Nebuchadnezzar—
We are living in the last days of this earth's history, and we may be surprised at nothing in the line of apostasies and denials of the truth. Unbelief has now come to be a fine art, which men work at to the destruction of their souls. The Lord's Word will come to them; but if they choose not to hear it, the Lord will make them responsible for their own ruin (NL No. 31, p. 1). 4BC 1170.4

PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION: CHAPTER FOUR
Part (e): God has his ways of humbling the pride

Daniel 4:10-17 shows the remarkable illustration of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. This is symbolized by a tree in the midst of the earth.

1. Who is the watcher, and what did He say must be done to the tree?

Daniel 4:23;
And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him.

Luke 4:34
Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with you, you Jesus of Nazareth? are you come to destroy us? I know you who you are; the Holy One of God.

"Seeds of truth had been planted in Babylon. The holy Watcher sought constantly for the growth of a tree which would bring life. All nations were gathered under the influence of Babylon in hopes that they might there be fed with fruit which would prove to be the bread of life; but instead, it was a mixture of good and evil, which poisoned the consumer." Heskell Stephen Nelson, the story of Daniel the prophet, p. 56.

2. According to this dream, what would happen to Nebuchadnezzar, and for how long?

Daniel 4:25-26
That they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever he will.

And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; your kingdom shall be sure to you, after that you shall have known that the heavens do rule.

"Aside from the general application to the entire kingdom, a part of the dream pictures the experience of Nebuchadnezzar personally. Because of his pride of heart, he would lose his reason, forsake the abodes of men, find his home with the beasts of the field, and remain in this condition for seven years-until he had learned “that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” Haskell Stephen Nelson, p 56.3

PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION: CHAPTER FOUR
Part (d): God has his ways of humbling the pride

1. The last dream, which God gave to Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel 4:10-17
The remarkable illustration of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. This is symbolized by a tree in the midst of the earth. Babylon, where Nebuchadnezzar reigned, was about in the center of the then known world. The tree reached unto heaven, and the leaves thereof were fair.

Its external glory and splendor were great; but this was not all of it, as is the case with too many kingdoms. It had internal excellences. Its fruit was much, and it had meat for all. The beasts of the field had shadow under it, the fowls of heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.

"What could represent more plainly and forcibly the fact that Nebuchadnezzar ruled his kingdom in such a way as to afford the fullest protection, support, and prosperity to all his subjects? Really to accomplish this is the perfection of earthly governments, and the highest glory of any kingdom." Uriah Smith (1897), p. 71

2. Who does this tree represent?
Daniel 4:20-22
The tree that you saw, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached to the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all;

under which the beasts of the field dwelled, and on whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: It is you, O king, that are grown and become strong: for your greatness is grown, and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the end of the earth.

"Aside from the general application to the entire kingdom, a part of the dream pictures the experience of Nebuchadnezzar personally."

"Some Today Like Nebuchadnezzar—We are living in the last days of this earth's history, and we may be surprised at nothing in the line of apostasies and denials of the truth. Unbelief has now come to be a fine art, which men work at to the destruction of their souls."

"There is constant danger of there being shams in pulpit preachers, whose lives contradict the words they speak; but the voice of warning and of admonition will be heard as long as time shall last; and those who are guilty of transactions that should never be entered into, when reproved or counseled through the Lord's appointed agencies, will resist the message and refuse to be corrected." 4BC 1170.4

PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION: CHAPTER FOUR
Part (c): Be humbled by God's power so that when the right time comes he will honor you

1. Daniel was given the Babylonian name Belteshazzar. Who was Daniel named after, and how did Nebuchadnezzar describe him?

Daniel 4:8-9
O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you...

Daniel’s name had been changed when he first entered the Babylonian court, and to the king and his associates he was known as Belteshazzar, a son of the heathen god Bel, but Daniel himself always retained his own Hebrew name.

Nebuchadnezzar ascribed the wisdom that Daniel had to his false, heathen gods even though he had experienced the power of the almighty God. From Nebuchadnezzar’s description of Daniel, we can gather that the king was still unconverted and did not fully understand or acknowledge the true God of heaven, even though he had seen so many evidences of His existence and power from Daniel chapters 1-3.

2. Let's read Jeremiah 9:23-24 to see what Nebuchadnezzar should have gloried in besides the wisdom of man.

Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus said the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
But let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, said the LORD.

Like Nebuchadnezzar, what is the attitude of many professed Christians and atheists today?

PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION: CHAPTER FOUR
Part (b): When God is the Last Option

1. What happened to Nebuchadnezzar next, and who did he call in to interpret for him?

Daniel 4:4-7
I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace: I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.

Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known to me the interpretation thereof.

2. When the Babylonian magicians and wisemen could not interpret the dream, who was the last person to come in before the king?

Daniel 4:8-9
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 you, and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.

Note:
In Daniel 2, we saw a similar scene taking place as in Daniel 4. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of an image made of various metals, and after the Babylonian wisemen failed to recall and interpret the dream, Daniel was brought in and revealed to him the interpretation. So why is it that in chapter 4, Daniel was brought in last again? Many times in our lives, we wait until all other earthly supports have failed before we come to God for guidance and help. Such was the experience of Nebuchadnezzar time and time again.

"Those who in everything make God first and last and best, are the happiest people in the world." MYP, 38.

PRIDE GOES BEFORE DESTRUCTION: CHAPTER FOUR
Part (a): It is our work to humble ourselves and not wait for God to humble us.

1. We will look at Daniel 4 and learn lessons from the last recorded life experience of
Nebuchadnezzar.

In this chapter, Nebuchadnezzar recounts the events of his madness and recovery: He has a dream where a great tree is present and ultimately cut down to a stump. Daniel tells him that the tree represents him and that because of his pride, his sanity will be taken from him and he will have the mind of an animal for seven periods.

2. Who wrote Daniel 4, and to whom is the chapter addressed?
Daniel 4:1-3
Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied to you. I thought it good to show the signs and wonders that the high God has worked toward me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

"This chapter opens, says Dr. Clarke, with “a regular decree, and one of the most ancient on record.” It was from the pen of Nebuchadnezzar, and was promulgated in the usual form. He wishes to make known, not to a few only, but to all people, nations, and languages, the wonderful dealings of God with him. People are ever ready to tell what God has done for them in the way of benefits and blessings."

"We ought to be no less ready to tell what God has done for us in the way of humiliation and chastisements; and Nebuchadnezzar sets us a good example in this respect, as we shall see from the subsequent portions of this chapter. He frankly confesses the vanity and pride of his heart, and the means that God took to abase him."

"With a genuine spirit of repentance and humiliation, he thinks it good, of his own free will, to show these things, that the sovereignty of God may be extolled, and his name adored. In reference to the kingdom, he no longer claims immutability for his own, but makes a full surrender to God, in acknowledging his kingdom alone to be everlasting, and his dominion from generation to generation." Uriah Smith, Daniel and Revelation (1897), p. 70

WHOM WILL YOU WORSHIP! DANIEL CHAPTER THREE
Part 9 (j): "God is always with us, even unto the end of the world"

The Conclusion of the third chapter of Daniel:

"The third chapter of Daniel may be studied with profit in connection with the message referred to in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation. The principles are the same in both."

"All the world was called to worship the image set up in the province of Babylon; refusing, they would suffer death. In Revelation there is brought to view an image to the beast,-governments on earth which will frame laws contrary to the requirements of God."

"Life and power will be given to this image, and it shall both speak and decree that as many as will not worship it shall be put to death. All, small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, will be required to receive a mark in the right hand or in the forehead."

"Men will be disfranchised for not worshiping this image; for no one will be allowed to buy or sell who has not the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." Heskell Stephen Nelson, the story of Daniel the prophet, p. 48.2

Today the signs of the times declare that we are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Everything in our world is in agitation. Before our eyes is fulfilling the Saviour's prophecy of the events to precede His coming:

"Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars.... Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places." Mar 68.3

Christians should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise, and this preparation they should make by diligently studying the word of God and striving to conform their lives to its precepts. Mar 68.7

WHOM WILL YOU WORSHIP! DANIEL CHAPTER THREE
Part 9 (i): "God is always with us, even unto the end of the world"

1. As we close, compare Daniel 3:27 with Revelation 20:6. Why must we go through the fires of life now?

Daniel 3:27
And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king' counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, on 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.

Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Answer:
We must go through fiery trials now because if we go through it with patience and faith, we will escape the second death, and it will have NO POWER over us.

"In the testing time three Hebrews did not know that the Lord would deliver them from the furnace, but they had faith to believe that he had power to do it if it were his will to do so. In such times it takes more faith to trust that God will bring about his purposes in his own way than it does to believe in our own way."

"It is the absence of this faith and trust in critical times which brings perplexity, distress, fear, and surmising of evil. God is ever ready to do great things for his people when they put their trust in him. “Godliness with contentment is a great gain.” Heskell Stephen Nelson, the story of Daniel the prophet, p.

“As in the days of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, so in the closing period of earth's history the Lord will work mightily in behalf of those who stand steadfastly for the right. He who walked with the Hebrew worthies in the fiery furnace will be with His followers wherever they are. His abiding presence will comfort and sustain."

"In the midst of the time of trouble such as has not been since there was a nation His chosen ones will stand unmoved. Satan with all the hosts of evil cannot destroy the weakest of God's saints. Angels that excel in strength will protect them, and in their behalf Jehovah will reveal Himself as a “God of gods,” able to save to the uttermost those who have put their trust in Him.” {PK 513.1}

HOLD FAST THAT WHICH YOU HAVE, THAT NO MAN TAKE YOUR CROWN.

"But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."
Matthew 24:37-39

"When the professed people of God are uniting with the world, living as they live, and joining with them in forbidden pleasures; when the luxury of the world becomes the luxury of the church; when the marriage bells are chiming, and all are looking forward to many years of worldly prosperity—then, suddenly as the lightning flashes from the heavens, will come the end of their bright visions and delusive hopes." Great controversy pg339

"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
…
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Luke 21:34, 36

Prepare to meet your Lord...

The Just Shall Live by Faith!
Genesis 22:1-14
By faith Abraham when he was tried, offered up Isaac; and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ... accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead.

By Abraham's obedience we are taught that nothing is too precious for us to give to God. CC 56.5

Hebrews 11:5.
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

When we learn to walk by faith and not by feeling, we shall have help from God just when we need it, and His peace will come into our hearts. It was this simple life of obedience and trust that Enoch lived. If we learn this lesson of simple trust, ours may be the testimony that he received, that he pleased God.

In every phase of your character building you are to please God. This you may do; for Enoch pleased Him though living in a degenerate age. And there are Enochs in this our day. CC 31.1-3

The Just Shall Live by Faith: Hold On!

1 Peter 1:7
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

God permits trials to assail His people, that by their constancy and obedience they themselves may be spiritually enriched, and that their example may be a source of strength to others. "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil" (Jeremiah 29:11). The very trials that task our faith most severely and make it seem that God has forsaken us, are to lead us closer to Christ, that we may lay all our burdens at His feet and experience the peace which He will give us in exchange. CC 45.5

WHO WILL YOU WORSHIP! DANIEL CHAPTER THREE
Part 9 (h): "God is always with us, even unto the end of the world"

1. What was the end result of the Hebrews’ decision to remain faithful to God?

Daniel 3:26-30
And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king' counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, on 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.

Then Nebuchadnezzar spoke, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king' word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

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.

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.

2. As we manifest faithfulness and patience under trials, what effect will it have on others?

Acts 4:13;
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Luke 21:13
And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were men of like passions with ourselves. Their lives are given to show what man may become even in this life, if he will make God his strength and wisely improve the opportunities within his reach."

"Among the captives of the king who had similar advantages, only Daniel and his three companions bent all their energies to seek wisdom and knowledge from God as revealed in his Word and works. Although they afterward held high positions of trust, they were neither proud nor self-sufficient."

"They had a living connection with God, loving, fearing, and obeying him. They allowed their light to shine in undimmed luster, while occupying positions of responsibility. Amid all the temptations and fascinations of the court, they stood firm as a rock in adherence to principle." Heskell Stephen Nelson, p. 47.2

The people of God need to study what characters they must form in order to pass through the test and proving of the last days. Many are living in spiritual weakness and backsliding. They know not what they believe. Let us read and study the twelfth chapter of Daniel. It is a warning that we shall all need to understand before the time of the end. There are ministers claiming to believe the truth who are not sanctified through the truth. Unless a change comes in their lives, they will say, "My Lord delayeth His coming." 15MR 228.2

Maranatha!!!

The evidence of the soon coming of Christ is right upon us and many of us are asleep... The waterman is to know the time of the night. 1 Sermons and Talks, p. 290

1 Thessalonians 5:4
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

None need remain in ignorance, none need be unprepared for the coming of the day of God. RH September 25, 1883, par 6

WHOM WILL YOU OBEY! DANIEL CHAPTER THREE

Part 9 (g): "God is always with you, even unto the end of the world"

Let us transition back to the account in Daniel 3 and see how the test of the fiery furnace applies to our lives today!

1. What did Nebuchadnezzar do to the furnace and to the three Hebrews after hearing their choice to obey God?

Daniel 3:19-20
Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spoke, 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 Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

2. What does the fire represent for us today?

1 Peter 4:12; 1 Peter 1:7
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Chris:

3. What does God desire to teach us when we go through temptations and trials?

a) James 1:2-4
My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

b) Romans 5:3-4
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; If you are called to go through the fiery furnace for His sake, Jesus will be by your side even as He was with the faithful three in Babylon." Ellen g White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing (1955), p 30

"When He permits trials and afflictions, it is "for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness." Hebrews 12:10. If received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the means of turning our eyes to heaven. How many there are who would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them to seek comfort in Him!"

"The trials of life are God's workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process; it is hard to be pressed down to the grinding wheel."

"But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple. Upon no useless material does the Master bestow such careful, thorough work. Only His precious stones are polished after the similitude of a palace." Ellen g White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing (1955), p 10

WHOM WILL YOU OBEY! DANIEL CHAPTER THREE

Part 9 (f): God will always be with His faithful servants!

1. Luke 21:12-19 is similar to the scene in Daniel 3.

Luke 21:12-18
But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name' sake.

And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what you shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

And you shall be betrayed both by parents, and brothers, and kinfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And you shall be hated of all men for my name' sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

2. Note: Why do the scriptures say that some of us will be put to death and then say, not a hair of our head shall perish?

The answer is simply that some of God’s people will be martyred for their faith, while others will be preserved from death by God.

All throughout history, the same has been true: some of God’s faithful servants were persecuted and killed (The Great Controversy (1888), p. 240.3), while others lived and continued to spread the gospel. For example, most of Jesus’ twelve disciples were martyred, but John the Revelator lived and continued to testify of God.

Let’s briefly compare the life of Martin Luther, the protestant reformer, with the three Hebrews.

3. Was Luther given a chance to recant the truth when brought before civil and religious rulers for his faith? How did he respond?

“Those who stubbornly closed their eyes to the light, and determined not to be convinced of the truth, were enraged at the power of Luther's words. As he ceased speaking, the spokesman of the Diet said angrily: “You have not answered the question put to you.... You are required to give a clear and precise answer.... Will you, or will you not, retract?” The Great Controversy, p. 160.

“The Reformer answered: “Since your most serene majesty and your high mightinesses require from me a clear, simple, and precise answer, I will give you one, and it is this: I cannot submit my faith either to the pope or to the councils, because it is clear as the day that they have frequently erred and contradicted each other."

"Unless therefore I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture or by the clearest reasoning, unless I am persuaded by means of the passages I have quoted, and unless they thus render my conscience bound by the word of God, I cannot and I will not retract, for it is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other; may God help me. Amen.”—Ibid., b. 7, ch. 8 {The Great Controversy, p. 160.2}