Day: March 8, 2022

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

“Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, That 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 KJV).

Is today’s Scripture “dead history?” Or, could there be any relevance to something in “the ages to come?”

Never should we view Old Testament passages as merely “inspiring tales” to be shared with kids to entertain them during Sunday School. Neither should we consider them figurative stories that were placed into the Bible canon simply to “take up space.” Each and every verse of God’s Word is important—even if we are too simple-minded or willfully ignorant to appreciate it. The mature Bible student, someone familiar with other passages because of personal Bible study, is able to make connections, establish parallels, forming an enormous cross-reference system.

The immature Bible reader, upon encountering a strange or difficult verse, simply throws up hands in the air and exclaims, “I do not understand!” He or she slams the Bible closed. Well, frankly, that person was not interested in learning the truth anyway. They will never grow in their understanding because they have made no effort. God designed His Word without lazy people in mind. Unless we are willing to “work” (study) to extract the profit God placed therein, we will never have a prayer in all the world of ever understanding anything in Scripture: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

As advanced Bible students, using the Holy Spirit’s power, we recall similar verses we read elsewhere, thereby utilizing today’s Scripture to help us see into the future. For example, let me give you a reference—Revelation chapter 13. Now, read it in your own time, and, if you are truly seeking enlightenment, you will see the relationship of Daniel chapter 3 to “the ages to come.” There is a type and there is an antitype, a preview and the full demonstration….