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Persecution

I See Four Men in the Fire: Finding God’s Presence

fire
via ChatGPT

Nebuchadnezzar, king of  Babylon, had a huge gold statue of himself.  Throughout the land, a proclamation was made, that all people should fall down and worship the image when they heard the symphony of music – under threat of being cast into a furnace of fire. The warning was given,

…whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:6)

And so it was, when the horn, flute, harp and lyre sounded, the people would bow down and worship the statue of Nebuchadnezzar, all but a few of the Jews who had been set in authority by the king. Three men were accused of not giving the king honour, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego (Daniel 3:12). They would not bow to the golden image, nor would they serve the Babylonian gods.

Book Burning and Censorship: A Historical Perspective

burning
via Movidagrafica | Pixabay.com

Terry Jones, pastor of the Dove World Outreach Center (Gainsville, FL), became an international news story in the weeks leading up to 9/11. Jones planned to mark the 9th anniversary of the attack by Muslim terrorists on the World Trade Center and other US targets by hosting a Qur’an burning. He was repeatedly implored by celebrities, religious leaders and politicians to cancel the planned inferno. Though  he cancelled the event days before 9/11, protests among Muslims resulted in various parts of the world, sparking violence and loss of life.

God’s Word Cannot Be Bound – Even When God’s People Are

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Jesus warned His disciples that persecution would come because of the word. Being arrested and bound for preaching the truth was not a possibility, it would be a reality. Jesus said,

…when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. (Mark 14:11)

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