我又何必再说呢？若要一一细说，基甸、巴拉、参孙、耶弗他、大卫、撒母耳，和众先知的事，时候就不够了。他们因着信，制伏了敌国，行了公义，得了应许，堵了狮子的口，灭了烈火的猛势，脱了刀剑的锋刃；软弱变为刚强，争战显出勇敢，打退外邦的全军。And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.（希伯来书 Hebrews 11:32-34）
金像与火窑Golden Statue and Blazing Furnace
这个巨大的金像高九十呎（60肘），矗立在巴比伦城南边的杜拉平地之上，（但3:1）极远就能望见。炙热的阳光照射其上，金光四射，耀人眼目。巨像之前聚满了人，乃是尼布甲尼撒王所召集的各级官员，要给这像行开光之礼。大王有令：一旦乐声响起，全体均当俯伏敬拜这像，不拜者必立时扔在烈火的窑中。
你们一听见角、笛、琵琶、琴、瑟、笙，和各样乐器的声音，就当俯伏敬拜尼布甲尼撒王所立的金像。凡不俯伏敬拜的，必立时扔在烈火的窑中。（但3:5-6）
不远之处有一燃烧的火窑，几个大汉打着赤膊，全身大汗淋漓，不时向窑中加柴。众臣要躲那刺目的金光，又要躲火窑的热气，却又不敢在大王面前做得太明显，实是苦不堪言。现场的气氛紧张，只见尼布甲尼撒王脸色阴沉，怒目瞪着站在他面前的三个人，似乎随时都要爆发。众臣低着头，大气都不敢喘一声，心想：这三人死定了！突然，只听尼布甲尼撒大喝一声：
「咄！沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌，你们三人到底拜是不拜？」
众臣心里一惊，吓得脸色苍白。是啊，这也难怪他们，这可是尼布甲尼撒王啊！他年少之时就随着父亲东征西讨，连不可一世的亚述帝国都亡在他的手中。在伯拉大河之滨那场史上闻名的迦基米施之役（The Battle of Carchemish, 605 BC），他又大败埃及王法老尼哥，（耶46:2）此后再也无敌手。他建造巴比伦城，宽厚的城墙上可以跑马，城中的空中花园是古代世界七大奇观之一。面对这么一位雄才大略、声威赫赫的君王，除了眼前的三人，又有谁敢违背他的旨意呢？
沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
这三人名叫沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌，他们是犹太贵族，和但以理一同被掳到巴比伦。他们曾经为了不玷污自己，和但以理一同拒绝王的膳食。后因但以理的推荐，三人被尼布甲尼撒任命为官员，管理巴比伦省的事务。（但2:49）听到尼布甲尼撒大声喝问，只见他们面不改色，以稳定的声音对王说：
尼布甲尼撒啊，这件事我们不必回答你；即便如此，我们所事奉的神能将我们从烈火的窑中救出来。王啊，他也必救我们脱离你的手！即或不然，王啊，你当知道我们决不事奉你的神，也不敬拜你所立的金像。（但3:16-18）
从来没有人敢这样顶撞他！尼布甲尼撒怒气填胸，下令将火窑烧到最热，又令他军中的几个壮士将这三人捆起来，扔在烈火的窑中。王命紧急，窑又甚热，只听几声惨叫：啊…啊…那些扔人的壮士，居然都被火焰活活烧死！沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌三人都被捆着，落在烈火的窑中。（但3:19-23）
即或不然 Even If Not
为何这三人不肯拜金像？因他们他们只拜真神，不拜假神。只在耶和华面前屈膝，不在偶像面前屈膝。这是他们信仰的原则，就算国家亡了，人被掳了，生命受到威胁，原则也不能改变。为何这三人不怕被扔在烈火的窑中？因他们相信「我们所事奉的神能将我们从烈火的窑中救出来，他也必救我们。」他们相信神能救他们，神也必救他们（He can, and He will）。弟兄姊妹，这样的信心何等宝贵！他们所信的是一位又真又活的神，这位神使他们长途跋涉而不死，吃素菜喝白水而俊美肥胖，身为俘虏而做到高官。他们深信，同样的一位神，必能将他们从烈火的窑中救出来！
他们不但有「神必拯救」的信心，也有「即或不然」的决心：「即或不然，王啊，你当知道我们决不事奉你的神，也不敬拜你所立的金像。」这一句「即或不然」，可说是信心和勇气的最高表现。它所展现的是一种宁死不屈的殉道精神，是斩钉截铁、视死如归、真信心所产生的真勇气。这和彼得不畏官府的威逼，当面对他们说：「我们所看见所听见的不能不说！」（徒4:20）所展现的是同样的精神。在历史上基督徒曾受过无数次的迫害，每经一次迫害，福音却更加广传。因为真信徒具有「即或不然」的精神，即便殉道，他们的鲜血也成为福音的种子。比起这种大无畏的精神，现代信徒的贪图舒适，怕付代价，切切追求「繁荣、健康、财富」，沾沾自喜于个人的「小确幸」，立时显得微不足道，无地自容。
灭了烈火的猛势 Quenched the fury of the flames
尼布甲尼撒眼见三人落入烈火的窑中，心中的怒气稍平，但却有些纳闷：连扔他们的军士都烧死惨叫，怎么没听到这三人惨叫？他张眼望去，不禁大惊失色，从座位上急忙站起，对谋士说：
「我捆起来扔在火里的不是三个人吗？」
「王啊，是。」
「看哪，我见有四个人，并没有捆绑，在火中游行，也没有受伤；那第四个的相貌好像神子。」 （但3:24-25）
尼布甲尼撒就近烈火窑门，说：「至高神的仆人沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌出来，上这里来吧！」沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌就从火中出来了。那些总督、钦差、巡抚和王的谋士一同聚集看这三个人，见火无力伤他们的身体，头发也没有烧焦，衣裳也没有变色，并没有火燎的气味。（但3:26-27）就这样，神在沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌三人的周围灭了烈火的猛势，使他们毫发无伤的从火窑中走出来。
在烈火中出现的人 One Who Appears in Blazing Fire
扔进火窑的是三个人，尼布甲尼撒却看见四个人在火中游行。那第四个人是谁？尼布甲尼撒说：那人的相貌好像神子。「神子」不是「神的儿子」，并非指耶稣，乃是指救护的天使。尼布甲尼撒称颂神说：
沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌的神是应当称颂的！他差遣使者救护倚靠他的仆人。（但3:28）
亲爱的弟兄姊妹，在烈火中出现的其实是两个人：一是我们的真我，一是神的使者。在烈火之中，真我现出了原形：我是经得起考验，还是经不起考验？是被烧灭，还是在火中游行？那真心倚靠神的人，神就差遣使者来救护他们，和他们一同在火中行走，带他们走出烈火的猛势。
沙得拉、米煞、亚伯尼歌的经历告诉我们：
- 神能拯救我们，他也必拯救我们
- 在烈火中行走的人具有「即或不然」的决心
【Life is a song】One Who Appears in Blazing Fire
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. (Hebrews 11:32-34)
Golden Statue and Blazing Furnace
The massive golden statue stood at ninety feet tall (sixty cubits), erected on the plain of Dura south of Babylon (Daniel 3:1), visible from afar. The burning sun shone upon it, reflecting golden rays in all directions, eye-catching and almost blinding. Officials in various leadership positions whom King Nebuchadnezzar had summoned were gathered around to attend the dedication of the statue. The King ordered: As soon as the music sounds, everyone must fall down and worship this image of gold. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.
As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace. (Daniel 3:5-6)
Not far away there was a blazing furnace, guarded by big strong men who stoked the fire frequently, drenched with perspiration from the heat. The crowd attempted to stay away from the blinding rays deflecting off the golden statue, while trying to avoid the intense heat from the furnace. The atmosphere was tense as the people were afraid of incurring the wrath of the king. Suddenly, the king’s face darkened as he stared in rage at the three men standing in front of him. The officials held their breath and thought that the men were doomed! Nebuchadnezzar shouted, “Hey! Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, are the three of you going to bow down to the statue or not?”
The officials shook with fear, for this was King Nebuchadnezzar! As a young man, he followed his father into many a battle, conquering cities far and wide, and even the mighty land of Assyria fell into his hands. In the Battle of Carchemish (605 BC) on the Euphrates River, he defeated Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt (Jeremiah 46:2). After that, no one dared to enter into battle with him. He built the city of Babylon with city walls wide enough for horses to race on, and the hanging gardens within the city became one of the ancient seven wonders of the world. In the presence of such a mighty and intimidating king, who would dare to disobey his commands, besides the three men standing in front of him?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
The three men were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, all from Jewish royal families, and together with Daniel, were captives to Babylon. So as not to defile themselves, these three men and Daniel had refused food and wine from the king’s table. Later, by Daniel’s recommendation, the king appointed the three men to be administrators over the province of Babylon (Daniel2:49). In the face of the king’s fury, the three men remained calm and replied:
O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. (Daniel 3:16-18)
No one had ever dared to talk back to him! Nebuchadnezzar was furious, and ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual. He commanded his strongest soldiers to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who had thrown the three men! Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were firmly tied and fell into the blazing furnace. (Daniel 3:19-23)
Even if Not
Why did these three men refuse to worship the golden image? The reason was that they only worshipped the one true God, and did not worship false gods. They bowed their knee only to the Lord Almighty, and not to any idols. This was at the core of their faith, a principle they would hold fast to even if their country was defeated, even if they were captured, even if their lives were threatened. Why were they unafraid of being thrown into the blazing furnace? Because they firmly believed “the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us.” They had faith that God can save them, and God will save them. Brothers and sisters, what a precious faith this is! They believed in a true and living God and could testify to what He had done in their lives. They had to walk a long and arduous journey as captives, yet they survived. They lived only on vegetables and water, yet still looked healthy and well-nourished. They were captives in an enemy land, yet were promoted to become officials of the land. They had no doubt in their mind that this same God would save them from the blazing furnace!
Even more astounding than their faith that “God will save” was their “even if He does not” determination. “But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold that you have set up.” The phrase “even if He does not” can be said to be the pinnacle of one’s faith and courage. It is a true faith, a faith that is steadfast in the face of danger and unwavering to the point of death, a faith that produces true courage. This is the same kind of faith that Peter displayed to the rulers and elders who were threatening him, when he declared “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20) Throughout history, countless believers have been persecuted for their faith, and with each persecution, the gospel has remarkably become more widespread. The “even if not” resolve of true believers enabled them to share the gospel fearlessly, even if it meant giving up their lives for the sake of Christ. When they died, the blood of these martyrs planted the seeds of the gospel so that the gospel flourished because of them. In comparison with such a fearless spirit, the faiths of many present-day believers seem small and insignificant, almost embarrassing. They covet comfort, are unwilling to make sacrifices, and eagerly pursue “prosperity, health, and wealth”, becoming complacent with these “small blessings”.
Quenched the Fury of the Flames
Nebuchadnezzar’s anger subsided after he saw the three men being thrown into the blazing furnace, but he wondered why there was no screaming coming from the men. Even the soldiers who had thrown them in had yelled in anguish as they died from the heat. He looked into the furnace and what he saw shocked him. He leapt to his feet and asked his advisers:
“Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”
“Certainly, O king.”
“Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” (Daniel 3:24-25)
Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors, and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. (Daniel 3:26-27) Thus God quenched the fury of the flames, and brought Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego safely out of the blazing furnace, completely unharmed.
One Who Appears in Blazing Fire
Three men were thrown into the furnace, yet Nebuchadnezzar saw a fourth man walking in the fire. Who was this fourth man? Nebuchadnezzar said “the fourth looks like a son of the gods”. “A son of the gods” is not “the son of God”. It was not Jesus, but an angel who was in the furnace with them. Nebuchadnezzar praised God, saying:
Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! (Daniel 3:28)
Dear brothers and sisters, who do we see in this blazing fire? In fact, the blazing fire shows us a picture of two people. The first is myself, and the second the angel of God. In the fire, my true self is revealed—am I able to stand firm in adversity, or will I crumple and fall; will I be destroyed by the flames, or will I be able to walk around in the fire? To those who trust in Him, the Lord will send an angel to protect and rescue them, to walk with them in the fire, and to lead them out of the blazing fire to safety.
The experience of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego teaches us:
- God can save us, and God will save us.
- Those who walk in the fire possess an “even if not” kind of determination.
