The short answer: Yes.

In the book of Daniel, there is a story about three men who are thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to worship the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar’s statue. The three men are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:19). The Bible says that an angel rescued them from the fire (verse 25), leading some people to believe that Jesus was also in the fire with them.

However, some say this interpretation is incorrect because it contradicts other passages in Scripture that say God doesn’t dwell in temples made by human hands (Acts 17:24-29) or in any physical form (John 4:24). This interpretation also runs counter to Jesus’ words in Matthew 4:1-11 where he says he is not going to give himself up to be worshipped like false gods do because he has no place to lay his head.

Jesus and the fiery furnace

NIV Daniel 3:1- King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it. 4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: 5 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. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” 7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! 10 You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon– Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego– who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” 13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 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. 18 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.” 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, O king.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 26 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, 27 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. 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Let’s begin at the beginning.

NIV Daniel 3:1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.

It is amazing after chapter 2 and the dream about the end of his kingdom that Nebuchadnezzar would be this brazen. Faced with his mortality, he creates an image of gold, most likely to represent his gods, created to unify his kingdom in worship. Interestingly, it is the same place where the Tower of Babel was – a testimony to the glory and kingdom of man.

Nebuchadnezzar tells everyone that they must come together and bow down and worship the image of gold. There is no need to abandon your gods – just worship this one too. Oh, and if you don’t, you’ll be thrown into a blazing furnace.

8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! 10 You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon– Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego– who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Jealous astrologers take advantage of this opportunity to attack Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They are brought before the king, who tells them to bow down when they hear the band play.

15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

What god will be able to rescue you? To which they reply:

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 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. 18 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.”

The king orders the furnace heated seven times hotter, has them thrown in, and it is so hot that even the soldiers throwing them in are killed.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, O king.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 26 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, 27 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.

When Nebuchadnezzar looks in to the fire, he sees a fourth man looking like a son of the gods.

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Once again, Nebuchadnezzar is not converted, but he acknowledges the power and reality of God.

Let me share three implications of this story for us:

1) We will be pressured to bow to the idols of our age, and resistance will take great courage

Babylon was a pluralistic society. You didn’t have to give up worship of your god. But you needed to bow down to the spirit of the age, which is tolerance and pluralism. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego could have bowed down and then gone back to worshiping their god. They had reason to give in. What would happen to Israel if they died? Why not just bow down and pretend to worship? But they refused to become like their pluralistic society.

In the same way, it’s okay to be a Christian in 21st century America. The problem comes when you begin to say that Jesus is the only way to salvation, that your religion is the only true religion. When you don’t bow down to the idol of the age, then you can expect persecution and scorn. After all, that seems dangerous and divisive. Why not just bow at the altar of tolerance?

The irony, of course, is that tolerance is intolerant at the center. We are tolerant as long as you are like us. There is an expectation that you will convert to their point of view, their perspective, that there is no right but that every way is legitimate.

But the Bible says that Jesus is the only way to salvation, the only remedy for sin.

John 14:6 – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me

Acts 4:10-12 – It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Having said that, the reality is that true faith does not lead to intolerance. After all, our faith is about the son of God dying for his enemies. And his followers love their enemies and work for peace and justice. It is those who don’t get it, like Nebuchadnezzar, who become militaristic and intolerant.

That’s pluralism. But there are other situations where you will be pressured to bow to the idols of our age, and resistance will take great courage. Only God’s kingdom will endure. Obey God rather than men. Resist assimilation and courageously stand for Jesus, even if you are standing along.

2) God is able to heal and save; and even if He does not, He is still worthy of worship

Look at their response to the king.

God can save us. And even if he doesn’t, we won’t bow down. They are sure of God’s power and ability. They are not sure of God’s purpose.

What does this teach us? There is a school of thought called “positive confession” that would tell you to never say anything negative, because it shows a lack of faith.

James 1:5-8 – If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

This story contradicts that approach. The positive confession approach is a faith in your faith. It’s magic and superstition. This –we see in Daniel 3 – is faith in God. God can save, and we do not doubt that, and we will pray to Him to save us. But even if He doesn’t, He is still good and still worthy of worship. We don’t doubt that He can, but we would not presume to know His purpose in this.

Job 13:15 – Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.

They know the power of God, but they guard the freedom of God. Some will experience God’s healing and deliverance. Some will not.

Hebrews 11:32-37 – And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 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. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword.

Some live, some die. Some are miraculously saved, some are martyred. God can heal, God can save. But even if He doesn’t, He is still good and worthy to be praised.

Matthew 26:36-39 – Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

God, if possible… yet not as I will, but as you will. That is not a lack of faith. That is faith coupled with trust that no matter what happens, God is good and worthy of worship. Can I encourage you to have that kind of bold but humble faith?

3) Jesus does not prevent us from suffering, but enters into our suffering to rescue us

Interesting that at its core, this story is about Jewish men being thrown into a furnace to die. Sounds familiar. Many people have lost faith in God because of similar circumstances in the 20th century.

They go in the fire, and are joined by a fourth figure. Not told who, but probably angel of the Lord, pre-incarnate Jesus. This is a theophany – an appearance of God. Jesus is walking with them in the furnace. The angel of the Lord is this mysterious Old Testament figure that is God but separate from God.

Exodus 3:2-4 – There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight– why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”

Judges 13:15-22 – Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, “We would like you to stay until we prepare a young goat for you.” 16 The angel of the LORD replied, “Even though you detain me, I will not eat any of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the LORD.” (Manoah did not realize that it was the angel of the LORD.) 17 Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the LORD, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?” 18 He replied, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding.” 19 Then Manoah took a young goat, together with the grain offering, and sacrificed it on a rock to the LORD. And the LORD did an amazing thing while Manoah and his wife watched: 20 As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame. Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground. 21 When the angel of the LORD did not show himself again to Manoah and his wife, Manoah realized that it was the angel of the LORD. 22 “We are doomed to die!” he said to his wife. “We have seen God!”

Maybe even the man who wrestled with Jacob. He is God in a visual form. As Alec Motyer puts it:

“The angel is revealed as a merciful ‘accommodation’ or ‘condescension’ of God, whereby the Lord can be present among a sinful people when, were he to go with them himself, his presence would consume them…. He is that mode of deity whereby the holy God can keep company with sinners. There is only one other in the Bible who is both identical with and yet distinct from the Lord. One who, without abandoning the full essence and prerogatives of deity… is able to accommodate himself to the company of sinners… Jesus Christ.”

Jesus does not protect them, or pluck them out. But He enters in to save them.

Isaiah 43:1-2 – But now, this is what the LORD says– he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Our God could have chosen to save us any way. But he entered the fire with us. He went through the blazing furnace of the wrath of God.

As Jonathan Edwards said in his sermon “Christ’s agony” on the garden of Gethsemane:

The thing that Christ’s mind was so full of at that time was, without doubt, the same with that which his mouth was so full of: it was the dread which his feeble human nature had of that dreadful cup, which was vastly more terrible than Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace. He had then a near view of that furnace of wrath, into which he was to be cast; he was brought to the mouth of the furnace that he might look into it, and stand and view its raging flames, and see the glowings of its heat, that he might know where he was going and what he was about to suffer. This was the thing that filled his soul with sorrow and darkness, this terrible sight as it were overwhelmed him. For what was that human nature of Christ to such mighty wrath as this? …The strength of Christ’s love more especially appears in this, that when he had such a full view of the dreadfulness of the cup that he was to drink, that so amazed him, he would notwithstanding even then take it up, and drink it. Then seems to have been the greatest and most peculiar trial of the strength of the love of Christ, when God set down the bitter portion before him, and let him see what he had to drink, if he persisted in his love to sinners; and brought him to the mouth of the furnace that he might see its fierceness, and have a full view of it, and have time then to consider whether he would go in and suffer the flames of this furnace for such unworthy creatures, or not. This was as it were proposing it to Christ’s last consideration what he would do; as much as if it had then been said to him, ‘Here is the cup that you are to drink, unless you will give up your undertaking for sinners, and even leave them to perish as they deserve. Will you take this cup, and drink it for them, or not? There is the furnace into which you are to be cast, if they are to be saved; either they must perish, or you must endure this for them. There you see how terrible the heat of the furnace is; you see what pain and anguish you must endure on the morrow, unless you give up the cause of sinners. What will you do? is your love such that you will go on? Will you cast yourself into this dreadful furnace of wrath?’

Jesus saves us from the furnace of God’s wrath. And he meets us in our suffering. He enters in to rescue us. This is better than Footsteps – it is Jesus in the furnace to save us.

We are not protected from every suffering, but we have a God who enters into it with us, so that we know that whether we live or die, He has protected our soul and we will live forever.

This may be the OT version, but Romans 8 is the NT version. Romans 8:38-39 – For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.