Tuesday: Worshiping the Image, Again
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 17th of June 2025
Bible students have long seen the connection between Daniel 3:1-30 and what Revelation teaches about last-day events. And with good cause, too, because Daniel 3:1-30—with the command, punishable by death, to “worship the image” (Daniel 3:15)—reflects what Revelation teaches about the command, punishable by death, to worship another image. “He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed” (Revelation 13:15, NKJV).
Read Revelation 13:11-17; Revelation 14:9,11-12; Revelation 16:2; Revelation 19:20; and Revelation 20:4. What contrast is present here that pits the commandments of God against the commandments of men?
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God’s people are called to worship “ ‘Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.’ ” That is, the Creator, as opposed to the beast and its image. The three Hebrew boys, facing a similar threat, refused to worship anything other than the same Creator God. Hence, however different the circumstances between what happened on the plain of Dura, with the command to worship the image, as opposed to the Creator and what will happen worldwide with the call to worship the image as opposed to the Creator—the principle is the same.
Read Romans 1:18-25. (Notice the link between Romans 1:18 and Revelation 14:9-10 about “the wrath of God.”) In what way is the issue over worshiping the image just another manifestation of this same principle regarding to whom humans ultimately give their allegiance?
Worship doesn’t necessarily mean bowing and offering incense, though it can. We worship whatever holds our ultimate allegiance. When you consider who God is, our Creator and—after what He has done for us in Jesus—our Redeemer as well, then of course He alone should be worshiped. Anything else is idolatry. Perhaps this helps explain Jesus’ hard words here: “ ‘He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad’ ” (Matthew 12:30, NKJV). Final events are simply going to be a dramatic manifestation of this truth.
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What holds our interest in the 21st century? Paul has a pretty good description:
How do we respond? Sometimes we are guilty of collective self-congratulation, wisely nodding our heads, saying, "We knew it!", and pointing out how good we are at reading and understanding prophecy.
I listened to a preacher, I didn't like last night. I had listened to him 20 years ago and had forgotten about him. He just happened to pop up on my YouTube suggestion list and I was curious. He made the point that our church's evangelistic effort spends a lot of time defending our position when the real need is to live Christ-like lives. I don't know what else he said - his sermon was 90 minutes long and my attention span when it's time to go to bed is 5 minutes. But he got it right. If we are to meet a "last day" world that Paul so aptly described in the above scripture, the only defence that has any chance of working is to live Christ-filled lives.
Maurice — I wholeheartedly agree with you, and I thank you for bringing this to light. “They,” referring to those within the religious community who have not received the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, may indeed appear devout — but as Paul warns, they “have a form of godliness, but deny its power” - 2 Tim. 3:5; Matt.7:21.
God's Spirit was with man from the Beginning - Gen.1:26. God's Spirit of Justice, Love and Mercy continues to redeem us from the grip of this fallen world. Now, all mankind has access to again live by His Holy Spirit — not merely to inform us of His Righteousness, but to transform us into His Likeness.
Yet if we resist the sanctifying work of the Spirit within, we are no less prone to the spiritual delusion that pervades the world: the seductive “wine” of the great deception, poured out by the spirit of the adversary in opposition to the Kingdom of God.
The first idol (image) worshiping in the Bible is recorded in Exodus 32:1–6. It is extremely sad to note that this incident took place immediately after God gave the Ten Commandments. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image... you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.” (Exodus 20:4–5). This tells the fact that when people lack faith, they quickly turn to visible and tangible substitute for God who is invisible and intangible for God is a spirit.
What are the possible idols in our time?
1.Idolatry of Self – ““In the last days, men will be lovers of themselves...” – 2 Timothy 3:2
2. Idolatry of materialism – People pursue material wealth with religious zeal. God take a backseat. “You cannot serve both God and money.” – Matthew 6:24
3. Idolatry of Relationships (eg, romance) – Some people value human relationship at the expense of God. Human relationship takes the position of God. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.” – Matthew 10:37
4. Idolatry of religion and tradition (religious fanatics). “This people honour Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.” – Matthew 15:8
5. Idolatry of Technology & Entertainment – some people are terribly addicted to phones, social media and entertainment to the point they literally worship them. “They made a calf… and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.” – Acts 7:41
6. Idolatry of fame – some people terribly crave for validation and applause from human beings than God. “They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” – John 12:43
Idolatry is the problem of the heart, the Bible says.
“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts...” - Ezekiel 14:3. The Book of Proverbs 4:23 has very strong admonition for us “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”
I agreed with you my brother, idols can takes different aspects. Thanks
Now, more than ever, the world needs a true glimpse of the God we worship. As followers of Christ, we live with an eternal perspective—knowing that we will worship God forever. Yet, today’s world is filled with fear, uncertainty, and chaos. That’s why it’s essential that we worship God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. When we worship Him fully, others will begin to see His glory reflected in us—and they, too, may be drawn to worship Him.
But here’s the danger: when anything or anyone takes the place of God in our lives, that becomes idolatry.In Exodus 20:4-5, God clearly commands:"You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything... You shall not bow down to them or worship them."
Sometimes these idols are good things: our families, our careers, our dreams—even our children. Family is a gift from God; it was His idea. But we were never meant to worship the family. When our children’s accomplishments or our spouse’s opinion become more important than God’s will, we’ve created an image in our heart that rivals God.This kind of idolatry doesn’t happen overnight as it usually creeps in quietly. Worship must be God-centered. Images whether physical or mental, literal or symbolic cannot capture God glory. Any substitute falls short and leads us away from the living God.
I have to point out this phrase, because it is a pearl: "We worship whatever holds our ultimate allegiance." Then, the question is to whom or to what am I paying devotion? Not that I cannot devote time and money to good things or people, but the phrase states 'ultimate'. To whom or to what am I paying my extreme devotion?
Anything that God has made, satan seeks to present a counterfeit.
Just as in the time of Daniel, satan will try to lure us to worship the beast and his image instead of the true and living God.
We know of his schemes, so it is very important that we present Jesus to as many persons that we can...so that their blood won't be on our shoulders!!!!
True worship is about who has our ultimate loyalty, God or something else. Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:30 underscore this binary; allegiance is either to God or against Him, with no middle ground. The Sabbath, as a sign of loyalty to the Creator, stands in stark opposition to the beast's idolatrous system, culminating in the final events where true worship is tested.
Revelation 14:9-11 warns that worshiping the beast brings God’s fierce judgment without mercy. Revelation 20:4 honors those who remain faithful, refusing to bow or compromise. There is no neutral ground in this final conflict—half-hearted loyalty leads to spiritual ruin. Let us choose today whom to serve, Lets stand firm with God, for only wholehearted faithfulness secures victory and eternal life.
This is a powerful angle on this story...
Something else I notice in this fiery furnace story which foreshadows end-time prophecy and the close of probation is this:
When in Daniel 2, Daniel and his praying friends interpreted God's dream for the king, it saved the rest of the so-called wise men in the land. The executions of the Babylonian wise men was stopped. Human wisdom was pitted against God's wisdom and God's wisdom saved everyone.
But this time in Daniel 3, the saved were only those standing in the fiery furnace with Jesus. The intervention of God to rescue His faithful people - the 3 righteous boys - did not extend to rescuing everyone else. The king ordered death to anyone speaking against the Hebrew boys (Daniel 3:29-30).
Just so, right now the remnant is faithfully sharing God's knowledge and wisdom in the 3 Angels' Messages to those who are asking and who want to know... and the winds of strife are being held back. Everyone has time to compare the world's proud false wisdom with God's. But, when the investigative judgment is over, when worship of an image will again be enforced under penalty of death, when the beast is roaring and snapping at anyone who does not receive his mark as foretold in Rev. 13:15-17, only those walking with the "Son of God" in the fire will be protected and unharmed by the flames of strife (Rev. 7:14). Not everyone will be rescued. The time for choosing will be over. Those speaking out against the remnant will receive the penalty of death they have been warned of, at the King of Heaven's hand.
The final test is about worship—Who will we honor and obey? God the Creator (Revelation 14:6–7) or the beast and his image (Revelation 13:15–17)?
Reasons Many Professing Christians Will Yield:
• Fear of Persecution and Loss
• Threats of economic sanctions, imprisonment, or death will pressure many to comply.(Revelation 13:15–17; 5T 81)
• Desire for Social Acceptance
• Going along with the crowd will seem easier than standing alone. (Matthew 7:13–14; PK 186)
• Lack of Bible Knowledge
• Without personal study, many won’t understand what’s truly at stake. (Hosea 4:6; GC 593)
• Deception Through Signs and Miracles
• False miracles will be used to convince people to worship falsely. (Revelation 13:13–14; GC 589)
• Trusting Religious Leaders Over God’s Word
• Many will follow pastors or church traditions instead of Scripture.(Jeremiah 5:31; Mark 7:7–9)
• Clinging to Tradition Over Truth
• Sunday worship will be accepted due to long-standing practice. (Mark 7:8)
• Spiritual Lukewarmness
• A lack of genuine conversion and spiritual power will leave many unprepared.
(Revelation 3:14–17)
Like the three Hebrews on the plain of Dura, those who love God above all else will stand firm—even when threatened. Now is the time to study, surrender, and be filled with the Spirit, so we can stand when the test comes.“