2. 612 B.C. - Babylon takes Nineveh, capital of Assyria 609 B.C. - Josiah killed at Megiddo by Pharaoh Neco 605 B.C. - Daniel & friends taken captive shortly after Battle of Carchemish (Nebu vs. Neco) 597 B.C. - A second remnant taken to Babylon 586 B.C. - Fall of Jerusalem, temple destroyed 537 B.C. - Babylon falls, first remnant returns to Jerusalem shortly thereafter 612 B.C. - Babylon takes Nineveh, capital of Assyria 609 B.C. - Josiah killed at Megiddo by Pharaoh Neco 605 B.C. - Daniel & friends taken captive shortly after Battle of Carchemish (Nebu vs. Neco) 597 B.C. - A second remnant taken to Babylon 586 B.C. - Fall of Jerusalem, temple destroyed 537 B.C. - Babylon falls, first remnant returns to Jerusalem shortly thereafter The Time In Which He Lived... Some key dates to remember Some key dates to remember

3. The PRESSURE They Faced - Fear of Physical Harm - Nebuchadnezzar had the power to demand and get anything he wanted. Fear of Backlash from Peers - when the orchestra played, everyone did as the king commanded. People were afraid to speak openly of Jesus – Jn. 7:13 People were afraid to state obvious truth – Jn. 9:22-23 Believing rulers would not speak out – Jn. 12:42- 43

4. The EXCUSES They Might Have Offered - We are not being asked to reject our God. We will lose our chance to influence. We can do more good by staying alive. The image is merely a political symbol. All the other exiles are doing it. It’s only this one time, and not for long. We are being forced; God will understand. Really, this is more than can be expected of us.

5. The CONFIDENCE They Possessed - First… “We are not careful (full of care) how to answer you.” We are not troubled by this – we are not anxious. “We do not need to answer you.” Your challenge is against God – He will answer you.

6. The CONFIDENCE They Possessed - Second… “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us.” BUT HOW? What if they first have to enter the furnace?

7. The CONFIDENCE They Possessed - Third… “and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.” Nebuchadnezzar had asked, “what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” Jehovah CAN, and HE WILL! (one way or another!)

8. The RESOLUTION They Voiced - “But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

9. The RESOLUTION They Voiced - First… Their loyalty to God was not based on His deliverance of them from the trial. Second… They resolved that they would obey God no matter the cost. “He who loves his life shall lose it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” (John 12:25)

10. Faith to withstand the gods of... physical security (when persecutions come) job security (when wrong-doing is required) family (when pressured to disobey God) appealing false doctrine (when truth is difficult to stand for) money/greed (when opportunities arise)

11. Faith to withstand the gods of... entertainment (when everyone else is) drugs/alcohol (when friends offer) pornography (when access is easy) sexual impropriety (when pressures come) material comforts (when it’s easier to do nothing)

12. 12 Will You Become A Christian? Hear the Gospel (Rom. 10:17) Believe in Jesus as the Son of God (Mark 16:16) Repent of Your Sins (Acts 17:30) Confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) Be Baptized for Forgiveness of Sins (Acts 2:38) Live Faithfully until You Die (Rev. 2:10)