Making the World Worship

       This ecumenical gathering recorded in the prophetic book of Daniel, chapter 3, is the first recorded instance of an attempt to produce conformity in idolatrous worship by penal statute.
One should observe carefully the close link between worship and the state. Their union characterized most ancient people. In fact, the principle of the “separation of church and state,” that many democracies like the Philippines exercise today, is a very modern concept and was little known even at the time of the Protestant Reformation.

          What king Nebuchadnezzar tried to do centuries ago has been abundantly imitated ever since. History attests to many instances of religious intolerance and persecution against those unwilling to conform their consciences to the popular will of a united church and state. Today, strong undercurrents threaten to destroy man’s inalienable right to liberty of conscience. There are subtle movements today seeking to impose morality by state law. These attempts are fraught with danger that the Bible warns about.

          Two important truths impress me so much in Daniel 3. First, the courteous but determined refusal of the three Hebrews (3:16) illustrates that “we must obey God rather than men” and “render… to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s (Acts 5:29; Matthew 22:21, Revised Standard Version). Daily in our decisions, we are confronted with making a choice of conscience. We are all called upon to decide between giving our allegiance to the idols of popular conformity or the requirements of our Creator. Someone has said, “To stand in defense of truth when champions are few, this will be our test.”

          Second, men have been slow to learn that the highest values can never be legislated. The finest motive powers of the soul are faith, hope, and love, and these find their impetus from sources other than force. True worship springs from an awareness of real values, an awareness that cannot be suddenly forced upon the soul, but rather comes with spiritual growth.
This event in the plain of Dura will be repeated. Revelation 13:11-18 uses the elements of Daniel 3 to portray a universal test over worship that is to climax history. A land beast, which symbolizes a powerful nation on earth, shall “extend(ed) its authority everywhere, making the world and all its people worship the first beast, which had the fatal wound and had been healed” (Revelation 13:12, the Jerusalem Bible).

          The whole world is to come under the sway of a system of apostasy called Babylon, church and state will unite to enforce idolatrous worship upon all, and death is to be the penalty for nonconformity. On the other hand, Revelation 14:9-11 warns that eternal death will be the result of compliance.

          God’s commandments once more shall become the touchstone at a time when idolatrous worship shall characterize the multitudes of earth. On that day, the test of worship shall come to all. On whose side will you be? Would to God that like three Hebrews we can declare, “We must obey God rather than men!”