Gentile history in Daniel: Babylon, Medo-Persians, Greece, Rome, revived Roman empire. Daniel 3 is a historical preview. Image of gold. Dan 3:8-12 slander against the Hebrews. Dan 3:13-18 implacable religion vs. immovable doctrine and biblical peace (Col 3:15-16, Phi 4:6-7). Divine deliverance (Dan 3:19-25, Heb 11:33-34, Eph 6:16). Faithfulness produces inner happiness (Heb 13:5-6). Fellowship in the fire (Dan 3:23-27, Isa 41:10, Deu 33:27). Fire delivers us from the fears and encumbrances of life (1Pe 1:7-8). They were walking in the fire (Gen 6:9, Amos 3:3, 1Jo 1:7, Isa 43;2). "like a Son of God" actually refers to Christ. Suffering is designed to increase our fellowship (1Pe 4:12-13, Jam 1:12). Daniel and friends are unharmed and Nebuchadnezzar recognizes the power of God. God does not work through Satan's means. He doesn't work through man's law - outward conformity e.g. legislated Christianity (Dan 3:28-29, Joh 1:18). The king wants to kill anyone who defames God, yet God didn't do that to him. The king set himself up as a higher authority (Joh 3:36). God doesn't need the sponsorship of human government. Daniel chapter 3 illustrates or is a historical preview what happens (1) image of gold Rev 13:15; (2) death penalty (Den 3:11, Rev 13:15-17); (3) three Hebrews represent the 144,000 (Rev 7:3-8); (4) fiery furnace pictures persecutions of tribulation; (5) Divine deliverance compares to Rev 15:1-3. (6) promotion Luk 19:17-19 - those faithful will be given authority in the Millennium; (7) 2-fold system of Nebuchadnezzar - an apostate religion and abusive politics (Rev 17:1-5; the woman and the beast; 2Th 2:7 - "the working of mystery of iniquity").