The Answering Chord It is not for

The Answering Chord

“It is not for want of evidence that men doubt divine truth; they are not infidels through ignorance of the character of the Word of God. But through sin the whole human organism is deranged, the mind is perverted, the imagination corrupted. Temptations from without find an answering chord within the heart, and the feet slide imperceptibly into sin…” Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students, chap. 59, pg. 424. 3

Scripture Focus Daniel 3: 1 -18

Study Focus • • The King of Babylon The Image of Babylon The Gathered People of Babylon The Hebrew Boys in Babylon

The “King of Babylon” Is there a “king of Babylon” today? • Revelation 17: 1 -6 Babylon identified • 2 Thessalonians 2: 3, 4 Babylon’s heart revealed Babylon’s heart = Satan’s heart • Isaiah 14: 12 -14

The “Image of Babylon” Does this “king of Babylon” also have an image? • Daniel 7: 7, 8, 24, 25 • Revelation 13: 1, 2, 5 -7 • Revelation 13: 11 -15

The Gathered People Who was called to the dedication of the image? • • Princes Governors Captains Judges Treasurers Counselors Sheriffs Main ruler (president) Subordinate ruler (prime minister, governor) Ruler of a small district or city (mayor) Chief diviner or astrologer (religious leader) Manager of finances Lawyer or interpreter of laws Minor magistrate

The “Gathered People” Is the “king of Babylon” now gathering all the “princes”, “governors”, “captains”, “judges”, “treasurers” and rulers of his province to the dedication of his “image”?

a speech delivered [Sept. The Gathered. In “Princes” Sunday. Francis’ 27, 2015], Obama cited Pope “Here the temperance work, one of the mostmessage. Speaking environmental prominent and important of moral reforms, about the UN’s with the is often combined Sustainable UNITED NATIONS Development latter – president Sunday movement, and advocates of the Goals, the With a represent passionate callclimate change, “As from Pope Francis said of fighting themselves as laboring to promote the highest interest of to choose environmental justice His Holiness Pope Francis has rightly society…But the fact that a movement to establish for power over a the world, this error is implored“boundless thirst is a moral and “All of prosperity”, will be connected with a work whichcalling. ”material our countries world in itself is good, is not an leaders on argument in favor of the error…The leaders changing Sunday of adopted an affected by a. Friday the climate, ” ambitious Obama said. agenda to reset their movement may advocate reforms which“But the world’s need, the people poorest own will bear the heaviestending priorities, from burden principles which are in harmony peoplethe to protecting forests to with hunger Bible, yet while there – is with these a requirement whichfrom rising seas education for His is contrary to and more intense God’s law, ensuring shortages of water all. droughts, quality and servants cannot unite with them. ” food. ” The Great Controversy {1888 Edition}, http: //www. nytimes. com/2015/09/26/world/eu rope/pope-francis-united-nations. html http: //www. cruxnow. com/life/2015/09/28/obamachap. 36, pg. 587. 1 invokes-pope-francis-at-the-united-nations/

The Gathered “Governors”

The Gathered “Judges” “The Romish Church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties. She has clothed herself in Christ-like garments; but she is unchanged. Every principle of popery that existed in past ages exists today…Let none deceive themselves. The popery that Protestants are now so ready to honor is the same that ruled the world in the days of the Reformation, when men of God stood up, at the peril of their lives, to expose her iniquity. ” The Great Controversy {1888 Edition}, chap. 35, pg. 570. 3

The Gathered “Treasurers”

The Gathered “Captains”

“Climate Change” and Sunday Observance “Even now he [Satan] is at work. In…fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempest, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes…And then the great deceiver will persuade men that those who serve God are causing these evils. The class that have provoked the displeasure of Heaven will charge all their troubles upon those whose obedience to God’s commandments is a perpetual reproof to transgressors. It will be declared that men are offending God by the violation of the “Sundaysabbath”, that this sin has brought calamities which will not cease until Sunday observance shall be strictly enforced…” The Great Controversy {1888 Edition}, chap. 36, pg. 589. 3 -590. 1

Music in the History of Apostate Israel • The golden calf (Exodus 32: 17 -19) • Idolatry at Shittim (Numbers 25: 1, 2, 14, 15) • Baal worship on Carmel (1 Kings 18: 26)

• But, consider these questions: Because the music found no Were the Hebrew boys present when the music answering chord within them. was played? • “To the loyal heart the commands of influence which Were they exposed to the same sinful, finite men will sink into insignificance beside the word of the caused the other nations (including the other eternal God. ” Jews) to bow in worship? Prophets and Kings, chap. 41, pg. 512. 2 • Why didn’t they also bow?

Why didn’t the music find an answering chord within them?

1. Their diet equipped them with the ability to stand “The need Daniel energetic minds, in order to “You history ofclear, and his companions has been recorded on the pages of exalted character the benefit of to appreciate the Inspired Word for of the truth, the youth of all 1: 5 -8, 12, ages. 15, 19, 20 have done, men may • Daniel succeeding 14, What men value the atonement, and stand firm amid great do. Did those youthful Hebrews to place the right • Proverbsand bear a things. If you in favor wrong 31: 4, 5 estimate upon eternal noble testimonypursue a of true temptations, temperance? The youth of today may bear a similar course, and indulge in wrong habits of eating, and testimony…Those the would preserve their powers thereby weaken who intellectual powers, you will unimpaired for the service of God, must observe strict not place that high estimate upon as well as total salvation and temperance in the use of His bounties, eternal life…” every injurious or debasing indulgence. ” abstinence from Counsels on Diet and Foods, chap. 2, pg. 471 Counsels on Diet and Foods, chap. 1, pg. 28. 5 -29. 1

2. They did not serve the gods of Babylon • Daniel 3: 12, 18 • Titus 1: 16 • James 4: 4

3. Their confidence and love was in God • Daniel 3: 16 -18 • 2 Thessalonians 2: 9 -12 • 1 John 4: 18, 19

“Those who endeavor to obey all the commandments of God will be opposed and derided. They can stand only in God. In order to endure the trial before them, they must understand the will of God as revealed in His Word; they can honor Him only as they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them. None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict. To every soul will come the searching test, Shall I obey God rather than men? . . . ” The Great Controversy {1888 Edition}, chap. 37, pg. 593. 2.

Does the music find an answering chord within you?