Let's study and share our SSL this week (Feb. 18-25, 2020) entitled, "From Furnace to Palace" Our Lesson discusses 5 points which parallel to the end-time events ahead to be considered:

1. The Worshipped Image/ The Worship of the Image of the Beast = Daniel 3:1-7 / Rev. 13:14, 18:

The nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image." (Dan. 3:1, 4-7.) But there were three Hebrews found who rebelled against the king's command and refused to bow down to the idol. "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. These three men, with faith in God, broke the Satanic contrivance, abolished the establishment of an ecclesiastical government and brought the king's decree to naught. (2SR 61)

2. The Death Decree/ The Sunday Law Death Decree = Daniel 13:8-15/ Rev. 13:15:

In the outworking of this drastic and unrighteous decree, there are three outstanding aspects: The first warningly reveals the manner in which the beast will compel all the nations and peoples within his dominion to worship him and the image which he shall make; the second sustainingly promises that just as in Nebuchadnezzar's day, Michael delivered and promoted those who refused to worship the golden image (Dan. 3:12-30), so today will He deliver and promote all who refuse to worship the beast and his image; and the third glorifyingly reveals that just as all who then stood faithful, led a multitude of both high and low to acknowledge Him as the Most High God, so today will all who heed the warning not to worship the beast or his image, "shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Dan. 12:1-3. (12Tr 29)

This drastic decree of the two-horned beast shall be adopted by the nations of the world, and the image of the beast, which will demand obedience to an ecclesiastical form of worship, will be internationally set up. The mark of the beast is Sunday observance. Under one pretext or another, the careless and indifferent will worship the image of the beast, and receive the mark. Only those who have fortified themselves with faith in God knowledge of His Word, and obedience to divine precepts through sanctification of the heart by the power of the Holy Spirit, will be able to escape the crutches of the devil. When God's people are restrained from buying and selling, their only source of sustenance will be through divine providence. One way or another, for that short time, God will provide and care for His people. But it may be in a similar circumstance as in the wilderness journey. (2SR 110)

3. The test of Fire/ The Test of Loyalty - by the Spirit of God = Daniel 3;16-18/ Rev. 13:16-17:

We are to bring to the foundation material that will stand the test of fire--gold, silver, and precious stones, "polished after the similitude of a palace." Psalm 144:12. To those who thus build for God, Paul speaks words of encouragement and warning: "If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." 1 Corinthians 3:14, 15. The Christian who faithfully presents the word of life, leading men and women into the way of holiness and peace, is bringing to the foundation material that will endure, and in the kingdom of God he will be honored as a wise builder. {AA 599.1}

My brethren and sisters, it is too late to devote your time and strength to self-serving. Let not the last day find you destitute of the heavenly treasure. Seek to push the triumphs of the cross, seek to enlighten souls, labor for the salvation of your fellow beings, and your work will abide the trying test of fire.--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 56. {ChS 78.5}

4. The Liberation/ God's Deliverance of His people = Daniel 3:19-27/ Rev. 14:1; 15.2:

After revealing the Sunday Law in chapter 13 of Revelation, now John has "looked, and, lo a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him a hundred forty [and] four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. God will deliver His people to the Kingdom - Mt. Zion, Jerusalem (Joel 2:32; Obad. 1:17, 21) -Dan. 3:19-27/ Rev. 14:1; 15:2 - The 144,000 will stand on Mt. Zion with the Lamb - the Kingdom established (Dan. 2:44, 45).

5. Faith that overcomes. 1 John 5:4

The faith grows as we receive the GOSPEL of the KINGDOM (Stone) established and grow into a GREAT MOUNTAIN and filled the WHOLE EARTH not heaven. It is the LOUD CRY that causes the STONE-KINGDOM to grow - for it is declared by the prophet Isaiah, "I will set a sign (seal, mark) among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations... the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.... to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD... bring them in a clean vessel (Isa. 66:19-20).

Please read Isaiah 2:2-4 -

2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, [that] the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it.

2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. This is evidently referred to as the stone which became a GREAT MOUNTAIN (GOD'S Triumphant Glorious Church (Eph. 5:27), conquering and to conquer (PK 725, as God's "battle-ax [and] weapons of war: for with thee, will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; Jer. 51:19-20, Dan. 2:35, 45.

From the Pen of Inspiration:

“As in the days of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, so in the closing period of earth’s history the Lord will work mightily in behalf of those who stand steadfastly for the right. He who walked with the Hebrew worthies in the fiery furnace will be with His followers wherever they are. His abiding presence will comfort and sustain. In the midst of the time of trouble—trouble such as has not been since there was a nation—His chosen ones will stand unmoved. Satan with all the hosts of evil cannot destroy the weakest of God’s saints. Angels that excel in strength will protect them, and in their behalf Jehovah will reveal Himself as a ‘God of gods,’ able to save to the uttermost those who have put their trust in Him.” E.G.W. (Prophets and Kings, cp. 41, p. 513)