NEITHER WERE THEIR COATS CHANGED

Intro: King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a dream about a statue of various materials that represented the nation of the world that would follow him. He was the head of gold, and the following kingdoms comprised the rest of the body. He decided the make for himself, however, a statue fully of gold to demonstrate that his kingdom and power would not be usurped by another in spite of the Word of God. He commanded when the statue was built that all the inhabitants and the princes of the city be gathered together to worship this image of himself. When they played the instruments all the people present were to worship. But there were three Hebrews named Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, or as we see them here by their Babylonian names Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who would not worship this statue.

1. They were BOLD when questioned about it: v. 16-17

2. They would not BEND; They would not BOW, and They would not BURN.

3. They were BOUND and cast into the fire that had been heated seven times hotter than normal. The fire was so intense it killed the men who threw them in it.

4. But they were BLESSED. Nebuchadnezzar looked into the fire and saw four men loosed and walking around! They brought the men out unharmed.

THE BIBLE SAYS “NEITHER WERE THEIR COATS CHANGED.” (v. 27) Notice:

I. THEY WERE TIED IN THEIR COATS: v. 21, The traditional Babylonian wardrobe consisted of a linen tunic down to the feet, a woolen mantle over it down to the knees, and a turban or hat. They were bound in their:
A. Hosen: This is the linen. It represents the body or the natural man.
B. Hat: This is the turban. This represents the mind or soul of man, his thoughts.
C. Coat: This is the mantle. The outer garment, the anointing of God.
They were not stripped before being cast in the fire, but they were cast in fully clothed. All three elements of their being were exposed to the furnace. Times of infirmities will strike in body, soul, and spirit. You can be bound in them. Limitations will come. Sickness in body, weakness of mind, and coldness of the spirit can affect you, and some fires are so hot that they bind you and test you in all three areas at once!
II. THEY WERE TRIED IN THEIR COATS: v. 23, They were wearing even the mantle of the spirit, but they still were cast into the fire! The anointing of God is not fire insurance; it is fire assurance! It is not furnace proof, but it is fire proof! THEY HAD FAITH, BUT THEY STILL HAD A FIRE! I Peter 1:6-7 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” I Peter 4:12-16 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” Eph 6:16 “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” You will have trials, but stay near the fourth man. Your trial can be made into a blessing! Romans 8:18, 28; II Cor 4:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
III. THEY TESTIFIED IN THEIR COATS: v. 27, Their testimony was that the fire had had changed them. They were bold, wouldn’t bend, wouldn’t bow, wouldn’t burn, and were blessed.
A. The Fire Had No Power Over Them. Because of the fourth man.
B. The Heat Had Not Overcome Them.
C. The Trial Had Not Changed Them.
D. The Smoke Did Not Cling To Them.
Conclusion: Trials make sinners bitter, but the saints it can make better. The fires may burn all around you, but let it only burn off the ropes that bind you! Trust in the fourth man, and your coat won’t be changed.

I would be foolish to think that I know or understand everything that is going on in people’s lives here today, but I do know a God in heaven who does. He will walk through the fire with you.