The account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace is found in Daniel 3. These three men were Hebrew captives serving in the administration of Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar. The king constructed a massive golden image and commanded all people to bow down and worship it at the sound of music. Anyone who refused would be cast into a burning fiery furnace (Daniel 3:1–6).
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow. When this was reported, Nebuchadnezzar was furious and summoned them. He asked if they would worship the image or be cast into the furnace, boasting, “And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” (Daniel 3:15).
They answered boldly, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace… But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods” (Daniel 3:17–18). Their faith remained firm whether or not God would deliver them.
Nebuchadnezzar ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded mighty men to bind the three and cast them in. The fire was so hot that it killed the men who threw them in (Daniel 3:19–23).
As the king looked into the furnace, he was astonished. He said, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered yes, but he replied, “Look! I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire… and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (Daniel 3:24–25).
Nebuchadnezzar called them out, and they emerged unharmed, no burns, no smell of fire, and not even their hair singed. The king then praised the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and decreed that no one should speak against Him, acknowledging that “there is no other God who can deliver like this” (Daniel 3:26–29).
This event demonstrates the power of faith, the presence of God in trials, and His ability to deliver miraculously. It also affirms that obedience to God must not be compromised, even under threat of death. The fourth figure in the fire signifies divine presence, and many believe it to be a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ.