Nebuchadnezzar Idol, Jerusalem and 144,000
Lord willing, I will provide more research into the following comparison of Daniel’s description of the golden image and the abomination of desolation. For now, this must do. In order to understand, some pagan themes found in the Hebrew are considered.
In the book of Daniel, I gave some attention to the golden statue erected by Nebuchadnezzar. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego failed to worship this figure which sent them to the fiery furnace. Many have characterized this as a statue of a person, perhaps Nebuchadnezzar himself.
The word used to describe this object seems deliberately vague. H6755, tselem, is translated “idolatrous figure”. The root referenced is H6754 spelled the same and indicates a shade or type of; a representative form of idol. After much research into the word and the many segments of the word as Hebrew roots (that I am avoiding here), it becomes clear that describing this image, tselem, as an “idolatrous figure” is similar to calling George Washington a “political figure”; very general, no pun intended. The connotation is clearly one of physical or spiritual intimacy associated with deity. So, the image is a stylistic representation which emulates this concept. We see this all over the world today in capitals and major cities everywhere. It is an obelisk with a circle around it placed in a plain/plaza. This is a reference to a pagan perspective of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden.
The word “tselem” is found 22 times in scripture. Eighteen times in Daniel, then in Hosea, Nahum and Habakkuk. In Daniel chapter 2 the object is the head to toe dream image of a human-like figure which is described in detail; head, arms legs, etc. However, the description of the golden object in Ch. 3 is a different type of structure.
The dimensions of the Ch. 3 image support the obelisk definition. The measurements are given as 60 cubits by 6 cubits across. We see that it is 10 times longer (higher) than it is wide. These are not the dimensions of any living creature, except perhaps a “Serpent”. Further, dimensions are commonly given by a set of three i.e. length x width x height., here, 60 x 6 x 6. (I was surprised to notice simplified form of 666 when I typed this example.) However, a symmetrical shape like a circle would need only two as Daniel offers. Also, a shape like an obelisk can be described with two dimensions where the base is a square shape so any edge at the base would be the same. Another concept which is strongly contained in the word “tselem” is “overshadowing” or overstretching. The work of God is represented within this notion. This is the language used to describe the presence of God over Mount Sinai. Also, this is the description of the presence of the angel over Mary. However, in the pagan sense the connotation is more physical. Since this is a pagan structure, the symbolism is relevant.
Let’s look at Daniel’s description further. He says the image is set up in the “plains of Dura”. The word for “plain” is H1236 and the note references H1237. The word for “Dura” is H1757 and references H1753, which also references H1752. Please look these up on your own so you can draw your own conclusions. I will say that it seems to be a reference to something like some African tribes’ coming of age dances. The point in this writing is to reference the frame of mind of those who “worship” this image and that it is “intimately” connected to the fall of man and the corruption of mankind’s DNA.
So, my first conclusion is that this image is an obelisk. To test my theory I researched one of the more famous obelisks, the Washington Monument. I know it is listed as 555 feet tall. To confirm my theory it must be 55 feet wide at its base. It is! Nebuchadnezzar’s version would be 90-100 feet tall and 9-10 feet at it’s base. While smaller, it is made of GOLD.
Jesus’ words from Mark 13:
13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
Then Daniel 11:
31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place (H5414) the abomination that maketh desolate.
32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
Then Genesis 3:
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave (H5414) also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
H5414. nathan, naw-than'; a prim. root; to give, used with great latitude of application (put, make, etc.):--add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, X avenge, X be ([healed]), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit consider, count, + cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute do, X doubtless, X without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up). + sing, + slander, strike, [sub-] mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, + weep, X willingly, + withdraw, + would (to) God, yield.
For a few years I have seen Daniel as a type of the 144,000. He was a young Hebrew male (eunuch) made a bond servant to the king. Likewise, the 144,000 are described as bond servants during the Great tribulation. They are sealed to God while those preaching or holding the Word are under great persecution. How similar this is to Daniel in the lion’s den. Also, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the furnace and escaped unharmed, though others died. These three have all of the qualifications of Daniel for the 144,000.
The golden image set up by Nebuchadnezzar was the cause of the persecution of the furnace. During Exodus the unfaithful worship a golden calf idol. In Daniel the people worship around a golden image of an obelisk.
We spend more time in Mathew looking at end-time prophecy, but in Mark we see something not in Mathew. In verse 13:14 Jesus says the abomination of desolation will stand “where it ought not”. The word for stand does indicate something vertical. Is an obelisk the abomination of desolation and the instrument of the corruption of mankind? I am not sure, but this IS an idol image referenced by Daniel. Where should it not stand? The Holy Mountain of the temple mount is a likely location. In Revelation, Jerusalem is called several unholy things, so idols would be fitting in that area, but not on Zion/Mt. Moriah. Please see the link to a Jerry Golden research article with several pictures. The article examines the Supreme Court building which has a view of the old city. Perhaps someday an unholy alliance will set up an obelisk in view of this building.
Here is a link to a report on Rense.com. It is an article written by Jerry Golden for the GoldenReport.com dated 11-17-3. Reading this article will help you understand the world in which we live AND how government has been corrupted worldwide.
http://rense.com/general44/gikdeb.htm