Some thoughts from the witness of Daniel and his companions. See also 1
John 4:4 and 5:19. The first six chapters of Daniel illustrate very beautifully the word
of Paul in Phil. 2:15 about being "blameless and harmless, the sons of God... in the
midst of a crooked and perverse nation". Daniel and his companions certainly
"shone" as "lights in the world" when set in the midst of a devil-controlled Babylon,
and, as such, they can teach us many vital principles relative to such a witness in our
day.

Many such "principles" could be cited, but the OUTSTANDING one is that this
witness was being given by what we could call "Resurrection Men". To use the words
of Paul, they were continually "delivered unto death", -yet ever manifesting "Another
Life"! (See 2 Cor. 4:11). There was the fiery furnace (chapter 3), and the den of
lions (chapter 6), -each a virtual "death" in itself, yet leading on to "resurrection".
Even before that, we remember how they positively flourished when they were under
the eye of Melzar in the king's palace (chapter 1). They had deliberately chosen the
way of threatening "death", yet emerged with the glow of Abundant Life. And, even
before that, again, when they first survived the destruction of Jerusalem, emerging
from the burning city, they were like "resurrection men".

This, we suggest, is the BAS1C and All pervading Principle if we, in OUR day,
are to be part of God's true LIGHT in the world's darkness, certainly if we are to be
seen as HIS "Testimony" amidst the decadence of today's "Babylon", or, shall we
say, "unspiritual religion" of ANY kind. We have to be men of the Cross; -His Cross,
and thereby MEN OF RESURRECTION; -and, most of all, in an INWARD sense; -our
own strengths crucified, our own wisdom set aside, and CHRIST our ALL in ALL!
Resurrection means an "old man" crucified, and Christ discovered as the Great Divine
Replacement; -it is blessing through brokenness.

This, we see, is the clear teaching of God's Word regarding the Church; -it is
created to be the expression of Christ's own resurrection. Years ago, we heard it said
that the ONE WORD which characterizes the true Church is the word
"RESURRECTION", and that we have seen is true! But, first of all, it means that
individuals must "take up-the cross", in this INWARD way, discovering the
blessedness of Romans Six,

"Dying with-Jesus, -by death RECKONED mine; Living with Jesus a New Life
Divine" (See Rom.6:11). Thank God for the Holy Spirit Who works all this
progressively into us -as we "believe"! And this is the way for "assemblies" as well as
individuals, -and thus God secures His "Light in the Darkness', His way of touching
"Babylon"!

And, how encouraging that God got this "Witness" in those who were but
YOUNG men; -perhaps little more than teenagers in Danie1's day! O for such a
FRESH witness in OUR times! O for young Joshuas who can complete the work of
Moses, and young Timothys who can re-echo, in the Spirit, the messages of Paul!
The history of young Daniel and his companions teaches us that "God is able". May
the Lord do it in our day!

C.R.G.