parables: nebuchadnezzar and the flag
King Nebuchadnezzar made a flag, and set it upon every building. A herald proclaimed, “You are commanded, O people, that when you hear the sound of the anthem, you are to stand up and pledge allegiance to the flag.”
But there were certain people who did not heed the king’s command. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. Martin Luther King Jr refused to be still. Colin Kaepernick refused to stand.
Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage ordered them to be brought before him. “Is it true that you did not stand and pledge allegiance to the flag? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the anthem, stand. If you do not pledge allegiance, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace; and who is the god that will deliver you out of my hands?”
But they replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you 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 your hand, O king.” Rosa Parks stated, “I will not give up this seat at the front of the bus.” Martin Luther King Jr stated, “I will not stop marching for justice.” Colin Kaepernick stated, “I will not stop kneeling.”
Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury. He ordered them to be thrown into the fiery furnace. And they fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.
And they knelt in the midst of the flames, singing hymns to God and blessing the Lord.
On my knees when the light pass’d by
I thank God I’m free at last
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He said to his counselors, “Did we not cast three people bound into the fire?” They answered the king, “True, O king.” He answered, “But I see four people loose, kneeling in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”