Where did the Fourth 'Man' go?

In my recent study of the Book ‘When God Doesn’t Make Sense’ written by Dr James Dobson, there is this lesson I learnt and would love to share…
‘
Daniel 3:21,25,26  

21 Then these [three]men were…cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 
25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.  

26 …Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.  


In this Biblical story, which I believe we are familiar with, of the three Hebrew friends who refused to bow down to the image of king Nebuchadnezzar, and were in turn punished for it by being thrown into a furnace of fire.
The catch is this, 3 of them were thrown into it (vs 21); when the king looked into the fire, four men were seen (vs 25); and when he ordered them to come out, only the three friends did (vs 26).
Where’s the fourth man, where did he come from, where did he go to?
Several times in the scriptures, we are told that the journey of the Christian isn’t a ‘rosy’ one, that there will be series of ‘furnace experiences’. But alongside the warnings, we also were assured of comfort in the midst of it.
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
– John 16:33b
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
-          2 Corinthians 1:5
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
-          Isaiah 43:2
and many more instances
First point to note here is that whenever tribulation comes, God’s presence in the midst of it isn’t to save us from the trial, but instead to take us through it.
The ‘fiery furnace’ experience of any Christian, as told us by God’s word, will be characterized by the presence of God.
Now back to the earlier question, the fourth ‘man’ in the furnace, whose ‘form looked like that of the Son of God’, was actually in that fire even before Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego got into it, and he remained there after they left. This I believe is an assurance to us that whenever it’s our turn to go through the furnace, He is ALREADY THERE.
And if anyone is in any seemingly hopeless situation right now that has got you doubting God’s love for you, well, here’s His word for you this day, He’s never left you, He’s presence is right with you to see you through it, and just like Job, you should confess that;
when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10)

STAY BLESSED


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