The fiery furnace and fire represent the seriousness of God's judgment on the wicked. In the Old Testament, fire often represents God’s anger against sin and destructive judgment (Psalms 11:6; 18:8; 50:3; 68:2; 78:21; 79:5; 80:16; 89:46; 97:3; 104:4; 140:10; see Isaiah 66:24).