Saturday, March 7, 2015

Daniel’s Devotion (Part 10)



Hello Friends!

Welcome Back! Let’s continue our study of Daniel’s Devotionfrom God’s Word…

Daniel’s Devotion (Part 10)

The 12th chapter of Daniel's prophecy does have verses that are difficult to discern. However, most are quite easy to explain and understand. Daniel begins this chapter with a prophecy of a "time of trouble" and how evil the world will be at "that time" during the last half – 3½ years – of the Seven Year Tribulation Period:

At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book – Daniel 12:1

The phrase "such as never was since there was a nation" is describing the Jewish nation in that they will face "trouble" like never before in human history. This is an awesome statement if one is familiar with the entire 4,000-year history of the Jews. In fact, it will be so bad that the Lord will dispatch the Arch Angel “Michael” to intercede and protect His "chosen people". "At that time" the Jewish people will be delivered from total destruction at the hands of the Satanic Trinity; “Satan”, “Antichrist and the “False Prophet” spoken of in the book of Revelation.

Then Daniel describes the "resurrection" of the "Old Testament saints":

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever – Daniel 12:2-3

These are those "wise" Old Testament Jews who trusted the Lord for their salvation during the time before the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. At this resurrection – end of the Tribulation Period and before the Kingdom Period begins – humankind from the Old Testament era will be resurrected from the dead – both those that had been saved and those that were "lost." The saved will be raised to "everlasting life" and will enter the Kingdom that was promised to the Jewish people. The lost will be held in “Hades” until the “Great White Throne Judgment“ when they will be raised to "everlasting contempt" and appear before Jesus Christ to be sentenced to the eternal death, and separation from God in the eternal “Lake of Fire”  spoken of in the book of Revelation chapter 20.

Daniel also verifies my opening statement that some of these prophecies are indeed difficult to discern:

Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things? Daniel 12:8

But Daniel was instructed “Go your way” and was assured that the “wise shall understand” when it was necessary but that “none of the wicked shall understand” in those days:

And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand – Daniel 12:9-10

The statement "the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end" seems to again reference the Apostle John's writings found in the book of Revelation

And finally Daniel was encouraged with this closing passage:

But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days – Daniel 12:13

Wow! This is also a tremendous promise for us as Christians today! As was true of the Prophet Daniel, at death we too “shall rest” and will enjoy our “inheritance at the end of the days…

May this 10-week overview of the prophecies of Daniel create in you a deeper desire to study the Word of God as it relates to Bible Prophecy – Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!

Thank you for reading! As you study the Bible in your walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I pray that you now a better understanding of God's "prophetic word" from the Prophet Daniel.

May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you with His perfect love, mercy and grace!

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

Blessings!
Shane <><

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