Hello Friends!
Welcome Back! Let’s continue our study of “Daniel’s Devotion” from 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 <><