(Daniel 12:1-13)
“Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4 But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. 6 And someone said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” 7 And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. 8 But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” 9 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time. 10 Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. 11 And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days! 13 But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
For the Israelites to have their promised land, seed and blessings - in full - they must, as a nation, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and accept Him as their Messiah, King and Savior! And this will only happen at the end of the Tribulation (the remaining seven years of the Jewish Age), when they see the signs of Jesus' second coming (which are the judgments prophesied in Revelation).
Verses 1-2 briefly describe the judgement of nations, which will occur at the end of the Tribulation. This is when Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25) - the believers from unbelievers. The unbelievers are removed from the earth, and all those who became believers during the Tribulation will remain and go with Jesus, who will set up the Millennial kingdom and fulfill all covenants with Israel.
For the Israelites to have all covenants fulfilled, according to the Abrahamic covenant, there has to be perfect obedience, according to the Mosaic covenant. And according to the Davidic covenant, there needs to be a righteous and everlasting King on their throne. In God's great plan, He chose Israel to be "the missionaries" to the nations, so that all people could see God's power and blessings, and come to believe in Him! But over the years, and when Jesus came the first time, they as a nation rejected the Lord and crucified Him.
This exactly parallels the spiritual condition of every human being. We are all born into sin, fall short of God's glory, and are deserving of death and punishment. But, God desires that all come to know Him as their personal Savior, Lord and King, so that He can give us land (heaven), seed (fruitfulness) and blessings (eternal joy). This is why He came in flesh, to take our place in death and punishment, in order to pay the price for all sin, of all time!
The Lord Jesus did all of this, so that anyone who puts their faith and trust in Him, will be forgiven of all their sins, and be saved. In His salvation, we are covered in the righteousness of Jesus... spiritually reborn, and adopted into the family of God! God is holy and cannot have a relationship with sin. Therefore, to be a legitimate child, we must share His DNA!!! It should be very obvious why we cannot earn our own way to heaven. And it should be very obvious why Jesus is the only way!
Like Daniel, as believers, God has given us purpose and spiritual gifts, in order to serve the Lord, and others... to share God's word and His the message of salvation, to teach, edify and encourage... all in the Lord's love, strength and guidance. Wherever we find ourselves, we are all called to be "missionaries". And just like with Daniel, we are told not to worry about anyone or anything! God is sovereign, and He has a plan which He will carry out, all in His timing. As well, God is love and cares about us, even if and when God's plan seems overwhelming.
Notice in verse 13, when Daniel is basically told not to worry! Because he was an Israelite, he truly desired to be there when God fulfilled all of their covenants. But with all of this information he was hearing, because he was a believer, he realized that he would not be part of the desolations of the Tribulation, no matter when this would happen. So, how would he ever be able to experience the wonderful promises of land, seed and blessings here on earth? Well...
God is so amazing. And He wants us to be encouraged, and He wants to bless us. Therefore, the Lord gave this message to Daniel (and for everyone to read)! For Daniel, and all Israelites who believed in the Lord and have died already, they will - in their glorified bodies - see and enjoy what God has promised (along with all other believers before the "rapture"). And then those becoming believers in the Tribulation and dying before the seven years are finished, they too - in their glorified bodies - will see and enjoy what God has promised, here on earth, and then in heaven for all eternity!
This certain hope, in itself, is an amazing blessing, and a great encouragement!
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