The Book of Daniel - part 14
Daniel 12 - The End is Beautiful
Today is a special day in the Christian Calendar, because it is Pentecost Sunday. On this day, we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples who then proclaimed the Kingdom of God and began what we call the Church Age. It is fitting that we are in the final chapter of Daniel today, not because Daniel foretells Pentecost, but because Daniel is recording the end of this age.
Daniel is prophesying the Day of Resurrection when all the dead will rise. Those who have been cleansed of their sin through Jesus Christ will rise to eternal life in the New Heaven and New Earth while those who have continued in their sin will rise to face their final judgement. What does that have to do with Pentecost?
It is through Jesus we can have forgiveness, and it is the Holy Spirit who purifies us and grants us eternal life. Pentecost is part of the fulfillment of Daniel’s vision. As we look at this final chapter in Daniel, we can rejoice because God has already made the way for all people to receive the blessings promised here available to any who call on Jesus.
A Time of Great Trouble & Deliverance : 12:1-3
“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above;[a] and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
The ESV and KJV have “many” which seems to indicate not everyone is resurrected, however the Hebrew word could be ‘many’ or ‘multitudes’ as the NIV has. The grammar from the Hebrew leads to the English “from the many who sleep”, but the NIV is bringing in the theology understood by the New Testament that teaches the resurrection will be for all—though some to life and others to condemnation. This subtlety in the translation is important so that we remember to let the Scripture speak for itself rather than impose our own beliefs into it. Likewise, by allowing for this ambiguity in the text, it reminds us what Paul says in 1 Cor. 13:9-12:
1 Cor 13:9-12
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
We have all the knowledge we need in Christ, but some questions, especially those regarding the future, we can only know through a dim mirror. There is a development of prophecy throughout Scripture, and the Day of the Resurrection is no different.
The Day of Resurrection is prophesied in the Old Testament and explained in the New Testament.
Isa. 26:19
Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise.
You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy!
For your dew is a dew of light,
and the earth will give birth to the dead
Ps 49:15
But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,
for he will receive me
Ps 71:20
You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
you will bring me up again.
Job 19:25-26
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God,
whom I shall see for myself,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
In the Old Testament we see inferences for the Resurrection, but in the New Testament, Jesus is very clear that the Resurrection event will happen. His own Resurrection is proof of the resurrection in store for all humanity.
John 5:28-29
Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Acts 4:2
And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
The hope we have as Christians is the coming resurrection. Because at that time, this world will be restored to its originally created condition. However, we know that the resurrection will not be wonderful for everyone. Those who have not surrendered to Jesus, received forgiveness of sin and eternal life will come back into this world just long enough to face their final judgement and condemnation. But:
For those who trust in Jesus Christ, the Day of the Resurrection will be the first day of eternity in the New Heaven and New Earth.
Instructions to Daniel : 12:4-10
4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” 5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. 6 And someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream,[b] “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. 8 I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” 9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
This section gives Daniel specific instructions, but it also gives us general principles to live by in this period of waiting.
First, Daniel is told to “seal up” the prophecy. This does not mean that he is to hide the prophecy, but rather the seal is to authorize and protect it. In those days, when a contract or imperial edict was created, the parties involved would make two copies. The first copy would be signed and then sealed with an official seal. It was usually a wax seal to prevent the original from being tampered with. The second copy would be used to enforce the contract, but if at any time there was a question regarding the authenticity of the contract, the parties could open the original.
By sealing the prophecy, the Lord and Daniel are confirming the authenticity of the source of the prophecy—it is delivered by God.
Second, the natural question for Daniel is “How long?” Unfortunately, we are given the relatively vague answer of “a time, times, and half a time.” But, the exact timing ends “when the shattering of the holy people is complete.” This ‘shattering of the holy people’ is consistent with previous foretelling of a time when God’s people will face an unprecedented persecution. It also aligns with the New Testament, especially 2 Thessalonians and Revelation, in which a world leader will arise who will bring an unprecedented persecution against the church.
Now, we do not know the exact timing of Christ’s return and fulfillment of this age, after all, Jesus Himself said that only the Father knows the timing of the End. But, from this passage and the teaching of Scripture, we can know that the time of persecution will culminate into a period in which God’s people will be scattered and whatever authority they hold in society will be gone.
But, praise the Lord, this time will be shortened, which coincides with the “half a time.” Mark 13:20 records Jesus’ promise that the time of persecution will be shortened for the sake of the elect.
Life Continues while we Wait : 12:10-13
10 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. 13 But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”
But, rather than lament the coming persecution, we should rejoice knowing that the trials to come also mean the coming of the New Heaven and New Earth. In fact, as we look at verse 10, we can rest in the knowledge that ‘many will be purified’. Those will be purified, will be purified. Those who continue in wickedness will continue in wickedness.
For us, today, we are left with with two points from this section:
First,
There is a great blessing for those who persevere to the End.
In the endless calculations that can occur in the number of days, and how to interpret history with the events described, do not lose sight of the fact God is purifying us and making us ready for the great blessing that comes after the Day of the Resurrection.
Second,
There is a marvelous, practical Truth to meditate upon in verse 13, “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”
We are to go our way until the end. What way is that? It is the way God has given you. Every single person has been designed with a unique set of talents, experience and knowledge that can be used in the Kingdom of God and to benefit this world. Continue in the path laid before you. Do the work God has given you. Then, you will rest until the time you receive the inheritance stored up for you.
When I began this series in Daniel, I stated the message of Daniel is just as important today in the 21st century AD as it was in the 6th century BC. Consider this last passage. As this age continues the march to its inevitable end, do not lose sight that God has granted us salvation from the impending disasters. We are given this time to purify ourselves from the present depraved generation and grow in the knowledge of our Creator and Savior. He, our Sovereign Lord, will fulfill His promises. And at the End of this Age, though it will end in horrible suffering, those who persevere, those whose names are written in the Book of Life, those who have trusted in the Christ who grants forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe, they are the ones who will enjoy the next age.
Today, while there is still time, purify yourself by going to the One who purifies. Trust in Christ for salvation, repent of your sin, and receive your allotted inheritance of eternal life. The Lord promises to give His Holy Spirit to all who believe, and in receiving the Spirit, you will receive eternal life and power to live as He designed you to live. The Holy Spirit is the first payment of the allotted inheritance waiting for you, if you will only believe and trust in the Risen Savior.