Read Daniel 12:5-13
5Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. 6One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?"
7The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed."
8I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?"
9He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. 10Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
11"From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
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."(NIV)
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We come to the end of Daniel. And we see more timelines are given. Most people who have studied this at length believe that the timelines here are added to the 1,150 days spoken of in Daniel 8:14. There are two thoughts on these timelines. One had already passed and one is still to come. The one that has past related back to the time of the Maccabees when the temple was desecrated and then reestablished after the Maccabean revolt. This revolt was followed by a lengthy period of peace. The timeline is from persecution to peace.
Now others believe that this desecration of the temple is still to come. And it would not be inconsistent for a prophecy to speak to both now and something in the future. The passage in Isaiah about the virgin will give birth to a child has both an immediate prophecy and a long-term prophecy. The immediate was peace in the land coming soon. The long-term prophecy was about the Christ. So it is with many prophecies in the Bible.
But verse 12 is the real crux of all of the visions and interpretations. Blessed is the one who waits for and reached the end of days. Blessed are those who keep the faith. Blessed are those who believe. In this we remember the words of Jesus to Thomas after he said he believed upon seeing Jesus’ wounds. Jesus told Thomas, blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe. There is saving faith in our belief.
And verse 13 is the outcome of that belief. We see in the words the angel speaks to Daniel. Go on living as you have been living and you will rise at the end times to receive your inheritance. These two verses are the keys to living life. Believe in God through Christ and don’t sweat the big things most people worry about because God promises to you cannot be taken from you. Live as though you truly believe this.
Verse 10 reminds us that we are not alone on this journey. The angel says, “Many will be purified and made spotless and be refined.” We are not alone. And it is so true in life, there are wicked people and they just don’t see their wickedness. They don’t understand the power of faith and God in their lives. But we can live in assurance and thus have peace.
Does knowing God’s promises for you are true help you to live this life? Does your faith carry you through tough times? If yes, these are signs or our faith and the hope we have.
Questions and Comments?
Blessings and Peace
Pastor Harry