(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)
(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:
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:
Verses 1-2 briefly describes the judgement of nations which will occur at the end of the Tribulation (which is also the end of the Jewish Age) when Jesus separates the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25). Right after that, all believers still alive will go with Jesus, and He will set up the Millennial kingdom and fulfill all covenants with Israel. But before this can happen, Israel as a nation has to be believe in and accept Jesus as their Messiah. And this will only happen during the seven years of judgments, which are the signs of Jesus' second coming (Matthew 24).
For anyone to get into heaven, and for the Israelites to have all their covenants fulfilled - there has to be perfect obedience. Because we have a sinful nature, it is impossible for us to be perfectly obedient. This is why we need the Lord Jesus' salvation and help! He is the only way! It is His righteousness that covers us and protects us.
Notice in verse 13 that Daniel is basically told not to worry! Because he was a believer, he would not be part of the desolations of the Tribulation. Obviously, he wouldn't be, because there were many, many years before this would happen. And it is still to happen. But for 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 will - in their glorified bodies - see and enjoy what God has promised.
This certain hope should give all of us great encouragement.
No comments:
Post a Comment