|
THE
END OF ALL THINGS
( Daniel
12)
…The Bible tells
us, “the end of a matter is better than its beginning.” This is certainly true
with many things in life. __School__ is better at the end than the beginning. The
same thing is true of a long project. The completion of it is better than its
start. This is especially true for the Christian. The best is __yet__ to come, for
the end of life as we know it will far exceed its beginning. I can’t wait to
see what life everlasting is all about.
…Daniel
12 not only wraps up the 4th and final
__vision__ Daniel received, but
more, it concludes this outstanding book.
How
important it is for us as Christians to live a godly life, like Daniel did, in
the midst of an increasing pagan day. Yes it is possible, and more it is God’s
__desire__ for us to do so.
TWO
PARTS OF DANIEL’S POSTSCRIPT UNFOLDING THE
__FINAL__ EVENTS OF LIFE AS WE KNOW IT.
I.
Daniel Was Encouraged To Hear of The Final Deliverance Of
Israel. (vv1-4)
A.
At this time
of the 70th week, the Great Tribulation, Daniel is told that the arch
angel, Michael would be __needed__ to help protect and deliver Israel. (v 1)
Gentile domination of Babylon would __not__ soon end. Persia, Greece and Rome would
follow. But at the appointed time in history’s darkest hour, Messiah will come
and reign forever! God rules!!
…This
time of great distress was the one
__Jesus__ told of in Matthew 24.
…Yet,
all those whose
__names__ are written in the book of life will be delivered…
B.
Daniel is told
of the bodily resurrection of all Israel, both the saved and the unsaved. V2-3
1.
__Some__ will be
resurrected to everlasting life. These are the saved. (v2) These will be
raised __before__ the 1000 year reign of Christ so that they will enter it.
…these
are the wise, who will shine like the sun…v 3…Matthew 13:43 (Rev20:4)
…”everlasting life”…this is the
__first__
time it appears in the Old Testament. Yet
it was not new, for it was Job’s hope (Job 19:25-27)
__Abraham__
had his hope in
it. (Hebrews 11:19) Isaiah had this hope (Isa 26:19), and so did David (Ps17:15)
…The New
Testament gives
__more__ details. 1 Corinth 15:23-24 gives the
__order__ of the
resurrection…1 Thess 4:13-18 tells that the church will be resurrected
__before__
this terrible time.
2.
The
__rest__ of
mankind would be resurrected to stand before the final judgment and cast into
the lake of __fire__. (v 2) This takes place
__after__ the 1000 year reign. This is
the “shame and everlasting contempt” mentioned. ( Rev 20:5)
C. Daniel
is told to secure his writing for another day. (v4) Many in that day will
frantically seek some knowledge that will
__help__ them understand the times.
Daniel’s book will help those in that day.
II.
Daniel Was Encouraged To Hear
The Final Instructions. (vv5-13)
…this
section closes with
__two__ questions being asked of Gabriel…the answers are
instructive for us.
A. The
first question is from an unnamed angel, “How
__long__ will it be before these
astonishing things are fulfilled?” (v.6) He is referring to Daniel 11.
Gabriel solemnly swears…”for 3 ½ years” and the final outcome of this will be
the __complete__ shattering of the power of the “holy people.” The Lord will use
Satan, Antichrist and all this distress for the purpose of bringing Israel to
the __end__ of themselves…and then they will cry out “blessed is He Who comes in the
name of the Lord.” Matthew 23:39
B. The
second question comes from __Daniel__…it
is not, how long…it is what will finally happen to my people? (vv8-13)
1.
Daniel is told
again that these words are for another day. “time of the end” v9
2.
There will be
God’s people, who will __trust__ God and study His word for understanding. There
will be the wicked, who will never understand the Bible.
3.
A final
reminder, there will be 1290 days from the time Antichrist seeks to be
worshipped in God’s Temple, until the coming of Jesus. V.11 Rev 19:11-16
4.
A
__blessing__
is given to those who make 1335 days, for this will begin the 1000year reign of
Christ.
5.
Daniel is
promised to rise again and receive his
__reward__ from God. (v13)
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1. What is the
secret for living for God in the last days: 1. Have faith in the Lord.
Trust Him 2. Know your Bible.
2. If you're not a
Christian, your future is horrible. There is only one answer. Christ died
to make the only payment for sin.
3. If you are
saved, at death you immediately go to Heaven. Your body will rest but your
soul will be taken right into the presence of the Lord forever and ever.
4. For now, we are
to live for the Lord. Lead others to know Christ.
|