Our pastor just concluded a study of the book of Daniel, and it has been very interesting. I encourage you to read the entire book of Daniel. It was written over a course of some 8 decades, beginning when he was just 16, a captive of King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians, and ending when he is in his late 80’s, still in captivity. Imagine spending almost your entire lifetime as a hostage! As Daniel has stood alone from age 16 in Daniel 1 to 87-88 years old in Daniel 12, God sustained him and He will sustain us. We need to have perseverance to the end, whether it is death or Christ’s return. Daniel stays strong in the faith of his fathers, despite the temptations offered him to turn from it. Would I be that strong? Would you? Sometimes I envy Daniel for the strength of his faith and his conviction. How did Daniel do it? He recognized One Master, One King, and it was the LORD. As we study God’s Word, our understanding will increase.
1 “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 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 Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness 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, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.” 5 Then I, Daniel, looked and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the river and the other on that bank of the river. 6 And one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” 7 I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, 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 shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. 8 As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, “My Lord, what will be the outcome of these events? ” 9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time. 10 Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. 11 From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days! 13 But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.” Daniel 12:1-13 NASB1995
Daniel’s vision has had many interpretations, but this is what I believe. The first three verses refer to the Rapture. Israel is in a “time of distress” and has been since it was reestablished as a nation in 1948. The Middle East remains in turmoil, and every day it seems to get worse, but we know that it will get much worse, because none of this passage will occur until after the Rapture of the living by Jesus.
The multitudes “who sleep in the dust of the ground” will be the second resurrection. Not their souls, but their bodies, because at the moment of death, our souls go immediately to either heaven, if saved, or to hades/hell, if unsaved. The first resurrection was Jesus, when He rose from the grave. As the Rapture gives the living their new bodies, then during the second resurrection the bodies of the saved from the church age will be resurrected, when the Old Testament believers and those saved during the tribulation will be resurrected. The last resurrection will be for those unsaved, who will be resurrected to everlasting shame. Remember, HELL IS EVERLASTING AND ETERNAL.
“And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:10 NASB1995
Much is said about the 1260, the 1290, and the 1335 days. The 1260 days = 3 1/2 year period of tribulation. For the best explanation of these days and what happens, listen to Dr. Mark Hitchcock’s sermon, A Happy Ending, http://www.faithbibleok.com. Read Jeremiah 30 and Revelation 16, if you want to know what it will be like for the second half of the Antichrist’s reign in the Tribulation. I don’t have any more of an inside scoop than anyone who reads the Scriptures, but I’m glad I won’t be here for all this.
What is my takeaway on this? Keep on living until the end, do your business, then you will die. What is our business? Promote our Saviour: Where is my focus, my money, my time, and my efforts? On the trivial and the trifling, or on Jesus?
We will rise in a glorified incorruptible body in Jesus ‘ new kingdom!
JESUS is the RESURRECTION and the LIFE. Do you believe it?
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