Think about the end. You have ended a residence and moved. Some have ended a relationship. Some have ended a job, a career. Most of us have lost loved ones. Daniel heard an angel tell when the world will come to an end (Daniel 12:8). Daniel did not fully understand, so he directed his question to one who looked like the Christ. That answer included a comforting statement to Daniel, that his life’s work was finishing. He would rest and rise to his reward at the end of time (Daniel 12:13). What is part of the legacy that you will be leaving?
INTRODUCTION
God brought judgment on Judah in 605 B.C. by giving them over to Babylon. Many of the people were resettled, including a teenager named Daniel. He became an aide to King Nebuchadnezzar. God rewarded Daniel’s faith and prayer life by giving him wisdom, discernment, and visions of the future.
Daniel served as advisor to three successive kings as nations rose to power and fell. God gave him visions of kingdoms far beyond his time. The Book of Daniel is his record of these prophecies and those which became part of history. Chapter twelve reveals more of the visions seen during the beginning of the reign of Darius in 539 B.C.
There were continuous power struggles after the death of King Alexander the Great in 331 B.C. These were wars between the Kings of the North and Kings of the South. Evil King Antiochus attacked Jerusalem on the Sabbath, slaughtered civilians, and desecrated their temple. He was a type of Antichrist who is expected to rule the revived Roman Empire at the end of the church age. Are terrorist acts a sign of end times?
GOD SENDS HIS ARCHANGEL
Daniel 12:1 “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.” (NASB)
The angel Gabriel revealed what follows as the Antichrist ruler turns on Israel during the great tribulation.
- Everyone whose name is found written in the Book of Life will be delivered. (Romans 11:26).
- Multitudes sleeping in the dust of the earth awake: either to everlasting life or to judgment. (Revelation 20:12).
- Those who have insight and faith in God’s Word will be leaders and shine brightly (Daniel 11:33-35).
- Any who influence others for righteousness will shine, reflecting God’s glory as their reward (1Corinthians 3:8). What can you do to help others escape the tribulation at the end of the church age? (Revelation 3:10)
HOW LONG WILL THE TRIBULATION LAST?
Daniel 12:5-6 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. 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?” (NASB)
These were two angels whom Daniel had not seen before. The man in linen was Christ standing on the waters (Daniel 10:5). Christ responded that the end would come in 1,290 days, three and one-half years after the Antichrist finishes shattering the power of the holy people. (Daniel 9:24-27). This cycle begins when the Antichrist takes away the daily sacrifice in the restored temple (Daniel 9:27, 11:31, Matthew 24:15). Have you seen in history a leader exalt himself as a god and then persecute the people?
CHRIST ENCOURAGES DANIEL AND US
Daniel 12:12-13 “Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. 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)
The 1,290 days end the tribulation, the extra 45 days includes the transition into God’s millennial kingdom. How can you be assured of being transitioned? (Luke 23:42)
A PRAYER
Almighty God, thank you for carrying me through these past years. Please give me assurance I will be saved from the coming tribulation. I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen!
