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We have been reading from the Book of Daniel for the past few months. Among the prophecies in Daniel, we have focused on the coming of the Messiah and what he will do. In chapter 3, we read about how King Nebuchadnezzar threw Daniel’s three friends into a fiery furnace because they would not bow to his statue. If you were here during that message, I’m sure you remember the story. God miraculously protected Daniel’s three friends and rescued them. As the king said in 3:25, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” This “son of the gods,” as the king called him, can be understood to be Jesus Christ before his incarnation as a human. This was one of the encouraging messages from the book of Daniel: that the Savior walks with us in the midst of great difficulties.
Today we will look at chapter 12 of the book of Daniel. In chapter 12, verse 6, we see the Savior described as a man “clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river.” This Savior walks with us through our trials. This is theme of today’s message.
But first, let me briefly summarize the moments in which the Savior is mentioned in the book of Daniel. One is 2:45, which says, “This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces.” This rock refers to the coming of the promised Savior. This rock is Jesus Christ who was born during the time of the Romans and came to establish the kingdom of God. And as I mentioned earlier, chapter 3 also shows the Savior appearing to rescue Daniel’s friends from the fiery furnace. Next, in chapter 6, God protected Daniel when he was thrown in the lions’ den. When King Darius saw this miracle, he said of Daniel’s savior in 6:27, “He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” The Savior has the power to rescue us.
Then, from chapter 7, we see the Savior at the center of history (see 7:13, 14). This Savior will one day destroy the Antichrist who opposes him. The fall of the Antichrist is the theme of chapters 8 and 11. In the context of this struggle during the end times, the preincarnate Jesus appears, clothed in linen. Linen clothing is a mark of a priest. The great high priest, our Savior Jesus, stands in the center of great changes in history. And that is another important message from the book of Daniel (10:5).
The Savior speaks to us believers in the midst of our trials and hardships. We see this in chapter 12. So now, let us read chapter 12 closely. Verse 1: “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.” Daniel says that in the end times, there will be a time of great trouble. However, “everyone whose name is found written in the book will be delivered,” therefore, all believers who endure their trials will be saved, promises Daniel. In Revelation chapter 20, verses 12 and 15 mentions “the book of Life” which contains names of those whose salvation is secure. Moving on to verse 2: “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” The multitudes who sleep refer to those who have died before; and those who lost their lives for the faith will be brought back to life. Verse 2 also mentions everlasting life and everlasting contempt; in the Old Testament there are very few references to resurrection of the dead, and Daniel is the first to mention eternal life. Next, verse 3 says, “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” There are many who will be made righteous; and among them are those who proclaim the good news of hope and forgiveness from sin and reconciliation with God. They will be blessed.
Moving on, verse 5 says there were two messengers, one on each side of a river. Verse 6 says that above the water of the river was a man dressed in linen, and the messengers asked him: “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?” These astonishing things are the events of the end times. That is, the attack of the Antichrist on the Beautiful Land. The persecution of believers. And judgment upon the Antichrist. Then, the man in linen lifted his hand and swore by God the Father and Creator. He answered in verse 7, “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.” Previously we read about this concept: the time, times, and half a time adds up to 3.5 years, a number that represents a period of great trials and hardships. This difficult time will surely come before God puts an end to evil. This time of trial will not last forever. Three-and-a-half is half of seven, the perfect number, so it represents the idea of a limited and uncertain period of time (see 7:25). The main idea is that God will allow his faithful to be persecuted during the end times. Furthermore, in verse 10, “Many 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.” During this persecution, believers will be purified, made spotless, refined, and therefore made fit for the work of God. This will also happen during the end times. Brothers and sisters, our Savior will allow these things to happen.
Although the period of 3.5 years will bring great trials, it will be followed by God’s righteous judgment, the end of this world, and the creation of the new heavens and earth, where God’s people will live. These 3.5 years are not literally 3.5 years but symbolic. Verse 11 mentions the number 1,290 days; and then verse 12 says, “Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.” In fact, 1,290 days adds up to 3 years and 7 months. Meaning that the trials will be longer for some people. Adding 45 days, we get 1,335 days; blessed are those who reach the end of that period. In other words, Daniel tells us that the person who endures to the end of persecution will be blessed. Lastly in verse 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.” Until the end of your life, walk with God faithfully. And end your earthly life with hope. The kingdom of God will come, and you will live with him forever—that is the message here.
Let us now read from three passages in the New Testament. Let us believe in Jesus Christ, overcome our trials, and fix our eyes on the prize of eternal life as we walk with him. Because Jesus is the great high priest who walks with us in this life.
Matthew 24:4-13:
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
1 Corinthians 10:13:
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Romans 5:3-5:
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
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