Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Daniel 12

“At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
And there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
And at that time your people shall be delivered,
Every one who is found written in the book.
And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever." vv.1-3


Read chapter 12
The last chapter of the book of Daniel ends with the end of the kingdom revolt or tribulation.  At the end of chapter eleven we read how the antichrist's end will come and no one will help him.  The one who takes rule for a time will come to an end which is said to last a time, times and half a time in verse seven (possibly meaning 3 1/2 years: time (1) + times (2) + half a time (.5) = 3.5).  Michael, the angel, stands up to help God's people after this time of trouble. Michael isn't the one that stops the tribulation as that will be God but he aids God's people.  At this time there is a second resurrection (first one was at the start of the kingdom), some of those whom died during this tribulation time.  Notice it says those that sleep in the dust, not those who are in heaven, will awake.  These that are resurrected from this state of death are raised to either everlasting life or everlasting contempt.  So it's not just the righteous that are raised but both those who choose to follow and not follow Jesus Christ.  It doesn't say some to everlasting burning and torture, but contempt meaning aversion or abhorrence.  This is their feeling of abhorrence will continue forever.  Those that rise to everlasting life will shine bright like a star forever, they'll be "clothed with glory and immortality forever" (Benson's Commentary).  This is all still just being told to Daniel what is still to come and he is to seal these prophesies up until that time.  More detail of this end of the tribulation can be compared with Revelation 18-20.  Save yourself from future shame that lasts forever and turn to Jesus Christ now, that may seem shameful to this world now but the time is short compared to eternity.

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