The Righteous Shall Rise

This is the final chapter in the book of Daniel. As we study chapter 12 we see that Michael shall stand up and represent the children of thy people, all those who are written in the book of life. In the time of trouble everyone who does not receive the mark of the beast will be saved (verse 1). All those who sleep or have died as believers in God and His son will be raised up to everlasting life in heaven or non-believers will be thrown into everlasting shame and contempt in hell (verse 2-3). Verse 4 Daniel is told to shut up the words and seal the book because no one knows the time of the end while knowledge increases. Verse 5-6 Daniel sees two standing on opposite sides of the river talking while one is talking to one who stands above the waters which could indicate Jesus or God. The question posed is “how long to the end of wonders?” Verse 7 gives the response of a times, times and a half-time which is seven years of tribulation. Verse 8-9 Daniel hears the words but cannot understand them. The angel then tells Daniel that words are closed up and sealed till the end of the times so go away for now. Verse 10-11 Depict what the people will be like in this time of the prophecy: many shall be purified, made white and tried. The wicked shall do wicked things but no wicked will understand, but the wise will understand. From the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, the abomination of desolation gets set up, 1290 days will have passed. Verses 12-13 blessed are those who wait 1335 days and do not fall to the pressures of Satan. Again Daniel is told to go his way until the end. Rest and stand strong until the end of days.

Throughout the book of Daniel he was blessed by God and given the opportunity to decipher the many dreams during his time in Babylon. God used Daniel because Daniel was obedient to the Father. God allowed Daniel to gain more knowledge and wisdom because he sought the truth. Daniel was obedient until the end. God will use those who are willing to be used who seek God through prayer on a daily basis. There are times that God will even use the unwilling, just take a look at Jonah’s disobedience and his stubbornness against God. God has a way of getting our attention and to get His message out to each one of us. God deserves all glory in all that we do and our praises to Him should resonate throughout the world.

If you are someone who believes God does not know the future, then you are someone that does not know God. Our belief in God is given to us through Him and scripture. As scripture tells us that our faith comes from God (Romans 12:3). Our faith is strengthened by the events in our lives that can only be explained by the intervention of God through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Every time we pray and God answers our faith increases. Every time we see a miracle occur our faith increases. Every time we experience an unexplained event our faith increase. These events are ways that God uses to prove that He is God and through our faith our relationship with God grows stronger. We see this in the prophetic word of God. Every time we read in God’s word that prophecy was fulfilled our faith will also grow. Twenty seven percent of the bible is considered to be prophetic (Payne, J. B., The Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy, Baker Pub. Group, 1980, p. 675). Within that 27 percent which is about one in four verses. In that there are 1817 prophecies listed (ibid, pg. 674).

One of the most important prophecies fulfilled in the bible is the birth of the Messiah Jesus (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 53:4-5). If we believe these scripture are prophetic, then why would we not believe the vision that Daniel had in chapter 10-12 is also prophetic? There are still prophecies that are going to be fulfilled like the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17); The tribulation (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15-22) and the resurrection of the saved and unsaved (Daniel 12:1–3; 1 Corinthians 15:20–23; Revelation 20:11–15) just to name a few. If we believe the full depth and breadth of the word of God is true and without error then we believe that the prophetic word of God is true and without error. We can no longer walk a fine line between the full truth and half-truth when reading and studying God’s word. If we cherry pick God’s word into categories of truth and half-truth then we are compromising His word and our beliefs. Satan wants you to believe that the bible has errors and half-truths and will cast doubts so you may stumble in your walk with Christ.

My prayer is that we do not stumble when it comes to our life with Christ. When we do stumble we seek the Lord to pick us up and course correct us in our thinking so we may always stay on His path of righteousness. I pray that we would continue to allow God to work in us and work through us so we may sit with Him in heaven for eternity. In Jesus Mighty Name I pray Amen! Amen!