6-9-14. Daniel 12:1-13. THOSE WHO ARE WISE WILL SHINE-my devotional

Key Verse: 12:3                                                                                                      Kevin E. Jesmer

“And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

 First, God’s People Will Be Delivered (1-3).

Verses 1-3 read, “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

At the time of the end there will be great distress (1; Mt 24:21). Jesus talks about the signs of the end of the age. They are truly terrible times. I think the worst case scenarios today are the conflicts that arise between Muslim and Christian populations in third world countries. That kind of environment is close to the signs of the end of the age. Maybe, a Christian flung into a North Korean prison camp would be another scenario. There is a whole lot of distress in the world today. I don’t think it is as bad as the End Times, yet, it is heading in that direction in so many countries. I believe things will get worse for the majority of earth’s inhabitants, especially with the advent of global warming. Whatever happens, I just hope, by the grace of Jesus, that I could stand firm in my faith and help others to stand firm in theirs.

Though the times will get unbearably tough for many, God’s people-whose names are written in the book of life-will be delivered (Rev 21:27). Multitudes who are dead will awake: to everlasting life or to shame and everlasting contempt (2; Jn 5:28-29). There is hope. There is hope for everlasting life in the Kingdom of God. There is hope for all persecuted Christians in this world, even those facing execution in some third world prison. I have 15 years left until I am considered a senior citizen and can get senior discounts at local restaurants. I have 30 years before I am silver gray and a great grandpa. But do I despair? No. Because I know that my name is written in the book of life and will be delivered from this world.

What should we do as we endure hardships and await our resurrection? Wise people will lead many to righteousness; they will shine like stars for ever and ever (3). Leading many to righteousness means that we lead many to a right relationship with God. This means leading them to Jesus, for Jesus is our righteousness. Jeremiah 33:16 reads, “In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” If I am wise, I would pray to that God may work through me, to lead many to Christ, so that they may be made righteous through faith in Christ. This entails being missional. It means intentionally reaching out. It means depending on God to touch the hearts of those we are praying for. It will also require some sacrifices to be made. But it is worth it, for people will come to saving faith in Christ. They will be saved unto eternity and be healed and blessed. We, who are sowing seeds of faith will shine like stars forever. There is such a thing as treasures in heaven.

Second, “Go Your Way” (4-13).

Verses 4-13, “4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” 5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. 6 And someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. 8 I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” 9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. 13 But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”

Daniel was told to seal the scroll of this book. How long would it be until these things were fulfilled? It would be three and a half times, and when the power of the holy people has finally been broken. Daniel didn’t understand. He asked, “What will the outcome be?” He was told, “Go your way, Daniel…until the time of the end.” Many would be purified and refined. The wicked wouldn’t understand, but the wise would understand. Daniel would rest and then rise to receive his allotted inheritance.

There are many things that we don’t understand in God’s redemptive plan. We especially don’t know times and dates when Jesus will come again. It is not meant of us to know. Matthew 24:36 reads, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” There are many things to do as we wait. From the previous section, we learn that we must have confidence that our names are written in the book of life, this involves remaining in Jesus. We must grow in God’s wisdom and lead many to righteousness. From this section we learn a few more things that we should be engaged in. Verses 9-10 read, “9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.”  And verse 13. Let’s dissect these things.

1. “Go your way, Daniel”  We need to, in the famous words of the band, Fleetwood Mac, “Go Your Own Way.” This means that we need to find God’s will for our own lives and family and walk in the way that God has ordained for you. Seeking and finding God’s will upon your life is one of the most important things that you can do.

2. “Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined,”  We are sinners and incorrigible at that. We can never make ourselves holy. But is there a way? Yes. It is to repent and come to Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. It involves remaining in Jesus’ love through faith.

3. “but the wicked shall act wickedly.”  This means that we need to entrust unbelievers to God. If we get hung up on how many of our loved ones are headed towards eternal damnation, we will be rendered helpless as we cringe in the fetal position. We must entrust things to God and move forward in faith.

4. “but those who are wise shall understand.”  We need to remain in the word and continue to learn and grow spiritually.

5. “But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”  Keep the eternal hope alive and before us. What is the end result of our pilgrimage here on earth? Is it not spending eternal life in the Kingdom of God with our Savior Jesus, forever? Part of living in the last days is keeping the hope alive.

Prayer: I praise you Lord, for delivering me and writing my name in your book of life, by your grace and love. Work through  me to lead many to righteousness in you.

One Word: Live by faith in the last days