Daniel probably was in his late 80’s nearing the end of his life here on earth at the time of this writing. It is a frightening book but ends in an assuring way. The prophecies are deep and full of meaning. We’re living near the time that the things written in this book will be unsealed. The judgment of God will culminate seven years after the opening. The Lord told Daniel to write it down, seal it up, and it has been sealed for 2,400 years now.
God gave him a promise. He told Daniel to continue on and one day at the end of days he would stand in his lot and see home again. This is an encouragement to us too. Stand and hold your position and relationship with God. If you do that, one of these days you will stand in your own lot.
Daniel 12: 2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. 8And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. 12Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 13But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
Israel had been captured and many people were taken into Babylon, modern-day Iraq. It was a low moment spiritually for Israel, but God moved. He manifested himself in Babylon. He used Shadrach, Meschach, Abednego, and Daniel mightily. Daniel’s visions of Babylon and the world system, then and through the ages, is given. Kings had dreams which Daniel interpreted. God also gave him visions, glimpses into the future to our own present day. His visions culminated with the coming of the anti-Christ, a one-world government and religion, to the final battle. It was all written down in the book.
In verse 2 the resurrection is mentioned. In verse 4 he was told to seal the book. We’ve seen the greatest advancement of knowledge and movement that’s ever been seen in recent years. Verse 4 says many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. We know about the false prophet and how he’ll work. Today’s headlines from the changing Middle East and the Occupy Movement in the US are all working toward a one-world system. Daniel speaks of many of these Middle Eastern countries. We can see with our own eyes how it is beginning to unfold. We know it won’t happen fully until the rapture of the church. The anti-Christ will be revealed, and it will all come together. One event could bring it to pass. People are being conditioned for it. In verse 8 he asked when the end shall be. The Lord told him not to worry about it. We read in Revelation about the opening of the book. No one was worthy to open the book and the seals thereof except for the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. The end of days begins when Jesus opens the book. It’s hard to imagine the end, but Peter was hastening to and looking for the Day of the Lord. I won’t pretend to have a handle on knowing how it will be. We shouldn’t worry about it either. We’ll be safe. The time is coming and now is that men are afraid of what they’re seeing. These are scary times. It’s easy to feel uncertain.
Regardless of how things look and turn out, we have no control over matters. We must trust in the God who does have control of all things. Stand in your lot. Daniel and the three Hebrew children decided not to go along with the Babylonian way of life. Kings came and went. Daniel came to the country as a young boy; now he is an old man. He was still standing for the Lord. Kings had honored him. Those things didn’t matter to Daniel. God was important. He kept standing in his place for the Lord.
Before the trumpet sounds, we may all suffer for being a Christian. There is increasing animosity to the Bible and Christianity. It’s a sign of the times. We may have our own fiery furnace ahead. Christianity and the Bible are practically outlawed. It’s an upside down world. Daniel and the other men kept on going. Now he could rest in his blessings and was told he would stand in his lot at the end of his days. That’s our promise too. Don’t cave in. Don’t deny the Lord. Daniel didn’t give in while out of his home country in a wicked land. He found that he was in the wicked land, but it didn’t have to be in him. The same goes for us.
The end of days is coming. The uninterrupted continuance of things will soon see its last day. The day will be one long span of indescribable divine judgment. The book will be unsealed, then opened. I don’t want to be here when these judgments are poured out upon the earth. Wickedness will rally, and the Lord will descend from heaven and fight the battle. Blood will be up to the horses’ bridles. How much more diligent we should be because we know this.
Over in Iraq somewhere are the remains of Daniel. He stood for the Lord. One day those who sleep in the dust will awake to life while some will awake to judgment. Daniel died standing for the Lord. Even Job knew somehow he’d stand again. Hold the fort. Keep occupying your space. One day the wicked will be in the lake of fire. We will stand in our lot. It will be worth it!
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 