Daniel 9-10, 12
H - “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. 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. 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. 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.” - Daniel 12:1-4
E - During the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia, when Daniel was very old, he received a vision about the end of history. He was greatly loved by God and through his loyalty to God earned the privilege of being given this vision. The angel Gabriel tells him that there will one day be a time of great trouble for Daniel's people, Israel. But the believing remnant of Israel will be delivered, those who are written in the book, probably a reference to the book of life (Revelation 20:15). Then there will be a great resurrection, with some going to everlasting life, and others going to shame and everlasting contempt. Some of those going to everlasting life will shine very brightly because they were wise and turned many to righteousness through the gospel message. Finally, Daniel is told to seal the information he has received until the end. Between Daniel's day and the end of history, many shall run this way and that, and knowledge shall increase. This is probably a reference to scientific and technological knowledge, but it also might be a reference to the progressive revelation contained in the rest of the Old Testament and the New Testament.
P - Father, I pray that myself and those around me will be wise and turn many to righteousness. May we be dedicated to your view of history, fully believing these prophecies about the ultimate end will occur. May we not doubt these words but totally accept them because they are from you. Thank you that you are supreme over human history, and that your plan is being carried out. Give us courage to stand for the Lord Jesus Christ in our evil day. Thank you that by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus alone we will awake to everlasting life. Thank you that simply through faith in Jesus, our names are written in the book of life, and that we will be together with you forever and ever in the new heavens and earth. Amen.
- Jeff Coleman