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Sunnyside Baptist Church "The Latter Days" Pt 6 Daniel 12:1-13
All right, good morning, everyone. Welcome to Sunnyside Baptist this morning.
We're glad that you're here to worship with us, to open the word together. As we get started this morning with a few announcements, excuse me, come back this evening for our evening service.
It's also when we're going to have our end of the year tag program. So I'll have a little bit more about that in just a second.
Looking ahead to this Wednesday, kind of a regular schedule there, meal at 545 and prayer and tag for the kids at 630.
Looking ahead to next Sunday, we'll have the Lord's Supper in the morning that morning and then in the evening, in lieu of having service here at the church, we'll have flock group meetings.
So get with your elder and see where you guys might be meeting together as groups.
And then we're about to hit the month of June here pretty quickly. So mugs and muffins on Saturday, June 4th for the ladies.
And then looking ahead to Sunday, June 5th, that's when our summer Sunday school sessions will begin that Sunday.
I mentioned the tag end of year fellowship tonight after the evening service, we will have a cookie fellowship and a brief presentation from our tag program, kind of presenting what they've been learning over the course of the year.
Feel free to invite family and friends to that. We would love to have them here. Also, if you weren't aware,
Dennis and Marsha Leeper have moved to Tennessee to be closer to family there, kind of needing some help, particularly with Dennis.
So their address, if you would like to send them a card or well wishes is there in the bulletin.
Also, time's running out to sign up for the Dodgers baseball game. There's a signup sheet out in the foyer on the bulletin board for that.
And then another thing related to summer, we've been doing it for several years now, summer
Bible reading plans. Those are available in printed form on the back table. So one for adults and then one for kids as well.
The kids one is just a little bit shorter. They don't have to read as much, but it does keep them kind of on the same schedule as the adults.
So any other announcements before we get started? All right.
Our fight or verse for this week comes from Proverbs chapter six, verses 20 and 21.
It says, my son, keep your father's commandment and forsake not your mother's teaching, bind them on your heart.
Always tie them around your neck. We're going to open with a time of prayer and then after we're done,
Dwight will open us in prayer. Father, I thank you and I praise you for your great love and mercy.
We have come together this morning to worship you and oh father, how worthy you are of our worship and our adoration and love and praise and thanksgiving.
How you've done so much for us through your son, the Lord Jesus, even while we were your enemies, ungodly, dead and trespasses and sins.
You sent your son and he willingly came and gave his life that we might have life and that we might come to know your great love and that through your son, the
Lord Jesus, we have access to your throne of grace and mercy and that we can come and receive grace and mercy anytime.
What a blessing. How worthy you are of our worship.
So father, I pray that you help us to give you all the praise and thanksgiving from our hearts this morning, that we might set our focus, our minds, our hearts on you and that we might thank you for your son, the
Lord Jesus, and the forgiveness that we have through your son, our savior. What a blessing to know your forgiveness and what a blessing to know that you have plans for us throughout the coming ages, throughout eternity, that your love is from everlasting to everlasting.
So help us to praise you this morning. And as we leave this place, may we be better witnesses for your son, the
Lord Jesus. In his name I pray, amen. It is good to praise the
Lord. It is good to gaze upon his majesty, to proclaim his love in the morn.
And his faithfulness at night.
Oh, it is good to worship and praise the
Lord. Join her in singing it together. It is good to praise the
Lord. It is good to gaze upon his majesty, to proclaim his love in the morning.
Oh, it is good to worship and praise.
Yes, it is good to worship and praise.
Lord. Would you stand with me for our call to worship passage?
We'll be reading out of Psalms, chapter 78, verses 7 through 20. And looking at the children of Israel when they were in the wilderness.
And there's sin there, but also how the Lord provided for them. Let's read together.
Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the
Most High in the desert. They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.
They spoke against God, saying, can God spread a table in the wilderness?
He struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed.
Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people? We're going to sing in our
Psalms for worship, page 78D, verses 8, 9, and 10.
And as you know, the Lord most certainly can provide for his people. Still they sinned, and from the
Most High turned. They tested God, demanding food and all for which they yearned.
They spoke against their God and said, can even
God provide a table in the wilderness that we may be supplied?
Behold, he struck the rock and out gushed streams of water sweet.
But can he give his people bread and furnish them with meat?
Because the Lord heard this, his wrath was kindled into flame.
On Jacob and on Israel his indignation came.
For they believe in God, nor trust his saving law.
But still he opened heaven's door, commanded skies above.
And laid his manna down on him from heaven, gave them bread.
And then the Duke of Angels, too, abondantly was fed.
And then page 3 of our regular hymnals, Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven.
Praise my soul, the
King of Heaven. His praise
I tribute to thee. Ransomed healed, restored forgiven.
Heaven -born, his praises sing.
Alleluia, alleluia. Praise the everlasting
King. Praise him for his grace that is just.
Praise him still, the same as ever.
Sown to joy and swift to blessing.
Frail as summer's flowery brush.
Blows the wind and it is gone.
But while mortals rise and perish.
God endures, unchanging
God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Praise the new angels in the highest two things.
Saints cry out, but bow before him.
Gather peace with us all.
Hello. Today I'll be reading from Isaiah 24, 14 through 23, using the
ESV. They lift up their voices, they sing for joy.
Over the majesty of the Lord, they shout from the west. Therefore in the east, give up glory, give glory to the
Lord. In the coastlands of the sea, give glory to the name of the Lord and the
God of Israel. From the ends of the earth, we hear songs of praise, of glory to the righteous one.
But I say, I waste away, I waste away, woe is me. For the traitors have betrayed, with betrayal the traders have betrayed.
Terror in the pit and the snare are upon you. O inhabitant of the earth, he who flees at the sound of the terror shall fall into the pit.
And he who climbs out of the pit shall be caught in the snare. For the windows of heaven are open and the foundations of the earth tremble.
The earth is utterly broken, the earth is split apart. The earth is violently shaken, the earth staggers like a drunken man, it sways like a hut.
Its transgression lies heavy upon it, and it falls and it will not rise again.
And on that day the Lord will punish the host in heaven and the kings of the earth on the earth.
They will be gathered together as prisoners in a pit. They will be shut up in a prison, and after many days they will be punished.
Then the moon will be confounded and the sun will be ashamed. For the
Lord of hosts reigns on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and His glory will be before His elders.
Please join me in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the grace that you've shown us here,
Lord, and the giving of your word, Lord, and revealing yourself to us. I pray that you'll bless the teaching of your word today and the reading of your word,
Lord. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Our next song is on page 503.
We'll sing, Jesus, I am resting, resting. Jesus, I am resting, resting.
Jesus, I am resting, resting.
Jesus, I am resting, resting. Jesus, I am resting, resting. Jesus, I am resting, resting. Jesus, I am resting, resting. Jesus, I am resting, resting.
Jesus, I am resting, resting. Jesus, I am resting, resting.
Jesus, I am resting, resting. Jesus, I am resting, resting. Jesus, I am resting, resting. Jesus, I am resting, resting. Jesus, I am resting, resting. Jesus, I am resting, resting. Jesus, I am resting, resting. Jesus, I am resting, resting.
Jesus, I am resting, resting. Ever lift Thy face upon me,
As I work and wait for Thee.
Resting in Thy smile, Lord Jesus, Earth's dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father's glory,
Sunshine of my Father's face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with Thy grace.
In the joy of what Thou art,
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Our last song is in our HMA hymnals, page 92, My Soul Finds Rest.
My soul finds rest in God alone, my rock and my salvation.
A fortress strong against my foes, and I will not be shaken.
Though lips may bless and eyes may curse, and lies like arrows pierce me,
I'll fix my heart on righteousness, I'll look to Him who hears me.
Oh, praise Him, alleluia, my heavenly
Redeemer, my God.
I find rest, my soul, in God alone, and wills no more temptations.
When evil seeks to take a hold, I'll cling to my salvation.
Though riches come and riches go, don't set your heart upon them.
The fields of hope in which I sow are harvested in heaven.
Oh, praise Him, alleluia, my
God. I set my gaze on God alone, and trust in Him completely.
With every day pour out my soul, and He will prove
His mercy. Though life is but a bleeding breath, a sigh too brief to measure, my
King has crushed the curse. Let's go to the
Lord together in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank
You for gathering us here together on this day. Our past week has been filled with Your kindnesses.
Time and again You have heard our prayers and answered them. You have shown us more than once Your grace,
Your unmerited favor, Your love. You have provided for us in ways that even now we are not aware, but we know that You are our
Heavenly Father. We know that You are our Heavenly Father by the merits and the ministry of Christ. We know that You are our
Father by the indwelling and enlivening of the
Holy Spirit. We cry out to You and say thank
You. And Your multitude of mercies and Your established faithfulness give us confidence here this morning to look to You again and ask.
And may our requests fall by the merits of Christ and the ministry of His Spirit to Your untiring ear.
We ask that You would feed us from Your Word. That You would nourish our faith.
That You would encourage our hearts. That You would equip us for all the good works that You have prepared for us to do.
We thank You for hearing us. For the sake of Your Son Jesus, it is in His name that we pray. Amen.
I invite you to open your Bibles and turn with me to Daniel chapter 12.
Daniel 12. And we'll be reading verses 5 through 13 this morning.
Daniel chapter 12. We'll be reading verses 5 through 13. This is the final vision in the book of Daniel, spanning from chapters 10 to 12.
And Christ speaks with Daniel in chapter 10 and tells him that this is about the latter days.
Now, Daniel has just been told that there's a calendar. Seventy weeks of years.
That will be concluded with the final week. The week of Messiah. The week of Christ.
So when Daniel hears the latter days, he knows what calendar is being talked about. He knows what days these are.
The very important days. The days of Messiah. Three and a half year ministry of Christ.
Messiah is cut off for the transgressions of others.
And then three and a half years that follow of judgment. Which does away with the covenant breakers.
These are the concerns of Daniel. Daniel is praying burdened, as we see at the beginning of this vision.
At the beginning of chapter 10. He is burdened because it is the third year of King Cyrus.
No doubt Daniel was elated the first year of King Cyrus. And the second year of King Cyrus.
Because his fellow Jews had been instructed, equipped, funded, protected.
In returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. But now it's the third year of King Cyrus.
And things are not going well. You can read about the complications in the book of Ezra. That suddenly the work has stopped.
Political opponents have threatened lawsuits. And the work has floundered.
Daniel's burden from chapter 9, as we've seen, has been. What about the holy mountain?
What about the holy city? Lord, when will you restore your holy sanctuary?
What about these important parts of the old covenant. Wherein you have revealed time and again.
Your mercy, your grace, your redemption. And foreshadowed to us the one who is to come.
Lord, when will you restore these? That has been Daniel's burden in these latter chapters.
In these visions of his book. And the
Lord does speak with him about these matters. But he also tells him a timeline.
When these things will be done away with. And Messiah himself shall come. And this is the hope that he wants
Daniel to have. The hope that he wants the following 12 generations to have.
Yes, of course, gather in Jerusalem the holy city. Yes, of course, assemble there at Zion on the holy mountain.
Yes, rebuild that holy sanctuary, the temple. And reestablish the worship of the
Lord. But do it all in anticipation of Messiah who is to come.
For that is where your hope should lie. And now we come to Daniel chapter 12.
In Daniel chapter 10, Christ and Daniel have an encounter.
Then Christ relays to Daniel all that is to occur in world history.
Until the time of the arrival of Messiah in the new covenant. And we discover that all of that history.
Though it is filled with intrigues and back and forth power struggles.
It is all about the glory of Jesus. And now we come to Daniel chapter 12.
Which we've entitled, The End. The End. And in Daniel chapter 12 we hear about the end of Daniel's life on earth.
That he's going to die and he's going to enter into his rest. But that he has hope of the end of everything.
Wherein there is a resurrection from the dead. And there's also an end of the latter days.
An end to that final week of the 70 weeks. The end of the latter days of Messiah.
And this too is in view in Daniel chapter 12. So let's read together.
Daniel chapter 12 beginning in verse 5. I invite you to stand with me. As we read
God's holy word. Then I, Daniel, looked and there stood two others.
One on this river bank and the other on that river bank. And one said to the man clothed in linen. Who was above the waters of the river.
How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be? Then I heard the man clothed in linen.
Who was above the waters of the river. When he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven.
And swore by him who lives forever. That it shall be for a time, times and half a time.
And when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered. All these things shall be finished.
Although I heard I did not understand. I said my Lord what shall be the end of these things?
And he said go your way Daniel. For the words are closed up and sealed to the time of the end.
Many shall be purified, made white and refined. But the wicked shall do wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand.
But the wise shall understand. And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away.
And the abomination of desolation is set up. There shall be 1290 days.
Blessed is he who waits and comes to the 1335 days. But you go your way to the end.
For you shall rest and will arise to your inheritance. At the end of the days.
This is the word of the Lord. Praise be to God. You may be seated. Sometimes you're watching a very exciting movie.
And things have gotten complicated. And you're pretty invested in those who are still trying to resolve all of the problems.
And you're checking the time. Because you realize this thing has been going on for a while. And I don't see how they're going to wrap all this up.
And part of you is concerned that they're going to try to wrap up way too much in too short of a time.
And it's going to be a horrible ending. But also part of you doesn't want to have to wait for a sequel.
And inevitably, there's a sequel. And the ending is okay.
You know it's going to turn out all right. But still, there are big questions left to be answered.
Big details to fill in. And whether it's a movie or a series or a novel.
When it ends that way, you're looking forward to see how it all works out and resolves.
We like that kind of storytelling. Because it imitates the best storytelling of all time that we find in the scriptures.
And we have this kind of an ending in the book of Daniel. The prophecy of Daniel.
We're assured time and again that Daniel, it's going to work out. It's all going to be completed.
Go your way. It's going to be all right. But we want to know the details. We're like the angels.
When? We're like Daniel. How's it all going to work out? And then we're given details that are, well, interesting.
We say, huh? Such is the end of the book of Daniel. But as we have spoken about, when
God reveals information about the end. Whatever that end may be.
The end of a believer's life on earth. The end of an age.
The end of the world and the resurrection of the dead. Whatever God is sharing with us in his word.
Revealing to us in his word about the end. It is meant for our edification.
It is meant for our encouragement. It is meant to more thoroughly ground us in the hope of what lies ahead.
It is not meant to confuse or to worry. To cause extra difficulty.
To spark speculation and hopeless mystery.
As we look at Daniel. As the end has been examined from one angle than another.
We discern that the understanding of the text is brought to us most ably by the glory of Christ.
In that the glory of Christ is like light which illuminates that which is dark and hard to see.
The glory of Christ being weighty in that it anchors us and doesn't let us stray too far.
And the glory of Christ brings verity for our faith and our hope and our love.
And sets the values of these Christian virtues. That what we believe is entirely tied to Christ.
And what we hope for what is to come is entirely tied to Christ. And how we live in the here and now.
And how we love one another is entirely tied to the glory of Jesus Christ.
And this is really the value of looking at the end. The end of one's life. The end of an age.
The end of the world. That we would see the glory of Christ and thereby know the truth.
And know what is valuable. We have noted that as Daniel is concerned about the history of the
Jews. God didn't you promise that after this many years of exile you were going to do
X, Y, and Z. God says yes of course Daniel we're going to do that. But there's more. There's far more.
There's something even greater ahead of you. And after this other calendar. Not just 70 years but 70 weeks of years.
There's even greater things ahead of you. And so we see that all of this history.
Jewish history. Indeed world history. Is really Jesus' glory. Everything is in orbit around him.
In all things he must have the preeminence. So we've been talking about the end in chapter 12.
We've looked at the deliverance that is brought to Daniel's people. In contrast to the holy people who are shattered.
But Daniel's people. The people of faith. The people who are of the faith of Abraham and so on. They are going to be delivered and saved.
All those whose names are written in the book. They'll be delivered from this coming tribulation.
Verse 1. Not only that. But there's a resurrection coming.
Where even death itself will be defeated. And we will be delivered from death as well.
Now after this encouragement of deliverance. We're going to look at encouragements by Christ.
An oath given by Christ. A blessing issued from Christ.
And an inheritance in Christ. So often when we think about the end.
Or in other words what is yet to come. Our thoughts tend towards the anxious and the fearful.
That so much speculation rolls around in our heads. That we don't feel like we have a solid footing.
For what lies ahead. But look at this. Christ is speaking with Daniel about the end and the end and the end.
But how is he talking about it? Here's a promise of deliverance. Here's an oath that God's will will be done.
Here's a blessing for those who endure. And here's a promise of inheritance for those after all is said and done.
How encouraging is that? That is a Christian way to think about the end.
The end of your life. The end of the world. The Christian way of thinking about the end is one that is filled with encouragement and hope in Christ.
It is an entirely pagan way of thinking to despair when considering the end.
To have fear and anxiety and concern and tremblings. We have no need for that.
For Christ is risen from the dead. For Christ has ascended to the right hand of the
Father. And Christ will return. So we have no need to fear when we consider the end.
Whatever end that may be. Let's turn our attention to verses 5 through 7 of Daniel chapter 12.
And see here an oath made by Christ. He is described as the man clothed in linen.
In Daniel chapter 10 we saw a more full description of Christ. One that accords with Revelation chapter 1.
So we know who we are looking at. Verse 5. Then I Daniel looked and there stood two others.
One on this river bank and the other on that river bank. The river was the river Tigris. Which we see from chapter 10 verse 4.
And one said to the man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the river. How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?
Then I heard the man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the river. When he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven.
And swore by him who lives forever that it shall be for a time, times and half a time. And when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered.
All these things shall be finished. So two angels attending their
Lord. Hearing what he has to say to Daniel. Daniel by the ministry of the
Holy Spirit. At some point writes all of this down. And we see that Daniel of course is going to have some questions.
About what is being said. But do you notice that the angels themselves have questions for Christ.
When will the fulfillment of these wonders. These great judgments take place.
A tribulation which is unlike anything before or after. We just heard about in verse 1. They're saying when shall these great wonders or these great judgments.
These cataclysms take place. They're asking Christ for the answer.
They want to know. This reminds us of a passage in 1 Peter chapter 1.
Speaking about salvation. Which of course we looked at in verse 1.
And verse 2. Salvation for all those whose names are written in the book. And resurrection from the dead. The great salvation that we have in Christ.
And in 1 Peter chapter 1 verse 10. Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully.
Who prophesied of the grace that would come to you. Searching what or what manner of time.
The spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating. When he testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ.
And the glories that would follow. So if you're following. Christ by the Holy Spirit through the prophets in the
Old Testament. Christ himself spoke about what would happen through him and to him.
In days to come. And the prophets wrote it all down and then said.
Wow what does it all mean? Verse 12. To them it was revealed that not to themselves but to us.
They were ministering the things which have now been reported to you. In other words Daniel seal up the words of the book until the time of the end.
You go your way Daniel. This is for a generation to come. Things which have now been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel.
The good news of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Those who have preached the gospel to you. By the
Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Things which angels desire to look into.
Didn't that happen in Daniel? Angels were like. Could you tell us the time frame?
I mean this is big important stuff. No doubt the angels will be involved. No doubt they as always will be sent as ministering spirits to accomplish the will of their
Lord. And they want to know. When is this going to happen? So one of the angels says to Christ.
When will these things be? Now I don't know if you've noticed this or not.
But in the scriptures. When creatures ask the creator.
When believers ask their Lord. For specific time frames.
The answer always comes back somewhat oblique. Have you ever noticed that?
Could you give us the exact date on the calendar please? We want to be able to calculate this down to the exact minute.
And as I read through the scriptures. Time and again the Lord says.
Well here's what I will tell you. But we're going to leave a good portion of this obscured in mystery.
After all. We walk by faith. We're people of faith.
And the Lord wants us to remain a people of faith. Trusting in him.
And so let's look at how he answers this. Many people find this so dissatisfactory.
He says that it shall be for a time. Times and half a time. This is the second half of verse 7.
It shall be for a time. Times and half a time. And when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered.
All these things shall be finished. We've already talked about the contrast between Daniel's people.
Who are saved from this unprecedented tribulation.
In verse 1. Daniel's people are saved. But the power of the holy people are shattered.
So these are obviously not the same group. Now the holy people are those who have been set aside.
Unto the Lord for his holy purposes. That he has carved them out for special use.
And we don't have to search very far in the scriptures to know who that is. For when we read the way in which
God speaks to Israel. In the book of Exodus. Leviticus. Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Time and again. He says that he has set them apart unto holiness. And give them a code to follow unto holiness.
And a purpose which is in accord with holiness. And here is a promise.
That the timing has to do. And will be wrapped up. Concerning these judgments that we read about in verse 1.
Will be wrapped up when the power of the holy people are shattered. Now this word shattered.
Has the idea of something being beat to pieces. With such force that the pieces scatter all over the place.
And it is the exact word that is used in Psalm chapter 2 verse 9. How Christ takes a rod of iron to pots of clay rebellious nations.
The power of the holy people. Shattered. Scattered. When that happens.
That's the wrapping up of the time, times and half a time. That's what verse 7 says in the second half.
Should be for a time, times and half a time. And when will that be wrapped up? When the power of the holy people has been completely shattered.
All these things shall be finished. What does it mean time, times and half a time?
Let's anchor it within the text of Daniel, shall we? The next notation about timing.
1290 years. 1290 days, pardon me. 1290 days. Puts us just a tad bit over three and a half years.
When we back up in Daniel. The next time frame that we see.
Is an expression about three and a half years. As in the second half of the week of Messiah.
In Daniel chapter 9. So we're looking at the end of the latter days. When does the 70 weeks of years wrap up?
With the second half of the week of Messiah. Three and a half years. What's the next time frame given to us at the end of Daniel 12?
About three and a half years. So how would we understand time, times and half a time?
It has been interpreted historically. Many times over as three and a half years.
As a year, two years and half a year. Three and a half years. Why would we say time, times and half a time equals three and a half years?
Because of the end of Daniel chapter 9 and the end of Daniel chapter 12. Just trying to anchor our interpretation in the context itself.
By the way. The war. The Jewish -Roman war.
From the time that Cestius surrounded Jerusalem with armies. To the time that Titus succeeded in destroying
Jerusalem. Was three and a half years. And the destruction of the old covenant was complete.
So we're given a time frame, a timing. But do you know that that is not the main point of the text?
Trying to discern the dates on the calendar. Look at the main point of the text.
The angels want to know something about God's revelation.
Who do they turn to? Who do they ask?
They don't ask Daniel. They don't ask one another. They ask
Christ. If we're going to be allowed to know.
If we're going to be able to understand. Who do the angels turn to?
When they have a question about God's word. They turn to Christ. Do you see it?
And look how Christ responds. For this is the main point of these verses. For where does he stand?
Above the river. In between the banks of the river. Suspended between heaven and earth.
Notice the position of Christ. As the one mediator between God and man. Notice his position as Jacob's ladder.
As he told Nathaniel. You will see the angels ascending and descending upon the son of man. Look at his position as the one mediator.
And his hands are outstretched to heaven. Right and left hands. This is the posture of prayer.
Here is the intercessor. Do you see Christ? And how does he answer?
He does not simply say. Well, here is the mathematical equation to put your mind to rest.
He swears by him who lives forever. He gives a promise based upon the glory of God.
That it shall be thus. That's what we need to pay attention to.
Consider Daniel's concern. Consider how he is upset.
Consider how he is grieved. How he has been hearing reports that it's not going well in Jerusalem.
With the rebuilding of the temple. Things are falling apart. How is this ever going to come to pass? This is what has been the background of his whole praying and fasting.
And going to the Lord and getting this answer from the Lord. He doesn't know how it's going to work out.
How is this going to work? This does not look good. But look how
Christ handles a question about the end. He offers an oath.
Remember in Hebrews where it says to make the promise even more solid.
Even more secure. All the more edifying. That God swore by himself.
That thus it shall be. And here is God the Son swearing by the name of his
Father. Thus it shall be. What is happening here?
He is giving assurance to Daniel who is watching this happen. And listening to what is going on.
It doesn't matter how it looks in the present day. It doesn't matter how frail the people of God look in what they are trying to do.
How large the opposition is against the obvious will of God.
No, no. God has sworn by himself it shall be so. So when we have need of assurance.
We look to the one mediator who always brings about his Father's will.
When we desire answers to the riddles that we find in the
Scriptures. If the angels look to Jesus we should look to Jesus. He is the light of the world.
And God has given us his word in this world. Therefore Christ is the light of the word as well.
How are you going to understand what is in here unless you see it in the light of Christ. Very specifically.
Look at 2 Corinthians 1. Beginning in verse 19.
2 Corinthians 1. Beginning in verse 19. 4
The Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us.
By me, Silvanus, and Timothy. Was not yes and no. But in him was yes.
For all the promises of God in him. In the
Son of God. In Jesus Christ. Are yes. And in him.
Amen. Verily. Truly. To the glory of God.
Through us. Now he who establishes us with you in Christ.
And has anointed us is God. Who also has sealed us. And given us the spirit in our hearts.
As a guarantee. So as we look at the promises of God. How are we to understand their yes.
Their amen. Their truly. Their verily. How do we see them in their full glory.
We turn to Christ. As the angels do here in Daniel 12.
We often have concerns about the end. We often have questions about the end.
Who do we turn to? There's only one mediator between God and man.
There's only one prophet who mediates God's truth. One king who mediates God's authority. One priest who mediates
God's holiness. One counselor who mediates God's wisdom. And he does so from the right hand.
Secondly we see the blessing from Christ in verses 8 through 12.
Now Daniel says, although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, my
Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, go your way, Daniel. For the words are closed up and sealed.
Till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined.
But the wicked shall do wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand. But the wise shall understand.
And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away. And the abomination of desolation is set up. There shall be 1 ,290 days.
Listen to see who waits and comes to the 1 ,335 days. But you, go your way to the end.
For you shall rest. And will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days. So we hear about a blessing.
We hear about a blessing. First, concerns about the end. We receive an oath, a promise that we can depend on.
Secondly, more concerns about the end. How is it all going to work out? What do we receive? An assurance of blessing for those who endure.
Daniel does not understand. And as we read the text, we say,
Daniel, I feel you. Right? Like, my, that is thick.
But we understand why Daniel asks the question. He wants to know how it turns out.
Don't we all? How is this going to work out, he asks. What is the end of these things?
How will it turn out? Can you show me the sequel? And Christ simply says to him, go about your business.
This in particular, Daniel, is not your business in the details. I've given you assurance that it shall come to pass.
And I'll even throw you a couple of bones about some of how it's going to work out.
But go your way, Daniel. This is for another time. In the meantime, be about what you're supposed to be about.
Now, he's already said this in verse 4. He says it again here in verse 9.
And notice where the emphasis is placed on what is yet to come.
As we saw back in chapter 12, verse 4, that regarding the time of the end, when the book will be unsealed.
And Jesus does that in Matthew and Mark and Luke. Many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall increase.
Well, yes, absolutely. Within that week, Christ had died on the cross and rose from the dead and appeared to his apostles and said to them, go to all the world and spread this knowledge.
What knowledge? That Jesus Christ has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Now, what has
Jesus said about gospel preaching? He said it's like sowing seed on soils. The sower goes out to sow and he casts the seed all over this ground.
And a bunch of it falls on good ground, but it also falls on what? Hard packed ground? Shallow soil?
Soil that's filled with thorns. And what's the outcome? The preaching of the gospel, the preaching of the word of Christ, sifts and who's who is made evident.
And so we read that many shall be purified, made white and refined.
But the wicked shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand. But the wise shall understand. There's a sifting in the going to and fro in the preaching of the good news of Jesus Christ.
And then there is a mention of 1290 days and 1335 days.
I got to tell you, the more obscure a verse is in the Bible, the more you hear about it on TBN.
Have you noticed that? Oh, now it's playtime. And this verse has been abused, not just in our generation, but in every generation.
But let's do our best, shall we? We've been given the anchor understanding of three and a half years. 1290 is more specific than the general three and a half.
It's just a little bit longer than three and a half, but it's within the same idea. So 1290 days and then 1335 days.
What does Jesus say? He's already talked about a great tribulation in Daniel 12 verse 1.
He talks about it later on in Matthew 24. Both those contexts point to something that's three and a half years long.
And the word that is given to us time and again from Christ to believers who are going to go through that tribulation was what?
Endurance. Perseverance. Overcoming in Christ. About sticking with Him no matter what happens.
Don't be deceived. Don't be led astray. Don't give up. And here we have the same kind of encouragement.
How blessed is the one who waits through that 1290 even comes to the 1335.
So what is he talking about? Well, there's a handout.
And I hope that it's not too dense. But given that we're looking at the three and a half year tribulation,
Jesus himself says in Matthew 24, when you see the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place, let the reader of Daniel understand.
This kicks off the great tribulation which Jesus says as soon as you see this, that's the sign. Get out of Judea.
He explains in Luke chapter 21 that this abomination of desolation is armies surrounding
Jerusalem. So he explains what it is. That happened when
Cestius, a Roman general, was instructed by Nero to go attack
Jerusalem. And indeed he did so, and did so very quickly. He was able to surround Jerusalem with his armies.
He even had his soldiers in the tortoise formation at the gate of the temple on the east side of Jerusalem in the process of burning the gate.
When Josephus says for no reason in the world, he turned around and left and ran. Giving opportunity for all of the followers of Christ, having seen the sign, to then have the freedom to leave
Judea. And they did. Then began, after the destruction of Cestius' legion, a retaliation strike from Rome involving
Generals Vespasian and his son Titus, who brought four legions into the territory of Israel and slaughtered the
Jews for a long time. And it was very sad.
I believe this is the context of the 1290 days and the 1335 days. Now Josephus is a helpful historian, but remember he's not infallible.
And he gives some important dates in his writings, the wars of the Jews. And I've read through all of this and it's very interesting.
But if we take what Jesus says, if we take what Daniel has here, the abomination of desolation and there's 1290 days removed, what do we find?
Well, Josephus just gives us dates and he uses the months of the Macedonian calendar. It's unclear whether he's counting those months by 29 -day increments or if he's counting them by 29 and 30 -day increments given back and forth.
It's unclear. So here's what we can say. 1290 days exactly from the abomination of desolation, the army surrounding
Jerusalem, 1290 days from the abomination of desolation, the daily sacrifice stopped being offered in the court of the temple in Jerusalem because of the siege.
And 1335 days from Cestius surrounding Jerusalem with his armies,
Titus ended the siege if we're using 29 -day months.
But what if we're using 29 or 30 -day months given that calendar?
Something similar from the day Cestius surrounds to the time that an apostate high priest raided the temple and gutted the whole sacrificial system, 1290 days.
And from Cestius surrounding Jerusalem with his armies to the day that the temple was burned by the
Roman soldiers against the orders of Titus, 1335 days. I don't know which counting is right.
Imprecision persists because Josephus is not infallible because the lunar months vary because there are variations between Hebrew months and Macedonian months and Josephus uses both kinds of dates in his writings.
And war is confusing. At one point Josephus gets hit in the head and he loses quite a few days in the middle of his record -keeping.
And there's just some human fog in place. But how do we know that there was a set of time that was 1290 days long from the time of the abomination of desolation to the cessation of the daily sacrifice?
How do we know there was 1290 days that actually occurred? And how do we know that those who lasted to 1335 days were especially blessed?
Not because we read Josephus, but because we read Daniel. The human fog may have difficulty making a full accounting of what happened, but we're confident it did because Daniel said so.
The Lord said so through Daniel. That's where the assurance is. The point being made here is that Christ is saying there's a blessing.
There's a blessing for those who endure. There's a time of trouble, and look, you can count it.
There's a time of tribulation that's like no other time there ever was, he says in verse 1. He says, look, it's going to be three and a half years.
Look, it's going to be 1290 days. Look, it's going to be 1335 days. If you get that long, then you'll be especially blessed.
But I want you to see something. There's a time limitation on the trouble.
There's a time limitation on the trouble. But blessing in Christ is forever.
The trouble is limited. The blessing in Christ is forever. That's the point that's being made for the saints who are concerned about the end.
To put it in a different way, Jesus says in John 16 .33, These things I have spoken to you that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.
That's the encouragement we have when the Bible talks about the end. Finally, inheritance. Verse 13 says there's an inheritance.
This is where we're reminded that there's more than one end being discussed in chapter 12. Christ says to Daniel, but you go your way till the end.
Did he mean go your way for 490 years? That end?
Did he mean go your way until the resurrection of the dead? Is that what he meant?
No. Go your way till the end for you shall rest. Daniel's end. The end where, in the words of Christ, this saint fell asleep and rested.
Absent from the body, present with the Lord. And, after resting, there's more.
And you will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days. The resurrection. Daniel was a very young man when he was taken away from his homeland.
How important was the homeland to the Jews? So deeply, vitally important.
Remember that when they had conquered the land with Joshua, they met at Shechem and lots were cast.
And the land was apportioned to the tribes.
Thus, throughout the rest of the scripture, when someone says something about their lot, their lot in life, hello?
When someone says something about their lot, they're talking about their inheritance that was given to them as part of the promised land.
Their inheritance, their lot. That word is in use here.
Verse 13. For you shall rest and you will arise from the dead to what?
Your lot. Same word, your inheritance at the end of the days. When does Daniel, exiled from his homeland, finally get his lot, his inheritance in the promised land?
When he is raised from the dead. Which is why it's fine to sing songs about crossing over Jordan.
Right? Crossing over Jordan and finding our inheritance, not just in heaven, but in our rest in Christ and in our resurrection from the dead.
There is a rest that remains in our Yeshua who leads us into the promised land,
Jesus Christ. We've heard about that in Hebrews chapter 4. I want you to see how the end clarifies the glory of Christ and that our history is governed by Christ.
Our history is ordered by Christ. And our end does not have to be an anxiety stricken riddle, for it is about our hope in Christ.
Daniel is a book of riddles in which wisdom triumphs over all.
The riddles of statecraft in which life and death are on the line. And the riddles of prophecies which declare the future.
But all of them are resolved in the supremacy of Christ. And when we fear
Christ, think of him first and think of him most. We may face all such similar riddles with joy and with confidence.
Let's pray. Father, I thank you for the time you've given us today. The time you've given us in this book of the
Bible that has been so timely and so edifying to our hearts. We pray that you will be honored and glorified as the seed has been sown in us.
And we pray that you, by your power and your grace, will bear much fruit in us through it to the glory of your name.
We pray these things for Jesus' sake. Amen. Would you stand for our song of benediction?
John chapter 14, Jesus says, Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you. For I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself.
That where I am, there you may be also. For Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.
Let's sing together, When We All Get to Heaven. When we all get to heaven
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus Sing his mercy and his grace
In the mansions bright and blessed He'll prepare for us a place
When we all get to heaven What a day of rejoicing there will be
When we all see Jesus We'll sing and shout the victory
Let this thing be true and faithful Trusting, serving every day
Just one glimpse of him in glory
Will the tolls of life we bear When we all get to heaven
What a day of rejoicing there will be
Well, may the love of the Father and the grace of the Son and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all.