(Daniel) the Time of the End — Willie Mullan

227 Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to thy bosom fly, while the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.

227 please. I must have preached about four sermons up to now but it doesn't matter.

Daniel 12 and the Time of the End

We're after this great last chapter of Daniel chapter 12. And you can see that I have called this chapter the time of the end. I think maybe the word time here is the key to the chapter. You see as I read over chapters I'm always looking for the key.

And I assure you there's a key for every chapter and I'm sure the word time here is the key. Now there are 13 verses in this chapter and I think that about 9 or 10 times the word time is here or the suggestion of time or the question about time.

Have a look at verse 1. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that same time. And at that time thy people, Daniel's people, the Jews, shall be delivered.

There are some folks who say there is no deliverance for them but they can't read you see. The angel is saying and at that time, just at that time, thy people, Daniel, he's talking to Daniel, thy people, shall be delivered.

And if you think he's talking about the church, if you're stupid enough, as they millennialists are, then go back up the verse and you'll find the word nation. The church is not a nation, not in that sense.

But it's this word time that's there. Look at verse 4. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end. See verse 6. And one said to the man clothed in linen which was upon the waters of the river, how long shall it be to the end of these wonders?

There's a suggestion and question about time there. Look at verse 7. I heard the man clothed in linen which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that it was for ever and ever, that it shall be for a time.

Times and a half. What time, times and a half of time? Tell me that now. Well I think the time refers to a year, and the times to two more, and a half to the half. He's going back to the three and a half.

But we'll get that out in its correct form. See verse 8. And I heard but I understood not, then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? He's wanting to know the time. See verse 9. And he said, go thy way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

See verse 11. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, when was it taken away? In the middle of the week. That's what we found out last week. See the last verse. Go thou thy way till the end be.

For thou shalt rest and stand in thy lot at the end of the day. I'm sure that time is the key here. That's why I call the chapter the time of the end. I think the chapter divides simply into three. From verse 1 to verse 7, it's the last vision Daniel receives.

I think if you know the book of Daniel you can nearly tell me all the visions, couldn't you? You remember Nebuchadnezzar. That's the great image. And then do you remember the dreams that Daniel had about the beast?

And so on. And this is the last vision that Daniel receives and it's a wonderful one. In verse 8 we have the last question Daniel asks. Oh my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And from verse 9 to verse 13, you have the last exhortation Daniel ever had.

Go thy way, Daniel. See the last verse too. Go thy way till the end be. So it's a very neat chapter this evening. It has to do with the time of the end. It's in these three parts and there they are before you.

The last vision, the last question, the last exhortation. Now that again is the skeleton. And I don't think you can feed on skeletons. You must put it out in order so that we're more aware of where we're going and what we're doing.

But it's not much use. Never just get occupied with bones too much. You need to see what it says. Now let's have a look at this last vision. In the first phrase, and at that time. You know, this is the mention of time.

And at that time, what's he talking about? You see, it's a very great pity that the chapter division is there at all. I know that the chapter divisions help us. And probably have helped us in this great vision that has come.

But you see, it's the angel still going on talking. The angel began away in chapter 11 to tell Daniel a lot of things. And you remember how the detailed prophecy of the first part of the chapter came before it and it was so wonderful?

It's history now. But then last week we were taken up with a powerful, pernicious personality. The willful king who would just exalt himself above God. The one whose forces would come into the Jewish temple and take away the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation.

And at that time, getting us down to the mark, isn't it? That's what he said. When this Antichrist is about, and this daily sacrifice is taken away. And all the things at the latter part of chapter 11, when they are taking place, he says, Daniel, and at that time.

That's the mention of time. Now, which is he, what he said? He said, and at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people. And don't forget he's talking to Daniel.

Michael the Archangel and His Commission

Now, this is Michael. And the subject of Michael in the scriptures is an easy one because there are only four or five mentions. So you haven't any trouble with this. It's quite a simple study. You can do it in five minutes.

It may help the young folks. Come way back to Jude. Just before the book of the Revelation. Jude. And there's only one chapter in Jude. Just before the book of the Revelation. And Jude says in verse 9.

Get Michael, the archangel. Now, let's start to take a breath there. So that we know who he's talking about back there when he talks about Michael, the great prince of thy people. He's talking about Michael, the archangel.

And remember he is not one of the archangels, as I sometimes hear the young folks say. Now, when you get to know these great created intelligences in heaven. These cherubims and seraphims. Up above and over all these great created intelligences there is one who is the archangel.

There is one archangel. He's the archangel. He's not one of the archangels. He is the archangel. So that you start to know who he is now. Now, he hadn't only a job to run around heaven flapping his wings.

You see, he's got a job to look after Daniel's people. If you go back to Daniel 12, just go back and you'll see it properly. You see, he says, and at that time when this diabolical person is abroad, shall Michael stand up.

That's Michael the archangel stand up. The great prince which stands for the children of thy people. You see, he's got a special commission from God. He's got to look after Israel. And I can think that he must have had a terrible time when Hitler burned six million Jews.

He's the prince which stands for Daniel's people and he's been with them all down through the history. I suppose we shall never know until we get to the glory of what all of us owe to the angels. You see, even the saints that are here.

There are angels detailed off to look after you. You see, it says that the angels are sent to minister. To work for, if you like. To minister to those who are the heirs of salvation. And you know, the angel must have a job with some of us.

I was saying to Mr. Paisley the other day, I'm sure when you get your last sigh, the angels that looked after you will say hallelujah. I'm sure you could equally say that about a lot of other folks too.

Yes, you see, he's got a great job. Now, he doesn't only look after Israel when the nation's alive. But he's got to look after the dead bodies too. Because there are bodies that are very precious. You see, if we go back to Jude, let's go back.

I'm sorry I do this, but this teaches you better, I think. Now, we're going back and you'll see the archangel again. Verse 9. Yet, Michael, when contending with the devil. See, some people come down and try to tell me that there is no personal devil.

That he's just a thought of an influence. He's just like the flu. Well, I would like to know how you contend with the flu. I would want to know how you would argue with him. Next time you get the flu, try arguing, do you see.

It won't do you a better good. Now, this is a person, and a powerful person at that. See, verse 9. Yet, Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil. He disputed about the body of Moses. Remember Moses, don't you?

And you remember him dying. There was nobody at the funeral. Only God. Died away up in the mountains. And only God was there. And God buried him, and nobody knows where he's buried. Well, the archangel knew.

And then you see, the Lord Jesus came on the scene and was going up to the Mount of Transfiguration. And God wanted Moses there. You'll find that when you look at the Transfiguration, that Peter said, Let's make Shepherd for me, and for Moses, and for Elias.

These two came to talk with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. You see, Moses had to have his body raised. It wasn't the spirit that appeared. Sometimes people say to me, will we know each other in heaven?

Of course we will. Peter never met Moses any more than you did. And it was thousands of years later, after his death and his history was finished, that he appears. But you see, Peter was given the knowledge there and then by God to recognize Moses.

But he told them, he knew it was Moses. And when we go to heaven and we're changed, and get the likeness of Christ. Of course we'll know one another. Yes, the devil's disputing with him. He says, you can't raise this body.

You see, the devil was wanting to argue like this. The redemptive price of the body has not been paid yet. You just can't raise this body. Of course, God had the Lamb chosen. And in the mind and will of God, the Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world.

And God knew that Christ would die. And of course, God is sovereign and he can do whatever he likes. And he raised the body of Moses. But you can see that the archangel had a job to do. He looks after Israel when they're alive and he looks after the bodies when they're dead.

Michael, Resurrection, and the Tribulation

You know, one of these nights, I don't think I need to turn to this, I think I can quote this. That the Lord himself would descend from heaven with a shout and with the voice of the archangel. Well, what's he bottoming for?

You see, the Lord is coming, isn't he? And he comes with a shout. And all the saints will rise to meet him because the sheep of this dispensation know the shepherd. They know the shepherd's voice. And that there's a lot of old Jews who died in the faith who are buried down there somewhere.

And the archangel has got a job to look after them. And from the moment that Christ comes, the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout. Then the archangel, with the voice of the archangel. As you know, those old Jews that had faith in Christ are going to rise with us.

And we're leaving this world, you know. They without us shall not be made perfect is what it says in Hebrews, in case you would argue. So that you can see the archangel, he's got a job. And when the Antichrist is abroad, at that time, let's go back to Daniel 12.

You know, the archangel is going to stand up for Daniel's people. The great prince which standeth for the children of our people. And I would think if he doesn't stand up for them that there'll be a massacre of Jews.

I think I should show you this when we're at it. Have a look at Revelation chapter 12 for a moment. Revelation 12. And this is taking us to the very center of that time. The time of tribulation. You can see verse 6.

And the woman fled into the wilderness. And when we come to this chapter you'll find the woman is Israel. But don't bother now. Where she had the place prepared of God that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three score days.

And I think you'll find that three and a half years. Look at this phrase. And there was war in heaven. I think in the Greek it says there was war in the heavens. This takes place in the heavenlies as we sometimes call it.

There was war there. And it says Michael and his angels. Because he's the boss over a whole lot of these angels. And there might be a million of them and there might be more. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon.

And you can see in verse 9 who the dragon is. And the great dragon was cast out that old serpent called the devil and Satan. And the holy ghost has put all the words in in case you miss it. They're all there just at your nose.

Written in very carefully. So that the archangel is going to stand up for the Jews. And the gentleman who is now governing Egypt will have to take note of that. Because he wouldn't pay any attention to that.

He's so stupid. He sent all the Russians home and now he's pleading to get them back. But whether he gets them or not doesn't matter. You know war is a funny thing. When I was preaching at one of the universities in America.

I said something like this. If some foreign power invaded this province of ours. I should go to war. And I would you know. I would have no quibble at all. I belonged to a family where there were 16 boys in the family.

And the most of them went to the war when Germany was going to take us over. And if Britain had failed is one of the programs now. Where would we be tonight? I'm not talking about going against terrorists.

That is not my business. That's the state's job and what a mess we're making of it. I have nothing to do with that. I'm talking about war. I said this you know. Some old prospector came up looking over his glasses and said.

Just fancy this. I'm the conscientious object of this. You come here to say you would go to war. I said where would you know? He said I'm a holy man. I said well Michael the Archangel is a sort of holy person too.

And I have the sort of notion he's more holy than you are. And he's gone to war. Now the old preacher never had seen this. Oh yes he leads the angels to war. You see he's going to stand up for the Jewish nation.

So that's what you call the intervention of heaven. Let's get back. This night's going to be a terrible night. I can see that already. All right let's get on with it then. So that you can see the mention of time can't you?

And at that time. And you can see the intervention of heaven. Now it says this at that time shall Michael stand up. The great prince which standeth for the children of thy people. And there shall be a time of trouble.

There's no doubt about that. That's the prophetic statement. There shall be a time of trouble. Such as never was since there was a nation. Even to that same time. It's a tremendous statement. It must have made Daniel quiver.

The Great Tribulation and Israel's Deliverance

You remember where we were last week in Matthew 24? Have another look at it now. Because it's most interesting just now. Matthew's Gospel. Chapter 24. You remember I told you that Jesus was leaving the temple.

How he went out and prophesied that what not one stone would be left upon another. And then at verse 8 it said all these are the beginning of sorrow. And that part of the chapter would take us down to where we are tonight.

And then the Lord will take the church home one of these days. And then shall they deliver you, that is the Jews, to be afflicted. And shall kill you. And ye shall be heeded off quick now. All nations.

Yes, he's talking to Jews and he's talking about the Jewish nation. And down at verse 21 it said this. For then shall be great tribulation. Such as was not since the beginning of the world till this time no nor ever shall be.

Is that the same statement that's in Daniel 12? And I assure you it's the same statement. You see if you're talking about the same nation. You can't say to the nation over in Daniel you know you're going through a terrible time.

And there never was anything before like it and there'll never be anything like it again. Then our Lord can't talk about the same nation and say you're going to run into trouble and there was never anything before like it and there'll never be anything like it again.

They're both talking about the time of Jacob's trouble. And you see when our Lord was speaking in Matthew 24 it was still future. Way in the future. And it's a way in the future tonight. I know that Israel is in the land.

I know the flag is flying. I know that they're accepted by the League of Nations. I know all that but I also know that there's going to come this powerful pernicious personality. I know that they'll build their temple.

I know that he'll make a covenant with them. I know that he'll break the covenant. I know he'll take away the daily sacrifice. And I know that there'll come a time of trouble. They never had anything like it before and never will again.

And unless Michael the Archangel intervenes they will perish. You know one of the old Jewish prophets did this too. It says we'll look up Jewel, the prophecy of Jewel. If you can find Daniel then comes Hosea and then comes Jewel.

And this is a very wonderful little prophecy. And we should pay far more attention to it than we do. See chapter 2 verse 1. The prophet is saying to them blow ye the trumpet in Zion. Sound an alarm in my holy mountain.

Let all the inhabitants of the land. Don't forget that bit. That's how it says in the Hebrew. The land. It's the promised land of course. It's the land of Palestine. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble.

For the day of the Lord cometh. It is my hand. A day of darkness and of gloominess. A day of clouds and of thick darkness. As the morning spread upon the mountains. A great people and a strong. There hath not been ever the like.

Nay there shall be any more after it. Is that the same saying I ask you? Of course it's the same saying because it's the same people. Because it's the same day. And what a day it will be. You know I know that Israel.

Is doing very well just at this moment. And I think that Egypt knows in her heart that she can't manage Israel just now. And I know that when the common market gets going. Properly. And remember today this very day Royal Assent was given.

The Queen signed it last evening before she went away to Yugoslavia. And today in Parliament it's accepted. Royal Assent has been given to us to go into the common market. And I know that when we go into the common market.

There will be this great Parliament of Brussels. And I know that there will come a President out of that Parliament who will prove to be the Antichrist. Sure of that. You know we are just on the fringe of things.

It would tell you that the Lord's coming for his people cannot be very far away. The Lord can come. May be the answer to your problems as far as the believers are concerned. And if the Lord comes. Then this man will be so subtle.

Come in peacefully. And by his subtle policies he'll make class to prosper you remember. Then he'll get in with the Jew and sign the Covenant. He has no notion of helping the Jew. Because he will be wicked against the Covenant.

And then he will break the Covenant. And there will be a time of trouble come to that land. There has never had anything before like it. It must be bad. Because if you read Israel's history right down through the years.

My there have been times when the nation has almost been blotted out. And remember Hitler determined that he would blot out every Jew. And he did burn six million of them. More than the population of this island.

Another when he began the Six Days War said that he would annihilate Israel forever. Oh no he didn't. But there's coming a time. And it's not far away. And the Jews have never had anything before like it.

And they'll never have anything again. That pin points to that place. It's there. It will happen. And unless Michael would stand up for them. It would happen. But God is running the affairs. Have a look again.

Let's get back to Daniel. Verse 1. And at that time shall Michael stand up the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people. And there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that time.

And at that time. That's the very same time. Thy people shall be delivered. I'll tell you how. The Lord Jesus will come to the land. And in that day his feet shall stand upon the Mount of Olives. My I tell you that's a wonderful thing isn't it.

Because it says at that time thy people shall be delivered. And watch what it says. Every one that shall be found written in the book. You know God has the whole thing under control all the time. Some also argued with me once.

Which is all nonsense about this book. Well I said I can tell you this. That Moses didn't think it was nonsense. Because the way back in Exodus 32. When Moses came down from the mountain. The three tables of stone and found the people dancing round the golden calf.

He went on his knees before God and he said. He said. Forgive them. Or blot me out of thy book which thou hast written. How did he know that now? When David was writing the 69th Psalm about Judas Iscariot.

That he would go to his own place. He would be blotted out of the book of the living. How did he know that? When Paul is writing to the Philippines. He says. Help those women which labored with me in the gospel.

With Clement also. With other my fellow disciples. Whose names are in the book of life. How did he know that? And I tell you John. Let us see the great white throne and the books opened. And whosoever's name is not found written in the Lamb's book of life.

Or in the book of life. Be cast into the lake of fire. But the Lord will have a remnant. Even in the time of Jacob's trouble. Because when we get to Revelation chapter 7. Which comes after the four horsemen in chapter 6.

There's 144 ,000 Jews. Sealed off. God is not going to let them perish. And the names are in the book. Yes it's a wonderful revelation that Daniel is getting. You can see the mention of time and the intervention of heaven.

And the tribulation of Israel and the preservation of faith. It says in verse 2. That many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake. Some to everlasting life. And I would think that the Rosalites must submit that this is the resurrection of the body.

There's not many else sleeping in the dust that I know of. You're not one to come around and argue with me afterwards that spirits are sleeping in the dust are you? Because I'll tell you that a grave digger would have bother burying a spirit.

I wouldn't know how you would plop a spade on a spirit. I would know that. Just that you are Dan Schatzel. Pity on you. You can't even read. Yes this is what it says. Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth.

Bodies. There can't be anything else. Shall awake. Yes you know sometimes folks come round to tell me. That the only resurrection there will be will be the resurrection of saints. And the rest will be blotted out.

Annihilation they call it. And if you've got salvation yes you'll be awake. And you'll get into heaven but the rest. You see they're trying to do away with hell and the damnation of hell so they just say.

Well they'll be buried and there'll be no resurrection for them. Now that's not what it's saying just here is it? You watch it carefully. Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake. Some.

To everlasting life. Is that some? And some. To shame and everlasting contempt. Is that what it says in your book? You'd be better to go by the book you know. And mind you that's not preaching a general judgment and a general resurrection.

Because I know that some of my friends believe in general judgment and general resurrection. They just think you know that there'll be no millennial and that there'll be no great tribulation. In fact you know a fellow just the other day told me that we're in the tribulation now.

And I can tell you that he had a big four litre Rover just sitting beside him at the time. And I said yours is a pretty good tribulation I assure you. Yes some of my dearest friends they say you see that there'll just be the clap of your hands at the end.

And the end of the world they call it will come. And there'll be a general judgment and a general resurrection. Now if this was general judgment I can tell you this that Paul must have been all wrong.

Because Paul says that he sacrificed everything. That I may know Christ and the power of his resurrection. And the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable unto his death. That I might attain unto the resurrection.

Now there's no need to struggle to attain unto the resurrection. If it's a general resurrection you'll come out with a cloak. But what Paul actually said was this. That I might attain unto the resurrection out from among the dead.

Because there's going to be a resurrection out from among the dead. And when we come to revelation you will see the saints being raised. And it actually says the rest of the dead live not again until the thousand years were finished.

Because if the Lord came tonight you know. The saints would go. And we buried Mr. Morrow just last week. And the body would come out. Just like that you know. And the archangel would come. Those who loved Christ would arrive.

And then of course the trouble would start for the nation. And when Christ comes back you see. And the kingdom is going to be formed. Many of them that sleep in the dust shall awaken. Some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Wisdom, Evangelism, and Loving Roman Catholics

And do you see this? And they that be wise shall shine of the brightness of the firmament. And they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. You see if we're going to do any good for God at all.

You know we'll need to be wise. And I think that we would need great wisdom of Christians just now. In this land. And I think we would need to try to turn many to the Lord. I wouldn't cross that road out there you know to make a Baptist.

Everybody knows that around here. Never would you know. But I would go a thousand miles on my knees to help a man to know Christ. It's my job in life. I need to be wise. You see I hear some of them going to preach the gospel.

And they have to have a go at the Pope first. And I can tell you my dear young fellow if you listen to an old campaigner. You can't catch fish when you're throwing stones in the river. Because you'll catch no fish.

You never saw a fisherman get thrown stones in the river. Unless you would put your shadow across the water and say get back a bit. We need to be wise. He that winneth calls his wives. And we need to shine.

We need to let the Roman Catholics around us know that we love them. And we need to really love them. Don't pretend to love them. We need to love them. Don't forget that. You see this is the last vision that he's got.

Look at it again verse 4. But thou O Daniel set 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. That's one of the signs of the time of the end.

I wonder that we don't see it sometimes. You know up to 100 years ago. Oh this is 100 years back. It's actually less. It's a body of paper. Up to 100 years ago the whole world was going at the same rate as Abraham went at.

Abraham had the camel. The old men around here had the pony and duck. And you know the combustion engine came in. And in these last 100 years we have moved along faster and faster and faster. You can leave here and be in New York and have the meeting and back again.

And the way the time goes you're nearly here before you went. But you'll find that this describes the day that we're in. Many are running to and fro. And of course knowledge is increased. It just tells us that we're at the time of the end doesn't it?

Daniel's Final Question and the Call to Pray

Verse 5. Then I, Daniel, looked and behold there stood other two. The one on this side of the bank of the river. Angels he's talking about. And the other on that side of the bank of the river. And one said to the man clothed in linen which was upon the waters of the river.

How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen which was upon the waters of the river. When he held up his right hand his left hand on to heaven. And swear by him that lives forever that it shall be for a time.

Times. And half a time. It's three and a half he's saying. It's very well wrapped up. And then he shall have accomplished. To scatter the power of the holy people. All these things shall be finished. Here's a lovely little verse.

And I heard. But I understood not. I'm sure there must be some times when young believers are just saved and come to the class. And I get on in my own way. And do and say things that maybe you hear all right.

But you just don't understand. And I assure you that there are times I come to this book to difficult passages. And I can hear but I don't understand. Well I'll tell you the best thing to do then. Get down and pray.

That's what Daniel did. He says I heard. But I understood not. Then said I. Oh my Lord. What shall be the end of these things. You know this praying business is a great business. When you hear and you don't understand.

Pray. You know our Lord said. May not always to pray and not to say. When you're going to faint. When terrorists scare you. And I know you know my congregation. We have some dear old widowed ladies here.

And they live alone you know. And sometimes a blast goes off maybe fifty yards away. And that rattles their windows in the house. And there's nobody in only an old woman. Forgive me for saying it like that.

And she just gets out of bed and she's scared. And she walks up and down all night. She's sent to the wee room and out of it again. Many folks are scared you know. Dear I'll tell you what they don't walk about too much.

Get down and pray. Talk to the Lord. If you don't talk to the Lord you'll faint. May not always to pray and not to say. What Jesus is saying is this. You either cry or you'll collapse. And it's true. You remember when Paul was his feet fast in the stocks.

When the world is treating you rough. Pray. Ah yes he just prayed. At midnight Paul and Silas prayed. It's when you don't know. Pray. When you're scared. Pray. When the world is treating you rough. Pray.

The Lord must lead them across. And they're putting the nails through his hands. And they pray. Oh you can pray when they're persecuting you. Pray. Friends I think we don't know how to pray. That's the trouble.

We need to pray all the time. Pray. This is what Daniel did. Let's get on with it. And he said. Go thy way Daniel for the words are closed up unsealed till the time of the end. That's a great statement you know.