June 18th, 2011
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Make the Right Choice

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Opening Prayer

Lord, I don’t need more information today. I need more transformation today. I open myself now to Your Word.

Read DANIEL 12:1-13

[1] “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people-everyone whose name is found written in the book-will be delivered. [2] Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. [3] Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. [4] But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” [5] Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. [6] One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?” [7] The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.” [8] I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?” [9] He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. [10] Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. [11] “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. [12] Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. [13] “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“In Christ we have a new body for that new home where we’re going” (Leighton Ford).

Think Further

The latter half of Daniel is less well known to most Christians than the preceding chapters. It is clear, however, that John was familiar with Daniel when he wrote Revelation. Once more we find ourselves in the midst of the “big picture” at a time of cataclysm. God’s people will be protected, not from trouble, but in trouble, and through trouble. We are never promised an easy ride, and the choices we make through life have real consequences for this life now, and for eternity. Daniel distinguishes between those who are the Lord’s and those who are not, a difference with immense consequences. Images from Revelation are seen to be birthed here—the seal and the scroll, the time frame of “a time, times and half a time,” which I believe refers to the whole period between the first and second comings of Christ.

The lessons are clear. God is in control. Time has a direction and a destination. This life is not all that there is. We have a future and a hope that motivates us to live for God now. How we live will depend, in part, on whether we believe that God is in charge of nations, families and individuals; in charge of good days and bad days, present at birth and in death. God makes no mistakes.

At the very end God says comforting words to Daniel. Stay the course. Keep standing strong until God takes you home; then you can rest. Since God will not forget you, you will also rise and live again where an inheritance awaits you. Daniel, throughout his life as an exile, had been deprived of his inheritance. In the end, he lost nothing, for a better inheritance was waiting for him and for all who trust in God.

Apply

How would you express to another where you are going in life, what matters to you, and where you expect to end up? How much does your hope keep you going each week?

Closing prayer

Gracious God, You alone have the power to turn my despair into hope. I thank You for the words of Jesus, “I am going…to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).

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