The Book Of Daniel.

The Book of Daniel.

Daniel 12:1 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 same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

The Book of Daniel closes with a prophetic epilogue. In this final chapter the prophetic crescendo sounds forth down the ages of time until the last days are reached. At the time of the end, the angel Michael engages the powers of darkness on behalf of God's people. This is at the time of the Great Tribulation when Antichrist comes to the fore. This mighty spiritual conflict is detailed in Revelation 12,

Revelation 12:7-9, 12 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, [8] and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. [9] And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

[12] Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

The war in the 2nd Heaven sees the devil cast into the earth, where he empowers Antichrist to fill the world with violence and evil.

But the prophetic Word in Daniel 12:2 - 3) speaks of the resurrection of the dead,

[2] And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. [3] And 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.

Acts 24:15 and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Despite the evil of the closing days of time, God will have the last word. For the Righteous, their service will be tried at the judgment seat of Christ. For the unrighteousness, they will answer for their sin at the Great White Throne.

God then commands the prophetic Word to be sealed up until the second coming of Christ,

Daniel 12:4 But 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.

Daniel learns from the man clothed in linen who stood on the waters of the river (the Lord Jesus Christ) that the Great Tribulation would last for three and a half years (Verses 5-7)

Then again Daniel is told that the prophesy is sealed up until the time of the end. However, Daniel is given a mighty promise. He is told that he will personally witness the end of days,

Daniel 12:13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

And so the prophetic scroll is sealed up until that great day when the Saviour takes the scroll and opens the seven seals,

Revelation 5:1, 5-7 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

[5] And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. [6] And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. [7] And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne

Blessings in Christ. Rev Mervyn Cotton.