Day 25 – How Should this Prophetic Knowledge Affect the way I Live

Read Daniel 12: 1 – 13

The prominent theme throughout the entire book of Daniel is that God is in control and he will continue ruling in a sovereign way until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of God. Daniel confesses twice in today’s passage that he doesn’t understand everything he has written. As we read his words in the times in which we live, we have all the words of the prophets and we have John’s Revelation to provide additional clarity but we still don’t know everything – and we don’t need to know everything.

In Daniel 12:5-7, Daniel sees a vision of angels on the banks of the river, and Jesus hovering above. The angels ask the Lord exactly what Daniel wanted to know: “How long will all this go on?” Christ’s answer - Three and one-half years, just as He said in chapter 7. During that time, the power of the Jews will be shattered, two-thirds will die, and the nation of Israel will embrace Jesus Christ. In verses 8 and 9, Daniel presses for more details; When will this happen? God replies, “Just go your way and leave it alone.” God has supplied all the details he will give and the prophecy is sealed. In verse 11 the text speaks of the daily sacrifices being taken away, referring to the middle of the Tribulation period. The Antichrist is going to establish idol worship in the Jewish Temple and it will be such an abomination the Temple will be desecrated to the Jews. Two numbers are referenced, 1290 days and 1335 days, referring to this period of time and the reason for the two numbers is obscure and open to speculation. Sometimes, it is important to remember why prophecy is given and not get bogged down in minutia. Daniel is an old man at the end of the book and the last verse is one of instruction and reward. God tells him to “Go your own way to the end” – i.e. take care of your responsibilities and serve me with gladness until the end. Daniel has spent all his days in a foreign culture but God promises him that he is going to be part of the redistribution of the land. Daniel’s inheritance is safe and secure, reserved in heaven forever.

Q1. Daniel lived as a captive in a foreign land almost his entire life. How did he respond? To what can you attribute his trust in God?

Q2. Have you ever gone through a period in your life where you wondered if there was a God who loves you, let alone one who has a plan for your life? When you need spiritual strength, where do you turn?

Final thought: Some Christians throughout the years have been preoccupied with date-setting for the rapture and have brought embarrassment to the message of the gospel. Despite consistent teaching that the prophecy is sealed and the date is known only to the Father, folks still try to put an exact date on it. We are told to live as if each day could be the day. Our message should always be “Maybe today”