Post by Woody Williams on Aug 25, 2024 7:11:19 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Daniel 12:1-13
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‘At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your
people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has
never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that
time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in
the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall
awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting
contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the
sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for
ever and ever. But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and the book
sealed until the time of the end. Many shall be running back and
forth, and evil shall increase.’
Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others appeared, one standing on this
bank of the stream and one on the other. One of them said to the man
clothed in linen, who was upstream, ‘How long shall it be until the
end of these wonders?’ The man clothed in linen, who was upstream,
raised his right hand and his left hand towards heaven. And I heard
him swear by the one who lives for ever that it would be for a time,
two times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power
of the holy people comes to an end, all these things would be
accomplished. I heard but could not understand; so I said, ‘My lord,
what shall be the outcome of these things?’ He said, ‘Go your way,
Daniel, for the words are to remain secret and sealed until the time
of the end. Many shall be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the
wicked shall continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked shall
understand, but those who are wise shall understand. From the time
that the regular burnt-offering is taken away and the abomination
that desolates is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and
ninety days. Happy are those who persevere and attain the thousand
three hundred and thirty-five days. But you, go your way, and rest;
you shall rise for your reward at the end of the days.’
Devotional
----------
In this chapter of Daniel and in the closing words of Jesus at his
Ascension, the time of the final judgment is a kept secret, known
only to God. The important element in the judgment is not knowing
when it will happen. That will do you no good. The important element
is to be wise, that is, purified, cleansed and refined spiritually,
so as to be ready anytime. The certainty that is essential is not the
certainty of when it will happen, but that it will happen. Accepting
that certainty makes a difference in my daily desire to stay
connected to God in faith, hope and love.
Prayer
--------
Help me remember that I am yours, O Lord, and enable me to live
accordingly. Amen
----------
‘At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your
people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has
never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that
time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in
the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall
awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting
contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the
sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for
ever and ever. But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and the book
sealed until the time of the end. Many shall be running back and
forth, and evil shall increase.’
Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others appeared, one standing on this
bank of the stream and one on the other. One of them said to the man
clothed in linen, who was upstream, ‘How long shall it be until the
end of these wonders?’ The man clothed in linen, who was upstream,
raised his right hand and his left hand towards heaven. And I heard
him swear by the one who lives for ever that it would be for a time,
two times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power
of the holy people comes to an end, all these things would be
accomplished. I heard but could not understand; so I said, ‘My lord,
what shall be the outcome of these things?’ He said, ‘Go your way,
Daniel, for the words are to remain secret and sealed until the time
of the end. Many shall be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the
wicked shall continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked shall
understand, but those who are wise shall understand. From the time
that the regular burnt-offering is taken away and the abomination
that desolates is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and
ninety days. Happy are those who persevere and attain the thousand
three hundred and thirty-five days. But you, go your way, and rest;
you shall rise for your reward at the end of the days.’
Devotional
----------
In this chapter of Daniel and in the closing words of Jesus at his
Ascension, the time of the final judgment is a kept secret, known
only to God. The important element in the judgment is not knowing
when it will happen. That will do you no good. The important element
is to be wise, that is, purified, cleansed and refined spiritually,
so as to be ready anytime. The certainty that is essential is not the
certainty of when it will happen, but that it will happen. Accepting
that certainty makes a difference in my daily desire to stay
connected to God in faith, hope and love.
Prayer
--------
Help me remember that I am yours, O Lord, and enable me to live
accordingly. Amen