V. THE COMMENDING OF DANIEL (v. 13)
“Go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. ”
This is God’s blessing and promise to Daniel. Daniel was nearly ninety years old, but after living most of his life in a pagan land, he was devout, uncompromising, godly, loyal, courageous, prayerful, humble, zealous, and compassionate. He had been given thorough revelations about future Gentile kingdoms, Israel’s destiny, and the frightful reign of the Antichrist during the Great Tribulation. Daniel knew that his beloved people Israel would suffer terribly, so God comforted him through the presence of the preincarnate Christ and the promise of future kingdom blessedness.
A. His Responsibility (v. 13a)
“Go thou thy way till the end be. ”
The Lord was telling Daniel to remain faithful to His Word and will. That’s similar to an admonition He would give centuries later: “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13). The apostle Peter said it like this: “Seeing, then, that all these things shall be [destroyed by divine judgment], what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness” (2 Pet. 3:11). Knowledge of the future brings a present responsibility to live righteously. We are to live righteously so that we will not be ashamed at Christ’s return (1 John 2:28).
B. His Resurrection (v. 13b)
“Thou shalt rest, and stand. ”
Daniel was to remain faithful to the time of his death. Although his body now rests in death, it will rise again. That promise is one of the great Old Testament statements about the resurrection.
C. His Reward (v. 13c)
“[You shall] stand in thy lot at the end of the days. ”
The Hebrew term translated “lot” refers to an inheritance. Colossians 1:12 says the Father “hath made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints. ” Our heavenly Father has given us an inheritance “incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for [us]” (1 Pet. 1:4).
Conclusion
It’s thrilling to look at the future with the kind of hope that the Lord shared with Daniel. As Christians we don’t need to worry about dying because we’ll be resurrected. At the moment of physical death, our spirits go immediately to be with the Lord, so it’s only our bodies that we’ll wait for (2 Cor. 5:8). And in the day they rise, we’ll be rewarded by the Lord. Until that time, we’re responsible to continue serving the Lord.
I remember reading about a father who was awakened in the night by his little boy. Apparently the child was having a nightmare and panicked, crying out for his daddy. As the father ran into the dark room, the boy asked, “Daddy, are you here?” “Yes, son, I’m here,” the father said reassuringly. “Daddy,” said the boy, “is your face looking at me?” The father answered, “Yes, son. ” With those words the boy lost his fear and soon fell asleep.
Our great hope for the future is knowing that the face of our Savior is looking at us. There’s no need to fear the future because He’s looking at us with the same love that He had for Daniel. What great confidence our Lord provides for us! As we look forward to the promises of future resurrection and eternal reward, may we accept our present responsibilities to live like Daniel.
Focusing on the Facts
1. What was Daniel instructed to do by shutting up the book and sealing it (Dan. 12:4; see p. 2)?
2. When will the book of Daniel be more fully understood? Why (see pp. 2-3)?
3. Why will many be running “to and fro” during the tribulation (12:4; see p. 3)?
4. Give evidence that the angels are as curious about the future as Daniel was (see p. 4).
5. Identify the person who was clothed in linen and standing above the river (see pp. 4-5).
6. What is the three-and-a-half-year reign of terror designed to accomplish with regard to Israel? What will come about as a result of it (see pp. 6-7)?
7. How did Daniel’s question differ from the one the angels had asked (see p. 7)?
8. In what way was the reply Daniel received in Daniel 12:9 a source of comfort (see p. 8)?
9. Will all the nation of Israel be purified? Support your answer with Scripture. To whom does the “all Israel” of Romans 11:26 refer (see p. 8)?
10. Why isn’t it necessarily true that increasing wickedness will make it increasingly difficult to be redeemed? Ironically, what may be the greatest time of revival the world has ever seen (see pp. 8-9)?
11. Why won’t many of the wicked understand the spiritual significance of what will be happening during the tribulation (1 Cor. 2:14; see p. 9)?
12. What do the thirty days beyond the 1,260 days refer to (see pp. 9-10)?
13. What do the forty-five days beyond the 1,290 days refer to (see p. 10)?
14. What are some of the blessings of the Messianic kingdom (see pp. 10-11)?
15. Explain the promises that the Lord gave to Daniel in Daniel 12:13 (see pp. 11-12).
16. What is our great hope for the future? Explain (see p. 12).
Pondering the Principles
1. Daniel’s godly life is a spiritual legacy for us to follow. Undoubtedly his recording of prophecies will be instrumental in leading many to faith in Christ. What about your legacy? Are you leaving a positive, spiritual imprint on those around you? You may never write a book about spiritual things like Daniel did, but the Lord can use you to tell someone about Christ. The simple gospel you share with someone may eventually begin a ministry through that person’s life that could reach thousands for Christ. So invest in others’ lives and reap great spiritual dividends.
2. Because of the wonderful future we anticipate as Christians, we should live righteously in this present life. Several verses reinforce our responsibility to be “the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13) rather than retreat into spiritual hibernation. Look up the following verses and identify what we are to do or be:
Philippians 3:20; 4:5:
Colossians 4:5:
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12:
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13:
1 Timothy 6:17-19:
Titus 2:11-15; 3:1-2, 8-9:
Did you recognize the constant theme of being both heavenly minded and earthly good? Evaluate your present ministry in light of Christ’s imminent return. Are you keeping both in proper balance, or have you emphasized one more than the other?
3. Think back through our study of Daniel 9:20; 12:13. What new things have you learned about the end times? What truths in the final chapters of Daniel have made a significant impact in your life? Are you living any differently now based on what you’ve learned in this study?
“This article originally appeared here at Bible Bulletin Board.”
