Verse of the Day Devotion. Daniel 12:13
“But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.” – Daniel 12:13
I come now to the end of the Book of Daniel, for the bulk of chapters ten and eleven are prophetic to Daniel, but historical to us. The history is very intriguing, and I have taught it several times in various Bible Studies. However, I want to go to the last chapter and look at a very positive end that closes out this book.
After hearing all the prophecy given to him, this appears to have overwhelmed Daniel. “As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” Daniel 12:8. Going back to the beginning of chapter twelve we read, “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.” Daniel 12:1-2. This speaks of a time in our future. We see this because of verse two, “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.” This speaks of the very end of this life, and it gives the difference between those who are true followers of Christ, verses those who are not. And this also refers to those who have already died in this life. And then in verse three we see that those who were wise regarding Christ will shine like the heavens, and those who spread the Word of Christ and brought many to salvation will shine like the stars. And this ‘shining’ will be never ending.
Now, Daniel admits that all he heard he did not understand so he asked, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” Daniel 12:8b. This is actually a word of encouragement and therefore may legitimately be rendered something like ‘Don’t worry, Daniel’ or ‘You may go in peace.’ Essentially, he is told not to focus on this, cause it will be a secret until the end. This is not a rebuke but simply indicates that the prophet should go on about his life and not be concerned about his lack of knowledge because the vision relates to the far distant future.
He then continues, “Many will be purged, purified, and refined; but the wicked will act wickedly, and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.” Daniel 12:10-11. Many at this time will go through trials and tribulations. It is understood that these trials and tribulations will make believers more holy. “And some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge, and make them pure, until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time.” Daniel 11:35. Now these hard times will end, and this should be seen as an encouraging word to all believers. It will not last forever, for it will end at the appointed time.
It is important to understand that in the end there will be difficult times, because those who deny or reject Christ will hate us who believe and love Him. But God will always be with us through it all. It will be difficult but remember the words of Jesus. “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name. And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.” Matthew 24:9-12. Life will get difficult for believers. And we will need to endure much for the cause of Christ. However, He adds this to the end. “But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13. However long this time lasts, we must remain strong in the Lord. “How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days!” Daniel 12:12. It is not clear what 1335 days mean, but this period will be times of trials.
I want to encourage us all to focus on God and the calling He has given us, rather than the tough times to come. Daniel was told, “But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.” Daniel 12:13. We need to keep living our lives as Christ has called us to; spreading the gospel to those who need to hear it. And if we die before the end, we will enter into a rest and then will rise again. And if we do not die, we can continue our work and become stronger in the Lord, and we will also live in His kingdom forever. Either way, we will live in God’s kingdom forever with no end.
William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.