The Last Days of The Last Days
Daniel 12:1-4
Message #18
For today, I am going back to the end of our last message in Daniel and remind you that we’re at the height of the Antichrist’s rule on earth, during the worst of the tribulation period. The Antichrist is Satan’s ruler, who will control the world during the Tribulation. The Tribulation is the final seven years where God’s wrath and the devil’s wrath are poured out on this earth before Jesus Christ returns to reign on this earth.
So, here’s where we are at, from the last message.
Daniel 11:36 (NLT)
36 “The king (The Antichrist) will do as he pleases, exalting himself and claiming to be greater than every god, even blaspheming the God of gods. He will succeed, but only until the time of wrath is completed . . .
Things on the earth are indescribably bad, and the Antichrist is at the height of his world power. Revelation 13 tells the same story.
Revelation 13:7 (NLT)
7 And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation
Listen, Satan is in charge; God is in control. That is where the world is at in these final prophecies in Daniel. Remember, our last message in Daniel was called “The Run Up to Armageddon.” So, today, we see the “Last Days of The Last Days."
The first four verses of Daniel Chapter 12 should be in Daniel Chapter 11. We say that often because the chapter divisions are not divinely inspired by God. It was written, especially the Hebrew, as a string of consonants; they didn’t even put vowels in when it was originally written, and so it had to be broken down later. But these four verses are part of chapter 11. We know that because the beginning of Chapter 12, verse one says, “At that time.” And we ask, “At what time?” And it is describing the time in the previous verses in Chapter 11, in essence, the time when all hell is literally breaking through on the earth. So that’s one thing.
Next, please remember, Daniel is primarily written to the Jews, to Israel, to God’s chosen people. And so all the time we read the angels are speaking to “your” people, to Daniel’s people. And so what we are going to see today in the last days of the last days is a focus on three groups of people, within God’s people. We’re going to see three groups of Jews in Israel, and these three groups of people are going to really lay out what the most important lessons are about the last days of the last days. So, Daniel is focused on Israel, all of these lessons apply to us because we are by God’s mercy grafted into the Nation of Israel, whom he will never, never, never, never forsake. (If anybody ever tells you differently, leave their church.)
So, we are at the end of the Great Tribulation; the Antichrist is out of control and there is death and destruction like never before. And we read in Daniel 12:1,
Daniel 12:1 (NLT)
1 “At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation (Israel), will arise . . .
Michael is the only angel in the Bible who is referred to as THE Archangel, and he is always seen protecting Israel. He stands guard over Israel both then and now. The term, Archangel, means (in essence) Chief Angel. And here, verse 1 says at this time the Archangel Michael will arise (this Hebrew word means “to take a stand”). And Michael the Archangel is going to “take a stand” to protect the Nation of Israel. Literally, it is a remnant of the Nation of Israel… (Note that the Church does not replace Israel) who will be rescued out of the Tribulation by God’s hand and be ushered (alive) into the Millennium. (Just watch.) Continuing in Daniel 12:1:
Daniel 12:1 (NLT)
1. . . Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence . . .
There has been some times of anguish, hasn’t there, since nations first came into existence? How about in our lives, the Holocaust? There have been some pretty radical times. You go back into the medieval days, even much more radical, world wars after world wars; it’s just out of control. But this time will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. This is the worst of the worst. The Antichrist is trying to completely annihilate Israel, and the anguish and distress will be like nothing that has ever occurred before this time. But the angelic warriors (led by Michael) are taking a stand in order to rescue a remnant of the Nation of Israel.
Finally, at the end of Daniel 12:1, we read:
Daniel 12:1 (NLT)
1 . . . But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued.
This is the first of the three groups we are looking at today. And again, the angel is referring to “your people” because the angel is focused on Israel (Daniel’s people) and he says at this point, every one of the people of Israel whose names are written in the Book (and who are still alive) will be rescued through the final days of the great Tribulation. The Book the angel is referring to is the Book of Life, which is God’s book of the names of every person in all of history who has put their faith in Jesus Christ – either looking forward to God’s plan of Salvation (prior to the cross) or looking back to the cross (after Christ.) And those people are the ones God already knows, outside of time, and those are the ones at this time God is going to save as a remnant.
And so, in Romans, when it says all the nation of Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26), it’s referring to this time. Because by the end of the Tribulation, all the Jews that are saved are the only ones left alive, and they are the ones that are saved, and so it is, in essence, all the nation. So, the Book of Life is for those who were either looking forward to God’s plan of Salvation, as they look forward to the cross, or looking back, as we do, for salvation from the work of the cross. (We’ll look at the Book of Life in a few minutes. It is a book that records actions of faith. Not works, but faith.)
So, this first group is Jews who are truly saved, and God says they will be rescued (kept alive) from the horrors of Tribulation. Why?
Why? Because these are the people who go into the Millennium alive. The Millennium is a thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ (with us) on this earth that follows the seven-year tribulation period. This is referring to Jews who are rescued by Michael the Archangel and go into the Millennium alive. We will return with Jesus Christ to reign with him on Mount Zion, but we are in glorified bodies at that time. Everything about a glorified body is good, except you can’t have babies. But somebody has to have children because we know there are children born during the Millennium. So, it’s these people. God is going to rescue people (who are saved) and take them into the Millennium in their natural bodies. They will be the ones populating the earth.
In Revelation Chapter 7, we see 144,000 witnesses (all from the tribe of Israel) who receive a seal of protection from God. And so, we can assume these 144,000 are part of these who pass alive into the Millennium because in Revelation 14, they are standing with Christ on Mount Zion after his return.
Does that mean there are no gentiles saved in the Tribulation? No, there are. But this angel is speaking to Daniel on behalf of his people, so he is focused on Israel. But there will also be gentiles saved (put their faith in Christ) during the Tribulation – many are martyred (Revelation Chapter 7) who will pass into the Millennium in their natural bodies, alive.
But the focus here in Daniel 12:1 is on the remnant of Israel, who will put their faith in Jesus Christ during the Tribulation.
But here’s my first point. God made an eternal covenant with Abraham in Genesis Chapter 12, and God will not change that covenant. That covenant is an eternal covenant. It will last through the Tribulation with God protecting his people and God providing a place for them in the Millennium on this earth. Why?? Because God does not change his mind.
I had the opportunity to listen to what is called “Replacement Theology” a little bit this week, and it just kind of makes my blood boil a little bit because the rest of us don’t see it in scripture. So let me just tell you. The Church, the gentile Church, has NOT replaced Israel. God does not change his mind. He’s not like, “Oh those Jews, I can’t believe them! I’m going to have to get some gentiles.” Really? Who do we think we are that God would replace his chosen people with us? He won’t. God made an eternal covenant with Israel, and God keeps his word, and if God will keep his word with Israel, God will keep his word with you! (Count on it.)
That’s our first group, that’s the lesson of the first group.
The second group we see (still primarily focused on Israel) is in Daniel 12:2. They are those who have died.
Daniel 12:2 (NLT)
2 Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.
Now, this gets a bit complicated, so hold on. And if this is all new to you, just try to grasp the big picture.
The first thing you need to know is there is more than one resurrection from the dead. Meaning, not all the dead are resurrected at the same time. Here we actually see two resurrections of two different groups of people that actually occur at two separate times. Notice Daniel 12:2 says “many” of those who have died… The reason it says “many” is because there are numerous resurrections.
There are three primary resurrections of those who have died. (Christ, of course, was first.)
#1) The resurrection of the “Church Age” believers (us). That occurs at the time of the rapture. (1 Thessalonians 4) 2 Corinthians 5:8 says believers go IMMEDIATELY into the presence of the Lord. So this is a resurrection of our glorified bodies to meet our spirits.
#2) The resurrection of believers who have died during the Tribulation – along with the Old Testament Saints (referenced here.)
#3) The resurrection of all those who have died rejecting God and his plan of Salvation. This resurrection of the unsaved does not occur until after the 1,000-year Millennium (Second resurrection referenced here.)
So, Daniel 12:2 says, “some” of these who have died will be resurrected to everlasting life. This is those who have put their faith in Christ during the Tribulation, most probably along with the Old Testament believers who will also be raised here to enter the Millennium.
But then, as we often see in prophecy, there is a 1,000-year gap between the two resurrections mention here, and the second resurrection doesn’t occur until after the 1,000 Millennium when those who died rejecting faith in God’s plan of Salvation will be raised to shame and everlasting disgrace.
The most important truth to grasp here is this: Ultimately, every single person who has ever lived will be raised from the dead. Either to eternal life with God because of their faith in Christ, or to eternal separation from God because of their rejection of him.
We see the two resurrections mentioned here in Daniel 12:2 over in Revelation Chapter 20. First, we talked about those who will be resurrected to eternal life with Christ. So, let’s read in Revelation 20.
Revelation 20:4–6 (NLT)
(the end of the Tribulation – Beginning of the Millennium) 4 Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God (in the Tribulation). They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years (the Millennium).
5 This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) (Separate Resurrection)
6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.
So that is the first group, resurrected to life with God. That is the group you want to be in. The second group is raised 1,000 years later, after the Millennium. Look at Revelation 20:11-15.
Revelation 20:11–15 (NLT)
11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide.
12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. (what they’d done – NOT by their Faith)
13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds.
14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death.
15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Only through true faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins can this moment be avoided. These two resurrections in Revelation Chapter 20 are the two resurrections Daniel is writing about 600 years earlier.
So (with a focus on Israel), we have seen those who put their faith in Jesus Christ, both those alive and resurrected to eternal life, and we’ve seen those who have rejected Christ who are resurrected only to be separated from God.
But there is one more group of people in our text today. These are the people who will shine through the Tribulation.
Daniel 12:3 (NLT)
3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.
This is a promise of a special reward for those who are used by God during the Tribulation. The first group, verse 3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky . . . This is most likely a reference to those who are teaching God’s word during the Tribulation.
Let’s look over at Daniel 11:33 and 35.
Daniel 11:33 & 35 (NLT)
33 “Wise leaders will give instruction to many, but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed.
. . .
35 And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end . . .
We know there will be people saved in the Tribulation and so there must be the teaching of God’s word. Because Romans 10:17 says, faith comes from hearing the Word of Christ.
Certainly, some of the 144,000 witnesses from Revelation chapter 7 (referenced to before) will be teaching the Word of Christ… along with others who will not make it through the Tribulation alive. Here, Daniel 11:33 says these teachers will die by fire or sword and be jailed, robbed, and persecuted. That’s man’s perspective. But from God’s perspective, Daniel 11:35. God says they will be refined, cleansed, and made pure.
And more importantly, our verse in Daniel 12:3 says these teachers of God’s Word during the Tribulation will shine as bright as the sky, which is a reference to some type of reward from God.
Isn’t it interesting the radical difference between God’s perspective and our perspective? We say, “Oh no, we’re going to die by fire and sword. Be jailed, robbed and persecuted…” And God says, “No, they’re actually going to be refined, cleansed, made pure and shine as bright as the sky.” It’s just a matter of perspective, isn’t it?
We periodically have a conversation around our house about this exact thing. Our son has made a special request to God to allow him to stay here during the Tribulation in order to be one of these teachers. Bible in one hand, automatic weapon in the other. But we are trusting God to go ahead and take him with us in the rapture.
Now in the second half of Daniel 12:3 is another group who will shine coming out of the Tribulation.
Daniel 12:3 (NLT)
3 . . . and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.
These are the evangelists in the agonizing days of the Great Tribulation. Guys, if you think it’s hard to share your faith now, imagine what it will take when the Antichrist is in control and death is certain if you’re caught speaking the name of Jesus. Again, we know the 144,000 of Revelation chapter 7 would be included here, but there will be others and gentiles as well. And God says they will shine like the stars forever.
These are the people telling others how great God is during the most difficult time of the Tribulation. This will be an unimaginable difficult time for those sharing the hope of Jesus Christ.
But can I assure you this… God knows. God knows what they are doing, and he has a reward reserved for them. And I can also assure you; God knows what you are doing. God knows the sacrifice you are making to share the hope of Jesus in the midst of your own Tribulation, and God will never forget what you are doing, and he has already reserved your reward.
Hebrews 6:10 (NLT)
10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers . . .
To each of you who have sacrificed the things of this life in order to serve our great God, God will not forget what you have done or how hard you have worked for him. Especially those who have sacrificed in secret, in the shadows, without any acknowledgment, God will not forget, and they will shine forever.
Finally (for today), God is going to tell Daniel to seal up this prophecy until the time of the end.
Daniel 12:4 (NLT)
4 But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”
Two other times in Daniel and one time in Revelation, God says keep this prophecy to yourself, for a time. Throughout the Bible, we see that God reveals things as needed. And so, he tells Daniel to seal up these prophecies until the time of the end, because at that time, – many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.
The phrase “rush here and there” is a figure of speech that means people will do all they can to get to the bottom of something, to learn the truth about something, and the closer we get to these event occurring and especially when they begin occurring, believe me, people are going to be rushing here and there trying to understand it all. And at that time (as verse 4 says), knowledge (meaning knowledge about these things) will greatly increase. And so God says, just write it down Daniel and seal it up. I’ll make sure it gets in my Word, and people will search for it when these things all start going down.
Thank God, we have a desire to know (as much as we can) about these things today. Because not only does God’s Word lead us to Salvation, but we are also motivated by it to share the good news of eternal life in Christ with others.
Can I say just three things in closing?
#1) Make sure your name is written in the Book of Life by making Jesus Christ your Savior and your Lord. You put your full faith in Jesus Christ and the work that he accomplished on the cross to pay for your sins so that he could give you his righteousness. It’s by faith alone. It’s by God’s grace, and through your faith, there’s nothing you can do to earn it; it is all God. You just believe and receive, John 1:12 says.
#2) Make sure that when you die that you will be resurrected to eternal life with God instead of eternal separation from God (also done by making Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord). It’s the same answer, right? Put your faith in Christ, cling to him. Make sure you know if tomorrow you don’t wake up to see the sun, you make sure when you get resurrected, you’re going to be with God in eternity. It’s by faith alone. It’s the only way that God has made.
#3) Be like the wise in our verses today, Share the good news of eternal life with Jesus Christ with others. And if you do, God will remember you, and he will reward you in eternity.
So, here’s where we are at, from the last message.
Daniel 11:36 (NLT)
36 “The king (The Antichrist) will do as he pleases, exalting himself and claiming to be greater than every god, even blaspheming the God of gods. He will succeed, but only until the time of wrath is completed . . .
Things on the earth are indescribably bad, and the Antichrist is at the height of his world power. Revelation 13 tells the same story.
Revelation 13:7 (NLT)
7 And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation
Listen, Satan is in charge; God is in control. That is where the world is at in these final prophecies in Daniel. Remember, our last message in Daniel was called “The Run Up to Armageddon.” So, today, we see the “Last Days of The Last Days."
The first four verses of Daniel Chapter 12 should be in Daniel Chapter 11. We say that often because the chapter divisions are not divinely inspired by God. It was written, especially the Hebrew, as a string of consonants; they didn’t even put vowels in when it was originally written, and so it had to be broken down later. But these four verses are part of chapter 11. We know that because the beginning of Chapter 12, verse one says, “At that time.” And we ask, “At what time?” And it is describing the time in the previous verses in Chapter 11, in essence, the time when all hell is literally breaking through on the earth. So that’s one thing.
Next, please remember, Daniel is primarily written to the Jews, to Israel, to God’s chosen people. And so all the time we read the angels are speaking to “your” people, to Daniel’s people. And so what we are going to see today in the last days of the last days is a focus on three groups of people, within God’s people. We’re going to see three groups of Jews in Israel, and these three groups of people are going to really lay out what the most important lessons are about the last days of the last days. So, Daniel is focused on Israel, all of these lessons apply to us because we are by God’s mercy grafted into the Nation of Israel, whom he will never, never, never, never forsake. (If anybody ever tells you differently, leave their church.)
So, we are at the end of the Great Tribulation; the Antichrist is out of control and there is death and destruction like never before. And we read in Daniel 12:1,
Daniel 12:1 (NLT)
1 “At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation (Israel), will arise . . .
Michael is the only angel in the Bible who is referred to as THE Archangel, and he is always seen protecting Israel. He stands guard over Israel both then and now. The term, Archangel, means (in essence) Chief Angel. And here, verse 1 says at this time the Archangel Michael will arise (this Hebrew word means “to take a stand”). And Michael the Archangel is going to “take a stand” to protect the Nation of Israel. Literally, it is a remnant of the Nation of Israel… (Note that the Church does not replace Israel) who will be rescued out of the Tribulation by God’s hand and be ushered (alive) into the Millennium. (Just watch.) Continuing in Daniel 12:1:
Daniel 12:1 (NLT)
1. . . Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence . . .
There has been some times of anguish, hasn’t there, since nations first came into existence? How about in our lives, the Holocaust? There have been some pretty radical times. You go back into the medieval days, even much more radical, world wars after world wars; it’s just out of control. But this time will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. This is the worst of the worst. The Antichrist is trying to completely annihilate Israel, and the anguish and distress will be like nothing that has ever occurred before this time. But the angelic warriors (led by Michael) are taking a stand in order to rescue a remnant of the Nation of Israel.
Finally, at the end of Daniel 12:1, we read:
Daniel 12:1 (NLT)
1 . . . But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued.
This is the first of the three groups we are looking at today. And again, the angel is referring to “your people” because the angel is focused on Israel (Daniel’s people) and he says at this point, every one of the people of Israel whose names are written in the Book (and who are still alive) will be rescued through the final days of the great Tribulation. The Book the angel is referring to is the Book of Life, which is God’s book of the names of every person in all of history who has put their faith in Jesus Christ – either looking forward to God’s plan of Salvation (prior to the cross) or looking back to the cross (after Christ.) And those people are the ones God already knows, outside of time, and those are the ones at this time God is going to save as a remnant.
And so, in Romans, when it says all the nation of Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26), it’s referring to this time. Because by the end of the Tribulation, all the Jews that are saved are the only ones left alive, and they are the ones that are saved, and so it is, in essence, all the nation. So, the Book of Life is for those who were either looking forward to God’s plan of Salvation, as they look forward to the cross, or looking back, as we do, for salvation from the work of the cross. (We’ll look at the Book of Life in a few minutes. It is a book that records actions of faith. Not works, but faith.)
So, this first group is Jews who are truly saved, and God says they will be rescued (kept alive) from the horrors of Tribulation. Why?
Why? Because these are the people who go into the Millennium alive. The Millennium is a thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ (with us) on this earth that follows the seven-year tribulation period. This is referring to Jews who are rescued by Michael the Archangel and go into the Millennium alive. We will return with Jesus Christ to reign with him on Mount Zion, but we are in glorified bodies at that time. Everything about a glorified body is good, except you can’t have babies. But somebody has to have children because we know there are children born during the Millennium. So, it’s these people. God is going to rescue people (who are saved) and take them into the Millennium in their natural bodies. They will be the ones populating the earth.
In Revelation Chapter 7, we see 144,000 witnesses (all from the tribe of Israel) who receive a seal of protection from God. And so, we can assume these 144,000 are part of these who pass alive into the Millennium because in Revelation 14, they are standing with Christ on Mount Zion after his return.
Does that mean there are no gentiles saved in the Tribulation? No, there are. But this angel is speaking to Daniel on behalf of his people, so he is focused on Israel. But there will also be gentiles saved (put their faith in Christ) during the Tribulation – many are martyred (Revelation Chapter 7) who will pass into the Millennium in their natural bodies, alive.
But the focus here in Daniel 12:1 is on the remnant of Israel, who will put their faith in Jesus Christ during the Tribulation.
But here’s my first point. God made an eternal covenant with Abraham in Genesis Chapter 12, and God will not change that covenant. That covenant is an eternal covenant. It will last through the Tribulation with God protecting his people and God providing a place for them in the Millennium on this earth. Why?? Because God does not change his mind.
I had the opportunity to listen to what is called “Replacement Theology” a little bit this week, and it just kind of makes my blood boil a little bit because the rest of us don’t see it in scripture. So let me just tell you. The Church, the gentile Church, has NOT replaced Israel. God does not change his mind. He’s not like, “Oh those Jews, I can’t believe them! I’m going to have to get some gentiles.” Really? Who do we think we are that God would replace his chosen people with us? He won’t. God made an eternal covenant with Israel, and God keeps his word, and if God will keep his word with Israel, God will keep his word with you! (Count on it.)
That’s our first group, that’s the lesson of the first group.
The second group we see (still primarily focused on Israel) is in Daniel 12:2. They are those who have died.
Daniel 12:2 (NLT)
2 Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.
Now, this gets a bit complicated, so hold on. And if this is all new to you, just try to grasp the big picture.
The first thing you need to know is there is more than one resurrection from the dead. Meaning, not all the dead are resurrected at the same time. Here we actually see two resurrections of two different groups of people that actually occur at two separate times. Notice Daniel 12:2 says “many” of those who have died… The reason it says “many” is because there are numerous resurrections.
There are three primary resurrections of those who have died. (Christ, of course, was first.)
#1) The resurrection of the “Church Age” believers (us). That occurs at the time of the rapture. (1 Thessalonians 4) 2 Corinthians 5:8 says believers go IMMEDIATELY into the presence of the Lord. So this is a resurrection of our glorified bodies to meet our spirits.
#2) The resurrection of believers who have died during the Tribulation – along with the Old Testament Saints (referenced here.)
#3) The resurrection of all those who have died rejecting God and his plan of Salvation. This resurrection of the unsaved does not occur until after the 1,000-year Millennium (Second resurrection referenced here.)
So, Daniel 12:2 says, “some” of these who have died will be resurrected to everlasting life. This is those who have put their faith in Christ during the Tribulation, most probably along with the Old Testament believers who will also be raised here to enter the Millennium.
But then, as we often see in prophecy, there is a 1,000-year gap between the two resurrections mention here, and the second resurrection doesn’t occur until after the 1,000 Millennium when those who died rejecting faith in God’s plan of Salvation will be raised to shame and everlasting disgrace.
The most important truth to grasp here is this: Ultimately, every single person who has ever lived will be raised from the dead. Either to eternal life with God because of their faith in Christ, or to eternal separation from God because of their rejection of him.
We see the two resurrections mentioned here in Daniel 12:2 over in Revelation Chapter 20. First, we talked about those who will be resurrected to eternal life with Christ. So, let’s read in Revelation 20.
Revelation 20:4–6 (NLT)
(the end of the Tribulation – Beginning of the Millennium) 4 Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God (in the Tribulation). They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years (the Millennium).
5 This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) (Separate Resurrection)
6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.
So that is the first group, resurrected to life with God. That is the group you want to be in. The second group is raised 1,000 years later, after the Millennium. Look at Revelation 20:11-15.
Revelation 20:11–15 (NLT)
11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide.
12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. (what they’d done – NOT by their Faith)
13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds.
14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death.
15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Only through true faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins can this moment be avoided. These two resurrections in Revelation Chapter 20 are the two resurrections Daniel is writing about 600 years earlier.
So (with a focus on Israel), we have seen those who put their faith in Jesus Christ, both those alive and resurrected to eternal life, and we’ve seen those who have rejected Christ who are resurrected only to be separated from God.
But there is one more group of people in our text today. These are the people who will shine through the Tribulation.
Daniel 12:3 (NLT)
3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.
This is a promise of a special reward for those who are used by God during the Tribulation. The first group, verse 3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky . . . This is most likely a reference to those who are teaching God’s word during the Tribulation.
Let’s look over at Daniel 11:33 and 35.
Daniel 11:33 & 35 (NLT)
33 “Wise leaders will give instruction to many, but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed.
. . .
35 And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end . . .
We know there will be people saved in the Tribulation and so there must be the teaching of God’s word. Because Romans 10:17 says, faith comes from hearing the Word of Christ.
Certainly, some of the 144,000 witnesses from Revelation chapter 7 (referenced to before) will be teaching the Word of Christ… along with others who will not make it through the Tribulation alive. Here, Daniel 11:33 says these teachers will die by fire or sword and be jailed, robbed, and persecuted. That’s man’s perspective. But from God’s perspective, Daniel 11:35. God says they will be refined, cleansed, and made pure.
And more importantly, our verse in Daniel 12:3 says these teachers of God’s Word during the Tribulation will shine as bright as the sky, which is a reference to some type of reward from God.
Isn’t it interesting the radical difference between God’s perspective and our perspective? We say, “Oh no, we’re going to die by fire and sword. Be jailed, robbed and persecuted…” And God says, “No, they’re actually going to be refined, cleansed, made pure and shine as bright as the sky.” It’s just a matter of perspective, isn’t it?
We periodically have a conversation around our house about this exact thing. Our son has made a special request to God to allow him to stay here during the Tribulation in order to be one of these teachers. Bible in one hand, automatic weapon in the other. But we are trusting God to go ahead and take him with us in the rapture.
Now in the second half of Daniel 12:3 is another group who will shine coming out of the Tribulation.
Daniel 12:3 (NLT)
3 . . . and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.
These are the evangelists in the agonizing days of the Great Tribulation. Guys, if you think it’s hard to share your faith now, imagine what it will take when the Antichrist is in control and death is certain if you’re caught speaking the name of Jesus. Again, we know the 144,000 of Revelation chapter 7 would be included here, but there will be others and gentiles as well. And God says they will shine like the stars forever.
These are the people telling others how great God is during the most difficult time of the Tribulation. This will be an unimaginable difficult time for those sharing the hope of Jesus Christ.
But can I assure you this… God knows. God knows what they are doing, and he has a reward reserved for them. And I can also assure you; God knows what you are doing. God knows the sacrifice you are making to share the hope of Jesus in the midst of your own Tribulation, and God will never forget what you are doing, and he has already reserved your reward.
Hebrews 6:10 (NLT)
10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers . . .
To each of you who have sacrificed the things of this life in order to serve our great God, God will not forget what you have done or how hard you have worked for him. Especially those who have sacrificed in secret, in the shadows, without any acknowledgment, God will not forget, and they will shine forever.
Finally (for today), God is going to tell Daniel to seal up this prophecy until the time of the end.
Daniel 12:4 (NLT)
4 But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”
Two other times in Daniel and one time in Revelation, God says keep this prophecy to yourself, for a time. Throughout the Bible, we see that God reveals things as needed. And so, he tells Daniel to seal up these prophecies until the time of the end, because at that time, – many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.
The phrase “rush here and there” is a figure of speech that means people will do all they can to get to the bottom of something, to learn the truth about something, and the closer we get to these event occurring and especially when they begin occurring, believe me, people are going to be rushing here and there trying to understand it all. And at that time (as verse 4 says), knowledge (meaning knowledge about these things) will greatly increase. And so God says, just write it down Daniel and seal it up. I’ll make sure it gets in my Word, and people will search for it when these things all start going down.
Thank God, we have a desire to know (as much as we can) about these things today. Because not only does God’s Word lead us to Salvation, but we are also motivated by it to share the good news of eternal life in Christ with others.
Can I say just three things in closing?
#1) Make sure your name is written in the Book of Life by making Jesus Christ your Savior and your Lord. You put your full faith in Jesus Christ and the work that he accomplished on the cross to pay for your sins so that he could give you his righteousness. It’s by faith alone. It’s by God’s grace, and through your faith, there’s nothing you can do to earn it; it is all God. You just believe and receive, John 1:12 says.
#2) Make sure that when you die that you will be resurrected to eternal life with God instead of eternal separation from God (also done by making Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord). It’s the same answer, right? Put your faith in Christ, cling to him. Make sure you know if tomorrow you don’t wake up to see the sun, you make sure when you get resurrected, you’re going to be with God in eternity. It’s by faith alone. It’s the only way that God has made.
#3) Be like the wise in our verses today, Share the good news of eternal life with Jesus Christ with others. And if you do, God will remember you, and he will reward you in eternity.