Daniel 12 (7)

Introduction
Daniel could not understand all of what the Messenger revealed to him, just as we cannot understand all that God has revealed in His Word. But what we can understand, we must be faithful to obey. Daniel’s message to the people of Israel was that they should rest in the sovereign power and goodness of God, and be wise, maintain their garments white and pure, and wait in patient obedience for the unfolding of all God had revealed. This is God’s message to us as well.

Read Revelation 22.12-21.

Read and Meditate on Daniel 12.

Think it through.
1.  How are the endings of Daniel and Revelation similar? How are they different? What do we learn from these about how to conduct ourselves in the world as we await the further unfolding of God’s Word and promises? 

2.  Wickedness will always be in the world, as Jesus explained in the parable of the wheat and tares. Should this affect our witness for the Lord, or the obedience we owe to Him? Explain. Meditate on Hebrews 10.24. How can Christians encourage one another to be wise, keep pure, and wait on the Lord in times when wickedness is increasing? What are the most important lessons you take away from Daniel 12?

Meditate
“…he calls blessed only those who gave witness during the time of troubles, who did not desert their religion and who then found abatement of their ills.” John Chrysostom (344-407AD)

Blessed arethose who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. Revelation 22.14

Let me not be intimidated by wickedness, Lord, but let me be faithful as Your witness to…

Pray Psalm 27.1-14.
Meditate on the beauty of the Lord. Seek His guidance for this day. Wait for Him to direct your steps into the good works that He has prepared for you for the day ahead (Eph. 2.10).

Psalm 27.1-14 (Joanna: Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise)
Lord, You are our Light and our Savior most dear!
You guard us with might; therefore, whom shall we fear?
Though evil surround us, our enemies fall;
No harm shall confound us when on You we call.

One thing we request but to dwell with You, Lord.
Your beauty to test and to think on Your Word.
In trouble You hide us secure in Your grace;
No foe may o’erride us: We sing of Your praise!

Hear, Lord, when we cry and be gracious, we pray!
Lord, do not deny us Your favor this day!
Our help, our salvation, though others may fall,
Preserve our good station when on You we call.

Lord, teach us; Lord, lead us because of our foes!
Hear, Lord, when we plead for release from their woes.
Had we not believed all Your goodness to see,
Our heart sorely grieved and in turmoil would be.

Wait, wait on the Lord; persevere in His grace.
Hold fast to His Word; seek His radiant face.
Be strong, set your heart to abide in His Word;
His grace He imparts; therefore, wait on the Lord.

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press).