Bible Study - Return (6) - Stay Prepared and Ready - Matthew 25:1-13 - May 29, 2022

 

Bible Study – Return (6) – Stay Prepared and Ready – May 29, 2022

This is our sixth and final lesson in our series entitled, “CHRIST’S Return: Living with the end in Mind.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 25:1-13

Grow in CHRIST as you wait for HIS return.

JESUS’ message to HIS disciples then and to us today is to stay alert, stay ready, work while the light of the Gospel shines, be filled, stay filled and do not compromise your stand with the Holy Spirit. Make sure you embrace what sustains, which is the genuine Holy Spirit and not some false feelings that the world gives to make you feel good. Let’s explore!

JESUS gave those who seek the truth a message in the Parable of Ten Virgins.

A wedding was a very big event in JESUS’ day, as well as today. It was and is a festive occasion which takes much planning and preparation. GOD considered a wedding to be a once in a lifetime event.

The return of JESUS to earth is a once in eternity event for which we are either prepared or not. JESUS told HIS disciples a parable about ten virgins. All ten ladies were virgins and all qualified to wait upon the coming of the groom.

Let’s explore!

Let’s read Matthew 25:1-5:

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins^[a] who took their lamps^[b] and went out to meet the groom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them; ⁴ but the wise ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. ⁵ When the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

At that time the Kingdom of Heaven means the Kingdom of GOD will be like ten virgins. “At that time, “that is whenever the FATHER tells JESUS to return. What will it be like? There will be people who appear to be ready and those who are ready for the second coming. It will be like the wedding of all weddings because JESUS, the Groom, is on HIS way. There is a delay. What can cause a delay?

The spirit world is active and attempts to control the physical world but GOD is in charge.

We read in Daniel 10:10-14:

¹⁰ Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me shaking on my hands and knees. ¹¹ He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man treasured by God.^[f] Understand the words that I’m saying to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you.” After he said this to me, I stood trembling.

¹² “Don’t be afraid, Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers. ¹³ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days, for the vision refers to those days.”

We learn in Daniel that there are things going on in the heavenly realm that causes a delay in earthly plans. Thus, the delay of the bridegroom is very appropriate, however when GOD gives the nod to JESUS to return to earth there will be no delay. GOD’S timing will be perfect and at HIS choosing. That is why we must be wise Spirit-born people. The second coming is when JESUS, the Groom, takes HIS bride, the Church, and makes the marriage official at the Marriage supper of the LAMB. This is the instant when those who have been born-again will be taken up with JESUS into Heaven and the door will be shut!

By including the reference to Daniel, I do NOT mean to suggest that Satan can interfere with the timing of CHRIST’S return. Only GOD is in control of that event.

Ephesians 5:25-27 says, Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

As a male chauvinist, it is hard for me to think of me being a bride until I discovered that we call a ship, her, and a ship carries both males and females. So as Spirit-born people, we are carried on the arms of JESUS as HIS and collectively, male and female, called the Church/Her. It is the true church not made with hands but the true Spiritual Church. In Hebrews 9:11, we read:

¹¹ But Christ came as High Priest of the good things ^[a]to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.

As Spirit-born people, GOD’S Word washes and cleanse’s as it reaches deep into our hearts and minds. We are renewed as we learn more about JESUS and HIS calling for each of us to serve as HE directs our lives.

What do we read in GOD’S Word in Hebrews 4:12?

¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Back to JESUS’ parable - They are all virgins. Likely in their teens and qualified to be chosen as a bridesmaid. They had the proper credentials and equipment. They all had their lamps or touches. They all went to sleep. It likely had been a long day and they were tired. Human nature took over and they went to sleep which was no problem. What was a problem for some of the bridesmaids??

Then there was a mid-night cry, ------

Let’s read Matthew 25:6-9:

⁶ “In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’

⁷ “Then all the virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’

⁹ “The wise ones answered, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell oil, and buy some for yourselves.’

In the middle of the night, the mid-night cry was made - The Groom has arrived!!! He was delayed but he has arrived. All the virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish virgins quickly discovered that their lamps/touches did not have enough oil for them to complete their role as bridesmaids, which was to light the path for the groom and his bride. Oops!!! So, the foolish virgins asked the wise virgins to give them some of their oil. If the wise virgins had shared their oil, they would not have accomplished their commitment, so, the wise virgins said no, go buy oil from those who sell oil.

No person can get to Heaven riding on someone else’s coat tail. Every person is accountable to GOD through faith in JESUS. Faith in JESUS means you have an invitation to the Marriage Supper of the LAMB.

What is the oil? It is olive oil and represents the Holy Spirit. So why didn’t the foolish virgins have an adequate supply? We can only speculate. JESUS said they were foolish or unwise. Why were they unwise? The Holy Spirit gives a person added depth and dimension in life. The Holy Spirit knows the heart and thoughts of GOD. Had the unwise decided not to be filled by the Holy Spirit because they were embarrassed, they would be tagged as a Holy Roller? Being a Spirit filled Christian was not hip or it meant you could not do all the cool things some of their friends were doing. The list goes on ---

So, what happened? The foolish/unwise virgins ran quickly to buy some oil for their lamps or torches. They knew where to go to purchase the oil but the Groom was on his way. The Groom was late and in a hurry.

Typically, in JESUS’ day, after about a year’s betrothal, the groom went to the bride’s home to bring her to his home for a seven-day feast. A wedding party accompanied the groom and escorted the couple from her home to the bridegroom’s home.

Part of the responsibility of the bridesmaids was to light the path for the outdoor processional. The lamps were torches which consisted of a long pole with cloth wrapped over and around the end of the pole. The cloth had been soaked in olive oil and ignited. Since an evening ceremony was in the evening, the bridesmaids needed to carry extra oil for their torches or lamps. I like to think they had lamps.

It was a big deal for the bridesmaids to light the path for the Groom and His Bride. But half of the bridesmaids, who were about to run out of olive oil, needed to keep their torches/lamps burning. They may have thought they knew the bridegroom as a very punctual person and everything would run as planned. Except, it did not and the bridegroom was delayed. Satan will do all he can to prevent JESUS from coming to earth but Satan has been defeated and JESUS will arrive and gather all born-again Children and take them to Heaven and shut the door!!!

We find scripture in Proverbs 3:5-6:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall ^[b]direct your paths.

When we depend upon our own knowledge, we get into trouble. Wisdom is knowledge applied to GOD’S plan. Trust in what our LORD reveals to us through the indwelling Holy Spirit. If you have never relied upon the Holy Spirit, you will be amazed as you look to HIM to lead and guide you along the paths of life.

As a Spirit-born person you already have the Holy Spirit within you. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit and you are sealed. If you are not sure, pray and ask GOD to reveal to you what you need to do to know you are filled with the Holy Spirit. What HE reveals may be simple or you may have to confess some sin of commission or omission.

The key is FATHER, my desire is to be your man or woman. I trust JESUS as my Savior and know that HIS shed blood cleanses me from all of my sins, past, present and future. As a result of being Spirit-born by the Holy Spirit, the Passion of JESUS has opened the path to YOU FATHER. My desire is to serve YOU as led and guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Amen.

Salvation and serving our LORD is never about saying the right words but the attitude of our hearts. Remember GOD placed HIS message of salvation in jars of clay. HE is the potter and we are the clay. Our part is to be available and trust the potter to make us and mold us into the image HE desires. WOW!!! YES!!!

FATHER, we do not know the day or the hour when YOU will give the nod to JESUS to return but may we be found faithfully serving YOU when JESUS returns. Keep us filled to the brim with the Holy Spirit and faithfully reminding others to always carry plenty of oil as they minister and for them not to lean upon their own understanding. Keep your eyes fixed upon JESUS and respond as HE gives you opportunity.

The unwise virgins had to leave the wedding party to purchase more oil.

Let’s read Matthew 25:10-13:

¹⁰ “When they had gone to buy some (oil), the groom arrived, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. ¹¹ Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’

¹² “He replied, ‘Truly I tell you; I don’t know you!’

¹³ “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.^[c]

The bridegroom gathered his bride and returned to his parent’s home where the wedding banquet was prepared. To delay meant the food would get cold and the festivities would be delayed. Timing is vital and when it is time, it is time. When the groom arrived all who were present went into the house with him to the wedding banquet and the door was shut!!!

The five foolish/unwise virgins arrived after the door was shut. They had their oil but sorry they were late. They were on the outside looking in. JESUS’ message is be alert, stay alert and be ready because you do not know when the final bell will toll and GOD shuts the door. Stay alert and filled with the Holy Spirit and work while there is still daylight because the harvest is bountiful. To GOD be the Glory.

Blessings!!!

 

Bible Study - Return (5) - Keep Serving Faithfully - Matthew 24:42-51 - May 22, 2022

 

Bible Study – Return (5) – Keep Serving Faithfully – May 22, 2022

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled, “CHRIST’S Return: Living with the End in Mind.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 24:42-51.

Serve CHRIST faithfully as you wait for HIS return.

As Spirit-born people, what do we do as we wait for the return of JESUS? JESUS has entrusted the Gospel to us. We read in 2 Corinthians 4:3-8:

³ But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,^[a] who is the image of God. ⁵ For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. ⁶ For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Clay Jars

⁷ Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. ⁸ We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 

We who are Spirit-born, have the great treasure of JESUS within us as manifested by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I asked, how do you make a clay container stronger? Much is in the shaping process. The potter needs to get the clay container as smooth as possible. The smoother the stronger. How wonderful our LORD is to us when HE smooths the rough places in our lives, so that we will be strong when we serve HIM. GOD has entrusted the Gospel light to us to share and not to hide it under a cover. We read in Isaiah 64:8:

Yet Lord, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we all are the work of your hands.

Every day is a day closer to the return of JESUS, either JESUS will return or we will meet HIM in physical death of our earth suits but our Spirit-born body will immediately be with JESUS. Our Spirit-born body will return with JESUS when HE returns to earth to rapture those who are Spirit-born. We along, with other Spirit-born brothers and sisters, will receive our Glorified bodies, like JESUS’ resurrected body and return to Heaven with JESUS. JESUS’ message is the same, stay alert and ready because the world we live in is dynamic and no one knows what a day holds. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Matthew 24:42-44:

⁴² Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day^[m] your Lord is coming. ⁴³ But know this: If the homeowner had known what time^[n] the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Uncertainty keeps most people on alert. This is exactly what JESUS was telling HIS disciples then and now. JESUS does not know when GOD, HIS and our FATHER, will sound the “mid-night cry” and JESUS will return. When we witness the signs, JESUS has told us e.g., wars and tragedy throughout the world, we cry LORD JESUS come. GOD’S timing is perfect. Why? It is because HE is in control!

Who is the thief that comes unexpectedly? It is Satan who seeks to enslave and destroy GOD’S people. That is why JESUS tells all Christians to stay alert, focused and ready. Most especially, Satan comes when we change our focus from following the leading and teaching of the Holy Spirit to focusing on the things the world has to offer.   

In the meantime, JESUS underscored the need for those who know the truth to share the Good News of salvation through faith in JESUS with others, as they wait. Waiting is active with great anticipation that JESUS could return at any moment. It is not passive waiting but active.

JESUS tells us why we, as Spirit-born people, should stay on alert in a parable. If we knew when a thief was going to break into our home, we would be prepared for the thief to come. But if we are focused upon being and staying alert, when the thief comes, we are ready to take action.

What we know is that JESUS will return, we just do not know when. So, JESUS tells Christians to be ready, stay ready and to actively share the Good News with those with whom we come into contact, as we wait.

How do we know when to share the Gospel? The indwelling Holy Spirit knows the mind of GOD and GOD knows the mind of people. The Holy Spirit prompts us to share. We may only share a word of encouragement, a cup of cold water or a helping hand. What the Holy Spirits prompts us to do, GOD has prepared the heart of the person who needs it. Our part is to be faithful and trust as our LORD gives us opportunity.

Faithful Service to Christ

Let’s read Matthew 24:45-47:

⁴⁵ “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time? ⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes. ⁴⁷ Truly I tell you; he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 

Our LORD has made us, who know the truth, responsible for working in GOD’S vineyard and caring for the vineyard and ensuring that those in the vineyard are fed Spiritual food, exercise, are ministered to when they get sick or hurt, down and out, need a helping hand. This is what GOD desires from those who have been Spirit-born. GOD equips those who have been Spirit-born with gifts manifested by the Holy Spirit to serve in extraordinary ways. All things are possible when Spirit-born people have the faith the size of a mustard seed.

In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 we read:

¹⁹ Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought at a price. So, glorify God with your body.^[a]

Since the Holy Spirit is in you, every place you step becomes Holy Ground. GOD has placed each of HIS Children in the exact spot in HIS vineyard to witness and serve HIM to further the Kingdom. The harvest are those with whom we come into contact. We may plant a seed, water, weed, prune, fertilize or harvest. JESUS tells us to be vigilant and look for opportunity to work. When we see GOD at work, that is our opportunity to join HIM. We need to keep in mind that our part may be to give a cup of cold water to a soul who thirsts for the truth. Be alert and watch and be ready to act as opportunity happens.

Or will we be like the other servant? As we read on -----

Let’s read Matthew 24:48-51:

⁴⁸ But if that wicked servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delayed,’ ⁴⁹ and starts to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards, ⁵⁰ that servant’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. ⁵¹ He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Serving GOD as a Spirit-born person is all about the heart. GOD equips and gives us opportunity but what do we do with the light HE has given to us? Do we hide it or do we share it? We may think after we have achieved our goals, then we will serve GOD later. But we may never the opportunity. Are we afraid of what others may think of us if we choose to serve GOD?

JESUS had a message for those of us who want to do our own thing and then pull our life together when we think the end is near, whether in the end times or our physical death. No one can time life or the end.

JESUS’ message is to accept HIM as our Savior and be obedient to HIS calling. All Spirit-born people are called to share the message of salvation. We read in Colossians 1:27:

²⁷ God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

CHRIST is the only hope any person has. It takes a step of faith in JESUS for a person to turn from walking a road to Hell to walking with JESUS on the road to eternal life and Heaven. When a person places his or her faith in JESUS, a Spiritual conception takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye. When GOD’S Spirit joins the spirit of a person, that person is Spiritually born into GOD’S Family. JESUS told Nicodemus in John 3:1-3:

There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

⁴ “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Just as a new born baby must be fed milk first, then solid food, new Christians must be fed Spiritual food e.g., studying GOD’S Word, praying, serving, fellowship with other believers, etc.. When a baby enters into the world its parents don’t toss it into a room and tell the baby the milk is in the fridge and the diapers are in the closet. Lots of luck. NO!!! That new born baby needs tender love, nourishment and care and so do new Spirit-born people.

The Apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:2 - ² Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word,^[a] so that by it you may grow up into your salvation,

In 1 Corinthians 3:2 Paul wrote - ² I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready,

JESUS desires for Christians to move from milk to solid food. It is time for Christians to grow up and embrace WHO is in them, WHO is The Holy Spirit. Ask GOD to help you to grow and dump all the baggage of false notions, unbelief and lack of faith that keeps you from trusting GOD fully and keeps you from sharing the true light that the world so desperately craves. Christians must move from Christians in name only and pray, “LORD, here I am reporting for duty. May the indwelling Holy Spirit lead and guide me every step I make as, I wait for YOUR coming. By YOUR power and in YOUR name, I want to be your person telling others about JESUS. FATHER, I need YOUR strength and leadership and realize that the indwelling Holy Spirit means that I am called, set aside, empowered and gifted for YOUR purpose. Amen!

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bible Study - Return (4) - Trust GOD'S Timing - Matthew 24:32-41 - May 15, 2022

 

Bible Study – Return (4) – Trust GOD’S Timing – May 15, 2022

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled, “CHRIST’S Return: Living with the End in Mind.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 24:32-41.

JESUS is certain to return even though, only GOD knows when.

JESUS said it. JESUS never said anything without first hearing it from HIS FATHER, GOD and GOD is the only ONE WHO knows when the end comes.

JESUS taught HIS disciples about the end times then and in turn us today. HE gave signs for all people to look for. There have been many times, when those who knew GOD’S Word, thought that the end was near. It is vital that we focus on Verse 36, page 2, in our scripture. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Matthew 24:32-33:

The Parable of the Fig Tree

³² “Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. ³³ In the same way, when you see all these things, recognize^[j] that he^[k] is near—at the door. 

This scripture is the most pointed revelation of end times. The “fig tree” is a reference to Israel. Israel was recognized as an independent state May 14, 1948. JESUS was saying, keep your eyes on Israel and what takes place there regarding the fulfillment of prophesy. According to some Bible scholars, the temple will have to be rebuilt. That means the Muslim temple currently on the dome of the rock will need to be destroyed. Some speculate that an earthquake will make room for the Jewish Temple to be built. The Jewish temple will need to be built and the desecration of desolation will have to take place by the anti-Christ in the Jewish Temple.  

Some think that the Jewish temple can be built adjacent to the Muslim temple today.

This is all speculation.

Let’s read Matthew 24:34-35:

³⁴ Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place. ³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

JESUS used the word, “truly.” Truly carries the idea of pay careful attention to what I am about to tell you. This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place. JESUS further under girds HIS statement with, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

JESUS statement, “this generation,” strikes a chord in our minds to attempt to figure out when the end will come. Some say 40 years or 70 years, a race of people or an entire group of people within a generation. Again, nothing specific.

Our next scripture makes it clear -----

Let’s read Matthew 24:36-41:

No One Knows the Day or Hour

³⁶ “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son^[l] —except the Father alone.

So, who knows when the end will come? It is NOT a human being, angels or JESUS. WHO does? GOD, our FATHER.

What will people be doing as the end comes? It will be business as usual.

 ³⁷ As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. ³⁸ For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark. ³⁹ They didn’t know until the flood came and swept them all away. This is the way the coming of the Son of Man will be. ⁴⁰ Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding grain with a hand mill; one will be taken and one left. 

JESUS makes it clear that the activity upon earth will be business as usual. Nothing out of the ordinary was taking place until it becomes obvious that the end has come. When the end comes the Spiritual condition of every person will be clear and immediately those Spiritually born into GOD’S Family will be taken and those not Spiritually born will be left behind.

Does GOD take pleasure in choosing one person over another? NO! But GOD gives very person an opportunity to accept JESUS as his or her Savior. It is the Holy Spirit WHO knocks on the door of every heart and it is the person who opens his or her heart’s door and allows the Holy Spirit to come in or keeps his or her heart’s door closed.

In Revelation 3:20: ²⁰ See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Every person must open the door into his or her heart and invite JESUS to come into his or her life and dwell (abide) within. We are not robots but GOD gave every person the freedom to choose. We have to stumble over JESUS to go to Hell.

In the days of Noah, Noah preached to the people and they ignored his preaching. Noah told them that GOD was going to destroy the people of the world with a flood. Life carried on as usual until the rain began. When the rain began the people realized that Noah was preaching truth. It was then that the people wanted to come aboard the ark but “GOD shut the door.” When the signs JESUS has given become real, those who have been exposed to the truth will know that the end is coming. Some will recognize what is about to happen and others will ignore them.

Human nature has not changed since the days of Noah. Today, the message is the same, “today is the day of salvation.” JESUS may not come today but any person can go into eternity. Eternity is only a heartbeat away. When the end comes, as expressed in Genesis 7:16:

¹⁶ Those that entered, male and female of every creature, entered just as God had commanded him. Then the Lord shut him in. (GOD shut the door,)

Once the end occurs, a person’s destination is final – Heaven or Hell.

People, in general, do not like for Christians to mention Hell. Hell is not a human invention. When a person has been Spirit-born, he or she is eternally changed through the miracle of rebirth by the Holy Spirit and is bound for Heaven.

Switching gears, let’s consider Old Testament scripture regarding the end.

Let’s read Daniel 12:1-13:

The Time of the End

12 “Now at that [end] time Michael, the great [angelic] prince who stands guard over the children 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; but at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the ^[a]Book [of Life], will be rescued. ² Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake (resurrect), these to everlasting life, but some to disgrace and everlasting contempt (abhorrence). ³ Those who are [spiritually] wise will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, [will shine] like the stars forever and ever. ⁴ But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the scroll until the end of time. Many will go back and forth and search anxiously [through the scroll], and knowledge [of the purpose of God as revealed by His prophets] will [greatly] increase.”

⁵ Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, there stood two others, the one [angel] on this bank of the river and the other [angel] on that bank of the river. ⁶ And one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” ⁷ And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he held up his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and a half a time (three and a half years); and as soon as they finish shattering and crushing the power of the holy people, all these things will be finished. ⁸ As for me, I heard, but I did not understand; so, I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?” ⁹ And the angel said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are concealed and sealed up until the end of time. ¹⁰ Many will be purged, purified (made white) and refined, but the wicked will behave wickedly. None of the wicked shall understand, but those who are [spiritually] wise will understand. ¹¹ From the time that the regular sacrifice [that is, the daily burnt offering] is taken away and the abomination of desolation is set up [ruining the temple for worship of the true God], there will be ^[b]1,290 days. ¹² How blessed [happy, fortunate, spiritually prosperous] and beloved is he who waits expectantly [enduring without wavering for the period of tribulation] and comes to the ^[c]1,335 days! ¹³ But as for you (Daniel), go your way until the end [of your ^[d]life]; for you will rest and rise again for your allotted inheritance at the end of the age.”

Footnotes

1. Daniel 12:1 See 10:21; Mal 3:16; Luke 10:20.
2. Daniel 12:11 1,290 is 30 days more than 3 1/2 years of 360 day years (1,260 days). The extra 30 days allows for the judgment that will take place after the second coming of Christ.
3. Daniel 12:12 The difference between this number and that in v 11 is 45 days, an interval that is not explained. The ancient rabbis speculated that when the Messiah comes, He will lead Israel into the wilderness and then disappear for 45 days to test their faith. The true believers will wait for Him, the rest will join other nations and eventually die there.
4. Daniel 12:13 Daniel was now over ninety years of age.

GOD told Daniel, ¹³ But as for you (Daniel), go your way until the end [of your ^[d]life]; for you will rest and rise again for your allotted inheritance at the end of the age.”

In essence, GOD told Daniel to go about the business of life because everything is in place. It is sealed.

What will be is in GOD’S hands and sealed until GOD determines to reveal and set in motion the end. Our part as Christians is to stay alert, watch, wait with great anticipation and share the Good News of Salvation through faith in JESUS. We as Spirit-born people are eternally secure as GOD’S Son or Daughter and we are to maintain a healthy relationship with GOD by following the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Life cannot get better than that – Rejoice!!!

Blessings!!!