Set Free! Amazing Grace!! -- Reflections on Daniel 12

Set Free! Amazing Grace!!

Reflections on Daniel 12

Sabbath School

Bible Study

March 28, 2020

Larry R. Evans

Introduction

The story is told of a very old and sick man who asked his doctor what heaven would be like.  In that moment, the doctor heard the old man’s dog barking and scratching at the door.  The dog had followed his master to the doctor’s office. Turning to his patient the doctor told him the noise was his dog who did not know what was happening in the room but who wanted to be with him.  Then the doctor said: “Is it not the same with you? You do not know what happens behind the door called death, but you know your Master is already there.”

This quarter we have been studying the book of Daniel, a book often alluded to by Jesus both directly and indirectly. Last week we pointed out how every chapter of the historical section of the book, chapters 1-6, emphasized that “come what may,” we can be assured we are not alone. God is with us.  He responds to our prayers though at times it may seem He does not (Daniel 10)—at least not as quickly as we wish He would. Daniel makes it clear that God is diligently at work to bring us home to Him.

Today, we come to the climax of the book of Daniel.  The book begins with the story of Daniel and his three Hebrew companions in exile.  The book ends with God’s people set free—a people who were exiled the moment sin entered at the Garden of Eden. The victory statement closes the book of Daniel.

“But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.” (Dan. 12:13)

Can you imagine the sheer amazement that would come over an exiled follower of God far from his homeland?  It is the same kind of awe that should cause us to shout out, “Amazing grace!” after reading of this assurance.  We too are about to receive our “inheritance!”

There is much in Daniel 11 and 12 that is difficult to fully understand.  Today we will focus more on the “forest” than on specific “trees.” However, we must not let the difficulty of a few passages obscure the central message of the book or even of these chapters.  The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary on the book of Daniel makes an important point.

The book of Daniel might appropriately be called a handbook on history and prophecy. Predictive prophecy is a preview of history; history is predictive prophecy passing in review. The element of prediction enables God’s people to see the things of time in the light of eternity, alerts them for effective action at appropriate times, facilitates personal preparation for the final crisis, and provides a firm basis for faith upon fulfillment of the prediction.^[1]

Lawrence Richards made a similar point when he wrote, “The Bible is not just for learning.  It for living.”[2] As we study Daniel, let’s keep in mind that as we learn more about the historical themes presented in this book of the Bible and the prophetic teachings presented there that we are also learning how to live today.

There are three major themes for our study and reflection this week:

1.   The Assurance We Have Because of Michael

2.   The Resurrection as a Testimony

3.   The Prophetic Assurance of God’s Continued Intervention and Victory

The Assurance We Have Because of Michael

“At that time Michael shall stand up,

The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;

And there shall be a time of trouble,

Such as never was since there was a nation,

Even to that time.

And at that time your people shall be delivered,

Every one who is found written in the book.

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,

Some to everlasting life,

Some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Those who are wise shall shine

Like the brightness of the firmament,

And those who turn many to righteousness

Like the stars forever and ever. (Dan. 12:1-3, NKJV))

The chapter break between chapters 11 and 12 is unfortunate.  Dan. 12:1-4 is God’s answer to what the king of the north does “in the time of the end,” as prophesied in Dan. 11:40-45.  “At that time” links the two passages.  Michael literally means “who is like God. In Dan. 12:1” we are told that he “will stand” or “arise.” Such action refers to taking up a kingship as a protection of Daniel’s people.

The name Michael is used particularly in situations where there is conflict over the people of God.  Michael comes to fight for them and protect them and deliver them. That is also His function here in Daniel 12:1-4.[3]

Earlier in Daniel an unnamed person stands with the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace and referred to by Nebuchadnezzar as a “son of the gods.” (Dan. 3:25).  Then in the judgment scene, what appears to be the same personage is said to be the Son of man (Dan. 7:13) and “to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom” (Dan. 7:14). In Daniel 8:11 He is the “Prince of the host” whose rightful priestly ministry was forcefully imitated and taken away by “the little horn” (Dan. 7:9).  This is an extended battle as we see from Revelation 12:7,

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.

Michael is also called the archangel in Jude 9 and we are reminded in 1 Thess. 4:16 that the “voice of the archangel” brings about the resurrection of the saints.  Jesus, Himself, is the Michael who acts in our defense and who rescues His people.
 

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Just as the children of Israel were set free from the Egyptian bondage by the Lord whose “strength is my defense” and who is identified as a “warrior” (Ex. 15:2, 3) is also the one shown in Daniel 12:1 as “Michael, the great prince who protects your people.” 

The climax of the prophetic book of Daniel assures us that “at the end of time” Jesus acts decisively in behalf of His people! He has been with them all along (Dan. 2, 7, 10) interceding for them (Dan. 8, 10).  At times we may have felt alone as the three Hebrews (Dan. 3) and Daniel must have felt (Dan. 6) God was with them and was their comfort in times of crisis.

QUESTION:  How does the standing up of Michael bring us assurance today?

The Resurrection as a Testimony

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,

Some to everlasting life,

Some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Revelation 12:2)

The first reference to the resurrection in Daniel 12:2 announces that both the righteous and the wicked will rise from the dead at the same time.  This resurrection takes place within the framework of the time of the end as Michael stands up to save His people (Dan 12:1). Therefore, this awakening must be a special resurrection, because, as taught elsewhere in Scripture, the general resurrection of the righteous will take place at the second coming of Jesus and that of the wicked will happen at the end of the millennium.   However, Scripture gives indication of a special resurrection of those who crucified Jesus (Dan. 12:2; Matt. 26:63, 64; Rev. 1:7) and those who have died in the faith of the three angels’ messages (Rev. 14:13).[4]
 

“They also which pierced him” (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ's dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient.  [5]

A special resurrection precedes Christ’s second advent. “All who have died in the faith of the third angel’s message” will arise at that time. In addition, those who beheld with mockery Christ’s crucifixion, and those who have most violently opposed the people of God, will be brought forth from their graves to see the fulfillment of the divine promise and the triumph of truth (see GC 637; Rev. 1:7)^[6]

The ultimate testimony at the end of the ongoing battle between Christ and Satan is perhaps best summarized in the very last paragraph of The Great Controversy, p. 678.

The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love.

QUESTION: How is the resurrection a testimony? Why is a testimony needed?

The Prophetic Assurance of God’s Continued Intervention and Victory

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; (2 Peter 1:9)

The primary takeaway from Daniel 11 and 12 is that despite the rise and fall of nations and the attacks on God and His people – Michael, Christ, wins and therefore His people win. The promised “inheritance” is assured.

Time doesn’t allow for us to discuss all three specific time prophecies found in this chapter.  There is a principle, however, used throughout the book of Danie (and in Revelation) that can be described as repetition and enlargement.  For example, the war described in Revelation 12:17 is repeated and enlarged in chapters 13 and 14. So the specific nations of Daniel 2 are narrowed but then repeated and enlarged in Daniel 11 and 12.  I highly recommend the commentary by William Shea in the Abundant Life Bible Amplifier series (edited by George Knight) on Daniel 7-12.

QUESTION: What is the difference between sensationalism and biblical prophecy?  How is the later an assurance while the former not?

Closing Reflections

For several years my wife sang with the National Christian choir and I served on their board.  One of my very favorite songs that the choir sang was: "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)"   As we’ve reviewed the message of the book of Daniel from beginning to end this past quarter, the words to this song seem so appropriate as we conclude our study of this Christ-centered Old Testament book.

Amazing grace (All of Daniel)
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me (Dan. 9)
I once was lost, but now I'm found (Dan 10)
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved (Dan. 3, 6)
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone (Dan. 12)
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me (Dan. 8)
And like a flood His mercy reigns (Dan. 3, 6)
Unending love, amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me (Dan. 2)
His word my hope secures (Dan. 2, 7, 12)
He will my shield and portion be (Dan. 10)
As long as life endures

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^[1] Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1977). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 4, p. 750). Review and Herald Publishing Association.

[2] Richards, Lawrence O. (1971), Creative Bible Study, p.18. Zondervan.

[3] Shea, William H. (1996). The Abundant Life Bible Amplifier, (George R. Knight, Ed.), “A Practical Guide to Abundant Christian Living in the Book of Daniel 7-12”, Pacific Press.

[4] See De Souza, Elias Brasil in the Adult Teacher Sabbath School Bible Study Guide,

[5] White, Ellen G. The Great Controversy, p. 637.

^[6] Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1977). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 4, p. 878). Review and Herald Publishing Association.