Daniel 12

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” (v. 1)

These events describe the tribulation, so many say, and the time of the tribulation. The really great thing is that the arch-angel, Michael shall stand against the wiles of the devil, and fight on our behalf. He is the “great prince which standeth for the children” of God and fights our battles as a “big brother” might do (see Rev. 12: 7). When the battle is raging, and defeat seems near, we need to remember that there is more to it than what meets the eye, and know that we are on the winning side. The warfare in the Heavens is much greater than our warfare here on earth, and the angels will prevail whether we do or not.

I sometimes wonder why the Lord showed us all these things, since they do not necessarily pertain to us, but as I muse on it, I believe that he is warning mankind, and in turn, we are to warn others so that they will escape the terrible judgment that is inevitable. The greatest reason for revealing the future of mankind, as I see it, is so that we will testify of these things to a lost and dying world, and perhaps save some “pulling them out of the fire” (Jude 23). You see, the Book does not end in judgment for us, but in a great hope, that of resurrection and eternal life (vs. 1, 2). It ends with reward for the faithful (v. 3), as well as judgment for the lost (v. 2), and gives hope for those who are confused. Daniel did not understand all that he saw and heard (v. 8), but many today presume to understand and expound the deep meaning of the latter part of the Book of Daniel, yet I believe that, if God did not wish to thoroughly explain it all and make it clear to Daniel, then He would like us to wait and know that it is for the end times, and not for all of our “today’s”. Every generation that has read these words supposed that they were in the very last days, and these things might be fulfilled in their lifetime, but the Lord knows the time, and it is given to no man to know. We have been shown the “what”, but not specifically the “when”, and we need to accept that instead of trying to fit things into history where they may not belong. Some things we need to believe, but leave them up to the Lord and in His time all will be revealed. Nevertheless, let us not sit around and wonder, for there is work to be done.