The End Seen in the Old Testament

Daniel 12

Daniel 12:1–4 ESV

“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

Here we get a glimpse into the end times. Often we think of the book of Daniel in regard to Daniel and the lions den, not realizing that there is apocalyptic literature in this book. This just means that Daniel talks about the end times like the book of Revelation.

This passage shows us why our present faithfulness is worthwhile. When you put your faith in Jesus then your name is written in the book that the passage talks about, if your name is in the book you will enter into everlasting life as Christ returns. If it is not in there when he returns, if you have never put your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you will enter into everlasting contempt.

I hope that you are among the wise but many are not. It says in Matthew that many are on the path of destruction and few are on the path to life. When the end comes, which it will come, where do you think you will find yourself? If you know that you will find yourself among those whose names are in the book of life what about the people around you? Do they know? What is keeping you from sharing with them?