Daniel 12:1-13 | How Long, O Lord?

Joshua Hanson

Daniel • Sermon • Submitted 3 months ago • Presented 4 months ago

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SERMON TITLE: How Long, O Lord?

TEXT: Daniel 12:1-13 (NLT)

SPEAKER: Josh Hanson

DATE: 8-25-24

TURN MIC ON / WELCOME

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — are joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

SERIES INTRO

We’re finishing our series in the book of Daniel. Can you believe it? This is our last week — in this series — of looking at what it means to live in exile. And the section of Daniel that we’re in — is a section full of visions, dreams, symbols, prophecies about the future, and so on. And — our verses for today — conclude the final vision that Daniel is given. A vision that began back in chapter ten. A vision that’s an echo — a repeat, if you will — of two earlier visions Daniel had and a dream that King Nebuchadnezzar had earlier in the book. So let’s finish the book of Daniel today and his final vision by turning to our text for today.

We’re in Daniel chapter twelve — beginning in verse one.

Daniel 12:1–13 (NLT)

1 “At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. 2 Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. 3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. 4 But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.” 5 Then I, Daniel, looked and saw two others standing on opposite banks of the river. 6 One of them asked the man dressed in linen, who was now standing above the river, “How long will it be until these shocking events are over?” 7 The man dressed in linen, who was standing above the river, raised both his hands toward heaven and took a solemn oath by the One who lives forever, saying, “It will go on for a time, times, and half a time. When the shattering of the holy people has finally come to an end, all these things will have happened.” 8 I heard what he said, but I did not understand what he meant. So I asked, “How will all this finally end, my lord?” 9 But he said, “Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is kept secret and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined by these trials. But the wicked will continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those who are wise will know what it means. 11 “From the time the daily sacrifice is stopped and the sacrilegious object that causes desecration is set up to be worshiped, there will be 1,290 days. 12 And blessed are those who wait and remain until the end of the 1,335 days! 13 “As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.”

INTRODUCTION

The book of Daniel ends on some good news. Do you want to know what it is? God has guaranteed the end of his people’s exile. God has guaranteed the end of his people’s exile. This is true — not only for the people in Daniel’s day — but is a promise guaranteed to every generation of God’s people. This is what we find in the key verse of our text — which also happens to be the last verse of the book — verse thirteen — where we read…

Key verse:

Daniel 12:13 (NLT)

13 “As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.”

“Daniel, keep doing what you’ve been doing in all your days of exile. Keep being faithful until your very last breath. For — in the end — on the day when the Son of Man returns — you will rise again and receive your reward.”

The last words spoken to Daniel are words meant to inspire him to remain steadfast — to remain faithfully diligent — to not give into despair and hopelessness. For the eternal reward awaiting the people of God far outweighs the difficulties and challenges that we face in this land of exile. And I say this knowing the enormity of some of the difficulties you’re facing — I say this knowing the seeming insurmountableness of the challenges you’re facing. But the promise to us — to those whose hope is — not in what they can see with their eyes in this land of exile — but whose hope is in him who sees us in our suffering and pain — the promise to us is eternal life with the one who loves us and gave his life for us.

EVERLASTING LIFE OR EVERLASTING SHAME WILL BE YOURS

Let’s return to the beginning of our chapter and see the reason for our hope. We’re back in verse one.

Daniel 12:1–4 (NLT)

There will be a time of anguish and sorrow that exceeds every other moment in history. And — in Daniel’s visions — we’ve seen that hard days of living are coming — wars, destruction, desolation and so on. But — we’re to turn our eyes from this time of great anguish and look to the hope found in the words at the end of verse one.

Daniel 12:1b (NLT)

1 But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued.

Rescue — a theme found throughout the Bible. Most clearly seen in the Exodus story — where God rescued his people out of their enslavement in Egypt. A story of rescue — similar to that of Daniel’s time of Babylonian captivity — which points forward to the Rescue Story: God sending his Son to rescue his people from their enslavement to Satan, sin, death, and Hell. Rescue is your guarantee if you’re hope and trust is in the Rescuer — Jesus Christ.

Yet — we know that many have died before Jesus’ promised return to rescue his people has taken place. And — most likely — all of us will die before Jesus returns. I say this — not because I know when Jesus will return — I say this based on historical fact that nearly every generation before us has thought they were the ones who would not die — but would experience the return of Christ — yet death they did experience. So — most likely — the same will be true for us. So it’s better to prepare yourself for death — now — instead of holding on to a hope that isn’t guaranteed: that Jesus will return before I die.

But even death isn’t an insurmountable opponent for our Rescuer — Jesus Christ. For Daniel is also told that…

Daniel 12:2 (NLT)

2 Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.

All who die will rise up on the last day — the day when Christ returns. All — not just Christians — but everyone who’s ever lived will be raised from the dead on the last day. Some will be raised to everlasting life. Others will be raised up to shame and everlasting disgrace. Notice that everlasting is before both words — life and disgrace. There is no everlasting life without there also being everlasting disgrace or death.

We catch a glimpse of what’s being said here in the end of the book of Revelation. This will be a lengthy portion of Scripture that I hope brings encouragement to your soul. The apostle John writes…

Revelation 21–22 (NLT)

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” 5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega — the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. 8 “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars — their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” 9 Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone — like jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 13 There were three gates on each side — east, north, south, and west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles. 17 Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel). 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were made of pearls — each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. 22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty — but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. 1 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. 3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there — no need for lamps or sun — for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. 6 Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.” 7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.” 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. 9 But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!” 10 Then he instructed me, “Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.” 12 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. 15 Outside the city are the dogs — the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.” 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. 18 And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book. 20 He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! 21 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people.

HOW LONG UNTIL THE END?

And we can be stirred with hope by these words about our eternal destiny and still cry out, “But how long, O Lord, until the end? How much longer must I experience the pain and suffering of this land of exile? How long, O Lord? How long?” We’re in verse five.

Daniel 12:5–12 (NLT)

5 Then I, Daniel, looked and saw two others standing on opposite banks of the river. 6 One of them asked the man dressed in linen, who was now standing above the river, “How long will it be until these shocking events are over?” 7 The man dressed in linen, who was standing above the river, raised both his hands toward heaven and took a solemn oath by the One who lives forever, saying, “It will go on for a time, times, and half a time. When the shattering of the holy people has finally come to an end, all these things will have happened.” 8 I heard what he said, but I did not understand what he meant. So I asked, “How will all this finally end, my lord?” 9 But he said, “Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is kept secret and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined by these trials. But the wicked will continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those who are wise will know what it means. 11 “From the time the daily sacrifice is stopped and the sacrilegious object that causes desecration is set up to be worshiped, there will be 1,290 days. 12 And blessed are those who wait and remain until the end of the 1,335 days!

Did you notice that it’s a mysterious figure — one of the “two others” — who asks the question, “How long?” This isn’t even Daniel’s question — Daniel asks, “How will all this finally end?” because he — just like us — thinks if we can just figure out the details — we’ll be able to interpret the times correctly. So the one figure asks “How long” and the response to him is “time, times, and half a time.” A phrase that’s brought about much speculation and calculation. But don’t miss the other key detail in the response:

Daniel 12:7b (NLT)

7 When the shattering of the holy people has finally come to an end, all these things will have happened.”

There’s still sorrow to come — there’s still trials ahead for the people of God — there’s still more to endure. So not a whole lot is given as to how much longer — so Daniel asks his question about how this will all finally end. And the messenger — if you noticed — doesn’t answer his question. He gently dismisses Daniel’s question before saying…

Daniel 12:10 (NLT)

10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined by these trials. But the wicked will continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those who are wise will know what it means.

“Daniel, until this happens — God’s people will continued to be purified, cleansed, and refined by this trials of living in exile. And — those who are wicked — will continue in their ways. And then — sort of out of the blue — the messenger mentions two sets of days — which — if we’ve learned anything about visions and dreams and interpreting them — we know to be careful. But what we do know — is that a time of anguish seen like never before is to come. Those who are wicked will remain wicked. Those who are faithful will remain faithful. And a blessing is guaranteed to all those who remain faithful as they live in exile.

GO, REST, RISE

Thus — just as Daniel is told…

Daniel 12:13 (NLT)

13 “As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.”

As for you — man or woman of God — young boy or girl who believes in Jesus — single, newly married, widowed, or empty nesters — continue in faithfulness until the end of your days. Knowing that rest is coming — eternal rest. And your day of rescue is certain — for you will rise again when Christ returns. And an immeasurable reward is yours — for Christ has shared his inheritance with you — your reward is eternal life.

So no matter how hard today may be — no matter how much anguish you may experience in the days ahead — without knowing what sorrow you may experience as you live in this land of exile — remain hopeful. Remain faithful. Remain steadfast. For a promise has been made to you and it is guaranteed. Eternal life is yours. Eternal life is yours.

SCOTT MCKEE VIDEO INTERVIEW

To conclude today’s sermon — and our time in Daniel — we’re going to do something a bit different. Earlier, I recorded a video with a friend of mine who’s a pastor in the EPC — our denomination. Scott McKee is the pastor of Ward Church up in Michigan. And at the age of ____ — just ___ years ago — Scott was diagnosed with colon cancer. He had surgery. Went through treatments. And was declared cancer free.

Scott and I are part of a group of pastors who gather together every January down in Orlando. In January of this year, Scott shared some health concerns he was having — some pain — and the doctors weren’t finding a cause for the pain. I kept up with him and at one point — as is understandable he thought his cancer was back — Scott was full of joy in telling me that there was no cancer. But he wasn’t getting any better — in fact — he was only getting worse.

It turns out that some of Scott’s organs have merged together due to the surgeries he’s had because of his cancer. He wasn’t able to eat or keep anything down so the doctor’s performed a surgery in hopes of separating his organs and getting him back to health. And Scott’s situation was so bad that the doctor’s abandoned the operation once they saw what was going on. Scott now has a port as the only way he can get nutrients is through an IV that he has to be attached to for fourteen hours a day. He’s lost over fifty pounds in three months. And — in one of our last phone calls together Scott said — “Josh, I think I’m comfortable saying that I’m suffering now.” And with that as an introduction to Scott and his situation — here’s my conversation with him.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

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