The writer compared Christ to the maker and master of a house, and compared Christians to the house itself. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 8 As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, My lord, what will be the outcome of these events? 9 And he said, Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time. In Daniels vision of chapter 8, the little horn of this vision extends his kingdom toward the Beautiful Land (verse 9), overcomes some of the host of heaven (verse 10), and exalts himself as though he were equal with the commander of the host (verse 11). The first verse of chapter 12 reveals two facts pertaining to the end times we would not have expected apart from divine revelation. At this time, the king of the North will encamp his troops between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain (11:45), and then Michael will arise. What he bought was not the nullification of our wills as though we didnt have to hold fast, but the In Gods final revelation to this great prophet, He spelled out the way in which the triumph of evil men, and the suffering of the saints and the holy people, contributed to the fulfillment of Gods plans and promises. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. It will be 2,300 evenings and mornings until the holy place is properly restored. Amen. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. The righteous will be raised and rewarded with everlasting life, while the wicked will be raised and given the recompense of everlasting contempt. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. Also he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Blessed indeed, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!, And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day. He delivers us from sin, from suffering, and from death, but He did so by means of His own suffering and death. Submit yourselves therefore to God. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation." And night will be no more. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. If chapter 11 describes the approach of the last days from a human standpoint, chapter 12 describes the end in terms which are divine. He faced death on several occasions, but he did not deny his faith or convictions. Death is the great dilemma of biblical prophecy. Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. The question Daniel asked inquired as to the outcome of all these amazing and perplexing events (which he calls wonders). 100 Bible Verses about Hope. For the saint, the doctrine of the resurrection is the basis for our hope. J In Daniel 7:25 we are told that they (apparently the Jewish saints) will be given into the hand of the antichrist for a time, times, and half a time. In Daniel 8:14 we learn that there will be 2,300 evenings and mornings from the time the regular sacrifice is stopped until the time when the holy place is restored. Psalm 39:7. The saints are encouraged to live godly lives because they know that even if they are killed for their faith, God will raise them from the dead to give them their allotted portion at the end of the age. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. John 20:24-29. Death prompts each of us to get to the bottom line of what life is all about and what comes after death. Compassion will be hidden from My sight (Hosea 13:14). In other words, is the picture here of an anchor with its hook and chain bound unbreakably to the altar of God in the holy of holies so that nothing could loose it from that end, but with the rope just hanging out of heaven in the air? They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. According to Daniel 12:1, it is at that time that Michael arises. Hopeful Bible Verses. I This verse describes the believers hope of heavenly rewards. In chapter 10, we were told that Daniel understood the message and had an understanding of the vision (verse 1). That would be no security. His umbrella pierced the canvas, ripping a gaping hole in the roof of the tent as a river of ice cold water cascaded over the pall-bearers. The final verse of the chapter and of the Book of Daniel spell out the hope of Daniel and every Old and New Testament saint: 13 But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.. But most of the prophecies which remain unfulfilled will likely be fulfilled after our death. After the Messiah is cut off, a time of great tribulation is foretold along with a prophecy concerning the timing of the abomination of desolation. 25+Bible Verses About The Hope Of Heaven - KJV There are a lot of people in the world that are unaware of what occurs after death. Romans 5:2-5 - By whom also we have access by faith . And night will be no more. God opened the Red Sea, making a path for Israels escape and the means for the destruction of the Egyptian army (Exodus 3-15). Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 161 views, 3 likes, 0 loves, 8 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Woodsfield Church of Christ: Happy Easter!!! 25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 16 I approached one of those who were standing by and began asking him the exact meaning of all this. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written, that IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be reckoned, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification (Romans 4:16-25). Labs But the deliverance of the Israelites came through suffering. Psalm 108:5 worship. The image is the anchor. . He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.). Whoever says I know him but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. But that doesn't mean all hope is lost when someone dies. There is a definite link between the king of the North and the Great Tribulation to be sure. 27 Then I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. God provided mans salvation when we were too weak to save ourselves: 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. The Bible reveals the encouraging hope that the dead will be resurrected at a future timeafter Jesus Christ returns. Daniel 12:1-4 describes the final events of human history paving the way for the second coming of Christ, the defeat of His enemies, and the establishment of His kingdom. Thy kingdom come. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. They are also encouraged when they see wicked men persecuting the righteous and seemingly getting away with it, for these men will be raised from the dead as well to stand before the Sovereign God of the universe and to give account. Not in the order of Aaron and Levi who (1) had to offer sacrifices for themselves and for the people (Hebrews 5:3; 7:27), and (2) who died and had to be replaced year by year (Hebrews 7:23), and (3) who offered the blood of bulls and goats which could never take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). What he bought was not the canceling of the commandment to hold fast, but the fulfillment of the commandment to hold fast. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. At the end of chapter 11, the king of the North is encamped between the sea and the beautiful Holy Mountain ready to attack and to destroy. It looked as though the entire nation would be wiped out by the Egyptian army as they found themselves trapped between the Red Sea and the approaching Egyptian forces. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For example, in 1934, when twenty-eight-year-old John Stam, missionary to China, was being led away to execution by the communists with his wife Betty, someone on the road asked, Where are you going? John laid hold on the hope set before him and said, We are going to heaven.. of Verse 20 fills it out. Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!". Funerals must deal with the ugly reality of death and the reminder that each of us must come to terms with it. It is almost unavoidable to conclude that Michaels rising is the reason for the commencement of the Great Tribulation. They were powerless to resist the Egyptian army or to cross the Red Sea. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. After that he must be released for a little while. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling. But our citizenship is in heaven. And so it will be with Israel in the day of her deliverance. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Partly because of the troubling subject matter of his visions, compounded by his inability to understand what the visions meant, Daniel was greatly distressed and sought to understand their meaning. What Daniel needs to know is that the time of Israels suffering will have a two-fold effect. So last week the writer helps us hold fast our hope by telling us that it is based on two unchangeable things: Gods promise and Gods oath to bless us forever. The anchor of our souls is not a rope hanging in the air waiting for our weak hands to grasp and hold. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. Some prophecies have already been fulfilled, giving us hope and confidence that the remainder of His promises will also be fulfilled. This is the salvation he obtained by his blood: the hope of heaven, and the holding fast to get there. Paul reminded his Corinthian readers that God saved the weak, not the strong, for His own glory (1 Corinthians 1:18-31). Here again we come to a biblical principle which defies human logic but consistently underlies the way God deals with men. We must recognize our deeds of righteousness as filthy rags and receive the righteousness of God, which God provided in the person of His son, Jesus Christ (see Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:19-26; Titus 3:5-7). It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, Colossians 3:1-2 ESV / 992 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. It takes the believer to the high-water mark of Christian hopethe assurance of the resurrection of the dead. THE WORLD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; 10 for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation (Romans 10:8-10). The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. In verse 19b he calls the anchor (the hope), both (1) sure and (2) steadfast and (3) one which enters within the veil. The anchor is sure, certain and safe. (Heaven is my hope.), A person or event that makes your confidence sure (Jesuss death is my only hope of escaping judgment.). looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, Psalm 119:116. It is clear from verses one through three that our Lord Jesus is God. The suffering will end when its purpose has been fulfilled: as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed (verse 7). They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. The Jews protested that Moses had only made matters worse. Israels deliverance does not come about because God will make them strong, but rather because God will use wicked men to shatter the power of His holy people. 3 And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. The promises of God which are not fulfilled in this life are fulfilled in the next. In my Father's house are many rooms. I dont think that is the image the author has in mind here. This is where Jesus has gone as a forerunner for us (which means we will enter with him someday). You can use the word "hope" in at least three ways: A subjective feeling or conviction in the soul. His distress and desire to understand more fully is spoken of at the beginning of chapter 10, providing the setting for the entire revelation, including chapter 12. We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. "There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:7) 9. For further research, read "Heaven: What is it Like and Where is it?". But what if someone said: I have fitted your boat with a good solid heavy anchor that will grip any sea-bottom, only have not made it fast to the boat. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. 8 But what does it say? In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. He did not need to change as death drew near, for he had lived all of his life in the light of eternity and of his glorious hope in the God of Israel. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. Romans 5:3-4 suffering joy. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, not by their power but in their weakness, through His power. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. When Michael arises, the time of Israels trouble begins. F But the text leaves this evil king behind in chapter 11, linking the beginning of the tribulation to Michael, who will arise and bring about a time of great distress, a time particularly directed toward the Jews. In Daniel 9:24-27, the nation Israel and her Messiah are in view when the time of the first coming of Messiah is predicted, the timing being reckoned from the time the decree to return to Israel and to restore the temple is issued. Now the tent visibly began to bulge. Cite this page: Editor: Stephen Smith. What is the anchor in this image? Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 14:22; Ex. Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 20:5), here the heavenly messenger raised both his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, as the more complete guarantee of the truth of what is about to be affirmed. Cambridge Bible: The Book of Daniel, by S. R. Driver, p. 204, as cited by Joyce Baldwin, Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1978), p. 207. C On each of these occasions, the king passes through Israel and gains a growing hatred and animosity toward the God of Israel, His people, and the holy place. Would that give you the sense of security and confidence and hope and firmness that last weeks text and this text seem to be about? Someone in the congregation had collapsed from a heart attack and was lying on the floor. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, And Your glory above all the earth. And to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect. R Will We Need to Eat or Sleep in Heaven? V But Jesus entered into the holy of holies once for all with his own infinitely precious blood and his own indestructible life so that his atoning work for us is perfect and lasts forever. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? Let us listen and learn, and gain hope and comfort. (4) What is the hope described in Daniel 12:3? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 18. When the wicked rule, the righteous may suffer persecution and even death because of their faith in God and their obedience to Him: 33 And those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder, for many days. What we saw last week from Hebrews 6:1318 is that God has gone the extra mile in seeing to it that we have strong encouragement to hold fast to our hope in him. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 9 His grave was assigned to be with wicked men, Yet with a rich man in His death; Although He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. And he called him and said to him, What is this that I hear about you? In the sixteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is recorded as told by our Lord. No, it says that we are (now!) And its gates will never be shut by dayand there will be no night there. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com. The Book of Daniel will be a guiding light for those with insight in the last days. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death (2 Corinthians 7:5-10). Your will be done, In other words, holding fast to the rope anchored in heaven is an effect and proof of belonging to Christ, not a cause of it. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8). Belonging to his as his new creation, and being owned by him because of his purchase and being indwelt by him as his home all this secures our perseverance. Like all sinners, unbelieving Israels self-righteousness and self-sufficiency turns this people from God, trusting in themselves for righteousness, strength, and eternal life. In chapter 11, another reference is made to the coming of the antichrist, the termination of the regular sacrifice, and the abomination of desolation (verses 29-35). Lets pick it up at verse 18 and then move into todays text. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. Stop doubting and believe.". As a result of the reign of this evil king, many of the saints will be persecuted and some will die: And those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder, for many days (Daniel 11:33). Jesus said that He came not to minister to those who were healthy but to those who were sick (Luke 5:31-32). Resurrection is the means by which men pass from time to eternity. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 8 For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret itfor I see that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, in order that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. What was the point of an anchor in those days? Verse Concepts. 10 For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to see the pit (Psalm 16:9-10). 113 The first attack of the king of the North against the king of the South is recorded in verses 25-28. God provided the means for Abrams blessing through a son, whom Abram and his wife were powerless to produce (Genesis 12:1ff.). But we can hold fast only because we are held fast (see Philippians 3:12). 2 Corinthians 1:10 Never again is the king of the North (or the king of the South) mentioned in the remaining verses of Daniel. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. Those whose names are found written in the book of life116 will be rescued. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!". A number of other biblical texts speak to this matter. (2) According to verse 1, who will be rescued, and from what will they be rescued? Worship God.. 40:1 ). But from the first chapter of Daniel through all those many years of his bondage and service in captivity, Daniel remained faithful. We will never have to wait for something to happen to make us happy, or have to work in hopes that we will rest later. Three-and-a-half years is the measure of Israels stubborn unbelief. It reveals how Gods salvation will be fulfilled, not how it is made possible. How could the protector of Israel precipitate this time of such great suffering? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? As the pastor began to read the encouraging words of Romans 8, For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, he was interrupted by flames bursting from the heater, causing everyone to flee the tent. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 13 But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.. Abrahams response to this request was: They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them (Luke 16:29). So we are prone to ask, Why does the writer encourage us to hold fast to our hope (verse 18)? . Only Jesus Christ has gone to heaven. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. O Sheol, where is your sting? Now the success of the little horn and the suffering of the saints is shown to precede the coming of the kingdom of God, when the little horn is destroyed and the promised kingdom is granted to the saints (verses 9-12, 22, 26-27). No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. The increase of knowledge in the last days will not produce righteousness nor will it serve as a guiding light. The first words spoken to Daniel in verse 13 should set the standard for every Christian. What was the hope of the Old Testament saint? Recall Hebrews 3:14 where the writer says, We have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end. Not: we will become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast. But: we have become partakers of Christ if we hold fast. 16 For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 (as it is written, A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU) in the sight of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. The answer is this: What Christ bought for us when he died was not the freedom from having to hold fast, but the enabling power to hold fast. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of his death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection (Romans 6:5). I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 2 My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it., But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke you.. So he not only makes promises to his children, but he takes an oath and swears that he will bless them, and only that he swears by the highest and most precious reality in the universe, himself (verse 13). Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, 9. So what we have seen is that God is not inconsistent. The prophecies of Gods Word, in which Daniel found courage and comfort, were certain because he would rise from the dead to receive his allotted portion at the end of the age.. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14HelpfulNot Helpful.

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