Daniel 10:18-12:13

[If you've been following along the past few weeks, I've been studying Daniel and recording some reflections here. For the previous entries in the series, please consult the side-bar: Bible-OT-Daniel. The first post in the series will be the last on the page, the most current on top. I don't program 'em, I just post 'em.]

These final chapters of Daniel have been most challenging as we move toward a conclusion of our study in Daniel. As I've attempted to neatly sum up this final section in this post, I've begun to appreciate the spirit of 12:4, "But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase." First, remembering this work was not written with chapter and verse, this final section can be treated as a whole (in contrast to our previous studies, which have neatly fallen within chapters as are presently presented). Second, the task of going back and forth (study) is what increases knowledge related to this final section of Daniel's vision. Having said that, do not be looking for a commentary on the details of each verse in this final section; rather, consider along with me the whole in terms of biblical theology.

History is the record of what is known to be true concerning past events. Prophecy infers prehistory, the declaration of what is to come. From Daniel's perspective, he is hearing for the first time news related to things to come touching the world powers. From our present perspective, we can appreciate the historical confirmation we recieve looking back on the details of this news; however, there still remain some elements that have yet to be fulfilled. Personally, this is frustrating because too many suggestions have been made concerning the finality of these events yet to come, and world events keep happening that make those suggestions obsolete. Listening to or watching the daily news is overwhelming enough.

What can we make of this final section that will be meaningful to our current study?

First, we can be confident in the God of Daniel. From the very beginning we have seen that this God deserves deeper consideration. Remember, Daniel and his friends were captives in the land and, though prisoners of war, they would do nothing that could be considered sin against their God. Their minds were made up. Why is that? Because of His reality, which was affirmed repeatedly throughout Babylonian history, with Daniel and his friends serving in elevated positions above their captors.

Second, we are able to affirm the Sovereignty of God. The God of the Hebrew children is also the God of the nations. He brings up and casts down kings. Nebuchadnezzar learned, albeit not so quickly, that he was not as exalted and mighty as he thought. Nebuchadnezzar who once sought to receive worship was at the end of his life bowing the knee to the one who walks in the fire and makes kings to eat grass. Belshazzar had to have it spelled out before him, plainly on the wall the same night he died. Darius nearly repeated the mistake of Nebuchadnezzar but learned there was a living God who endures forever, whose kingdom willl not be destroyed and whose dominion will be forever (6:26).

This is the key to understanding what is taking place in this final section of Daniel. After chapter 6 Daniel is inspired to share the visions, visitations and messages he received from God. We should not be surprised to hear of these because Daniel's been receiving and telling dreams his entire life. God was preparing him for what was coming next--visions of an enduring King and Kingdom and what will happen to those who seek to depose Him.

Third, we learn that God is transcendent above, yet involved directly in the unfolding world events. We've already in a previous study affirmed the reality of the spiritual realm and the beings that dwell therein. We've also already established the fact that the spiritual does have direct influence on the physical. Above and beyond, yet strangely within all, we find God letting the nations know through Daniel's prehistory that nothing escapes His notice. Some wonder if God changes His mind as man tumbles pell-mell in a seemingly unpredicatable way, creating history as he goes. I believe it is in passages like these that God tells us plainly He can see the direction evil men are heading and the consequences that will result from their actions. Above all else, we can rest assured that everything will take place in His timing.

Closely related to these elements of prophecy, we find underscored the unwavering word of God. "But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth." (Daniel 10:21). What Daniel is inspired to write is backed up in the whole council of God. Nothing revealed in Daniel is apart from what God has already described in scripture. That means when we look at other eschatological passages, we should find nothing new from God's perspective. What He communicates to us through these visions, dreams and visitations is part of His progressive revelation; in other words, he reveals more based on what He already has before.

I've intentionally tried to stay within the context of Daniel in terms of handling these visions because, to begin with, much more studied people than me can provide more than adequate commentary on these very difficult passages. Also, sometimes we tend to lose the forest for the trees. If we stayed in Daniel's shoes, we might be better served to learn the lessons intended for him and the nations than waste time and energy on conjecture that might have to be changed after the next election, so to speak.

One other lesson we might find in these final chapters is found in 11:32-33, "By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action. 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." The people who know God will be strong and take action in the age of incarnate evil. Let that sink in for a moment. Just as Daniel and his friends were able to withstand capture, captivity, and persecution by scrutiny, fire and lions, so the people of God will display strength AND take action! God's truth is unstoppable, no matter how they fall.

We find also in this passage the promise of resurrection and reward or punishment. For those who know their God, this will be a glorious resurrection and what is allotted will be received. For those who know not their God, this will be a horrible resurrection and what is allotted will be received. Daniel writes of the one speaking to him saying, "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame [and] everlasting contempt." (12:2) For Daniel, he will die but he will die with the promise of resurrection and inheritance. ""But you, go [your way] till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days." (12:13)