Bible Reading: Daniel 12:7-13
Memory Verse: Daniel, go you way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive you allotted inheritance.(Daniel 12:13).
Is there any other place in the Bible where God said good-bye to a mere moral with such encouraging words?
God's servant Daniel, had served the king of Babylon faithfully all his life. He has been governor over the province of Babylon for most of his days. But far more important was his service to God and to the Jewish exiles who had languished in Babylon for 70 years. The 70 years of exile were almost completed. Daniel fasted and prayed to God to give him understanding of what would happen next. God's people were Daniel's people and he was deeply troubled for them. God had done great things for Daniel; miracles that no one could attribute to anyone but the living God.
God had sent His angel - perhaps Jesus Christ in the form of a man - to help Daniel understand the strange visions that he had seen. Daniel saw this man, "clothed in linen" above the waters of the great river Tigris River. The priests' garments were made of linen and this man may have represented Jesus Christ in His role as High Priest and Mediator (1 Tim 2:5).
Daniel heard the one angel ask the other, " How long will it before these astonishing things will be fulfilled?" And he heard the one explain, "It will be for a time, times and half a time." In regard to this, Daniel said, "I heard but I did not understand."
It is interesting that modern interpreters of Scripture fall all over each other to tell us what the phrase "a time, times and half a time" means. Yet Daniel, who heard it first hand from the mouth of an heavenly messenger, did not understand its meaning. He was told, "Go your way because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end" (Daniel 12:9).
Other times were given as "days" (Genesis 1), but no one can determine the meaning of the periods of time in Daniel 9:25). As Jesus told His disciples, "It is NOT for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority." (Acts 1:7).
Then Daniel heard God say good-bye. These words of farewell are recorded for our encouragement and hope, "As for you (Daniel), go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance." (Daniel 12:13). Daniel had given all his strength, for 80 + years. He had served God with all his might. Now Daniel "you will rest." This is the rest of faith that God promises every believer. You may be old, like Daniel and worn out, but God will give you His rest. And you will pass from this world with the assurance that Jesus has prepared a place for you in heaven. It is your "allotted inheritance" and no one can take it from you. It has been laid up and waiting for you from the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4)
If you have believed in Jesus Christ, you have already received the "guarantee of your inheritance," the promised Holy Spirit. (Eph 1:13-14). He is a deposit on what is to come! Paul wrote, "You know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward." (Colossians 3:24). He also wrote in his farewell to the believers at Ephesus, "Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (Acts 20:32).
One day, you and I will join God's servant Daniel. First, you will rest. Then God will give you a rich reward, an inheritance that can never fade or spoil or be taken from you. Praise God for His unsearchable riches shared with you and me in Christ. "Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!" (Romans 11:33).
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