This is the twenty-first, and last in a series of expositions of the book of Daniel. This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the morning of February 10, 2013. This message deals with the resurrection of the saints, the victory of Christ, and the judgment of unbelievers. This contains an audio recording of my message, along with my sermon notes and a study outline. Please note that the sermon notes are not a full transcript.
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Study Outline:
SERMON NOTES:
Daniel 12:2-13 / Resurrection,Victory and Judgment
v.2:
That they shall awake that are in “the dust of the earth” definitely points to bodily resurrection, not simply a renewal of the soul. The reference is to a body.
They will then enter the next phase of their existence according to their faith or unbelief in their earthly life.
Resurrection is universal, whether believers or unbelievers, whether saved or lost.
But in contrast to the resurrection of the saved, the resurrection of the unsaved will be neither a blessing nor a deliverance (cf. Jn 5:28- 29).
The unsaved will be subjected to “shame” and “contempt” (cf. Rev 20:11- 15).
The word “everlasting” is a certain argument for the eternity of hell.
Just as our “everlasting” life is viewed as eternal, so must be the everlasting contempt, and Jesus assures us that eternal is the intended meaning.
John 3:15
Many people are more than happy to ascribe everlasting (eternal) life to the believer, but when the same term is used to describe hell, somehow they tend to limit its meaning.
The everlasting life is a glorious picture of a glorified eternity with Christ.
John 10:10
Indeed, this will be the most abundant life imaginable.
This life becomes fully manifested in our resurrection.
Resurrection is not reconstruction, God does not put back together the body which has turned to dust (Gen. 3:19)
The resurrection body is a new and glorious body. (1 Cor. 15:35-53) (v.37-38, 51)
The relationship between the body that is buried and the body that is raised is like that of a seed to a mature plant.
The plant comes from the seed, but is not identical to the seed.
The burial of the body is like planting a seed, and the resurrection is the harvest.
This resurrection occurs at the rapture.
1 Thes. 4:13-18
Those who die without faith will not be raised until after the millennium.
They will be raised for the judgment (Rev. 20).
v.3:
But those who die in faith, are wise.
“those who are wise” would describe those who have demonstrated wisdom, by living closely to the will of God.
“Those who lead many to righteousness” tells us the the fruit of a Christ centered life is new believers won to The Lord.
Wise living and soul winning go hand in hand.
v.4:
After that message about the resurrection, Daniel is told “to shut up the words and seal the book.” This ensures the preservation of this prophecy.
The prophecy is to be shut until the “time of the end,” which began at the ascension of Jesus. And indeed, the prophecy is not revealed in the book of Daniel, but it was eventually revealed.
This scroll was opened by Christ, and John witnessed it in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 5:2-5
Later, John was told to keep it unsealed, because the “time is at hand.”
Revelation 22:10
To run to and fro refers to the movement of a person searching for something.
The words of this book that have been sealed (kept intact) will be understood by many, now, who will seek to gain knowledge from it.
vv.5-7:
Daniel sees two other angels, and one enquires as to how much time until all is fulfilled.
The answer is 3-1/2 years.
“when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered,”
By the end of the 3-1/2 years, the antichrist will have persecuted God’s people and occupied Israel.
vv.8-9:
Daniel was confused by this prophecy, and asked for clarification, but the angels did not directly answer him, although they did provide him with some clues.
v.10:
The message they give here, is that the wicked during this time will not change, and they will not understand.
Only the wise will understand what is happening, and the wise will in turn follow Christ. That will be the mark of their wisdom.
v.11:
They proceed to tell Daniel about the end of the tribulation. This, no doubt, would serve as an encouraging message.
From the abomination of desolation, there follow 1,290 days.
That is 30 days beyond the 1,260 days that make up the last three and a half years of the tribulation.
These 30 days will extend beyond the end of the Tribulation, allowing for the gathering of Israel and the judgment of the nations, before millennial kingdom actually begins.
- Matthew 24:29-31 (The gathering of Israel)
- Matthew 25:31-46 (A time of judgment)
For beleaguered saints enduring the horrors of the end time, the precise knowledge of the exact day of deliverance will be of great reassurance.
v.12:
Between 1,290 and 1,335 days there is an interval of 45 days, or a month and a half. What is destined to take place in that short period can only be conjectured.
It most likely allows for the transition between Israel’s time of being shattered (v.7) and Gods setting up of his kingdom .
Daniel 7: 13–14, 27
It will probably be during this time that the thousand- year earthly rule of Christ will be officially inaugurated, as He takes His seat on David’s throne.
The believers who survive to that day and share in the glory of Jesus ‘coronation on earth are here acclaimed as “blessed”.
They are about to become citizens of the most wonderful society governed by the most wonderful ruler in all human history– the millennial kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ!
v.13:
The final verse of the book contains an encouraging word for the aged Daniel: “You will rest (i. e., his body will rest in the grave)
Daniel did not live to see many of his prophecies fulfilled.
But he will be resurrected, and he will receive his allotted inheritance in the Millennium.
Because of Daniel’s faith in God he led a life of faithful service for Him, and for that faith and that obedience he will receive a glorious reward.
All, who like Daniel, trust the Lord will share in the blessings of His millennial kingdom.
In Defense: The Blog 
Posted on February 15, 2013
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