Sermon Summary: Questions about the End of the Age (Daniel 12)

Summary

Daniel 12 provides a profound conclusion to the book, emphasizing God’s sovereignty over history and eternity. It assures us that deliverance comes through difficulty, death is not the end, and our eternal destiny is secure in God’s hands. While the precise timing of God’s plans remains hidden, we are called to trust His character, live with eternity in mind, and remain faithful in the present. This chapter reminds us that, even in uncertainty, God’s promises are sure, and His Kingdom is unshakable.

Big Idea

"Trust the God of eternity while living faithfully today."

Introduction

Today, we conclude our series in Daniel. The final chapter of Daniel is both awe-inspiring and humbling. It offers glimpses of God's sovereign plan for the end of history, yet much of it remains shrouded in mystery.

This tension reminds us of an essential truth: God tells us all we need to know, but not all we might want to know. This is not a limitation or failure on His part; it reflects His infinite wisdom and our finite understanding. As Deuteronomy 29:29 reminds us, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."

This principle invites us to trust Him—not in the fullness of what we comprehend but in the faithfulness of His good and holy character. With that in mind, Daniel invites us to trust the God of eternity while living faithfully today.

What did He tell Daniel? What does He tell us?

In Daniel 12, God gives Daniel a vision that ties together many of the themes and promises woven throughout the book. Though Daniel longs for greater understanding, God provides what is sufficient for his faith and ours. In this chapter, we learn that:

1. Deliverance comes through difficulty.
2. Death is not the end.
3. Our destiny is eternal.
4. The timing is God's sovereign decision.

Each of these truths offers guidance for living faithfully in the present while awaiting God's future work.

Deliverance Comes Through Difficulty

The angel begins with this sobering declaration: "There shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book" (Daniel 12:1).

Daniel learns that God's people will face extraordinary tribulation. This mirrors Jesus' warning in Matthew 24:21: "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be." It also typifies the kinds of warnings we hear from the apostles in the New Testament about the very end of the age. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture makes clear that God's people are refined through difficulty.

Daniel’s prophecy in chapter 12 is deeply tied to the experiences of the Jewish people during and after the exile. The "time of trouble" can be understood as including periods of intense persecution and suffering for the Jewish nation, such as:

• The events under Antiochus IV Epiphanes (2nd century BC): This Greek ruler desecrated the temple and viciously persecuted the Jewish people, events foreshadowed earlier in Daniel (e.g., Daniel 8:9–14; 11:21–35). His reign brought a period of great distress, including the infamous “abomination that makes desolate” (Daniel 11:31, echoed in 12:11).
• The destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70: When the Romans destroyed the temple, it marked another devastating "time of trouble" for the Jewish people. Jesus Himself alluded to this event in His warnings about the tribulation to come in Matthew 24:15–22.
• The final tribulation (depending on how we understand it).

These historical events fulfill the immediate context of Daniel’s prophecy, showing how God’s people endured significant trials while waiting for ultimate deliverance.

Yet God promised and continues to promise deliverance—deliverance grounded in His covenantal faithfulness. Notice the personal nature of this deliverance: "everyone whose name shall be found written in the book." This echoes the imagery of the Lamb's book of life in Revelation 21:27. Our security lies not in our performance but in God's sovereign grace, as He records the names of His people in His eternal book.

Imagine a blizzard warning. If you grew up in a snowstorm-prone city like I did, you knew what to do: listen to weather alerts, heed the authorities' warnings, stock up on supplies, check the flashlights, and settle in. The authorities couldn’t stop the storm, but they gave you all the information you needed to endure it.

In the same way, God equips His people to face life’s storms. He doesn’t promise to remove every trial, but He provides His Word, His Spirit, and His presence to see us through. The storm may rage, but in Him, we are secure.

Death Is Not the End

The angel's words take a startling turn: "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt" (Daniel 12:2).

This is one of the clearest Old Testament affirmations of the resurrection. It proclaims that death is not the end; it is a doorway to eternity. Jesus echoes this truth in John 5:28–29: "An hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment."

For the redeemed, resurrection brings eternal joy in God's presence. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:54: "Death is swallowed up in victory." But for those who reject God, resurrection brings everlasting shame and contempt. This is not temporary embarrassment; it is eternal separation from the glory of God, marked by unending regret and condemnation.

These words call us to repentance. Eternal shame awaits those who live in rebellion against God, rejecting His offer of salvation in Christ. Revelation 20:15 provides a stark reminder: "If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." This is not a truth to dismiss or soften; it is a warning meant to awaken hearts to the urgency of salvation.

Picture a courtroom where a verdict has been reached. I remember a friend who backed into someone’s car and had to go before a magistrate. He felt terrible, burdened by guilt over his mistake. But his loving parents stepped in and covered all the costs to fix the damage and make everything right. My friend left the courtroom relieved and free, not because he was innocent, but because his debt had been paid.

In the same way, those who have trusted in Christ stand justified, clothed in His righteousness. Our guilt is real, but His sacrifice covers the cost and makes everything right. The resurrection is like that final courtroom moment. It is both glorious and grave, depending on where we stand with Christ. For those who trust Him, there is relief and freedom. For those who reject Him, the weight of judgment remains.

Our Destiny Is Eternal

The resurrection leads directly to an eternal destiny. The angel tells Daniel, "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever" (Daniel 12:3).

This imagery is breathtaking. Those who live wisely, fearing God and walking in His ways, will reflect His glory for eternity. Jesus captures this in Matthew 13:43: "The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father."

But what does it mean to be wise? Biblical wisdom is not simply knowledge; it is aligning one's life with God's truth. The wise are those who not only live righteously but also lead others to righteousness, pointing them to the hope of Christ.

The Timing Is God's Sovereign Decision

As Daniel's vision continues, he overhears a question: "How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?" (Daniel 12:6). The answer is cryptic: "It would be for a time, times, and half a time" (12:7), followed by references to 1,290 and 1,335 days.

What are we to make of these numbers? While scholars have proposed various interpretations, the main takeaway is clear: the timing belongs to God. The angel tells Daniel, "Go your way, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end" (12:9).

This is a call to trust. As Jesus said in Acts 1:7, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority." We do not need to know the precise timing to trust the One who holds the times in His hands.

My family took many long road trips from Pennsylvania to Florida over the years. The kids would ask, “Are we there yet?”—sometimes every few minutes! We’d reassure them, “We’ll get there when we get there.” They didn’t need to know every mile marker, rest stop, or gas station. They just needed to trust that we knew the way and would get them there safely.

In the same way, God’s timing works in our lives. We may not know every detail of the journey or how long it will take, but we can trust that our Heavenly Father knows the way and will lead us safely home.

What about 'running to and fro'? Verse 4 mentions that "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." This likely refers to the restless search for answers in the last days, as people seek knowledge but fail to grasp the truth. This aligns with Paul's warning in 2 Timothy 3:7 about those who are "always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth." It reminds us that true wisdom is found not in accumulating information but in knowing Christ.

How Should We Respond?

Daniel is given a final instruction in verse 13: "Go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days." This simple yet profound charge offers timeless guidance for how we should respond to God’s plans and promises.

First, live with eternity in mind.

Knowing that death is not the end and that our destiny is eternal should shape our priorities. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:58, "Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." This eternal perspective changes how we approach our time, relationships, and resources.

Ask yourself: How am I investing my time? Are my daily priorities aligned with God’s eternal purposes? Living with eternity in mind doesn’t mean neglecting earthly responsibilities—it means infusing them with eternal significance. Every act of faithfulness, whether serving your family, sharing the gospel, or working with integrity, contributes to the Kingdom work that endures forever. Just as Daniel remained steadfast through exile, we are called to live faithfully today, knowing that our hope extends far beyond this life.

Second, trust in God’s character, not His chronology.

While the details of God’s timeline remain a mystery, His character is unmistakable. He is good, faithful, and sovereign. Proverbs 3:5-6 exhorts us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."

In moments of uncertainty, it’s tempting to focus on understanding “when” or “how” God will act. But Daniel reminds us that God’s plans unfold in His perfect timing. Trusting in His character means finding peace in who He is rather than being consumed by what we don’t know. This trust allows us to rest in His goodness, even when life’s circumstances challenge our understanding. Remember, the same God who holds the future also holds you securely in His hands.

Finally, live faithfully today as preparation for the end of days.

When Daniel was told to "go your way," it was a call to live faithfully in the present while awaiting God’s ultimate fulfillment. Jesus echoes this in Matthew 24:46, "Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes." Faithful, daily obedience is the best preparation for Christ’s return.

Living faithfully doesn’t require extraordinary acts—it involves consistent devotion in ordinary moments. Are you cultivating habits of prayer, Scripture reading, and serving others? Are you striving to reflect Christ in your workplace, home, and community? Each of these small acts of faithfulness builds a life ready to meet the Lord. As Daniel modeled, enduring faithfulness is marked by integrity, perseverance, and trust, even in challenging seasons.

A Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the truths of Your Word. Help us to live with eternity in mind, to trust in Your unchanging character, and to live faithfully each day as we await Christ's return. May we shine as lights in the world, proclaiming the hope of the gospel. In Jesus' name, Amen.