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So I want to ask you this question this morning as we get into this conclusion in Daniel chapter 12,
is what does the studying or what does the topic of the end times create in you?
Like when you hear that, what does it bring? What does it begin to settle in your spirit?
Does it bring fascination and wonder? You can't wait to read the next article, the next book,
listen to the next message. Can't wait to jump on YouTube and find out what this person has to say
about this. Does it bring fascination and wonder? Does it bring fear and uncertainty? So much is
difficult to know or can't be known. So much seems with dragons and the things that are happening and
taking place in the Antichrist and suffering and persecution and what would happen that it brings
fear and uncertainty. Does it bring confusion and frustration? And I know what you mean with that.
I was like, this is so hard to understand and I want to know. And so what comes from that,
because I can't fully understand and my mind needs to work in this way, that then what comes from me is
frustration in that moment. Well, I want to encourage you that as we read through Daniel 12,
as we read through this passage this morning, the passage that my Bible says that the time of the end
was what it's entitled as in my Bible, that it would bring something more than simplistic fascination and
wonder. It would bring more than fear and uncertainty. It would bring more than confusion and frustration.
Not just Daniel 12, but in the topic of end times. The apostle John says this in 1 John 3, 1 through 3.
He says,
See what kind of love the Father has given to us,
that we should be called children of God, and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is
that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God's children now. And what we will be has not yet appeared.
But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him because we shall see Him as He is.
And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.
So John, in reference to the end times, John who will be, John who writes Revelation,
comes and appeals in 1 John 3. And he says, listen, here's what the topic of end times
should create, should call you and I too. And I think 1 John 3 is very similar to what we're going to find in Daniel 12.
And it's number one, it's this, that you are a child of God.
That you are a child of God. If you've put your faith, hope, and trust in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
Yes, amen, you are a child of God.
But there's two. And in that, and in that, that you and I are called to personal discipleship.
To personal discipleship. And what does personal discipleship means?
You're like, but I go to discipleship. Well, what is personal discipleship?
Well, personal discipleship is the ownership that you have in your own life to determine that I want to become more and more like Jesus.
And that this isn't going to happen by me just sitting here.
It isn't going to happen by happenstance of just hoping that all these things work out.
It's by personal ownership of you making the choice to be a disciple of Jesus.
And what it looks like to follow him.
I read an author this week who said in reference to Daniel 12,
that Daniel 12 teaches us how to live as faithful exiles in a world that is not our home.
That you and I are called to live as faithful exiles in a world that is not our own.
You see, in the comparison of what we've seen throughout the study of Daniel,
Daniel was taken from his home.
Daniel was taken from his home into a foreign land with pagan people and pagan practices and pagan religions
and tried to force into conforming into what the pagan world had for him.
But Daniel said, no, I'm going to be faithful to my God as I am away from my home.
And when I'm in my home, I will be faithful to him there too.
That's the call for you and I.
The difficult part is the world that we live in is our home for now.
And so we can live as exiles in this land.
And when it comes to the end times in Daniel,
we see the reminder of the hope that we have as well.
That we are God's children and we are called to be like him.
So let's read the first two verses of chapter 12.
First two verses says,
Because at that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who is in charge of your people.
And there shall be a time of trouble or a time of tribulation.
Such has never 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.
And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.
Some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting content.
You see, Daniel 12 is the end of this unit that we've been studying for the last several weeks in Daniel.
Daniel 10, Daniel 11, and Daniel 12 come together.
And Daniel is getting communication and vision from God through the angel Gabriel concerning the end times.
And it comes to Daniel that in the end times that there will be a great persecution.
There will be a great tribulation.
But God will provide divine protection.
And here's what's important.
One of the aspects we can draw from here.
And that from that there will be hope for those whose names are written in the book.
The book is what we see here in Daniel chapter 12.
And we'll explain a little bit of that.
Well, folks, I don't know the timetable.
I don't know the dates.
Jesus tells us that no one here does.
That's for the Father.
But I know that the end is coming.
I know that the end is approaching.
When that'll be, who knows?
But what if you and I were to live our life every single day in the truth that the end is coming?
To live our life in the truth of what is communicated in Daniel chapter 12.
That the end is coming.
That you and I, as children of God, that you and I, who were called to personal discipleship,
what does our life look like in the gospel truth that the end is coming?
And I want to make to you this morning five appeals to live our life in the truth that the end is coming.
If the end is coming, then have, number one, gospel considerations.
If the end is coming, then have gospel considerations.
How do you view your life?
If you do not see your life primarily as a child of God, the view of your life will be greatly skewed.
Daniel is told that there will come a time of great trouble and tribulation.
But God will send Michael, his archangel, for protection.
Now here's the part of this for you and I today that the Bible says in 1 Timothy 3 that you and I should expect persecution.
You see, when I live my life in gospel considerations of my life as a child of God,
that I am not set free from the persecution of this world.
Jesus tells us multiple times in the gospel that you and I as followers of him, that we will face trouble, that we will face persecution.
But God's promise of comfort, both in Daniel 12 and for us, rings true.
So how do you and I face trouble today with the comfort of God?
Very simply through the Holy Spirit.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit.
You see, because with the Holy Spirit, what we have is not the presence of God with us as a thought,
but we have the presence of God within us.
The presence of God within us.
You see, it's not just a mindset.
It's not an ideology.
It's not a thought.
It's not a perspective to set our minds on.
It's the truth of God and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Fulfilled as Jesus said it would in Acts.
That you and I as followers of Jesus don't just simply have the presence of God around us,
but we have the presence of God with us.
Gospel considerations.
A gospel consideration is that when we realize and understand as believers of Jesus Christ
that we have the presence of God within us,
that within us we have the power and the strength of God to overcome and to endure.
Endure is one of my favorite words in all of the Bible.
That we endure, that we endure, that we endure.
That through not the power of our own, but through the power of God within us,
that whatever trouble, whatever the world wants to throw at us,
whatever Satan wants to put in our way,
that we've got the power of God within us,
that you and I have the strength to endure.
And then with the power of the Holy Spirit,
we have healing from the brokenness around us.
This world hurts.
This world causes pain.
In this world, there's great suffering.
There's great loss.
And through the power of the Holy Spirit,
those hurts are real.
And God comforts us,
not just with simple momentary healing,
but with eternal healing that cannot be taken away.
And he said, this is all possible.
This is all from God for his people.
For those in Daniel 12 that are found in the book.
The book.
This book is the book of life or the Lamb's book of life.
It's written about in Revelation 13, Revelation 20, and Revelation 21.
And when it comes to the names of those who are in this book,
deliverance and freedom and life eternal is found.
And so when your name is written in the book,
there you experience the healing of eternal rescue,
the healing of eternal hope,
the healing of resurrection life,
the healing of eternity with Jesus.
But the question for you this morning is,
is your name in the book?
Is your name in the book?
Not as your name in a discipleship study.
Not as your name in a small group.
Not as your name on a mission trip.
Not as your name in a giving record.
But is your name found in the Lamb's book of life?
Has there been a point in time,
not when you've done something before a crowd,
not when you've done something to appease someone else,
but has there been a point in time in your life
that you can look to,
that you have confidence in,
that you know with all of certainty
where you have asked Jesus Christ
to be the Lord and Savior in your life?
And if the answer to that is yes,
then praise God,
you haven't been perfect from that point,
just like me,
but your name was perfectly written in the book.
You can have hope.
And if you're like,
I don't think my name's written in it.
Well, guess what?
Why doesn't it happen today?
What would it look like today
for you
in the midst of a crazy message
at the end of the book of Daniel
to say,
Jesus,
today,
I receive you
as my Lord
and Savior.
And to see that name
written
in the book of life.
If the end is coming,
then have gospel considerations
of your life.
Let's continue on
in Daniel 12,
3 through 4.
continues on and says,
and 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.
But you, Daniel,
shut up the words
and seal the book
until the time of the end.
Many shall run to and fro
and knowledge
shall increase.
If the end is coming,
then church,
please have gospel conversations.
If the end is coming,
then please have
gospel conversations.
You see,
when it comes to the wisdom
and the truth of God's word,
wisdom is found
not simply knowing
what to do,
but knowing what to do
and then doing it.
It's not knowing
the facts of the Bible,
but it's about knowing
the facts of the truth
of the Bible
and trusting the God
of the Bible.
Wisdom is not found
in simply knowing
who Jesus is
and knowing what Jesus done
and knowing what Jesus will do.
But wisdom is found
in being obedient
to the God
who you know
who He is,
what He has done
and what He has said
He will do.
But when wisdom
and obedience collide
and what we begin to see
in our life
is that when that wisdom
and obedience collide,
then we surrender to
and obey what God
has for us
and the work
of evangelism
comes from that.
Telling others
who Jesus is
and what Jesus
could mean for them.
My challenge to you
in gospel conversations
is being evangelist.
Being an evangelist.
And I don't know about you,
but that word
is a little bit terrifying
for a lot of people.
Me being one of those.
To go from here
and carry with you
what it means
to share the gospel
of Jesus Christ.
It can seem daunting.
It can seem overwhelming.
It can seem terrifying even
to come to those
that we love,
those that we know,
those that we trust,
or maybe those we don't
and say,
I want to say something
to you
that's going to cause you
to have to make a decision
that will cause
maybe an internal rub
within their life.
But we can't know
what God's word says
and not do
what it says.
It says,
and those who are wise
shall shine like
the brightness of the sky
and those who turn
many to righteousness
that were called
in the light
of the end times
to have gospel conversations.
Let me take a little bit
of that burden off
of what that can look like.
Here's what it can look like
for you and for me
to be an evangelist.
Number one,
number one,
simply invite someone.
Simply invite someone.
It can be to a Christmas Eve service.
It can be to a Sunday morning service.
It can be to a small group.
It can be to join you
in a quiet time
in a devotional
in a Bible study.
But would you be willing today
to invite someone?
Think of all of the things
that we invite people to.
We invite them to our homes
for meals.
We invite them out
for the evening.
We invite them to go
to athletic events.
We invite them
to go to the movies with us.
We invite them
to go out to eat.
What would it look like
to take the first step
to invite someone
to come with you
to hear the preaching
and teaching of God's Word?
Invite someone with you.
Another way you can be
an evangelist,
number two,
is tell someone your story.
Tell someone your story.
1 Peter 3.15 says this,
But in your hearts,
honor Christ the Lord
as holy,
always being prepared
to make a defense
to anyone who asks you
for a reason
for the hope
that is in you.
Yet do it
with gentleness
grace and respect.
Tell someone your story.
Live in such a way
what Peter tells us.
Live in such a way
that causes people
to ask you
about the hope
you have.
Live in such a way
that makes people ask
what is different
about you.
And then I love
what Peter
says.
He says,
be prepared
to make a defense.
Here's what this means.
Give the reason.
Our call
is not to get into
and be able to argue
every point of Scripture.
Our call
is when someone
says to you,
why are you
this way?
Why do I see
a smile on your face?
Why do I see hope?
Why do I see you
disengaged with gossip?
Why do I see you
seek to serve one another?
That you have a reason
to share with them
about who Jesus
is in your life.
Be able to say
what he has done
for you
and in you
tell your story.
And here's going
to be a scary thing
for you to come
to grips with.
What if you don't
have a story?
What if you don't
have a story?
Well then today,
could today
we start
your gospel story?
Could today
be the day
where you begin
in the conversation
about Jesus?
Let's continue
on Daniel 12.
Daniel 12,
5-9.
Then I,
Daniel,
looked
and behold
two others,
one on this
bank of the stream
and one on
that bank
of the stream.
And then
someone said
to the man
clothed in linen
who was above
the waters
of the stream,
how long
shall it be
until the end
of these wonders?
And I heard
the man
clothed in linen
who was above
the waters
of the stream.
He raised
his right hand
and his left hand
toward heaven
and swore
by him
who lives forever
that it would be
for a time,
times,
and half a time.
And that when
the shattering
of the power
of the holy people
comes to an end,
all these things
would be finished.
I heard
but I did not
understand.
Let's pause here
for just a second.
We're going to look
at this in a minute,
right?
I love this.
If you're like,
Bo,
I didn't understand
any of that.
Neither did Daniel.
Take comfort in that.
I heard
but I did not
understand.
Then I said,
oh my Lord,
what shall be
the outcome
of these things?
And he said,
go your way,
Daniel,
for the words
are shut up
and sealed
until the time
of the end.
If the end
is coming,
if the end
is coming,
then have
gospel confidence.
If the end
is coming,
then have
gospel confidence.
Gabriel is the one
who is speaking
to Daniel.
And then all
of a sudden,
there's two more
angels that appear,
one on one side
and one on the other.
And then next
it says that
a man,
a third,
dressed in linen.
If you remember
back from Daniel
chapter 7,
this man
is Jesus.
And one
of the angels,
one of them
asks and communicates.
And he says,
how long
will these hard
times last?
And then Jesus
does something
different here,
something that we
don't fully understand,
but he raises
both hands
to heaven
and he invokes
an oath
and he says
for a time,
times and half a time,
three and a half years,
but it will be
at the end
of the right time
as God
has planned.
And here's Daniel's
response in verse 8.
I heard,
but I did not
understand.
I heard,
but I did not
understand.
Now this is a response
from a man of faith
who lives in
and knows of
a future
where God
is in control,
but yet bad
things happen.
And now notice,
Daniel didn't say,
I heard,
but I didn't believe
or I didn't trust
or I didn't obey.
Daniel,
the man of wisdom
himself,
says I heard,
but I did not
understand.
You see folks,
this is what
gospel confidence
is.
I don't understand
why.
But I trust
the one
who knows why.
So many times
for you and I,
our faith
hangs on
a thin thread
of our human
understanding.
God,
I need to know
why this suffering
has existed
if I'm going to
follow you.
God,
I need to know
why I've lost
this person in my life
if I'm going to
follow you.
God,
I need to know
why I'm going
through financial
hardship if I'm
going to follow you.
God,
I need to know
why I'm
in sickness
if I'm going
to follow you.
And I will tell
you time and
time again,
here's what I've
seen.
People who claim
to be men
and women
of faith,
and when that
question comes
and the answer
is not delivered,
what they do
is they walk
away from the
God they claim
they've trusted
with everything.
And if we've
trusted him
with everything,
folks,
can we trust
him with our
why?
And can we
trust him
when in his
sovereignty
he does not
answer our
why?
Can we
trust him?
Or can we
only trust him
when he gives
us an answer?
Or more than
likely when he
gives us an
answer that we
desire?
And then Daniel
asked another
question.
And I said,
oh my Lord,
what shall be
the outcome
of these
things?
He says,
go your way,
Daniel.
Go your way.
For the words
are shut up
and sealed
until the time
of the end.
They're sealed.
Maybe you're
in a season
of difficulty.
Maybe you're
in a season
of asking
why.
Maybe you're
frustrated.
Maybe you
want to
know the
answer to
why.
Can I
give you
what I
believe the
answer is
in Daniel
12?
Maybe God
wants you
to place
your faith
not in
the answer,
but to
place your
faith in
the one
that holds
all
answers.
If he
answered your
why,
if he
answered your
why,
would your
faith be in
the answer?
Or what does
it look like
to say,
God,
I want
to know,
but I
trust you
even if
in this
life I
never find
the
why.
Verse
10,
it says,
many shall
purify
themselves
and make
themselves
white
and be
refined,
but the
wicked
shall act
wickedly,
and none
of the wicked
shall understand,
but those
who are
wise
shall
understand.
folks,
if the
end is
coming,
then have
gospel
contrasts.
If the
end is
coming,
then have
gospel
contrasts.
What I
love about
Daniel,
one of the
things that I
love about
Daniel is
we've been
on a
journey with
him.
We've been
on a
journey with
him from
about 13
years old
to about
87 years
old.
That's a
long time.
That's a
long time
covered in
these 12
chapters of
what we've
looked at
for the
last 16
weeks.
And Daniel
knew God
as an
old man
and Daniel
knew God
as a
young boy.
And this
knowing God
and being
known by
God has
been what
has made
the distinctive
difference
between
Daniel and
those around
him.
That's been
the characteristic
that comes
out time
and time
again in
the life
of
Daniel
the
gospel
contrast
between
what it
means
to be
a
follower
of
God
and
not
a
follower
of
God.
Here's what
we see.
Look at the
differences that
we've seen
in Daniel.
Remember from
the very
beginning
in Daniel
chapter 1.
Eat the
food and
drink the
wine.
He says,
I won't.
I won't do
it.
I won't eat
the food.
I won't
drink the
wine.
In fact,
the food
and the
wine are
the king's
food and
the king's
wine.
It's the
best of
the best.
It's the
best of
the best.
Daniel
says,
I've
resolved.
Stand
firm.
That's
for pagans.
This is
for what
God's
called me
to do.
And this
is what
I'll be.
A
gospel
contrast.
When
tension
and when
stress
comes
through
Nebuchadnezzar's
dreams and
those who
would lose
their life,
there are
those who
plot and
scheme.
But what's
the gospel
contrast for
Daniel?
What does
he do?
I'm just
going to
pray.
I'm going
to pray.
You
plot and
scheme.
I'm going
to pray.
I'm going
to pray a
gospel
contrast.
We see
that others
in these
moments of
tension and
doubt,
what begins
to manifest
in themselves
is worry
and doubt.
But what
comes from
Daniel?
What comes
from Daniel?
Rest in
confidence.
Rest in
confidence.
A gospel
contrast.
What happens
when the
world is
told,
save your
life,
don't pray.
Save your
life,
don't pray.
What's the
contrast with
Daniel?
I'm going
to pray.
I'm going
to pray.
I'm going
to pray as
I've always
prayed.
I'm going
to pray as
God has
led me to
pray.
I'm going
to pray
three times
a day in
front of my
open window
for all to
see because
I'm a man
of God and
this is what
God has
called me to
do.
Gospel
contrast.
What do
we see at
the end?
The world
is partying
and trying
to climb
the social
ladder
through the
sensual
practices
of the
world.
Remember
this last
part in
Daniel 6?
When the
party is
happening,
I'm sorry,
Daniel 5,
and the
party is
happening,
and where's
Daniel?
He's at
his house.
He's away.
And here's
what's remarkable
to me.
Here's what's
remarkable to me
about the
godly man
of Daniel.
You would
think that
overwhelmingly
people in
his life
would hate
him.
They would
accuse him
of being
pious and
being self-righteous.
They would
consider him
of being
holier than
thou.
But here's
what's remarkable
about Daniel.
Daniel always
makes his
stand for
God.
And lost
people love
him.
And they
want him
around.
And they
seek his
counsel.
Maybe it's
not holiness
that's the
problem.
Maybe what
you and I
are exuding
is judgmental
self-righteousness.
And that's
what offense
for Daniel.
It's the
godliness
of who
God's
called him
to be.
You see,
in this
world,
the gospel
draws the
line of
those who
are saved
and those
who are
not.
The gospel
will contrast.
Is there
a difference
in
your
life?
that's
marked
because of
the gospel.
And then
in closing,
verses
11 through
13.
And from
that time
that the
regular burnt
offering is
taken away
and the
abomination
that makes
desolate is
set up.
there shall
be
1,290
days.
Blessed is
he who
waits
and
arrives
at the
1,335
days.
But go
your way
till the
end
and you
shall rest
and stand
in your
allotted
place
at the
end
of the
days.
What we
see here
is the
gospel
conclusion.
As we
look at
this and
we see
the
unfolding
in
Daniel
12
of
the
prophecy
of
end
times
and
the
tribulation.
Verse
11 speaks
to a
time
in the
end
times
when
true
worship
will be
taken
away
and
false
worship
shall
be
instated.
The
time
frame
given
of
1,290
and
1,335
theologians
who are
intellectually
honest with
themselves
and with
others
have a
difficult
time
explaining.
But here
is what
is
clear.
In the
challenge
of what
would mark
these
three
verses
the
challenge
that will
ring
true
at the
end
times
and
the
challenge
that
you
and
I
are
presented
with
in
the
days
that
we
live
in
and
the
days
that
are
ahead
is
to
have
gospel
conclusion
which
is a
picture
of
enduring
and
finishing.
Enduring
and
finishing.
Paul
writes
this to
Timothy
in 2
Timothy
chapter
4.
as Paul
sees
his
end
coming
near.
He
says
for I'm
already
being
poured
out
as a
drink
offering
and the
time
of my
departure
has
come.
I have
fought
the good
fight.
I have
finished
the race.
I have
kept
the faith.
Henceforth
there is
laid up
for me
the crown
of
righteousness
which
the
Lord
the
righteous
judge
will
award
to me
on
that
day
and
not
only
to
me
but
also
to
all
who
have
loved
his
appearing.
I'm
going to ask
the worship
team
if they'll
go ahead
and make
their way
to the
stage.
In just
a moment
we'll go
to the
Lord
in prayer
and we'll
respond
in worship.
But notice
this.
Paul says
I fought
the good
fight.
I have
finished
the race.
I think
it's
interesting
that Paul
doesn't
say here
you know
this battle
has been
many fights.
this battle
has been
race
after race
after race.
That when
Paul looks
at the
truth of
God's
word
and the
encouragement
and the
push for
Timothy
as he looks
he says
no no no
it's your
whole life.
It's not
moving from
fight to
fight.
It's not
moving from
race to
race.
But it
is the
endurance
that you're
called to
do.
That the
gospel
push for
your life
is an
ongoing
enduring
battle.
But you
can have
confidence
in the
one who
has won.
You can
have
confidence
in the
one who
is the
victor.
And through
that we
may not
know the
when.
We may
not know
the how.
We may
not know
the details.
But church
endure.
Church
finish.
Church
fight.
And in
that keep
the faith.
Because
through it
all.
Through it
all.
God
wins.
God
wins.
This
morning would
you make
gospel
considerations
for your
life.
How you
view your
life.
How you
see
yourself.
And if
it's not
as a
child of
God
today,
could that
day be
today?
Would you
commit to
going from
here and
the gospel
conversations
that you
have with
those who
do not
know
Christ?
Would you
live in
the gospel
confidence
that I
don't have
all the
wives but
I worship
the one
who does?
Could you
live in
knowing that
I need
to be a
gospel
contrast in
the world
that is
full of
wicked?
That I
can be a
reflection of
the hope
that is in
Christ?
Because in
the end,
every word,
those that
make sense
and even
those that
don't will
ring true.
Would you
pray with
me?
God, I
thank you
for the
hope of
the gospel.
Thank you
for the
truth of
your word.
God, I
pray today
as we
conclude
our time
of study
of your
word,
that God,
your Holy
Spirit
would be
at work
and move
and that
God, those
who do
not know
you
would today,
not through
the appeal
of man
but through
the drawing
of a
holy God
would put
their hope,
faith, and
trust in
you.
God, I
pray for
us, your
sons and
daughters,
God, that
we would
live in
godly gospel
confidence.
God, that
we'd be
willing to
have gospel
conversations.
God, in a
world that
is filled
with hate,
may we be
love, in a
world that's
filled with
darkness, may
we be light, in
a world filled
with tragedy, may
we be hope
because of who
you are and the
message that you've
given us.
God, draw us
closer to you.
move in and
through us, all
for your
glory.
In Jesus' name
we pray.
Amen.
That's it for
this week's
message.
Be sure to
check back next
week for a new
episode, and in
the meantime, you
can visit us
online at
willowridgechurch.org
or by searching
for Willow Ridge
Church on
Facebook, Instagram,
and YouTube.
Thanks again for
listening.