October 25: THE ONLY INHERITANCE THAT LASTS

But you [Daniel], go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days. Daniel 12:13

Daniel continued in his exemplary way of service in the royal Persian court (see 1:21, 6:28) till the end, meaning until his death. He had been a willing instrument in the hand of God for the entire duration of the seventy-year Babylonian captivity of the Jews, and beyond… well into the domination of the Medes and the Persians. Through his positive influence and proactive modus operandi, the marvelous and unthinkable had occurred: Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, was transformed from the extreme arrogance of heathen paganism to a humble child of God. His testimony comprises chapter 4 of Daniel’s book, joyfully making the point that his humiliation was necessary for the Most High to get his full attention. Can anyone relate?

Christians worldwide love to celebrate the birth of Christ. Daniel’s influence has continued far beyond his lifetime as evidenced by the sincere faith of the wise men from the East. In making the long and arduous journey to personally worship the child Jesus, they also brought rich gifts which no doubt sustained His family during their years in Egypt. Three categories of gifts are mentioned in the New Testament account (Matthew 2:11), but there were probably many more than three kings involved, for Isaiah saw in vision an enormous entourage (see Isaiah 60:6; 66:20)! These visitors add a wonderful dimension to the story of the first coming of Christ, as well as the essential element of hope for all the nations of the world. Daniel’s training at home in Judea during his early childhood has come to full fruition in continuing to bring priceless gifts to students of the Word.

… for you shall rest…  The words rest and sleep are often used as metaphors for death. One of the foundational truths of Scripture is that people die. Death and suffering came to people, animals, even plants—after the sin of man (Romans 5:12). There are numerous supporting verses* to help us understand that death is a complete absence of life and consciousness. A right understanding of death’s awfulness and horror accompanies a right understanding of the meaning of resurrection. The first lie that Satan told to Eve was about death (see Genesis 3:4). This lie can seriously weaken the believer’s comprehension of the promise of resurrection. Every false religion has one version or another of denial of death’s reality.

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” (Revelation 14:13) These words of the apostle John remind us of how well the works of Daniel follow him… Think of it! We are blessed in our time, the time of the end, because of Daniel’s faithfulness!

…arise to your inheritance at the end of the days. This phrase points to the close of our fallen earth’s history. Jesus will come in glory and power! He is our inheritance! And we are His!

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 1 Thessalonians 2:19 (see also 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 John 2:28) 

*Death’s reality: Genesis 2:17; 3:19; 5:5; 1 Kings 2:10; 11:43; 15:24; 2 Kings 20:1; Job 14:12,21; Psalm 104:29; 146:4; Ecclesiastes 9:5,10; John 11:11-14, 35; Acts 2:29, 34; 1 Corinthians 15:54; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 11:39-40