October 26: THE PROMISE OF RESURRECTION: A GREAT REVERSAL!

But go your way [Daniel] till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days. Daniel 12:13 (ESV)

The ESV translation of the last verse in the book of Daniel reiterates the resurrection promise to Daniel personally. The Hebrew word translated stand is an important one. This word has a warfare connotation* and in today’s context points to the ultimate victory at the end of the longest war, that which has raged between good and evil before our world was created.

Just as Michael shall stand up at the beginning of chapter 12, we see Daniel standing at the end. This is a beautiful representation of the fact that the destiny of Michael and His people are closely interconnected. In Daniel’s book, he undergoes a great reversal: taken by force into Babylonian captivity (Daniel 1:1) to the resurrection leading to eternal life!

Daniel parallels the entire Bible in this sense. Whereas, in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve took an active role that forfeited eternal life for the human race, the promise of resurrection for the repentant one brings a regaining of that life, eternal life. In the victory of good over evil, God reverses the Fall brought by sin through overcoming death in the sinless record of His Son, and restoring the fullness of life. From dust (Genesis 3:19) to stars forever and ever (Daniel 12:3). To say that these show a great reversal almost seems an understatement.

The everlasting gospel is a phrase found in Revelation 14:6 that makes a foundational point about God’s plan of salvation: it has never changed! Though all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), the plan activates at the moment of repentance. Even the act of surrender to the divine will is a gift from God’s Holy Spirit; a gift that must be received daily.

But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil . . . that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days… (Deuteronomy 30:14,15,20a – see also Romans 10:8-9)

The great controversy still rages, and we still suffer as a result. But Daniel gives us a glimpse of the glorious Day that is fast approaching. The allusion to warfare, in the use of the word stand ** points to our part in the great struggle between good and evil.

Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him. Daniel 7:27

*Joshua 21:44; 23:9; Judges 2:14; 1 Samuel 6:20; 17:51; 2 Samuel 1:10; 2 Kings 10:4

**Ephesians 6:10-20; Revelation 15:2