Thoughts for the Day

'At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today we look at Daniel's prophecy about a future time when God will judge His people, and rescue His faithful. The Book of Daniel was written in the 5th century BCE, over 500 years before the birth of Jesus, at a time when Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, had destroyed Jerusalem and deported many of the people to Babylon. The prophet Daniel was one of these and he served in the royal court during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, and several rulers after him.

Daniel predicts a time of great terror. Over 300 years later many Jews thought that time had come during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes who succeeded in setting up an altar to Zeus in the Temple in Jerusalem. He was known for his terrible persecution of the Jews and his desire to wipe them of the face of the earth, which led to the Maccabean revolt that managed to bring back the kingdom of Judah. However others have felt that the First World War fitted this description better, and yet others the Second World War. Most Christians now would see Daniel's vision applying to a time of final judgement and of resurrection for God's faithful people.

The message for us is that no matter how difficult times get, whether because of a pandemic, or climate change, or some other personal circumstance, we are called to remain faithful to God and to His promises, and He will ultimately rescue us.

Lord Jesus,
You have taught us that Your Kingdom will come,
and that ultimately there will be a time of judgement
and of resurrection for Your people.
May we stay faithful to your promises
no matter what our circumstances,
until You call us home
Amen.