Go your way till the end – and shine!

Today we arrive at the last chapter of the Book of Daniel. The end of this book focuses on the end of time. The end times are a fascinating subject to some who pore over the numbers and try to make sense of it all. Others can’t handle discussing it at all and leave the room at the first mention.

Even in verse 1, there is good news and bad news –

At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.  Daniel 12:1

In this chapter, there’s a clear distinction between those who know God and those who do not. Those whose names are found written in the book (this is mentioned in the Book of Revelation at the end of the whole Bible too) and those who are not there. Those who will awake to everlasting life, while others awake to shame and everlasting contempt. How we live our lives on earth affects what happens in eternity, there is no doubt in my mind about that.

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.  Daniel 12:3

I love this verse. This is a great time of year to be thinking about the light that shines in the darkness – how the light of the world stepped down into the darkness of this world that first Christmas. How the people who lived in darkness have seen a great light. How Jesus is the light that can never be extinguished. And how we can spread this light of love and hope into the dark corners of the world.

And how we are called to shine like stars –

…so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.  Philippians 2:15

There are two other men with Daniel, one of whom asks the question Daniel is probably itching to ask –

Another man: “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?”

The man clothed in linen: “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.”

Daniel: “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?”

The man clothed in linen: “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked………As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”  Daniel 12:6-13

It feels like the details of the timings of the end times are deliberately obscure. Daniel doesn’t need to know. We don’t need to know.

Daniel is told exactly what to do. Go your way till the end. Carry on doing what you’re doing and being who you are. Keep living as you have been living. Stay faithful. He’s had more challenges, trauma and adventure than most of us will ever see, but maybe life will be quieter for him from now on. Maybe he has played his part.

It’s the same for us, isn’t it. Go your way till the end. Carry on doing what you’re doing and being who you are. Keep living as you have been living. Stay faithful.

God will take care of the rest.