At the Time of the End

At the Time of the End

Intro & Review: Chapters 10-12 are one long visionary experience. The main message of chapter 10 is – there is a spiritual conflict that lies behind the earthly struggles of the people of God (10:13, 20). Chapter 11 provides many prophetic details about the future of Judah. They conclude focused upon an arch enemy. These details were fulfilled with amazing accuracy.

The main message of chapter 12:1-4 is – God will deliver his people from the extreme persecution of the final days, ultimately raising them from the dead and exalting them in his glorious kingdom.

Three spiritual realities at the time of the end

1 – A Severe Suffering

• The severity of the suffering – (Dan 12:7, 7:25; Matt 24:21)

• The source of the suffering – (Dan 11:36; 2 Thes. 2:3-9; Rev 12:7-9)

• The objects of the suffering – (Rev 11, 13:7-8, 10; Jn. 15:20; Acts 14:22; Rom 8:35- 36; Eph 2:14-15)

2 – A Divine Deliverance

• The agent of deliverance (Jude 9; Rev 12:7)

• The means of deliverance (Dan 10:20-21; Rev 12:7)

• The nature of deliverance (Dan 11:45; Rev 12:11)

3 – A Final Separation

• Those resurrected to everlasting life (Isa 26:19; Eze 37; Psa 16:9-10; Jn 6:40; 1 Cor 15:50ff; 1 Jn 3:2)

• Those resurrected to everlasting contempt (Matt 25:46; Jn 5:28-29; Rev 20:13-15)

• A final consideration – everyone is moving towards one of two destinies (Mt 7:13-14)

  Discussion Questions

  1. What if our current crisis is a preparation for things to come? How might you grow now?
  2. How have these verses excited you about your future? How might they change how you act in the present?
  3. Have you been pressured by the notion that disagreeing with current immoral ideologies is “being on the wrong side of history?” How so? How might you respond now?