Daniel 12 – Pentecost 24
We’ve reached the end of our study on the book of Daniel. As it is with any milestone of study, it’s wise to take stock of what was learned. So, what have you learned? We’ve covered a lot of subject matter, mystery and intrigue, and several historical events. Many things come to mind. We’ve been reminded that God is all-powerful and in control as we’ve reviewed familiar stories in Daniel’s life. We’ve talked about how God’s kingdom is eternal in contrast the earthly rulers that come and go. We’ve witnessed Daniel’s strong faith and his life dedicated to service. We’ve also seen that every message given by God was about preparing His people for the coming of Jesus. There’s a lot to be learned, and many of the themes from Daniel fit with our lives as well.
But sometimes at the conclusion of a study of Scripture, a different response comes to mind. Sometimes we’re left with more questions than answers. Daniel experienced this feeling too, as we read in verse 8: Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, "My lord, what shall be the end of these things?"
I have that verse circled in my Bible. In the margin I have written “The Theme of Daniel.” That verse is important because it reminds us that sometimes after an intensive study of God’s Word, we are left with the same reaction – “Lord, what shall be the end of these things?” Now, Daniel was talking about this final vision that was being given to him. And at this point in the vision, Jesus was instructing Daniel about THE end of days – the same end we’re still waiting for. It’s not just Daniel, or us – this day is mystery to all people. Jesus mentioned what will happen on that day in verses 1-2, And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
But Jesus has also stated clearly, Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” When it comes to the Last Day, our task is not to predict and prophesy – rather it is to prepare. But the same can be said of any other time we come before Scripture. There’s a thought contained in Daniel’s words that fits with God’s revelation in general, not just concerning the Last Day. We have no doubt learned much in our study of Daniel, details and truths worth remembering, and yet we still can be perplexed at the overall purpose. “What is the end of it Lord?” Other more familiar ways of asking the same thing are, “Why do it this way Lord?” Why must the true teaching be this or that, Lord?” “What is the impact of this on my life, Lord?” We look not just to learn, but to comprehend - to understand the purpose of the Lord’s will. And this question arises whenever we open our Bibles and study His Word.
So, when you think to yourself, What did I learn from Daniel?, the answer is bit harder when we think of that question from a big picture perspective. We see that God wants us to listen and to understand.
Jesus lamented the lack of this hearing in His time, as He stated that a prophecy of Isaiah had been fulfilled in the peoples’ reaction to His teaching, Matthew 13:14-16 "And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: `Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; 15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.' 16 "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;
In this immediate context, the type of revelation from God was the form of parable. The disciples asked Jesus, why do you use parables? Essentially, why, Jesus, don’t you speak more plainly? The answer Jesus gave was in the verses we just read. The people did not believe or trust in God – therefore they did not find truth in His Word. The parables were meant to instruct, but also to get them to dig deeper into issues in which they were lacking understanding. Parables being much simpler in form - an earthly story with a heavenly meaning as we know them - are inherently designed to awaken a hunger and thirst in the listener for more. But unfortunately, that was not the case with many of the people Jesus ministered to. Their hearts were dull and unresponsive to His Word. (Same truth apparent in Paul’s ministry at the end of Acts 28)
Sometimes this reaction of listening but not understanding is a product of unbelief and defiance toward God. Sometimes, people don’t want to understand, even if they present that they do outwardly. Sometimes, they really aren’t invested in finding God’s truth, but only the parts of God’s truth align with their personal beliefs. But, there are instances like Daniel. Every indication we have is that Daniel was the model believer. The first story we learned about his life was one where he risked his life and reputation out of faithfulness to God. Daniel was not afraid to defy authorities and to stand for God’s truth even when no one else would. Daniel valued faithfulness to God even higher than his own life. Daniel clearly trusted God, respected God’s Word, and sought to glorify God’s name as much as he could.
But, here at the end, Daniel doesn’t get it. He says, “Although I heard, I did not understand.” Sometimes, listening but not understanding happens to believers. What was Daniel to do? What are we to do? The Lord’s answer is telling, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” Also, the very last verse of the book, “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”
When Daniel asked the Lord about this struggle, God’s answer was – “Go,” literally one word in the Hebrew text. When the believer reaches the pinnacle of faith’s struggle, trying to comprehend and apply to our lives the divine mysteries of an almighty God, and we reach a point that stretches beyond the ability of our finite brains and hearts, God says – “Go.” Not go in the sense of get out of my sight and be gone with you – but go in the sense of keep going with what I have given you. As our text reads, “Go your way until the end.”
This is faith’s built-in safety device. It leads us to the riches of God’s wisdom, power, and love. It reveals sublime records, stories, and promises. Paul wrote of this experience saying, Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and untraceable His ways! Faith borne of the Word of God is continually faced with the divine. Certainly, faith has a great capacity for understanding, wisdom, and acceptance of the treasures of God’s Word. Without a doubt, it is the very substance of eternal salvation and hope in Jesus Christ – the greatest of all truths. But as faith resides in our hearts and minds, there is a limit – not of faith’s doing but of our own. And when faced with the incomprehensible from God – we are reminded to keep going. God takes us from eternally mysterious and divinely complicated, which human words fall short of fully expressing, and brings the path back down to our comfortable level of one-word answers.
But just as we see a clear division between the eternal future of believers and unbelievers in Daniel’s text, so also there is a marked division between this quest for answers among each. While all people regardless of belief and confession struggle to understand God and His truth, what separates the two is the One who fills in what is lacking. The difference maker is Jesus, of whom Paul wrote, 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."
This is why verse 8 is circled in my Bible. It’s also why I encourage you to remember it well. It’s a valuable passage because it reminds me that it’s okay when I hear but don’t understand. Not because God accepts such an outcome, but because Jesus fills in what I lack. I should always strive to learn and understand, and God is able to instruct and reveal a lot that I don’t know on my own. The unbeliever is faced with the same predicament, the only difference being having to do the heavy lifting themselves. What comfort, then, is packed into the single word “Go.” I can go my way in life, not indifferent to God’s truth, but also not in terror of it, because Jesus takes my place. And that mediation from my Savior applies even to the truths of God beyond my sinful comprehension. My confidence of faith is not founded on my intellect, experience, or feeling. Rather, I boast in the LORD, and the marks of His sacrificial love for my ignorant rebellions.
Here also, is where we see faith in action. It is easy to confess Christ in words. It is simple to claim Him as your Savior as passing thought. But, that confession is measured in the effect your faith has in your life, precisely when you come face to face with divine wisdom. Here are some examples of what this looks like:
The believer of a small congregation struggles to see the Lord’s hand at work. She says, “I use the Word, I come to church, I receive the Sacrament, but I feel very little. So many people in our community are indifferent to Jesus. Many have left our church for others. Where is God’s work? Why won’t He bless our faithful witness and complete reliance on His Word?” That believer hears, but doesn’t understand. The answer seems unobtainable, out of her reach. But God tells her, “Go your way, some answers will have to wait for eternity.”
A different believer struggles with a teaching from God – call it one that is unpopular, one that many churches have changed in their lust for attention and approval from the world. He knows what God says. The Bible is clear. He is encouraged by parents, pastor, and other faithful friends in what God says. Yet, the struggle is real. He is tempted to doubt, to despair, to substitute lies for truth. He is discouraged at God’s silence in the matter. He has prayed and prayed and prayed but the struggle feels the same. The pressure to conform is overwhelming. That believer hears, but doesn’t understand. But God tells him the same, “Go your way, some answers will have to wait for eternity.”
Daniel’s words unlock one of the most undervalued, yet important aspects of faith in Jesus – it never demands of God what God does not graciously give. And there is a simple joy and peace in this, because the inner safety device of faith leaves us no other option (other than rejection of God) than submitting our cause to Him and going on our way. And whenever you are called to do such a thing, two constants never change – Jesus will have your back and God will do more with your question than you can do with the answer.
Every Word of God is true. Every question in our hearts has an answer from God. With both things, we wait patiently by faith in Jesus in our quest to hear and understand – and that’s okay. Because, with Jesus, we are saved for eternity and we are safe for today.
Amen.
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