PENTECOST 25 – November 14, 2021 – Daniel 12:1-3
“THE TIME OF TROUBLE”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Old Testament Lesson just read, from Daniel 12. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- There have been a lot of times of trouble in human history. This current pandemic would be one of them. Thousands of people have died, and millions of people have been infected and suffered serious effects. Thousands have continuing and ongoing effects from infection, and will likely suffer for the rest of their lives.
- But this pales in comparison to the world suffering in WWI and even more so in WWII. There have been other times of drought, severe storms, tsunamis, earthquakes and other natural disasters. And with global warming mankind may face new devastating circumstances.
- However, according to our text, there is a “TIME OF TROUBLE” coming that is far worse than anything humanity has experienced or chronicled. Daniel is writing about the Last times and the Last Day. Jesus speaks of the same in our Gospel reading, adding some of the details of “THE TIME OF TROUBLE.” It is astonishing that all of these things were revealed to Daniel so long before the coming of Christ. Yet all of this was also known to God’s people from just after the fall, that the devil, and all evil, must be defeated and punished with hell. We should know these things as well!
- So, regardless of how difficult our experiences may be, they are nothing in comparison to what will occur at the end. So God warns us about these times so that we may endure, as Jesus encourages. For, “the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Daniel urges the same – that our names always be found written in the book, that is, in the “Lamb’s book of life.” [Rev. 13:8] So also our Epistle Lesson encourages us to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.”
- “THE TIME OF TROUBLE” brings to an end the conflicted and troubled world as we know it. Evil will be done away with, taken completely away from those who are “wise.” It ushers in a glorious time for the people of God, those who repent of their sins and who live in God’s gracious mercy and forgiveness by faith in Jesus. However:
I. The Time Of Trouble Will Be The Worst Time For Unbelievers
Text: “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time.”
Rev. 21:12,15 “I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was open, which is the book of life. And the dead were judge by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. . . . And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Statement: Jesus spoke clearly: “He that believes the Son has everlasting life; he that does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” [John 3:36] So “THE TIME OF TROUBLE” is coming for the unbelievers, those who are impenitent and arrogant and self-righteous. Jesus also spoke clearly in our Gospel reading, that believers would be alive to see some of this, and that we will be hated for standing up for Jesus’ Name and Word, and taking His side. Some of this occurs even today. But we must remember, it is always an honor and privilege to suffer for our witness to Christ!
Application: Sadly, most unbelievers today have not faced the kind of global disasters that have occurred in human history. They have no clue as to what is coming toward them – whether at the end or when they die and are judged and dispatched to hell. The Scripture is clear in warning us to remain firm in our faith in Jesus – to endure to the end. For:
II. God’s People Will Be Delivered – Those Whose Names Are Written In The Book, Believers
Text: “But at that time your people will be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.”
Luke 10:20 “Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Phil. 4:3 [Paul speaks of his fellow workers in the Gospel] “whose names are in the book of life.”
Rev. 3:5 [Jesus says to the church] “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”
Rev. 20:15 “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Rev. 21:27 “But nothing unclean will ever enter [the heavenly city of God], nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Statement: Rejoice too dear friends, that your names are written in heaven, in the Lamb’s book of life! How do we know this? We were baptized, forgiven all of our sins, given the gift of the Holy Spirit, reborn to new spiritual life, given faith in Jesus our dear Savior and true knowledge of God, that He is love. We live in truth and integrity before God, the only True and Living God, repenting and confessing our sins, and rejoicing deeply in His gracious forgiveness, mercy, and love. And we look forward to Him fulfilling His promises that we too shall be with Him, where He is, in the new heavenly city.
So we follow the instruction in the Epistle Lesson: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised is faithful.”
And we also continue within the fellowship of the church, in all goodness: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
For we are keenly aware that:
III. The Resurrection Of All Flesh On The Last Day Will Bring About Two Disparate Destinies
A. Believers Receive Eternal Life In Heaven
Text: “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life.”
John 3:36 “He that believes the Son has eternal life.
B. Unbelievers Will Go To Everlasting Shame And Contempt And Suffering
Text: “And some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
John 3:36 “He that believes not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
John 15:6 “If anyone does not abide in Me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.”
Matthew 13:;49,50 “So will it be at the end of the age. The angels wll come out and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Isaiah 66:24 “And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against Me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.”
C. And The Wise, Those Who Bear Witness To The Gospel So That People May Come To Faith And New Life, Are Glorious
Text: “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”
Statement: Here we see clearly the outcome for those who endure, those who hold fast the confession of our hope, those who remain faithful to the Word of Jesus and are not ashamed to suffer for it, those who are hated by others because of our devotion to Jesus. We shall indeed shine like the brightness of the sky, like the stars! Those who hate us, those who are ashamed of the Word of Jesus, are thrown into the eternal fire, eternal suffering and torment. They are an abhorrence to all flesh forever.
Application: So do not be discouraged in your time in this life, when evil still persists and persecutes the truth. Remain with those who are enduring, those who do not forsake the fellowship of God’s congregation! Hold fast the faith and hope that God has given you! Continue to stir up love and good works in one another. I have actually heard people within the church question and object to good works! Know where this comes from – the evil one. Rather, be encouraging one another – seeing that the Day is drawing near.
Conclusion: The “TIME OF TROUBLE” will be dire indeed, but mainly for the unbelieving, those forsaking Christ in impenitence and arrogance. For us, we who maintain faith and loyalty to Christ, all will be ultimately be well – indeed glorious. Thanks and praise be to God! Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting. Amen.