Daniel 12:1 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Time of the End

“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. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.”

Who are your people? Daniel was a Jew and as such many of the Jewish faith will proclaim they are his people. That is not very inclusive. That attitude has kept many people from seeking to join “God’s people”.

Acts 4:11-12 English Standard Version (ESV) This Jesusis the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among menby which we must be saved.”

Here again we find exclusion in salvation which is rejected by many and keeps many from coming to Christ.

Allow me to point out one tiny little phrase which might clarify some of the confusion. Those words are “among men”. Salvation belongs to God and He and He alone wrote those names in the book at the foundation of the world and then sealed it so that no one could remove a name nor know what names were written therein.

Matthew 25:34 English Standard Version (ESV) Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Isaiah 29:11 English Standard Version (ESV)  And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.”

Treat all mankind as if their names might be written in the book. They might be your people.

Nahum 1:7 English Standard Version (ESV) The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

Are we in trouble? If we need a stronghold, refuge, then what day is that day?

Trouble is a rather personal appeal to the senses. It can be physical, emotional or spiritual. It can be a mild as unusual, as in the troubling of the water at the Bethesda pool, or as great as the coming tribulation period. It can be personal or generational.

Considering our great enemy in John 10:10 why not feel under attack all the time? Jesus has won the victory and assured us peace. Do we rely on that as our comfort and relax to the point we forget we are still under attack from a defeated foe? Satan is an eternal being and until he is removed from this earthly prison, he will continue to lie and hate.

Jesus said not to be troubled in our mind or heart. That leaves our bodies and it presents a multitude of troubles all by itself. Pain is a great motivator. It will make you forget everything else. Taking refuge in your spirit when in pain does not help you eliminate the pain but it can reassure you that no matter what day is coming and you know your home is with God.

Most of us have not dealt with that much pain but I believe that all of us have dealt with emotional pain and that is where our refuge is most available if we seek Him.  

Jeremiah 29:13 English Standard Version (ESV) You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Is today that day?