From the date of this message, it is twenty-one days until Resurrection Sunday, and the middle of Passover.
To the prophet Daniel, twenty-one days was revealed to be a period of intense spiritual warfare. Daniel had sought understanding regarding the vision he had received, and demonic principalities, namely the princes of Persia, had fought to prevent that understanding from being received. Finally, Michael, one of the chief angelic princes, had to come into the battle, and free the prophetic understanding to be given to Daniel (Dan. 10:14). The demonic princes had fought this understanding so hard because it dealt with the events to come in the "latter days", and it included a life-changing revelation. Daniel was so overwhelmed with the power of the understanding that came to him that he became without strength to stand or speak. The angel assured Daniel that he was there to show him "that which is noted in the scripture of truth" (v. 21).
God wants His people to seek understanding of the things which will come to pass in the latter days. He will do great spiritual battle to bring us this understanding.
What was the understanding given to Daniel for the latter days? It involved great warfare across the earth, and the rise of a certain powerful figure who will magnify himself above all gods, and will speak against the true God. This king will honor the god of forces and a "strange god". His heart shall be set against the holy covenant, and support those who do wickedly against the covenant:
"And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries..." Dan. 11:32
However, even as the people of covenant are persecuted, the angel promises Daniel:
"...but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet shall they fall...And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed." Dan. 11:32-35 (excerpt)
Daniel is repeatedly told that these various events described are appointed for "the time of the end". Much of what Daniel is given to understand, is confirmed again in Revelation 13, which describes this same individual, there referred to as "the beast".
As we continue reading into chapter 12 of Daniel, Daniel and we are given the understanding of another event that is associated with those latter days:
"...and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time, thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever...Many shall be purified and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand....the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." Dan. 12:1-10
We can understand now from the corresponding passage in the Book of Revelation, that those not found written in "the book" mentioned in these verses above, refer to those who will worship the beast, "whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" in Rev. 13:8
According to the understanding given to Daniel, resurrection is an event connected directly to the "latter days".
Resurrection, of course, is also directly connected with the Person who is the resurrection, Jesus Christ. Paul said that Christ's resurrection, and consequently our own, is the fundamental belief of our faith. Let's see how Paul adamantly expresses this:
"Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ is not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is vain...if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." 1 Cor. 15:12-20 (excerpt)
With the resurrection of Christ, along with the attending promise of our own resurrection, the clock of the latter days of Daniel began ticking. Christ's resurrection is not only an earthshaking spiritual event, but an end times event, and we are to be those with the understanding of this connection, as the angel told Daniel.
Paul also connects resurrection with the end times as he wants us to understand this "mystery" in 1 Cor. 15:51-57:
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed...death is swallowed up in victory...But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ."
Not only is resurrection promised to the dead in Christ, but a living resurrection is to be part of our understanding as well. The living are also raised up, being "changed" in an instant.
This concept of resurrection, shown to Daniel as part of the latter days' events, is full of a wealth of truth for our understanding. We are called to understand it.
Paul writes again that we should not be ignorant, but to understand the resurrection of the dead, and also its connection to the end times, and the coming of Jesus:
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him...For the Lord, Himself, shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord...comfort one another with these words." 1 Thess. 4:13-18
As it was with Daniel, as we enter these 21 days before Resurrection Sunday, there is a spiritual battle going on in the heavenlies, as the principalities of wickedness try to keep man from receiving the understanding and faith of the resurrection of Christ for all who will believe, and also as a prophesied latter days event.
An opportunity is given to us, especially during these next 21 days, to understand these things, to instruct many, to be strong and do exploits, to shine as the wise, and most importantly, to be those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life: the Passover Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world, the resurrected Christ.
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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:
Jesus, I want to know You as my Lord, and as my Savior, who covers my sins, and cleanses my heart. Come into my heart, and also fill me with the Holy Spirit, who will lead me into all truth, and will teach me how to follow You. I believe that You are the Son of God, the Messiah, that You were crucified for me, and rose from the dead to give me everlasting life. I believe that You are coming again. Lord Jesus, in Your name I believe, pray, and receive all of these things. Amen.
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