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Thursday, April 15, 2010

4/16 Daniel 12:1b-4, 13 Name in the Book of Life

But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge." 13 "As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance."


(Daniel 12 Part of the Book of Life)

"At that time" or sealed up "until the time of the end" indicates a belief in the end of history.  At the end of history we are not melted or frozen (Frost said, "Some say fire, some say ice"), but God stands at the end of the tunnel and will raise all- some to everlasting life, and some to everlasting contempt.  These verses were very important to early Christian thinking about heaven, hell, rewards, and punishment.  Daniel (or Michael the archangel) lifts up three things- that their names are written in the book ahead of time; he lifts up the wise; he lifts up those who lead others to righteousness. 

Prayer: When hope is lost, help me to hope in you and that your righteousness will shine in the darkness at the end.

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