VICTORY

Joseph Candel

Daniel 12

"And at that time (at the end of those last 3 1/2 years) 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." (Dan.12:1b-3)

Here we have the true hope of all true Christians--the second Coming of Jesus Christ and the resurrection and rapture of the saints of all ages to be with the Lord!

Notice it doesn't say that all are resurrected, but "many." The Bible says there are two resurrections, one of the righteous and one of the wicked. (Rev.20:4-6; Jn.5:28,29) If it said "all" here it would mean both of these, but "many" implies only one. And it is evident that the one spoken of here is the resurrection of the righteous, those who have accepted Jesus.

But it says some are going to be ashamed. This couldn't mean Christians, could it? Well, it's obvious from this and many other Scriptures that. There is a big difference in social status in God’s Kingdom, believe it or not.

Some Christians are going to be ashamed for the rest of eternity because they didn't do anything for the Lord. But others will shine like the stars. "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words ... of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed. ..." "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him." (Mk.8:38; 2Tim.2:12)

Now if the righteous are taken away at the end of this last 3 1/2 years of Great Tribulation what's going to happen to all those left behind? The wrath of God.

Daniel 9:27 says that at the "consummation" or completion of the seven-year covenant “That which is determined shall be poured out upon the wicked.” Revelation chapter 16 likens God's wrath unto seven vials which will be "poured out" upon the wicked. This is when God turns all their seas, rivers and waters into the blood of a dead man, causes the sun's heat to scorch men with fire, and smites them with noisome sores.

This period of God’s wrath begins at the second coming of Christ to take away His saints at the resurrection and rapture, and culminates with the return of Jesus and the saints, who have been in heaven during this time, to finally take the world in a monstrous battle called Armageddon. Read all about it in the 16th and 19th chapters of Revelation.

"And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days." (Dan 12:11,12)

The Antichrist reign and his persecution of God's Children begins with the placing of the abomination of desolation and continues for exactly 1,260 days, 42 months, 3-1/2 times (years), or 1/2 week (Rev.12:6; 13:5; Dan.7:25; 9:27)

However these verses above add on a total of 75 days to that period. Since we know the saints are taken away at the end of 1,260 days and that the Wrath of God begins at that time, these 75 days may be the length of time for the marriage supper of the Lamb and the wrath of God.

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