TRIBULATION AND DELIVERY
Daniel 12:1-3

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Our text for this mornings meditation is recorded in the book of Daniel, chapter 12, verses 1 through 3, particularly these words: “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.” This is our text.

In the name of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, dear Christian friends. We are now in the last few weeks of the liturgical year of the church. As we draw near to the end of that church year, our Scripture readings remind us that we are also drawing near to the end of time — to the second coming of Christ — to judgment day.

There has always been a lot of debate over the “End Times”. There is even a movie out now telling us that the end of the world is coming in 2012. Will there be a 1000 year earthly reign of Jesus — As some think? Will there be a rapture as some teach? Does Russia and Israel fulfill the symbolic prophecies of the Old Testament and of Revelations? OR is all of this stuff about the “End Times” just the result of an over active imagination of people who specialize in meaningless trivia?

There is a lot of interest these days in prophecy. People want to know the “Signs of the times.” Just like John and Andrew in today’s Gospel lesson, people are asking, “When will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” Today’s text, together with today’s Gospel lesson, answers a few of those questions for us.

The first point of our text for today is that there will be a period of great tribulation before the world comes to an end. Our text reads, “There will be a time of trouble such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then.” And Jesus, in today’s Gospel Lesson, explains further this period of tribulation. He says, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me.”

In the last 100 years alone, we had World War I and World War II. There was Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and now Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, the Middle East and Central America are heavily armed just waiting for that one mistake by someone to start another major war. We have NEVER been without wars and rumors of wars — they have always been with us — and according to Jesus — they will be with us until judgment day. This part of prophecy was fulfilled long ago.

There have been earthquakes around the world forever. There are famines going on even today in Africa. There have been natural disasters around the world for centuries already — This part of prophecy has been fulfilled long ago.

Child abuse and family violence is at an all time high not only in the U.S. — but around the world. But with the sinfulness of man — this is not something new. It has always been with us ever since Cain killed his brother Able. This part of prophecy has been fulfilled long ago.

From what I see in our world today and from what I read in world history, those who spend their time trying to read the “signs of the times” — are basically wasting their time trying to figure out when the world will end. The Scriptures are very clear that the end will come “Like a thief in the night, when no one is watching.” It will come like a twinkling or the blinking of an eye. The signs have long ago been fulfilled. As Paul said even in his day, “Today is the day to be saved, this is the hour to receive God’s favor?” There is no reason to look for signs — they have been fulfilled!

A true Christian does not have to worry about what the future holds. That is made clear by the second point in today’s text. We have this promise in the text, “At that time, your people will be delivered.”

The one thing that makes people fear the second coming of Christ is that separation of the sheep and the goats — and their conscience makes them fear that they will be numbered among the goats, instead of among the sheep. If you live in fear of God’s return to judge the living and the dead, then you need to look for signs and wonders – you need something to give you a warning, so that you can prepare at the last minute!

But the Christian does not need to worry about that second coming because we have God’s own promise in today’s text — “At that time, your people will be delivered.” Jesus said it this way in today’s Gospel lesson, “He who stands firm to the end will be saved.” That is God’s promise to us. By grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, we will be saved. It doesn’t matter about the tribulation! It doesn’t matter about a rapture. It doesn’t matter about a millennium — Jesus Christ is our Lord and our Savior, and if we believe in Him, we will be saved. That is certain! That is sure! That is God’s promise to you and to me!

Guessing about when Jesus will come again — or trying to figure out all the symbolism of prophecy so that we know when He is coming again will do us no good. When Jesus comes again all that will matter is the answer to that one question — “Do you believe that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior?” If your answer to that question is “YES – by God’s Grace”, then you will rejoice to hear Jesus say — “Come into my kingdom prepared for you!”

But there is a third point to our text for today concerning those coming end times. And that is found in these words, “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.” In the Old Testament — Wisdom was always rooted in the faith and trust of God. We remember verses like, “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” So what the verse is telling us is that those who are wise — that is, those who have faith — will shine, and they will lead many to righteousness.

Christians are not to just sit back in their easy chairs waiting for Jesus to return and take them to heaven. We have a lot of work to get done for the Lord while we are waiting for His return. There are many people who do not yet know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. As Christ’s ambassadors, as Christ’s representatives on earth, it is our joy and privilege to share with them that Love of God. To share with them the only way of Salvation — which is faith in Jesus Christ.

Through our faith in Jesus Christ, you and I are ready for Christ’s second coming. We know that we have a task to fulfill yet here on earth — and that when the right time comes — God will take us out of this world into His eternal kingdom. But don’t be misled by all the talk about what “might be,” or by what “can be,” or by what “possibly will be.” Rather put your trust in the one thing that is sure — “God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have everlasting life.” That’s God’s promise to each of us. Amen.

May the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.