Isn’t it interesting that, in this world, there is an “end” to things? In vv.9-12, Daniel saw how the little horn grew and all the damage it would do, then one angel asks another, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled?" The other answers, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings …” Not 2,301. Not 2,299. 2,300, then it will end. If the Jews suffering under Antiochus Epiphanes read and understood this prophecy, it had to be of some comfort to know the Lord had already decreed its end!
Gabriel told Daniel “the vision concerns the time of the end” (v.17) and “the appointed time of the end” (v.19). In his explanation of the vision to Daniel, Gabriel tells him that “little horn” “will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power” (v.25). “He will be destroyed.” Back in chapter 7, Daniel said, “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and it body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire” (v.11). There will be an end.
It strikes me as I think about this that we probably don’t realize what a blessing it is to always know, when it comes to evil and suffering, there will be an end. What I mean is, when it comes to anything evil, like the angel we know we can ask, “How long?” In other words, we live knowing anything evil will end. I’m not entirely sure why that is such a given in our hearts. It might be part of the image of God in us, to just know that evil “doesn’t fit.” However, wherever it comes from, it certainly gets reinforced by Biblical prophecy. Even in the great scheme of things, Rev. 20:10 tells how finally “the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” As much evil as Satan has done in this world, yet we live our Christian lives knowing the day will come when he no longer will “roam the earth, seeking someone to devour.”
As early as chapter 2 and Nebuchadnezzar’s vision, although earthy kingdoms would rise and fall, yet Daniel told him, “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed … this is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands” (v.44,45). In chapter 7 we saw “One like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; … His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and the kingdom is one that will never be destroyed” (vv.13,14).
The ”Blessed Hope” of the church has always been the Second Coming of Christ. It is a blessed hope because of all it will mean – “a new heaven and a new earth, in which dwelleth righteousness.” It will be the beginning of endless happiness and that world where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” What I’ve never really thought about before is how much it is a blessing not only for what then begins, but also for what ends.
I’m wondering in my heart, if a person refuses to believe in God, if they really believe we are all just the product of some totally arbitrary evolutionary accident, if there is no good God sovereignly ruling over this universe, then what assurance can such a person have that suffering and evil will ever end? Once again, the BIG lesson of the book of Daniel is that “the Most High rules in the nations of men.” Here we see that is important precisely because we can live assured that suffering and evil will end. There is nothing arbitrary about our world. Our God reigns. He may, in His infinite wisdom, allow evil for a time, but it is only for a time. It will end. “How long?” the angel could ask.
Another thought occurs to me – I’ve been pondering for some time God’s judgment on sin, which is, of course, death. “The wages of sin is death.” “The soul that sins, it shall die.” To Adam and Eve He warned, “In dying, you shall die.” Death, of course, is a horrible reality in our world. The pain of losing loved ones and friends is almost unbearable. The book of Job calls it “The king of terrors.” However, once sin has entered the picture, it strikes me that death is the most merciful possible judgment. As we’re seeing here in Daniel, there needs to be an end! We’ve all known people of whom we could almost lament, “They lived too long.” These Adamic bodies need to die. Once sin enters the picture we are dying. It is a most merciful judgment that, at some point, we are allowed to simply die. Sadly, for those like the devil who will never submit to Jesus’ reign, there needs to be a time when they will be sent “somewhere else,” and hell is appropriately called “the Second Death.” As the Lord warns in Rev. 21:8, “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” While, like Jesus, we try to love everyone while we’re here, the fact is, it will be a blessed relief to be in heaven where we will never again have to deal with people who are simply being evil. Death is in fact a very merciful judgment because, from the very beginning, the Lord arranged that there, in fact, should be an end.
Daniel’s prophecies certainly prepare us not to be surprised as we see earth history unfold. That, in itself, is probably a far greater blessing than we ever realize, but they allow us also to pause and praise our God that there will be an end. Suffering, cruelty, injustice, pain, lies, sickness, and all the other expressions of evil in our world will end. May these thoughts help us to be people of hope, to be patient in our trials, and to never forget that “our God reigns!”
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