Topic: The Most Troublous Years [Monday September 28, 2015]
Text: Daniel 12:5-13
Key Verse: “And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, …sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished” (Daniel 12:7).
Both Testaments of the Bible foretold what the end of the present system would be. Daniel is one of the prominent Scriptures in this regard. The last chapter from which today’s text is taken, summarizes and concludes the great revelations contained in the book.
The earlier verses foretold the eventual deliverance of the Jews from Antiochus that would greatly persecute them. Beyond that, it points to the fate of believers (dead and alive) towards the coming of the Antichrist. They will be raptured to meet the Lord in the air and would be rewarded for their works. Daniel was to seal the Book because its ultimate fulfillment was then a distant time.
Christ’s coming at the rapture would principally be to deliver believers from the tyranny and troubles that would be unleashed on the world during the Antichrist’s reign. It will particularly be a very trying time for Israel. The concern in today’s text was how long the trouble would be. The Bible reveals that the Antichrist will reign for seven years; first three and half, he will deceive the world, gain global acceptance and eventually enter into agreement with Israel. But Israel’s real trouble will begin with the last three and a half years when the Antichrist will renege, desecrate their worship and persecute them. Those “time, times, and an half” (three and half years) will be the most troublous years ever in this world. The merciless atrocities of the Antichrist would be mingled with divine judgment and unleashed on those who remain in the world.
As the cloud gathers and the end-time signs become more glaring, God’s call becomes more urgent, “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast” (Isaiah 26:20). Will you tarry in the world or are you ready for the rapture?
Thought for the day: To be left behind after rapture will be the greatest miss of all times.
Bible Reading in one Year: 2 Peter 1-3
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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