Scripture Daily

Context No. 3484 of 4322 · Daniel (Greek)

Context · Reflection

Daniel (Greek) 11:31-35: in context

31“Forces will stand on his part and they will profane the sanctuary, even the fortress, and will take away the continual burnt offering. Then they will set up the abomination that makes desolate. 32He will corrupt those who do wickedly against the covenant by flatteries; but the people who know their God will be strong and take action. 33“Those who are wise among the people will instruct many; yet they will fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder, many days. 34Now when they fall, they will be helped with a little help; but many will join themselves to them with flatteries. 35Some of those who are wise will fall, to refine them, and to purify, and to make them white, even to the time of the end; because it is yet for the appointed time.

In a dark time of persecution, when the sanctuary is profaned and the abomination set up, Daniel's vision draws a sharp contrast. Some are corrupted by flattery, seduced into abandoning the covenant. But the people who know their God, the vision says, shall stand firm and take action.

Knowing God, really knowing him, produces the strength to resist when others yield. And then comes a striking word about those who suffer for their faithfulness: some of the wise shall fall, by sword and flame and captivity, and this falling is to refine them, to purify and make them white, until the appointed time. Their suffering was not meaningless, nor a sign that God had abandoned them; it was a refining fire. Even the faithful who fell were being purified through their trial. To know God gives courage to stand firm, and God uses even the suffering of his faithful ones to refine and purify them for himself, until the time of the end.

Do I know God well enough to stand firm when others yield, and can I trust that even suffering for my faith serves to refine and purify me rather than being meaningless?

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