Daniel (Greek) 12:7-13: a reflection

7I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him who lives forever that it will be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have finished breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things will be finished. 8I heard, but I didn’t understand. Then I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?” 9He said, “Go your way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10Many will purify themselves, make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked will do wickedly. None of the wicked will understand; but those who are wise will understand. 11“From the time that the continual burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there will be one thousand two hundred ninety days. 12Blessed is he who waits and comes to the one thousand three hundred thirty-five days. 13“But go your way until the end; for you will rest and will stand in your inheritance at the end of the days.”

As Daniel is shown visions of the end that he cannot fully understand, he asks, My lord, what will be the outcome of these things? And the answer he receives is not a full explanation, but a reassuring word about his own place in it all: Go your way, Daniel; you will rest, and will stand in your allotted place at the end of the days. Daniel is not given full understanding, but is given a promise: he will rest, and stand in his inheritance at the end.

Notice the answer Daniel receives: not full understanding, but a promise of rest and inheritance at the end. The visions of the future were sealed, beyond Daniel's full grasp; he asks about the outcome, and is not given a complete explanation. But he is given something better than understanding: the assurance that he will rest, and stand in his allotted place, his inheritance, at the end of the days. He is to go his way now, faithfully, even without full understanding, holding the promise of rest and inheritance at the end.

That is worth taking to heart, for we too are not given full understanding of the future, and can be troubled by what we cannot grasp. Like Daniel, we may long to understand the outcome of things, the future, God's ways; and, like him, we are not given full understanding. But we are given something better: the promise of rest and an inheritance at the end for those who are faithful. Do not be troubled that you cannot fully understand the future or God's ways; go your way faithfully now, as Daniel was told, holding the promise of rest and inheritance at the end. You are not given full understanding; but you are given a sure hope: rest, and a place in your inheritance, at the end of the days. Go your way faithfully now, even without understanding, trusting the promise that awaits: you will rest, and stand in your inheritance at the end, as Daniel was promised. Let that hope carry you through what you cannot understand, as you go your way faithfully now toward the rest and inheritance God has promised at the end.

Lord, as Daniel was shown visions of the end he could not fully understand, he asked, what will be the outcome of these things? and the answer was not a full explanation, but a reassuring word: go your way, Daniel; you will rest, and will stand in your allotted place at the end of the days. He was given not full understanding, but a promise of rest and inheritance at the end. Show me that answer. The visions were sealed, beyond Daniel's full grasp; he asks about the outcome, and is not given a complete explanation. But he is given something better than understanding: the assurance that he will rest, and stand in his inheritance, at the end. Take that to my heart, for I too am not given full understanding of the future, and can be troubled by what I cannot grasp. Like Daniel, I may long to understand the outcome of things, the future, your ways; and, like him, I am not given full understanding. But I am given something better: the promise of rest and an inheritance at the end for those who are faithful. Keep me from being troubled that I cannot fully understand the future or your ways; help me go my way faithfully now, as Daniel was told, holding the promise of rest and inheritance at the end. Let that hope carry me through what I cannot understand, Lord, as I go my way faithfully now toward the rest and inheritance you have promised. Help me go faithfully now, trusting the rest and inheritance you promise at the end.