Daniel (Greek) 12:1-6: a reflection

1“At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people. There will be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. At that time, your people will be delivered—everyone who is found written in the book. 2Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3Those who are wise will shine as the brightness of the expanse. Those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. 4But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end. Many will run back and forth, and knowledge will be increased.” 5Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on the river bank on this side, and the other on the river bank on that side. 6One said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be to the end of these wonders?”

In a vision of the end, Daniel is told of a time of trouble unlike any before, and yet a promise shines through it: at that time your people will be delivered, everyone whose name is found written in the book. And then comes one of the clearest statements of resurrection in the Old Testament: many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Death is not the end; there is an awakening to come.

The vision adds a striking image about those who lived wisely and led others to God: those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. The lasting glory, in God's economy, belongs not to the famous of this world but to those who lived in the wisdom of God and helped others find their way to him. Their reward is to shine like stars, forever.

Two hopes to hold from this vision. First, death is not final; there is a resurrection, an awakening to everlasting life for all whose names are written in God's book. Whatever trouble the world holds, that hope stands. Second, the work of turning others toward God has lasting, radiant worth. If you help even one person find their way to God, you are doing something that will shine forever. Live for the awakening to come, and give yourself to the eternally worthwhile work of turning others toward righteousness.

Lord, you promise that those who sleep in the dust will awake, and that those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. Fix my hope on the resurrection to everlasting life for all whose names are written in your book. And give me a heart for the work that shines forever, helping others find their way to you. Let me live for the awakening to come. Amen.