Last week in our mid-week Bible study I wrapped up our study of Daniel. Here are a few thoughts I wanted to share from that study; they mostly deal with hope. And after all, we could all use a little hope....

12:1
This passage deals with the "end times." BTW, are living in the "end of times" or "last days." We have been ever since Jesus was crucified, rose from the grave, and ascended into heaven. Anyway, this verse and passage deals with the hard times that will be a part of the end of days. At first glance this seems like a "downer" kind of chapter. But what it really should do is give us hope. The "end of times" has an end. The bad we suffer - if we are faithful to God - is not what lasts. The last days have an end. But life with God through His Son Jesus never ends.

If you're a Christian, this is as bad as life will ever be. If you're not a Christian, life will never get any better for you than it is right now.

12:7
God allows us to be broken and to go through tough times so that we can learn to be completely dependent upon God. The goal for the Children of Israel, and God's goal for those of us who are NT believers, is that we would accept Him as Lord of our lives - completely.

12:11
The significance of the number 7 in this context tells us that our struggles in this life have a "final" end.

12:13
Through everything (Babylonian captivity, slavery, a fiery furnace, temptation, the lion's den, and more) Daniel remained faithful to God. And, while he didn't understand everything God was saying, or even doing, he remained faithful. And, God remained faithful to Daniel.

There are more important things in life than the blessings of this world. The greatest of God's blessings are those that will come in the "next" life.