It Still Goes On

“And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” (Da 12:9 AV)

 

This is good advice.  For Daniel and us.  Daniel received a vision of all the kingdoms that would afflict Israel until the coming of Christ.  The purpose of the book of Daniel is to reassure Israel through one occupation after another that the Messiah will come and restore the kingdom promised to Israel.  The book of Daniel does not mention those kingdoms or nations which sought worldwide dominance if they did not afflict Palestine.  China, Germany, or Japan are not mentioned because they did not occupy Palestine while Israel was a nation.  Only those kingdoms which invaded Israel are of concern.  Daniel receives visions of what will occur in the latter days just prior to Christ’s first coming, and what will transpire during the tribulation period.  Some of what is mentioned in chapters ten and eleven have already occurred and were meant to point Israel to her Savior.  Some have yet to be fulfilled.  The point the LORD is making to Daniel is to him, all those things are future and he would never see them.  So, go your way and continue your ministry because what will happen is closed and sealed until the time appointed of the LORD.

I know I have mentioned this before, but I worked in a factory that had changed hands several times.  Twice, to be exact.  Without leaving the building, over seven years, I worked for three different companies.  The first changeover was rather traumatic.  It was the first time for many employees in a situation like this.  Many details were unknown.  Who would be retained and who would be terminated was the biggest concern.  Benefits and vacation time were also a concern.  Change of personnel, assignments, or policy entertained the mind.  Many questions.  The one constant was the date of transfer.  In one case, we found out after the fact.  The other time, we knew ahead of time when the transfer of ownership was to happen.  The only constant through these transitions was the order from our customers that needed to be filled.  It didn’t matter whose name was on the building, the lines had to run, the product had to go out, and orders shipped.  All the anxiety regarding the future did not change the duties of the present.  The business still had to function.  Putting it another way, when the LORD opened the door for me to leave my secular employment and go into ministry full-time, there was a lag time.  I knew two or three months prior that I was leaving.  This didn’t change my duties.  My heart may have been turned more towards my calling, but the lines still had to run.

One of the first books I purchased after Jesus saved me was Will Jesus Return in 1984?.  Obviously, He did not.  Then I read Late Great Planet Earth.  I wanted to know all about the end times.  I loaded about a half-dozen end-time websites to keep up on events as they pointed to Christ’s return.  As websites and the internet expanded, this number only grew.  The highest I ever got was twenty-four.  That is twenty-four separate websites dedicated to end-time prophecy in the news.  A bit excessive, don’t you think?  I was no prophecy scholar by any stretch of the imagination.  I couldn’t tell you who the Antichrist will be or who the two witnesses will be.  But there is a working knowledge of the basics.  God gave Daniel extensive knowledge of end-time events.  When all was said and done, however, it was the day-to-day ministry that took priority.  I knew a few dear saints that are up on the latest prediction.  They have their favorite TV prophet or author that has the latest and best.  They are so taken by the subject they are of little use in any other ministry.  Souls still need saving today!  There are hurting believers who still need a shoulder today.  There is nothing we can do to hasten the coming of Christ nor can events pointing to it cease our present duties.  The line still has to run.  The product still has to go out.  There are still orders to fill.  So, go thy way.