Join David Hawking as he explores Daniel 12, a chapter filled with both prophecy and promise. This installment covers the intricacies of the tribulation period, the pivotal role of Michael the Archangel in protecting Israel, and the profound promise of a lasting resurrection. Whether you’re a theologian or a layperson, this episode uncovers the rich tapestry of biblical events that shape our understanding of destiny and redemption. Each revelation serves as a reminder of the spiritual truths that continue to resonate, offering hope and insight amid a world often fraught with uncertainty.
00:15:40 Separation of Resurrections and Consequences
00:22:43 Conclusion on Tribulation and Resurrections
SPEAKER 03 :
Every believer who is resurrected, whether at the beginning of the tribulation, at the rapture of the church, or at the end of the tribulation, every believer is a part of what’s called the first resurrection. No matter what phase it comes in. Christ also is a part of the first resurrection. The second resurrection is all unbelievers. And according to Revelation 20, is separated from the first resurrection by 1,000 years. at the end of the 1,000-year reign of Christ, all unbelievers is going to be cast into the lake of fire. That’s what the Bible says. So when we look at this passage, it’s very clear. Some will go to everlasting life, and some will go to shame and everlasting contempt, and they will go at the end of the 1,000-year reign of Christ.
SPEAKER 1 :
Thank you.
SPEAKER 02 :
Welcome to Friday’s broadcast of Hope for Today with Bible teacher and author David Hawking. Today we open up the final chapter of Daniel, a chapter that pulls no punches. In these verses we see it all. Trouble unlike anything the world has ever known. The resurrection of the dead and a future where some rise to everlasting life and others to everlasting shame. But you know something? God also gives a promise. Those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. Now, what does that mean for you and me right now? Well, open your Bible to Daniel chapter 12, and we’ll have day one of David’s message, the time of the end, in just a moment. First, Matt, we have a listener letter today from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
SPEAKER 01 :
And what do they say? It says, listen to parts of your program en route to jobs on KCFO 970 AM. Fabulous info. David Hawking left the Bible study of his lifetime to us. How great is that?
SPEAKER 02 :
What encouragement that is. And also thanks to the folks at KCFO. What a great station that is. And we just cherish the opportunity to minister together with them. If you have a note, if you have a prayer request, get in touch with us at Hope for Today. And we’ll tell you just a bit later how you can do that. Now here’s David.
SPEAKER 03 :
Take your Bibles, please, and turn to Daniel chapter 12. Daniel chapter 12. Four things about the time of the end. That little phrase appears often in Daniel, the time of the end. the things that God is going to do to end world history as we now know it, and bring in the messianic kingdom set up on earth, as Revelation 20 says, for 1,000 years. Preceding that, the time of the end is a seven-year period of time, spoken of in the book of Daniel. It is a time of great tribulation. I’d like you to consider four things. In verse 1, the rescue of God’s people will take place. It hasn’t looked good since Babylon. 586, the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem, really wiped it out, took away a lot of people to captivity, and it hasn’t looked good since. The Jews have been crying for that land for a long time. In 1948, hope came into the Jewish breast as David Ben-Gurion announced to the world that Ezekiel’s prophecy was fulfilled and said the nation should be called Israel. And out of a great prophecy in Ezekiel chapter 37, the dry bones of Israel’s people scattered all over the world, all of a sudden got life back on them, and God said, I’ll bring them back into the land of Israel. They started dribbling back in greater numbers than they had throughout all of history. really at the turn of this century, under the leadership of Theodor Herzl and also the Balfour Declaration, which Britain gave in 1914. But it wasn’t until 1948, the War of Liberation, Israel became a nation. The time of the end, Israel has to be there. So we know we’re prepared. Israel is God’s timepiece, God’s clock. But things still are not good. We’ve seen since 1948 turmoil after turmoil. We’ve seen battle after battle, war after war, and it’s gotten worse. We are at the time of the end, and it’s going to look bad for Israel. The six million Jews who lost their lives under Hitler will not be compared with the persecution that will come in the tribulation period. It’ll be a terrible time, but the rescue of God’s people will take place, as verse 1 indicates. I’d like you to notice three things. One is the presence of Michael. It says, at that time, Michael shall stand up. Jehovah Witnesses say that Jesus Christ is Michael the archangel. That’s a blasphemous statement. No, Michael is the archangel. He’s the only archangel, and his special assignment is the nation of Israel. Interesting that this Michael who stands up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people, he’s also involved in a great angelic conflict in the tribulation period that will happen in the heavenly places. Turn to Revelation chapter 12. By the way, even the church of Jesus Christ, when the rapture happens, it says that the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout and with the voice of the what? Archangel. Michael’s voice will sound and the church of Jesus Christ will respond and be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. He’s a powerful angel. He handles the management of all of God’s good angels. There are two good angels to every one evil angel. We have no reason to fear the evil spirits or Satan himself. They’re not ubiquitous. They can’t be everywhere at once. They are not all-powerful. Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. The humblest believer can resist the devil and he will flee from you. We need to understand that. And for every demonic spirit that might want to twist your brain and cause division between you and somebody else and stir up trouble, there are two other angels keeping you from ruining yourself. And nothing really happens to the believer that God doesn’t permit and allow. And most of the trouble that happens that God allows to happen, He simply releases the protective control of His angels and allows a few evil spirits to work you over a little bit for a little while. Not to wipe you out or make you discouraged, but the Bible says to make you stronger. To establish you and strengthen you and find out that you need to trust the Lord. You see, a lot of us don’t trust the Lord when things are going okay. We only trust the Lord when things don’t go okay. So the Lord has to cause things that don’t go okay so that we will trust the Lord. Amen? Okay, I don’t want to go through that again. But in Revelation chapter 12, we learn that Michael is going to really stand up for Israel. Chapter 12 and verse 1 says that the great sign that the apostle John saw in heaven was a woman clothed with the sun, moon, and stars, 12 stars, reminding us of the dream of Joseph. referring to the nation of Israel, the 12 tribes of Israel. She’s with child, she brings the woman. Israel is with child, gives birth to what? Verse 5, bore a male child, Messiah, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. Her child was caught up to God and to his throne, as you know. And the dragon, verse 4, stood before the woman who was ready to give birth to devour her child as soon as it was born. He tried through Herod, as you know, to destroy all the baby boys in Bethlehem. The devil’s really angry. He’s going to try to destroy the people of God. If you look down at verse 17, it says, “…the dragon was enraged with the woman.” But look at verse 7. War broke out in heaven at this time, the tribulation period. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought, and they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. Right now the devil has access to God’s throne where he accuses us day and night. Verse 9, so the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old called the devil and Satan who deceives the whole world. He was cast to the earth and his angels were cast out with him. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, now salvation and strength and the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ have come for the accuser of our brethren who accused them before our God day and night has been cast down. So Michael is actively protecting the people of God, the nation of Israel. Back please to Daniel again, chapter 12. In addition to the presence of Michael, notice the prediction of trouble. We read in verse 1 that there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. cannot help but connect this with Jesus’ remarks in Matthew chapter 24. In verse 21 and 22, He said, “…for then will be great tribulation, such as not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the elect’s sake…” namely Israel, those days will be shortened. They’re called a time, times, and half a time. Times one year, times two years, and half a time, half year, three and a half years. And the time is shortened. Otherwise, it’d be disastrous for the people of Israel. There’ll be such persecution against the Jewish people at the end of the tribulation period, the last three and a half years. By the way, back in Jeremiah chapter 30, Jeremiah chapter 30, you also read of this coming tribulation. a holocaust of terror against Israel. In Jeremiah 30, verse 7, it says, “‘Alas, for that day is great, so that none is like it.'” prediction of trouble is that there’s nothing that has been like it in all of history. It is the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it. Which brings me kind of to the last point about the rescue of God’s people, not only the presence of Michael who stands up for Israel, and the prediction of terrible trouble such as never existed before, but the promise of deliverance is there. Verse 1, at that time your people shall be delivered. Many years ago, in a conversation with Prime Minister Menachem Begin in his office, we were discussing prophecy, and he asked me if I believed the evangelical argument about the tribulation period. I said, yes, I think I know what you’re talking about. I said, do you believe that Israel is going to be persecuted greater than we ever had? And I said, yes. He said, well, how can you believe that? Haven’t we suffered enough under Hitler? And I said, what do you believe, Mr. Prime Minister? He said, well, I hope you’re not right. But he said, more and more, I think you are. He said, we find it very hard to trust the United States, who’s been our friend for many years. Folks, this was in 1979. I wonder what he would say now. And he’s found that people who love the Lord and love the Bible and are committed to Bible prophecy are usually the ones that will stand by Israel. It’s very interesting, isn’t it? Yet a lot of people feel that Israel does not have a special place in God’s program. They think the church is the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel, and they act like Israel is no big deal at all. Just one of the nations, and even though they’re unbelievers, they don’t see any hope for them, and they don’t see God’s plan as restoring Israel’s kingdom. They just don’t believe it. Some of the nastiest letters I’ve ever received in my life are over my stand for Israel. Believe me, some of the nastiest threats on our lives have been because of our stand on Israel. And I just want to say that I praise God that there is one in heavenly places who controls all the good angels of God, who cares for these people and has been assigned by God to superintend their protection, and that’s Michael the archangel. And there is a promise of ultimate deliverance. The people of God will be delivered, the Bible says. There is hope. The second thing I’d bring to your attention about the time of the end is the resurrection that will happen. Verse 2 and 3 comments on it. It says, Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. Now two things are said here. One, there’s a separation between of those who are resurrected in terms of consequences. We have some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Some people teach, in fact, many major denominations do, that there’s one general resurrection. I do not believe that. At the time of our Lord, we had a resurrection of a widow’s son. I guess you might even describe it in the sense of a permanent resurrection as only a resuscitation. And yet the Lord resurrected him. We have the resurrection of Lazarus. Even though he died again, it isn’t the final resurrection. But the Lord demonstrated his power. We have the resurrection of our Lord. And he’s called the firstfruits of all of them that slept. Because our Lord obviously will never die as the widow’s son did or as Lazarus did. And then we have also the resurrection of those who are dead in Christ in the church age at the rapture of the church, according to 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. We also have the resurrection of believing Old Testament saints at the end of the tribulation period, which is clear also here in this passage. The Bible says at that time, Michael shall stand up. What time? The time of trouble. And at that time, the time of the end, they shall be resurrected. You say, well, maybe that’s earlier. Maybe that’s at the rapture of the church. And some people teach that all the Old Testament believers and New Testament believers are all resurrected at the rapture of the church. I don’t think so, because Daniel didn’t include himself in that. Notice, please, at the end, the message to Daniel, verse 13, you will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days. And the days described clear to the end of the tribulation. So the Old Testament believer, including Daniel, will not be resurrected until the end of the tribulation period. By the way, you have to have a resurrection there also for all the tribulation believers. There are many of them, and they’re killed during the tribulation period. When are they resurrected? Along with the Old Testament believers, because they’re a part of this Old Testament age, the time of the end. And they are going to be resurrected at the end of the tribulation period. Now, every believer who is resurrected, whether at the beginning of the tribulation, at the rapture of the church, or at the end of the tribulation, every believer is a part of what’s called the first resurrection, right? no matter what phase it comes in. Christ also is a part of the first resurrection. The second resurrection is all unbelievers, and according to Revelation 20, is separated from the first resurrection by 1,000 years. At the end of the 1,000-year reign of Christ, all unbelievers will be resurrected to stand before the great white throne judgment, and whoever is found not written in the book of life is going to be cast into the lake of fire. That’s what the Bible says. So when we look at this passage, it’s very clear. Some will go to everlasting life, and they will, in the Old Testament sense, be resurrected at the end of the tribulation. And some will go to shame and everlasting contempt, and they will go at the end of the thousand-year reign of Christ. So about the resurrection of people, there’s a separation. in terms of consequences. Secondly, notice the shining of the wise. It says in verse 3, those who are wise, that’s a statement about believers. You’re wise if you’re a believer and trust the Lord. You’re going to shine like the brightness of the firmament. Now I want to ask you, do we take it literally or not? First of all, it’s a simile, like the brightness of the firmament. but the firmament is very bright. The firmament refers to the expanse of the sky and the brilliance of light that fills the universe. Now, the Bible says that we’re going to shine like that. That means that we’re going to really turn on. Amen? I kind of like that. Now, in glory, there’s no need for the sun, moon, and stars anymore. So the light is coming from God. But isn’t it interesting that because we are transformed into the likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ, there evidently is a quality about us in the future that causes us to really shine. I kind of like that. Amen? You know, maybe some of us will be arguing how far our light shoots out, but I doubt it, seriously. But we’re going to shine, folks. That’s what the Bible says. It is a simile like the brightness of the firmament. It isn’t the brightness of the expanse of the universe, but it’s like that. But obviously there’s something intended. And it’s just kind of neat to reflect a little bit about that. But the next verse really tells us what the point of this statement is. And those who turn many to righteousness… Like the stars forever and ever. You know, I love this statement because what he’s talking about is reward. You know, I don’t know what we’re going to experience. I really don’t. And we all got mixed feelings. In fact, whenever you preach a sermon on rewards, it seems to me it just confuses people. I’m serious. I know there are five crowns mentioned in the Bible, and I got my little notes just like you do, but it always confuses me. I don’t think it’s adequate at all to explain what God’s going to do. The Bible says, I just want you to know that every cup of cold water given in His name will receive a reward. The Bible says you’ve never done anything in this life that will not be rewarded a hundredfold in the life to come. What God has for us is beyond our imagination. We’re talking glory, friends. Down here we’re talking crummy. Up there we’re talking glory. And we’re going to be rewarded. And so the passage is saying to God’s people, I love you and you will never suffer anymore. There’ll be a day when you’ll be so delivered that I’m going to glorify you. I’m going to give you so much glory. You won’t believe what I’m going to do for you. It reminds me of Romans 8 that says, For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed. Can you imagine what it would be like that first day in heaven?
SPEAKER 02 :
That’s David Hawking, and this is Hope for Today. David’s back shortly to bring our study time to a close, so do stay with us for that. First of all, Matt’s here, and we have a great way to help you get a head start on our upcoming series through the book of Revelation. It starts next week. And Matt, what do we have?
SPEAKER 01 :
Our Lord tells us that whoever reads the words of Revelation and heeds the message will be blessed. So let’s study Revelation. Amen. Amen.
SPEAKER 02 :
And we’re going to do just that coming up soon on Hope for Today. Stay tuned for David’s radio series in Revelation.
SPEAKER 01 :
And number two, get the Revelation study guide, handbook, commentary titled The Book of Revelation, Understanding the Future. It’s normally $25, but just $20 this month. And third?
SPEAKER 02 :
Yeah, we have David’s original sermon outlines and notes. Matt, these are the sermon outlines and notes that he drafted to preach each message in the series. And they’re wonderful for following along through the series and then into the future when you want to review or share the teaching with others.
SPEAKER 01 :
Discover and experience Revelation in a deeper, more encouraging fashion with our Revelation Radio series and these resources. We’ll be studying the coming world leader. Jesus Christ. The man of evil. Better known as the Antichrist.
SPEAKER 02 :
That’s him. Future events in Israel. The victory of believers. Wow, wow. Get the Revelation series sermon notes ahead of time for just $10. And you can purchase and download at DavidHawking.org.
SPEAKER 01 :
Or receive them by PDF CD when you call us. And again, the book, Revelation, Understanding the Future, is just $20 this month. In Canada, call 1-888-75BIBLE. In the U.S., Call us at 1-800-75-BIBLE.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, and just before David returns, you know, if you’ve been strengthened by this teaching ministry, if Hope for Today has helped you grow closer to the Lord, would you prayerfully consider giving to help others experience that same impact? Your support. Your support does more than cover airtime. It delivers God’s Word to people who are hurting, searching, and holding on for dear life all around the world. When you give, you’re not just helping a broadcast, you’re helping build faith, offer free resources, and keep online studies and streaming video teaching available to anyone, anywhere. This ministry exists for one reason, to proclaim the Bible, all of it. And if God is prompting you to give in any amount, please know it matters more than you know. You can send a gift by mail right to Hope for Today, Box 3927, Tustin, Tustin is T-U-S-T-I-N, California, 92781. In Canada, write to Hope for Today, Box 15011, RPO, Seven Oaks. Abbotsford, B.C., V2S 8P1. Or call us in Canada, call 888-75-BIBLE. In the U.S., call 875-BIBLE. And you can always give online anywhere in the world at davidhawking.org. And as God moves, thank you for standing with us in ministry. Well, once again, here’s David.
SPEAKER 04 :
I know all of this is fantastic in Daniel, but chapter 12, dealing with the time of the end is spectacular. As we’ve studied already today, what’s going to happen to Israel? Michael, the archangel, he’s the only archangel. Jewish apocryphal literature lists seven archangels, but there’s only one, Michael, the archangel. And he’s the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people. His special job is the defense of Israel. And the Bible speaks about the terrible tribulation, but at the end of this tribulation, terrible period of time. Daniel tells us that the Old Testament believers are going to be resurrected. And all the tribulation believers who have lost their lives, they’re going to be resurrected, according to Revelation 20, at the end of the tribulation period. And by the way, there’s going to be a resurrection of unbelievers also. Revelation makes it clear in chapter 20 that there’s a thousand years in between those two events. Yes, all unbelievers are when they die, sent to Hades, translated hell, the place of the unseen. It’s the abode of the wicked waiting their final judgment. And at the end of the thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ, called the millennial reign, he’s going to set up what’s called the great white throne judgment. And all unbelievers, as Daniel makes it very clear, some are going to be resurrected to shame and everlasting contempt. and all unbelievers will stand before God, and whoever is not written in the Lamb’s book of life will be cast into the lake of fire. Now, some people hear this and say, you got to be kidding. You don’t believe hell’s a lake of fire. That’s just a symbol, isn’t it? Friends, I don’t know what it is. I do know this, that if the lake of fire is only a symbol, that does not help us because a symbol is less in intensity of that which it represents. If it’s not a lake of fire, God only knows how awful it will be. May God cause you to turn to Jesus before it’s too late.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, thank you, David. And friend, if you’re a new believer or just someone who’s hungry to know more about what it means to follow Jesus, what it means to be a Christian according to God’s Word, well, we have two free resources we’d love to send to you. The first is a straightforward, powerful booklet by David called What Is Christianity? What Is Christianity? lays out the gospel clearly and biblically. And the second resource is a Bible study by mail that’s perfect for those who want to dig deeper and build a solid foundation in God’s Word. Again, both are free if you don’t know Jesus or if you’re new to the Christian faith, no strings attached. Call us at 800-75-BIBLE, that’s in the U.S., or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada and ask for What is Christianity? and the Bible study by mail. We’d be honored to send them to you. Well, on Monday’s broadcast, we continue in Daniel 12, where the final chapter of prophecy unfolds with sobering clarity. It speaks of a time of great distress, a future resurrection, and a dividing line between everlasting life and everlasting shame. This isn’t just the end of the book. It’s a wake-up call for every generation. Well, don’t miss day two of The Time of the End with David Hawking right here on Hope for Today.
Join David Hawking as he explores Daniel 12, a chapter filled with both prophecy and promise. This installment covers the intricacies of the tribulation period, the pivotal role of Michael the Archangel in protecting Israel, and the profound promise of a lasting resurrection. Whether you’re a theologian or a layperson, this episode uncovers the rich tapestry of biblical events that shape our understanding of destiny and redemption. Each revelation serves as a reminder of the spiritual truths that continue to resonate, offering hope and insight amid a world often fraught with uncertainty.
