Through the Bible with Les Feldick
LESSON 2 * PART 4 * BOOK 82
THE LAST MESSAGE TO DANIEL – 4
Daniel 11:32 – 12:13
Okay, good to have everybody back. This will be program number four, and then we’ll be out of here on time today. Okay, we’re still sending out these Question and Answer books. It is eighty-eight questions, if I remember right, answered from our previous program materials. They’re a good light people are using. They’re a good tract and answer a lot of basic questions. Okay, Herb, if you’ll take this book. Thanks. So if you’re interested, why give the office a call. We send them out with an invoice. They’re $11.00. I think they’re worth it.
Okay, we’re winding up pretty much the Book of Daniel in this program. We’ll go back to Daniel chapter 12. Like I said in the first half hour this afternoon, in the opening verses it spoke of resurrection. There’s probably more resurrection taught in Daniel chapter 12 than all the rest of the Old Testament, because you don’t have a lot of resurrection teaching in the Old Testament. The first one I ever found—way, way back when I was just all of a sudden brought to my senses that I hadn’t been taught everything there was to know, and I had to search for some of these things.
I’m going to open with that one. Go all the way back with me to the little Book of Job. Oh, I guess it’s not a little book, but back to Job chapter 19. This was the first concept that I pulled out of the Old Testament concerning resurrection. And then, of course, Paul, in I Corinthians 15, just opens the whole Pandora’s Box—if I can use the expression—of resurrection details and kind of fills everything in. But back here in Job chapter 19, drop down to verse 25. And as far as we know, Job is probably the oldest written book of our whole Bible. Now, look what the man writes.
Job 19:25
“For I know (no if’s, and’s, or but’s) for I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” Now there’s your first inkling, then, of a coming earthly Kingdom with God the Son as the King. All right, “He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.” Now, here comes the resurrection part.
Job 19:26
“And though after my skin worms destroy this body, (in other words, physical death) yet in my flesh (in resurrected flesh) I shall see God:” Now, that’s as plain as you can get it so far as Old Testament language is concerned.
All right, now come up to Daniel. Even though we’re going to start—Jerry’s got it on the board—in verse 8, let’s just drop back a minute to verses 2 and 3, again. We looked at it in the first half hour, but I told you then—I’m going to look at it later in the afternoon. Chapter 12 reviewing verses 2 and 3.
Daniel 12:2-3
“And many of them who sleep in the dust of the earth (in other words, have died physically) shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
All right, I think I’m inclined to take you back, again—like we did in the first half hour this afternoon—just quickly to John’s Gospel chapter 5, so that you understand that Jesus is saying almost the same thing that Daniel is. Naturally, it’s the Scripture. It’s inspired of the Holy Spirit. All right, John chapter 5, again, verses 28 and 29.
John 5:28-29
“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, (Sometime out there in the future—we’re closer now by 2,000 years than when Jesus spoke it.) in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29. And shall come forth; they who have done good, (Or people of faith, as we mentioned before.) unto the resurrection of life; and they who have done evil, unto the resurrection of condemnation.”
Now, we don’t know until we get to the Book of Revelation that those two events are separated by over 1,000 years. The resurrection of the just takes place before the Kingdom, and the resurrection of the lost is at the end of the Kingdom. We’ll look at that a little bit later in this half hour.
Now, come back with me to Daniel chapter 12, again. Now verse 8, and again he repeats what he said earlier in the book:
Daniel 12:8a
“And I heard, but I understood not:…” Now just stop and think a minute. All these visions and prophecies that Daniel had seen throughout his lifetime—from the time he was a lad of fourteen until now when he’s up in his 90’s—and he had seen some of them fulfilled. But a lot of this was still way out in the future, and he couldn’t even begin to comprehend it. He says so.
Daniel 12:8b
“…then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?” All these prophetic events, what are they leading up to? Well, you and I know – eternity. Everything is moving to eternity.
Now, human history establishes the fact that since Adam until now has been in the area of 6,000 years. We’ve got a thousand years left for the earthly Kingdom, but then what? Eternity! Eternity! And you see, not a one of us can comprehend the length of eternity. You know, once in a while a blip will flip through my mind – are we going to get bored? No. I’ll tell you ahead of time. We’ll never get bored. But on the other hand, to think in the terms of eternity means it’s never going to end. Now, for us in Glory, that is something easy to take. But for those who have gone the other way, it’s frightening to contemplate that they will be there forever and ever and ever. You know, zero to the umpteenth power. It’s unbelievable. All right, back to our text, verse 9.
Daniel 12:9
“And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.” Well you see, we’re in that period of time. So now the Scriptures have been opened up in such a way that we can now fit it all together. But, like I said in an earlier program, until about 1900 nobody could. And then in the late 1800’s, all of a sudden just a few sprinkling of Bible scholars were getting the idea that the Jew would evidently go back to his homeland.
Well, there was hardly any indication of it when they first started thinking about it. But then, of course, in the late 1800’s—in the 1890’s—why, then a couple of Jewish leaders, Theodor Herzl and Chaim Weizmann, I think were a couple of the Jewish leaders that started the move to get the powers that be, primarily Great Britain—because you want to remember, at that time the sun never set on the British Empire. Their empire circumvented the globe. So, Great Britain was the people in charge of the Middle East. So, they were the appropriate ones to approach about establishing a homeland for these Jews who were now scattered all around the planet.
Well, from that, of course, at 1900 it finally came to the place where the Jews started going back. Until in 1948, of course, they were declared a sovereign state. All these things now, as I said in the first program this afternoon, have just been rolling down the hill gathering snow, or gathering moss, however you want to picture it, and bringing us up to the present time right now today, where we have an understanding of these things like they never had before.
And a lot of it is due to technology. For example, when Revelation spoke—now, let’s just go back and look at it. This is a Bible study. And what we don’t finish today, we’ll pick up a month from now in our next taping. But come back to Revelation, and I think I want chapter 10. Chapter 11, I’m sorry—Revelation chapter 11, the two witnesses. And I won’t go through all the verses right now. I haven’t got time. But here the two witnesses appeared on the streets of Jerusalem—I think at the very same moment that the anti-Christ and Israel and the Arab world are meeting someplace else—and they are going to start proclaiming, again, the Gospel of the Kingdom, like Jesus said.
Matthew 24:14
“And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness, and then shall the end come.”
The Gospel of Grace ends with the Rapture of the Church. It began with the Church, and it’s going to end with the Church. But the Gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the Tribulation. All right, these two witnesses, I think, will open the door someplace in Jerusalem. All right, but now the part I wanted you to see is in verse 7. They’re going to continue their preaching for three-and-a-half years, from the opening day until the mid-point.
Revelation 11:7-8
“And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit (That is the anti-Christ under the power of Satan.) shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” So, it’s Jerusalem.
Revelation 11:9
“And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not permit their dead bodies to be put in graves.” All right, now do you see what that verse says? The population of the world, from one end to the other, is going to witness these two bodies lying on the streets of Jerusalem.
Now, Loraine, you and I both remember. When we were kids, if somebody preached that—on the way home I can still hear Mom and Dad question, how in the world can that ever be? How can people over here in America see two dead bodies on the streets of Jerusalem?
Well, that was a dilemma. But the Book said it. And now, of course, it’s everyday. These cell phones drive me up the wall, on one hand, and they—it’s just unbelievable. But these kids with these cell phones will see those two bodies on the streets of Jerusalem quicker than you can blink an eye. But see, without the technology, it could have never been possible.
So here again, I can go back to the increase of knowledge. That starting there at the beginning of the last half of the 1800’s and you come up to 1900 and here comes technology. Leading to all the things that we take for granted today. But would the world function without it? There’s no way that this world could function with the technology available in 1900. But, everything progresses relatively. Everything is relative.
As you have the increase of automobiles and the need for fuel, oil production increases. As population increases, food production increases. And God has got it all under control, so it’ll last until the end. Don’t worry about the environment. Now, take care of it, naturally. I don’t want to see trash on the road any more than anybody else. But don’t worry about ol’ planet earth. You don’t have to be a tree hugger to keep it going. God’s got it under control. And He’s going make sure everything functions until He’s through with it.
All right, so here we have these two witnesses prophesied as being seen by every tongue and tribe and nation, but it could not happen without the technology of satellite television and now the cell phone. But here, it’s no problem.
All right, back to Daniel chapter 12 a minute, again. Because we want to talk about the resurrections, hopefully before the half hour is gone. All right, so now in verse 10:
Daniel 12:10a
“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: (Well, we certainly see that. We’re still seeing people saved today, but, oh, the ungodliness is on a downhill slide. It’s just getting worse by the day.) and none of the wicked shall understand;…”
They don’t understand what things are taking place. They don’t see that all of this stuff pertaining to globalism and the financial meltdown—it’s all in preparation for the coming of the anti-Christ. It’s getting everything ready for him. But that’s not what we want to look at now. We’ll look at that maybe in another taping. Now verse 11, here we come.
Daniel 12:11a
“And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away,…” Now, you’ve got to stop and think a minute, again. When did Temple worship begin? At the signing of that treaty at the opening of the Tribulation.
That will be part of the treaty, that Israel can re-establish Temple worship. And they’re going to. I think that Temple is all set, pre-fabbed in a warehouse in Jerusalem. And when that treaty ink is dry, those Jews will start building that Temple. And I think it’ll be, like I said before, up there on the Temple Mount, and within a matter of forty-eight hours they’re ready to go.
Now, we know that the Jews have got everything ready for Temple worship. They’ve got all the garments for the priesthood hanging on mannequins. Iris and I have seen them. They’ve got all the shovels for the fire of the sacrifice and all that. Everything is ready. All they’ve got to do is build that Temple. It’ll go up overnight.
All right, now we go back to the time when that Temple will be shut down by the anti-Christ, which is three-and-a-half years from the end, or twelve hundred and sixty days from the end. Except here we have the exception.
Daniel 12:11
“And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, (That is the mid-point of the Tribulation.) there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.” Thirty days beyond the sixty. But, it doesn’t stop there.
Daniel 12:12
“Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.” So, now we’ve got an extra seventy-five days after the end of the Tribulation.
Now, we know the Tribulation is going to end right on schedule, or no one would survive. Now then, this great event, which is the resurrection of all of the saints that were not in the Body of Christ—I feel they will all come out of the graves at this point in time, because of verse 13.
Daniel 12:13
“But go thy way (God tells Daniel.) until the end be: (Well, not the end of the Tribulation. That’s another event. But to the end of these seventy-five days into the thousand years.) Go thy way until the end be: for thou shalt rest, (That is in death.) and stand in thy lot at the end of the (seventy five) days.”
All right, now I think in order to clarify that, I’m going to have to take us back to I Corinthians chapter 15, the great resurrection chapter of all of Scripture. But it is Paul, now, describing the resurrection of the Body of Christ. That’s the only group of people that Paul is interested in, the Body of Christ.
I Corinthians 15:20a
“But now…” Now, that’s one of Paul’s favorite expressions, isn’t it, because of the great change in modus operandi. Everything has been Jewish. Everything has been set according to Law. But when the work of the Cross is completed, and this Apostle was designated to go to the Gentiles, it’s a whole new ballgame. That’s why he is Holy Spirit inspired to use these two words.
I Corinthians 15:20-21
“But now (which is totally different from “And then.”) But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (Died physically) 21. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.”
Now I suppose I’ll wish I had an hour or more, and I’m going to run out of time. In Romans chapter 5, you see, Paul lays out so clearly that Adam was the first man and Christ was the Second Man, or the Second Adam. The first man plunged the human race into the sin problem. The Second Man made everything available to bring him out of it. So, you have these two entities. Adam, who set the human race under the curse; and Christ, the Second Adam, who, by His work of the Cross, made possible the salvation for everyone, if they’ll only believe it.
All right, for those who have become believers of Paul’s Gospel, and he calls it this over and over. I haven’t got time to look at them, but “my Gospel,” “that Gospel which I preach among the Gentiles.” All right, that Gospel, of course, is—you’re in chapter 15 anyway—you might as well back up so that we remind our audience what Paul’s Gospel is. Just go back to the first four verses of this chapter 15. Most of you should know it by memory. We’ve read it often enough.
I Corinthians 15:1-2a
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel (Yes, there’s only one.) which I preached unto, which also ye have received, and wherein you stand: 2. By which also ye are saved,…” My, that’s as plain as language can make it. This is the Gospel that saves lost mankind.
I Corinthians 15:2b-4
“…if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (Now, here it is, the heart of the Gospel.) 3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scripture:.” That’s Paul’s Gospel. And people that have believed that for their salvation will get to go in the Rapture.
And to show you that only the Body of Christ will be resurrected at what we call the Rapture, turn with me to I Thessalonians chapter 4, and we’ll see the prerequisites for being in the Rapture. Now you see, the Rapture is the resurrection of the Body of Christ Saints who have died. Who will be called forth and reunited with their departed soul and spirit, so that they are now a complete body, soul, and spirit ready for eternity. Then in the next instant, we who are alive and remain will be translated. We will just suddenly be changed.
All right, but for everyone that will be in this resurrection of the Body of Christ, this is the prerequisite, chapter 4 verse 14.
I Thessalonians 4:14a
“For if we believe (What’s the big word in there? I-F…If) if we believe…” And I always have to emphasize, I did it again the other day in Denver. Somebody came up and I said this is only for someone who truly believes. Most of Christendom doesn’t. And I think I’m safe in saying that. They just don’t get it, but here it is.
I Thessalonians 4:14a
“For if we believe (plus nothing.) that Jesus died and rose again,…” That’s exactly what he said in I Corinthians 15, isn’t it? That’s Paul’s Gospel. All right, for those who have gained salvation through this message, they are members of the Body of Christ. But listen, who was the first emissary or apostle who revealed this message? Paul.
It was never revealed to the Apostles. Peter, James, and John never preached death, burial, and resurrection for salvation. Now, let me show you an example. I’m going to run out of time. I know I am. Sorry about that. Come back with me to Acts chapter 4, the healing of the lame man. And see, this makes it so evident. I’m sorry, it’s chapter 3. Those of you that are writing notes, I hate to make you scratch it out, but it’s Acts chapter 3. They healed the lame man, and, oh, the Jews were all upset.
Now you’ve got to remember, this is only fifty days between the resurrection and Pentecost. It might we another week or so later, but we’re talking in terms of within a period of sixty days after, maybe, Jesus performed His last miracle. So, it’s not all that long ago. And they can’t get it. How did you perform a miracle like this—healing the lame man that had been laying there at the Temple gate for forty years? Oh, it had just caused a big hubbub in Israel.
All right, now then, Peter comes back and he tells these Jews. We didn’t do it. It was the power of God exercised because of the man’s faith. But faith in what? Not the death, burial, and resurrection—now pick it up in verse 16. See, this is why I get uptight. I say, people can’t read. They either read with their eyes closed, or they’ve got them open so far they see stuff that doesn’t belong in there. And one of my rules of thumb is, if you’re going to study the Scriptures, it’s just as important to see what is not in the Scripture as what is. All right, but now look what is not in here, verse 16, Peter says:
Acts 3:16a
“And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong,…” Or whole! Does he say anything about the Cross? Not a word. Anything about the shed blood? Not a word. So, what did he believe? Exactly what Peter’s profession of faith was clear back there in Matthew 16, when Jesus asked, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” And what was Peter’s answer? “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Period. Not a word about the Cross. Not a word about resurrection. It was believing who He was, and what Gospel was that? The Kingdom Gospel! That’s what Jesus and the Twelve preached, that Jesus was the King, the Messiah, and the Redeemer.
All right, it was faith in that fact that saved the Jews of Peter’s day. But, you see, that leaves them back for the Old Testament. But for us in the Body of Christ, it’s through faith not only in who Christ was, but what He accomplished. And that’s what makes the difference.
All right, now then, I guess I’m going to run out of time. Here we have Paul in I Corinthians 15, again—oh, wound down to one minute. I’ll never make it. I Corinthians chapter 15 and we’ll just have to pick it up in the next taping, I guess. The key word is in verse 22.
I Corinthians 15:22-23
“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (But now here’s the kicker. Here’s the frosting on the cake.) 23. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; (At His Resurrection, and I think those that came out of the graves.) afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming.” The Rapture of the Church—that takes care of all the resurrection of the non-Jewish believers.