Go Your Way Till The End

The prophet, Daniel, was given a vision of the end times that terrified him, and rightly so. When we read the final chapters of Daniel we are told of a time of great distress, such as the world has never seen. The Bible describes what will be the last World War, with multiple nations and armies involved. Think about how warfare has evolved over just the past 100 years or so. Today’s nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and delivery systems have the ability to annihilate the human race and destroy the earth’s soil, water, air, animals and vegetation.  Look around at the political leaders of the twenty-first century. Despite modern educational and economic gains we still can easily list numerous corrupt dictators around the world who deceive and impoverish their own people, robbing them of freedom and opportunities for safe and fulfilling lives. Some of these dictators have even set themselves up as sorts of mythical gods. The vision Daniel saw, must have been hard to fathom. But for us here in 2024, it’s not a stretch of the imagination to contemplate the horrors of a final war to end all wars, or an Anti-Christ world leader that millions of humans will submit to either willingly, or out of fear. 

As horrific as the final years will be, as believers, we have God’s guarantee that he remains in control and will not abandon us. Let’s take a look at Chapter 12 of Daniel. The first verse tells us that toward the end of time as we know it in the final battle between good and evil, the archangel Michael, will enter into a spiritual battle on behalf of God’s people. It is reassuring to know that when mankind is at its absolute worst, God will still summon heaven to fight for his beloved children. All believers who have ever lived, whose names are written in the book of life, will be delivered from the evil of those last days. Daniel 12:2 tells us that the dead will rise from their graves. Those of us who walked with God will rise to everlasting life and glory. Non-believers will rise to everlasting shame and contempt.

The Book of Daniel also gives us some timelines for the final years and days before Christ returns. Of course, there are many other Biblical passages that allude to the end times. Clearly we are marching toward that time appointed by God. When I ponder the deluge of prophesied events of just my lifetime, I wonder if we are accelerating to that final day. For me, I then question what that means for the time that is left with my life.

Daniel asked Gabriel what the outcome of this grave vision would be. Gabriel responds, “Go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.” Daniel must have felt so relieved and satisfied to know that if he continued on with his spiritual journey with the Father,  he would be raised from his grave to  receive everlasting life.

Part of me is sad when I realize that Daniel did not know the wonders of Jesus and how awesome his return to earth will be! How incredible our inheritance through Christ is! Yet, I am inspired by Gabriel’s instruction:  “Go your way till the end.” My prayer for our church is that we will go the way of Daniel, holding on tight to the Father until the end of our days. As described in Daniel 12:3, may we be resurrected and receive our reward from the Father and “shine” like those who are wise and have led many to the Lord.