He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end... You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance." (Daniel 12: 9, 13).
There are those who go to the Book of Daniel to forecast the future. I've never been able to understand their logic, because the book makes it clear that these things are "closed up and sealed." Similarly, I've never been able to understand those who follow those who predict the end of the world when Jesus clearly told us that no human being would ever know that.
Here's what I think the whole of the Book of Daniel is telling us: Be faithful to God. Be faithful to God, even though it may lead to a fiery furnace or a den of lions, through which you will escape, and, in the end, you will rest (well done, thou good and faithful servant) and you will receive your allotted inheritance.
Just before we left for Virginia, I went to the E.T. York facility of Haven Hospice, and arrived just about 5 minutes after our beloved Trinity member, Tom Fillmer died. I asked his wife, Dorothy, and son, Tom, and daughter, Susan to form with me a circle of prayer around their beloved Tom. It was one of those sacred moments we pastors are privileged to share. And then I listened as they shared stories of this remarkable, wonderful, man, whose teaching and writing and living were beyond measure, whose passion for life led to sailing, running, playing, laughing and telling stories. He was a faithful follower of Jesus and member of Trinity. He has now entered his rest, and
received his inheritance. While I'm writing this, I've received an email from Linda about her mother Eva Kuitert, one of our charter members who is very near to her time of rest and her eternal inheritance, to meet up with her beloved Louis. They gave the stained glass window that is the center of our focus each Sunday. Faithful. Lives lived in faithful obedience to God, and we get to meet these folks, and hear their stories and be inspired to live better lives because of them, and maybe, God willing, others will be blessed by our faithfulness, too. Let's pray that it will be so. Amen.
Love and prayers, Dan
Pray about taking Disciple 1, 2, 3, 4 or Christian Believer this Fall. 34 weeks. Excellent. Sign ups late August.
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Welcome to the new Trinity United Methodist Church's Daily Scripture Email system.
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