Wednesday: “The Wise”
Yesterday we looked at the importance of character for those waiting for the Second Coming. Today we will look more specifically at the importance of character for those who are alive at the second coming of Jesus.
Read Daniel 12:1-10. What is the context? What time in earth’s history is being referred to? Most important, what can we tell from these verses about the character of God’s people during these times? What characteristics are given them, in contrast to the wicked? See also Revelation 22:11.
Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com
Daniel is told that just before Jesus comes, there will be a time of distress unequaled at any other time of history. In Daniel 12:3, Daniel 12:10, we’re given a depiction of the righteous and the wicked during this time. Notice how the wicked “shall do wickedly” (Daniel 12:10, NKJV) in contrast to the righteous, who in verse 3 shine brightly, perhaps because they have been “purified, made spotless and refined” (Daniel 12:10, NIV) during this “time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time” (Daniel 12:1, NKJV). In contrast, too, the wicked do not understand, but the righteous are “wise” and do understand.
Understand what? Math, science, higher criticism? Proverbs says that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7, NKJV). Perhaps, in this context, the “wise” are wise because they have an understanding of these final events, the time of trouble, as it unfolds. They are not taken by surprise; from their study of the Word, they know it’s coming. And most important, they know enough to allow this time of trouble to purify and refine them; the wicked, on the other hand, are just made more obstinate in their rebellion and thus continue in their wickedness.
The crucial point is that here we are given a depiction of a people who have been through a refining and purifying process.
| Though we’ve looked at these verses in the context of the very last days, what principles do we see here that can help us now to understand better what the purifying and refining process is all about, even for us today? |
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I used to work in a concrete pipe factory. The company made all sorts of concrete pipes. Mostly they were used for drains and culverts. They were what we call spun concrete pipes. The moulds were spun while the concrete was shovelled in so that you ended up with very dense concrete with no air bubbles in it.
One of my jobs was to stress test pipes that were to be used for sewerage. Obviously, if you had a town sewerage system, you did not want any leakage at all from the pipes. So the pipes were put on a machine that filled the pipe with water and raised the pressure to well above what the engineers expected the pipe to endure in the real situation. Most of the failures occurred because the ends of the pipe had not been properly formed, causing water to leak out past the seal. Some pipes failed because the person who mixed the concrete did not put enough cement in it. The pipe would then look like a whole lot of little fountains.
Every pipe that was used for sewerage had to undergo the test. There was no sample testing. If a pipe was marked as fit for sewerage, it had passed the test.
I am not really concerned about "the last days" and its special testing conditions. Life itself is stressful enough, and for Christians, Jesus offers this:
The best preparation we can have for stress is to develop a personal relationship with Jesus now. There are no "batch tested" Christians.
The wilderness #TESTING# IS the sanctification process in ALL generations of baptized (WATERS) born again believers since PENTECOST.
Revelation 12:1-6
The Woman is a covenant.
Galatians 4:24-32
Shalom 🙏
The study articles, are the best I've ever seen in no other denomination, as a non denominational Christian myself currently.
So my experience and thoughts:
There are mainly 3 different understanding of eschatology (end times) in Christian denominations.
In my experience many dedicated Christian people have lost all faith by believing in certain dates and times as their foundation for following Christ.
IMHO..Following Christ as the foundation of our faith is a life changing new man, a new creation, reflecting his image, godly character, and disposition as reflected in this crucible study.
Galatians 6:15-18, 2 Peter 1:1-12
...last verses to make the point.
10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble.
11 For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.
In all generations the original gospel came out from carnal Israel's judgement in 70AD to the gentiles, and Jewish brethren throughout the disporsa.
Galatians 1:6-17, through the apostle Paul to the gentiles, where, the other Apostles preached and wrote letters to their Jewish brethren. (Check Peters and James and Judes letters)
This crusable study is an excellent study of the prophetic plan of salvation through
Water (baptism escaping Egypt/Sin nature)
wilderness (santification process, being perfected in the image of Christ
Canaan: our aim to Glory, in a transformed New Heavens and New Earth.
Shalom all in Christ
Thank you for your patience with me !
🙏
Today's lesson asks what it is that the righteous/wise understand and, by contrast, the unrighteous/unwise do not. While I believe it is true that the wise have an understanding of "final events", I believe it is because they have a much wider understanding that that.
At the highest level, I believe the righteous/wise are righteous and wise because they had embraced the metaphorical light that Jesus came to reveal (John 1:4). That light was the truth about what abundant life is, that abundant life is the only viable life (1 John 2:16-17) and therefore how to partake in/of abundant life. This light was presented in response to Satan's darkened, false deception that there are other viable ways of living apart from what God has revealed and therefore that God is Himself being dishonest and self-seeking by holding His creation back from what they would otherwise be able to experience if only they would break free of God's governance (Genesis 3:5). Who is telling the truth - and therefore who is the Truth? This is the core of the Great Controversy.
This is what the righteous/wise understand and know - not just intellectually but also experientially. The righteous/wise live out the truth of abundant life - the basis of which is love/beneficence toward others. This is an understanding and wisdom that is both informing and 100% practically applied (John 13:34-35). This is why it involves (re)formation and application of character.
God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). This is why He offers everything needed to help each and everyone who is willing (John 3:16) to be transformed and renewed into abundant life and living through living a life that embraces God as Lord and serves others in love/beneficence (Matthew 22:36-40; John 10:10). Sadly, most will prefer darkness over light (John 3:19).
My first question to myself in todays lesson is what wisdom do I need? The key for me, and the lesson author used Proverbs 1:7, I like how the NLT reads, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” I believe the knowledge of Gods character and His law is the foundation for a transformed character. Every trial we go through needs to be viewed through the lens of the great controversy. If we understand Lucifer’s claims and his deception, we can then see that knowing God is what this is all about. I also find it interesting that the wicked despise wisdom and discipline. Those two seem to go hand in hand, so if we are wise, we can then expect discipline/refining, for us to gain that Christ like character we long to have. In the end, Revelation 22:11 seems to sum it up really well. The character we develop, bad or good, is how we will live our lives for eternity (or not eternity), so gaining wisdom is what we should desire.
I had a question concerning to the last event
Why days are reduced for people of
God in order to saved ?
That's why date setting of end times is not a pure motivation.
We need to know every day that we are led by the Spirit of Christ in salvation!
2 Corinthians 6:2
Hello, Femas. God bless you for your searching of the scriptures. May the Holy Spirit be your teacher.
I believe that your question comes from Matthew 24 which states, “ 21For at that time there will be great tribulation, unmatched from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again. 22 If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.”
My understanding of this is that God in his mercy is aware that this time of tribulation will be so severe that should it continue for an extended period, it will not grow faith but destroy it. While individual believers may by faith be refined through these trying times, if the time span of such unprecedented suffering continues longer than God has judged fit, it will be impossible for people to believe in a just God.
Isn’t God wonderful! He has promised that “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 )”
Fermas, Good question. Basically, as I understand it Satan and his compatriots are determined to wipe out all existence of those that serve God. Just as he tried during the dark ages and numerous times in Bible history, such as when Elijah thought he was the only one left serving God of Heaven. To prevent complete annihilation, God cuts time short. God is ALWAYS on time!
Myron, I totally agree with this. During the dark ages, the death of believers brought about more believers. The Christian church grew by leaps and bounds. At the time of the end, people will have made up their minds about God. Ellen White describes it in several places and Revelation 22:11 states it clearly, no one will be changing their minds, so there will be no purpose for further allowing Satan to have his way. That is why God will cut it short.
Today's lesson has taught me that the only understanding that I need is standing firm in Christ alone, developing my character with Him. Being wise is seeking the Lord (proverbs 1:7),and seeking the Heavenly Kingdom (Matthew 6:33).
Jesus' prayer for US in John 17:3.
"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Our individual prayer: That I may know Him because my eternal life is at stake!
My prayer: That we may know Him and realize why it is important to know Him
Daniel 12 for us now, is talking about the righteous understanding and sticking with and consenting to allow God to mold us into His children, who have learned to lean on Him for guidance and wisdom, for comfort and hope, amid the turmoil taking place in this world.
We seek 1st the kingdom of God, then guidance, wisdom, comfort and hope will be given to us. We are counted in, because we prevail by allowing God to work in us to do His own pleasure. Philippians 2:13. We love God by keeping His commandments. John 14:15. We achieve victory over the evil of this world through faith in God. 1John 5:4. We have eternal life because we have the Son of God. 1John 5:11. We have wisdom because we know and follow these and other principles found in His Word. We are called sons and daughters of God because we are led by the Spirit of God. Romans 8:14.