Resurrection by God (Daniel 12)

Yesterday we saw that the angel comforted Daniel by informing him that his name was written in God’s book. A second detail that was revealed by the angel to Daniel about his people as a source of comfort was the certainty of the future resurrection. Daniel was now an old man in his nineties and no doubt his physical abilities were waning, reminding him that he was coming near the end of his life, so from a personal point of view he would value the promise of his own future resurrection.

Further he also knew that many of God’s people were going to suffer martyrdom during the age-long conflict that lay ahead for God’s kingdom, and he would be comforted by knowing that they too would be resurrected in the future. Perhaps he would look back and recall his pious parents who had given him a significant name that meant ‘God is judge’ and remind himself that they too would experience resurrection. Probably his friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had died by this time and Daniel would want to contemplate their future resurrection.

Exactly how many details Daniel knew about the future resurrection is unclear. The fact is that we know so much more about it than he did, because of what the New Testament tells us. Yet his limited knowledge is a reminder that a little information can bring spiritual comfort. Of course, we should look at the passages in the New Testament that describe the resurrection because they detail what Jesus will do for us. And these passages should cause us to admire in an increasing manner the abilities of Jesus Christ.

Daniel is informed that two types of persons will be resurrected. Some will rise to everlasting life and others will rise to shame and everlasting death. This is a reminder that there are two destinations, and each has a very different atmosphere from the other. One is marked by endless life and the other is marked by endless despair and disgrace. We know that another biblical description of these two locations is heaven and hell.

There is not a third option of another place where people might go after the resurrection. This is a reminder that we must ask ourselves this question, ‘When the resurrection comes, will I go to heaven or to a lost eternity?’