Our scripture reading for this evening, to which I invite you to turn with me at this time, is found for one last time in the Old Testament prophecy of Daniel. Daniel chapter 12. We have been very challenged and I hope and pray inspired by this prophecy over the past 19 or 20 or so weeks. Again, I thank you for your encouragement in persevering through this together, and thanking the Lord for insights and wisdom such as they were in some of the more difficult passages of the prophecy. But tonight, brothers and sisters, we read Daniel 12, beginning in verse one, and we read through the end of the chapter, But we will be picking up in our text, which will start in verse five and continue to the end of that chapter and indeed of that prophecy. So Daniel chapter 12, beginning in verse one, let us hear then the word of the Lord. At that time, Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time, your people, everyone whose name is found written in the book, will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens and those who lead many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge. Then I, Daniel, looked and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. One of them said to the man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the river, how long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled? The man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the river lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, it will be for a time, times, and a half time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, All these things will be completed. I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, my Lord, what will the outcome of all this be? He replied, go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. As for you, 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. Thus far, the reading of God's holy word. And as always, dear friends, I ask and urge you to keep your Bibles open and handy as we look to God's word together this evening. Dear congregation of Jesus Christ, In our last study of the prophecy of Daniel, you may recall that we focused in very specifically on Daniel 12 verses one through three. And we studied those verses under the theme of the final judgment, the final judgment. You may also recall at that time that we said we were going to reserve verse four of Daniel chapter 12 to be used by way of transition into our final study of the prophecy of Daniel. And that is indeed where we find ourselves this evening. And so by way of transition, look at Daniel 12 verse 4 with me then, if you would please. Here we read, But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge. Now brothers and sisters, as we've learned earlier on in our study of the prophecy of Daniel, concerning that phrase, close up and seal, it can have two primary different meanings or possible interpretations. First of all, in Daniel's day when something was closed and sealed, that is with a seal, it was a means by which that particular legal document or whatever it is was authenticated or validated as being genuine. It was sealed for authenticity or validation. However, a second possible interpretation you may recall of this closing and sealing was that this simply was a command to Daniel to sort of tuck this away. to keep it safe, to guard it for future reference, such as we would do with a very valuable treasure. And that indeed seems to be the way in which that phrase is being used here in Daniel chapter 12. He was being commanded to take this scroll of prophecy, to secure it so that it would be a blessing to God's people in coming ages. So too, at the end of verse 4, look with me again at that particular phrase, many will go here and there to increase knowledge. And again, dear friends, there are two primary different ways in which that last part of the text could be interpreted. John Calvin, for example, believes that this is an encouraging word to God's people. And that when Daniel is told that the day will come when many will go here and there to increase knowledge, Calvin believes that the day is going to come when there will be a great hunger for the Word of God, people will be seeking for the Word of God, they will be eager to hear the Word of God, and people will desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. That's one possible interpretation of that particular portion of the text. However, another interpretation is possible. If you would care to turn with me later on in the Old Testament, turn with me please to the so-called minor prophecy of Amos. Amos chapter 8. Hosea, Joel, Amos. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, etc. If you're taking notes, just jot down Hosea, excuse me, Amos 8 verses 11 and 12. Amos 8 verses 11 and 12. Here we find that same Hebrew word used in this way. The one going to and fro, going here and there. Drop down to Amos 8, verse 11, and I'll read through verse 12. Here we read, Not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. And that indeed seems to be the times in which we are living today. And then verse 12 especially, men will stagger from sea to sea and wander. Friends, that's the word in the original that is used in Daniel 12 verse four, where it says they will go from here to there or go here and there. That's the word translated wander here. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it. Now because that word is used in various places in that regard, I tend to, with all respect, disagree with the great reformer John Calvin. I tend to agree with Dr. Ed Young, whom we've quoted many times in this series, who believes the following concerning that phrase in Daniel 12 verse 4, many will go here and there to increase knowledge. Dr. Young writes as follows, He says this verse appears to describe a vein traveling about in order to discover knowledge. And so there is a strain of sadness in these words. End of quote. And friends that's the idea we find by the way if you're taking notes in 2 Timothy 3 verse 7. 2 Timothy 3 verse 7. where the Holy Spirit inspired Apostle Paul says that in the last days there will be those, quote, who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Think of that. They are always learning. A lot of head knowledge. but they are never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. And we see millions upon millions upon people of people throughout the world today who are searching for knowledge but never come to the truth because they are getting caught up in all kinds of sects and cults and eastern religions and astrology and eastern mysticism and all the rest. So they're learning but they're never coming to a knowledge of the truth. And I believe that that is the way in which these words should be translated here or interpreted here in Daniel 12, verse four, that people will be rushing, they will be going earnestly from here and there to increase knowledge, but they will never come to a knowledge of the truth. Well, friends, whether Calvin is right or whether Ed Young is right, we're gonna leave verse four as it is because we now get to the words of our text in verses five and following. And brothers and sisters, here we find ourselves being incredibly comforted by the fact that just as was true for Daniel so many years ago, even though you and I may not be able to fully understand or completely interpret these words that are spoken to him, this final prophecy that is given to him by the man clothed in linen, the promise of the gospel to all those who by God's grace alone profess faith alone in Christ alone. We are united in Christ as Christians. These final words to Daniel, my brother, my sister, are true also for you and me. God is promising us. He is assuring us. He is comforting us in the fact that when the day comes for you and me to die, one day our bodies are going to rise again And we are going to receive from the hands and the grace of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ our allotted inheritance after the time of the end. After the time of the end. Now. We see this fleshed out in very personal, practical ways by working through the words of our text and looking at it from three distinct vantage points. First of all, we're going to look at it from the vantage point of an angel's request. We're gonna consider this time of the end from the vantage point of an angel's request. Look at Daniel 12, verse five with me, if you would please. Here we read. Then I, Daniel, looked, And there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. And I'm wondering, well, what river? I had to go all the way back to Daniel 10, verse four, if you're taking notes, where that's the last time we saw Daniel standing anywhere, and he was standing on the banks of the Tigris, Daniel 10, verse four. So we know this is the Tigris River in the Middle East, right near the modern day country of Iraq. Then I, Daniel, looked, And there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river, the Tigris, and one on the opposite bank. One of them said to the man clothed in linen. Now Calvin says that linen was very valuable. It was a bit rare in that day. And so this is a sign of grandeur. It is a sign of a spectacular glory, if you will. And that begs the question, well, who is this one clothed in linen? Well, brothers and sisters, again, if you go back in some of our previous studies, there are those who believe that this was an image of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was a Christophany, is the word, theologically. It was a pre-incarnate manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps, perhaps. But again, friends, if you're taking notes, I would encourage you to jot down not only Daniel 10, verses 5 and 6, Daniel 10, verses 5 and 6, where we read of this man, of man and linen, but also in Daniel 9, verse 21, because in Daniel 9, verse 21, the angel Gabriel is named, and if you were with us in that particular study, I won't recount it all, obviously, tonight. but I made the case that the one being spoken of in Daniel 10 verses 5 and 6 was not the Lord Jesus Christ, it was the one mentioned in Daniel 9.21, the angel Gabriel, and personally, humbly, I believe that that is who we are referencing here as the man clothed in linen. But we cannot be absolutely certain, but that is one of the indications given to what we dealt with previously. Okay, look at the text with me again. Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. One of them, one of these angels said to the man clothed in linen, who I believe was Gabriel, who was above the waters of the river, how long will it be before these astonishing things or these wonders are fulfilled? How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled? Now why do you suppose that one of these angels asked that particular question? Why do you think one of those angels asked that particular question? Well, the reason is because these angels are created beings, remember. We've studied the angels in great depth previously. Angels, my young friends, boys and girls, are not omniscient. That means they do not know everything the way the Lord our God does. In fact, that is why, if you would care to turn with me in the New Testament to the book of Peter, 1 Peter chapter one, if you're taking notes, just jot down verses 10 through 12, but if you want to turn with me, we'll just look at those verses, 1 Peter one, verses 10 through 12. Here we read, Peter declares, concerning this salvation the prophets who spoke of the grace that was to come to you searched intently and with the greatest care trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow it was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven." And get this, even angels long to look into these things. Even angels long to look into these things. And so going way back here to the 6th century or so BC, these angels also were earnestly looking into these things. They didn't fully understand. And so they asked this one that was hovering above the Tigris River, and they said, how long will it be before these astonishing things, these wonders, if you will, are fulfilled? That was the angel's request. That was the angel's request concerning the time of the end. Well, friends, as our text continues, we're going to consider the time of the end, and the man in linens reply. The man in linens reply. Look at verse 7 of Daniel 12 with me, if you would, please. The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven. And I heard him swear by him who lives forever." Now let's just pause there for a minute. If any of you have ever gone to court or had to take an oath, often you just raise your right hand and you take an oath. Isn't it interesting? that here it says that this one hovering above the river lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and then he swore the oath. Now what is the significance of that? Well as I was kind of prayerfully pondering that and researching other scriptures concerning that and doing a little cross-referencing in things, two things occurred to me. If you're taking notes, jot down Hebrews 6, verses 13 through 20. Hebrews 6, verses 13 through 20. Because there we find God swearing sort of a double oath, if you will, concerning the certainty of our salvation. If you're taking notes, also jot down Deuteronomy 32, verse 40. Deuteronomy 32, verse 40, we have an account of God swearing by himself. And so it's very interesting, it's very mysterious, but it's very interesting that this angel raises not only his right hand, but also his left hand, and then it says, he swears by him who lives forever, the one true God, look with me, saying, it will be for a time, times, and a half time. Now. There are all kinds of possible interpretations of that particular phraseology. John Calvin, Ed Young, interestingly enough, also believes that this is simply symbolic language, it's metaphorical language, it simply is referring to a particular period of time that comes to an end which has no actual physical, literal, historical significance. However, Many Bible commentators and scholars believe, as I have a footnote in my Bible says, that the time times and a half time should be translated as a year two years and a half year. A year, two years and a half year. And I tend to agree with that and I'm going to explain why a little later on in our passage. But for now, know that there is a bit of debate concerning the exact meaning of that phrase, very mysterious phrase, it will be for a time, times and a half time. The text continues, look with me please. when the power of the holy people, when the power of the holy people. The Hebrew says, Yad Am Kodesh, Yad Am Kodesh. Yad literally means hand. And so it's used metaphorically, your hand or your arm, it represents power, Yad Am Kodesh, the hand or the power of the holy people, that's what it's referencing here. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed. What does that mean? Well, again, I defer to Dr. Ed Young, who said, listen carefully, please, and I quote, the Antichrist, who we studied previously, the Antichrist will practically have destroyed God's people when Antichrist himself will be destroyed. In the deepest of need, God works on behalf of his elect. And that's true, all glory be to God. But it's seemingly when all is lost, Seemingly when the kingdom of Christ is about to crumble seemingly when the people of God have absolutely no hope for the promise of their salvation Antichrist will be destroyed, but it'll be right at the very end right when it seems that this there's no hope left Verse 8 I heard Shema Daniel says I heard I heard what he said But I did not understand that's kind of where we're at largely in the prophecy of Daniel I heard But I did not understand. So I asked my Lord, what will the outcome of all this be? He wants an exposition. He wants an explanation. He wants a commentary, if you will, on what the angel had just said. He replied, powerful words. Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Writes John Calvin, and I quote, God wished some of his predictions to be partially understood, and the rest to remain concealed until the full period of the complete revelation should arise." End of quote. And I think that's the case here. That's why the angel says what he does. Go your way, Daniel. Because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. In other words, Daniel, you're not supposed to understand everything right now. Verse 10 continues. The angel says, many will be purified made spotless, and refined. Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined. Calvin says, and I quote, while we are in the flesh, we need multiple cleansings, and hence the terms are compounded. Now think about that. The angel says to Daniel, you're not gonna understand everything, but just know that many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, and the prophecy of Daniel has told us, brothers and sisters, that a lot of that purifying and refining of God's people is going to occur through persecution. It's gonna come about through hard times. It's gonna come about through personal pains and problems and afflictions and that sort of thing. And that's why Brother Najafor preached so powerfully a few weeks ago concerning Romans 8, 28. He says, you gotta include verse 29. We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. But God is doing this in order to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ, you see. And so we have to understand, as we go through this life, until the time of the end, We're gonna go through all kinds of problems, and indeed, some very severe persecutions. And God is purifying us, he's cleansing us of our sin through it all. In fact, Heidelberg Catechism question and answer 56 puts it this way. Here we profess, question and answer 56, I believe that God, because of Christ's atonement, will never hold against me any of my sins, notice, nor my sinful nature, which I need to struggle against all my life. And then in Heidelberg Catechism question 114, 114 we read, in this life, even the holiest among us have only a small beginning of disobedience, that is obedience to God's commandments. So friends, let us realize that what Daniel is prophesying here, you and I are going to face it, we're going to face it until the day we die, until our Lord Jesus comes again on the clouds of glory to judge the living and the dead. Our text continues, look with me at verse 10. Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, but, contrast, the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand. In fact, it says in 2 Timothy 3, 13, and in the last days, evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. That's what he's talking about here. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. What did we learn in our last study together about the wise? Flip back a page or two, perhaps in your Bibles with me, look at Daniel 12 verse 3. Here we learned, we studied this in detail, those who are wise. Psalm 111 verse 10 says, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 11.30 says, He who wins souls is wise. Remember that. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. The wise who are in Christ. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. Verse 11, look with me please. The plot thickens. From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished, and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. All right, if you have your, well, I shouldn't say take out your cell phone and use it as a calculator, but if you know, have your calculator in your head, how long is 1,290 days? It's three and a half years. 1,290 days is three and a half years. That is reminiscent of what we read back here in verse, Time, time and a half times, around verse seven. Time, time and a half times, that could be three and a half years. And 1,290 days is three and a half years. Then the text continues, blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of 1,335 days, that's three and a half years plus 45 days. Now, there are all kinds of interpretations of those numbers. For example, The great Jewish historian, first century AD, Josephus, he points out, as we've studied previously, that Antiochus Epiphanes, Antiochus IV, conquered Jerusalem and held it for about three and a half years, roughly from 168 to 165 BC. We also studied in depth concerning Antiochus, did we not? The abomination that causes desolation. So some people believe this is not looking forward, this is a look backward to what we've previously studied concerning Antiochus Epiphanes, perhaps. Other Bible scholars, brothers and sisters, interestingly enough, point out that our Lord Jesus' earthly ministry was about three and a half years. It's interesting. Our dispensational Baptist brothers and sisters, not all of them, as some of you have reminded me continually, but some of them believe that this three and a half years references the last half of the 70th week of Daniel 9, 27, which we studied in great depth previously. I will not review all that at this time, but again, many of some of our Baptist dispensational brothers and sisters believe that those three and a half years reference the last half of the 70th week that we read of in Daniel 9, verse 27. Now, Calvin and Ed Young and a lot of other reformed scholars, because of the fact that none of those interpretations which I just proposed deal with the extra 45 days. And so they conclude that this is all symbolic, this is all figurative, this is all metaphorical. Just take it as a period of time, indefinite, doesn't really reference anything. I disagree with that, humbly and respectfully. I think that from God's perspective, I think he knows exactly what these days are referring to. I think he knows exactly what this time is referring to, and I believe that there are specific events that God has in his mind that they are talking about, but has not been definitively revealed to us. And yet, that having been said, I want to read a quote from Dr. Young, which is such great wisdom on the caution we need when we start talking about three and a half years in 1,290 days or 1,335 days. Listen carefully, please. This is priceless, I believe. He writes, God in his infinite wisdom has revealed to us that which is needful for us to have in order that we may know what He requires of us. He does not reveal that which does not directly contribute toward this end. Scripture is not a body of esoteric mystery given to satisfy idle curiosity. The present verse should be pondered carefully by those who are constantly setting dates for the return of Christ or seeking to find specific fulfillment of prophecy in the events of modern history. End of quote. It's worth reading again, but don't worry, I won't. But I hope you got the essence of that. In a similar vein, Calvin adds, listen carefully please. And I love how Calvin writes, he goes, In numerical calculations, I am no conjurer. And those who expound this passage with too great subtlety only trifle in their own speculations and detract from the authority of the prophecy. I'm gonna read Calvin's quote again, it's a lot shorter. In numerical calculations, Calvin writes, I am no conjurer. And those who expound this passage with too great subtlety only trifle in their own speculations and detract from the authority of the prophecy, end of quote. Indeed, we saw such counsel go unheeded many years ago, did we not, about 25 years ago, when Mr. Harold Camping of Family Radio wrote the book, 1994. Now you'll notice that when Mr. Camping wrote this book, he did put a question mark after the date, 1994, but you'll notice also in the conclusion of the book, Mr. Camping says this, and I'm gonna quote this to you, brief paragraph. He writes, by God's mercy, there are a few months left. However, if this study is accurate, and it's obviously very extensive, a lot of numerology, by God's mercy, there are a few months left. However, if this study is accurate, and I believe with all my heart that it is, there will be no extensions in time. There will be no time for second guessing. When September 6, 1994 arrives, no one else can become saved. The end. has come." Of course, here we are waiting September 6, 2018, and we are still here. Camping would have been wise to have heeded the counsel of men like John Calvin, men like Dr. Ed Young. We end up with that kind of heresy being propagated literally all over the world. By the way, I was debating whether to share this or not. I knew Mr. Camping personally, as many of you know. I had the honor of speaking for Family Radio many different places, many different times. I was very close with Dr. Otero, dear, dear friend. And there were people, folks, who sold their homes, who quit their jobs. maxed out their credit cards thinking they wouldn't have to pay it back and literally ruined their lives and in many cases their marriages because of that very deadly and diabolical heresy that was so authoritatively expounded across the airwaves and over a short wave throughout the world. And so we turn back here to God's word and we thank the Lord for what he reveals to us. We leave with him that which he does not reveal to us, but it sure reminds us that while we need to be very, very humble in approaching these things, we can be very, very hopeful and need to be exceedingly hopeful as well, all because of the reply of the man clothed in linen, the reply of the man clothed in linen. Well friends, thirdly and finally, we're going to look at this time of the end from the vantage point of Daniel's reassurance. Daniel's reassurance. Look at verse 13 of Daniel 12 with me, if you would please. The angel says, as for you, Daniel, we can insert our name. As for you, Christian, if you are in Christ, go your way till the end. You will rest. It's a word, it's a euphemism for die, as is used in Job 3.17. If you're taking notes, it's used that way in Job 3.17. You will rest or you will die. And then at the end of the days, you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance. Now friends, think about that as an Old Testament prophecy of Scripture. We are used to the fact that in the New Testament, for example, Jesus says, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? He says to Martha. And Martha says, Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ who has come into the world, the Son of the living God. Then Jesus proves that Martha's faith in Him was not misplaced by raising Lazarus from the dead. We're used to that in the New Testament. This is the Old Testament. But it's not the only place in the Old Testament where that promise is given to God's people. In fact, if you would care to turn with me, let's go back several pages to the left. to Job, Job's Psalms Proverbs, Job chapter 19, and look with me please or just listen, verses 25 through 27. Job is suffering sorely. He's lost virtually everyone he loved and virtually everything he had. And his only hope is in the Lord his God. And in Job 19, 25 through 27, Job says, I know that my Redeemer, my Goel, I know that my Redeemer lives. And that in the end, he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. I myself will see Him with my own eyes, I and not another, how my heart yearns within me." Think of it. And then in the New Testament again, it's replete throughout the New Testament. We turn, for example, to 1 Peter 1, verses 3 and following, where the Apostle Peter, 1 Peter 1, 3 and following, declares, Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. And His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. And into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. Kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice. Though now, Christian, for a little while you may have had to suffer grief and all kinds of trials, listen, these have come so that your faith of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire, may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. And even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled within an expressible and glorious joy You are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. And then finally on this score, in the book of Revelation, the 14th chapter, the 13th verse, the Apostle John writes this, Revelation 14, 13, Then I heard a voice from heaven say, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them. Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them. All glory be to God. All glory be to God. Oh, my dear, dear friends in the Lord, listen. As this study of the prophecy of Daniel comes to a close, I want to ask you a very personal Practical but profound question. I mean this with all love and sincerity in my heart. Were you to die tonight, were you to die tonight, moments before your passing, would you have the comfort and the reassurance that this man clothed in linen gave to Daniel so many years ago or not. Were you to die tonight, go to sleep, not wake up in the morning. None of this is guaranteed tomorrow. Would you have the comfort, would you have the assurance that this heavenly messenger gave to Daniel so many years ago or not? My friend, if not, if not, I wanna read to you two verses, then I'm done. From 2 Corinthians 6, verses one and two. As I read these verses, I ask you and I urge you, I pray and I plead with you, if you are not in Christ, may tonight be the night when you repent of your sins and profess faith in Him as Lord and Savior. Paul writes this, as God's fellow workers, we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, in the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God's favor. Now is the day of salvation. And indeed it is, and the day of salvation will be, until the time of the end. Amen. Let's bow our heads and our hearts together in prayer. Now brothers, penned the Apostle Paul, about times and dates we do not need to write to you. For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night While people are saying peace and safety, destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. And so, O Lord, while there are still many things which we do not fully understand, even in the prophecy of Daniel, and as the study of Daniel comes to a close, O Father, we pray and we plead that by Your grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Like Daniel, you might speak to each and every one of our hearts and souls and minds tonight, saying as for you, go your way till the end. You will rest. And then at the end of the day, you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance. Maranatha come oh lord in jesus name we pray amen