Troublesome TopicThe Answer to Daniel’s Question

Daniel 12:8

Translation

I heard and understood, and yet I did not fully comprehend it, so I said, “My lord, what will the final result be?”

Paraphrase

I understood what he had said because he had made it perfectly clear, but I feared that my people were not ready to do their part. So I asked, “Sir, I know God will do His part, but will we really be able to do our part?”

Daniel 12:9

Translation

Then he said, “Depart DANIEL,

for these words are concealed and sealed until the end.

Paraphrase

He answered me, “GOD IS MY JUDGE, you must move along now and stop asking such questions. The detailed answer is concealed from mankind and will not be revealed until the final judgment.

Daniel 12:10

Translation

Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked will act wickedly and none will understand, but all of the wise will understand.

Paraphrase

There will be many who purify themselves until they are pure and refined by the fire of their hardships, but the evil in heart will continue to do evil things and none of them will choose to grasp the consequences of their actions, but all of those who are wise will fully understand about consequences and will choose accordingly.

The angel was saying something akin to this: “Daniel, I can’t answer your question in detail because only God knows the heart of each person. You are right to see that many people are not spiritually ready, but you are wrong to think they cannot endure hardship. Suffering has a way of purifying the sufferer and many will indeed do what is needed to become pure; they will be refined by the fire of their sufferings. But this will be an individual reality, distinct for each person. There will be many others who continue in their Godless ways, and they will suffer the consequences. God will sort it all out in the end because He is a just judge.”

The next lesson is: What’s Up with 1290 Days and 1335 Days?