The hatred for warning people of hell is far worse than for the promise of heaven to those who reject the Lord Jesus and His Purposes. They say … “well, if you are silly enough to believe the nonsense about heaven … that is your business.” But as soon as one warns of hell, all the fiery anger is set into motion. “How dare you tell me I’m going to hell and will burn for eternity if I don’t believe in Jesus?” In other words … “you do as you please but don’t implicate me in your Christian fanaticism!” I wonder what they would say about Daniel chapter 12:10?
1) A general description of the rest of time until and including the end.
Da 12:10 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.
(1) Its almost as if Daniel is being told that although he did not understand the prophecies future fulfilment, many others will because although the prophecies are sealed and lock away in a secure place for the future, the copies will be studied and examined and understood and be a blessing to God’s people, even to the end.
(2) Moving into the future and at the end, persecution, hardships and difficulties will come the way of the people of God, but these will lead to being purified, resulting in being made spotless and refined. These prophecies are at present (and until the end) active in the life of this world and especially the life of the Church and the people of God. I am going to use verses already used often to explain this.
(i) The joy of salvation in relationship to suffering.
1Pe 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 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. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 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. 8 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 with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
The people Peter was writing to were people who were undergoing persecution from both the Jews and Roman Empire that we today will most likely not experience. The emotional, economic and mostly the physical torture was of such a magnitude that many people on the border of real Christianity, returned to their previous life style to escape what can only be described as wicked brutality. The Lions’ Den execution, mauled to death by wild animals and set alight unto death; losing families, friends and employment … and hiding in ravines and rock crevices to avoid being captured was part of the “war” to root out the Early Christian Church. So as Peter speaks about the glories of true salvation that will never … perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you … there is rejoicing that is … inexpressible and glorious joy … but because of the transition from this world to that world, from darkness to light, from satan to Jesus … there will be … grief in all kinds of trials! Many try to speak this away because it does not fit their theology and spiritual ideology. Luke reminds us though that Paul and Barnabas:
Ac 14:21 preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
All true Christians will face hardships, difficulties, persecution and trails because the message of the Cross is counter to the wish and way of this world.
(ii) Going back to Peter … he tells us the reason and purpose for these hardships. It is all to do with one’s faith:
1Pe 1:7 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.
(a) The value of your soul to God is worth the Cross. His chose you before creation and He will save you by giving Himself to die substitutionally, to pay your sin price, clean your sin debt before the Father and set you free to be saved for heaven. That’s the value of your soul to God. It is more precious that the most expensive metal of the day … gold!
(b) The cleansing of your soul requires the most stringent purification process. Humanly speaking it is impossible to grasp the deep reality of the cleansing of the soul. Let me try by mentioning two things …
(i) The value of God becoming man for the purpose of your soul was because He loves those He chose.
(ii) The value of persecution, trails and suffering for the purpose of your soul’s purification cannot be articulated … though it must be said that the agony experienced drives the suffering soul to Jesus, pleading for grace and mercy … depending upon the only source of help as the agony crushes upon you.
(c) The result is proof of genuine conversion. As that pressure increases so dependency upon Jesus increases and as you pursue faith in your Savior, you will experience …
(i) Assurance of salvation. You will know it’s not an academic experience. It’s not head knowledge. No … it is experiential knowledge … because even though you can’t explain it, you experience the presence of God, holding you, comforting you and carrying you through the battles of pain, weakness and physical and emotional harassment.
(ii) The joy of salvation. Assurance of salvation leads to praise, worship and adoration! You know Jesus took you through the trials. He revealed Himself to you and all you want to do now is express your thanksgiving, love and appreciation in the most practical way possible … praise and worship! You want to honor your Lord and King with a fully surrendered heart … a heart that is filled with real emotions that most likely will lead to tears of joy!
Father, help me never to run from trails or become angry when You in Your permissive will allow hardships to arrive at my door. Hold me firmly and fight my battle with me please. Help me never to forget that pearl of great price that purchased my soul at Calvary to cleanse and save for You. Amen.