DAILY TEXT, Today Wednesday October 16, 2024,  There will be a time of distress (Dan. 12:1).

Let us examine the Scriptures every day 2024

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

There will be a time of trouble (Dan. 12:1).

The book of Daniel tells us the order in which some exciting events will occur at the time of the end. For example, Daniel 12:1 says that Michael, who is Jesus Christ, “stands for” God’s people. This part of the prophecy began to be fulfilled in 1914 when Jesus was appointed King of God’s heavenly Kingdom. However, Daniel was also told that Jesus would rise during “a time of trouble such as has not been since a nation began to exist until that time.” This time of trouble is the “great tribulation” mentioned in Matthew 24:21. Jesus rises, or stands for God’s people, at the end of that time of trouble—that is, at Armageddon. The book of Revelation refers to these people as the “great crowd” who come out “of the great tribulation.” (Rev. 7:9, 14) w22.09 21 pars. 4, 5.

What happens after the great crowd survives the great tribulation, and why do we say that? (See also the article in this magazine's “Questions from Readers” section that discusses resurrection on earth.)

(Read Daniel 12:2.) What happens after the great crowd survives the time of trouble? The prophecy speaks of a resurrection. But this is not a symbolic or spiritual resurrection of God’s servants that occurs during the last days, as we previously understood it. Rather, it refers to the resurrection that will take place in the new world. Why might we conclude this? Job 17:16 also speaks of “dust,” and it is used there as a synonym for “the grave.” This tells us that Daniel 12:2 is speaking of a literal resurrection that will occur after the last days are over and after the battle of Armageddon.

In what sense will some be resurrected “to eternal life”? And why is this “a better resurrection”?

Now, what does Daniel 12:2 mean when it says that some will be resurrected “to everlasting life”? It means that those who are resurrected and come to know, or continue to know, and obey Jehovah and Jesus during the 1,000 years will eventually receive everlasting life. (John 17:3) This will be “a better resurrection” than some humans in the past experienced. (Heb. 11:35) Why? Because those imperfect humans died again.

In what sense will some be resurrected “to humiliation and eternal contempt”?

But not all those resurrected will benefit from Jehovah’s education program. Daniel’s prophecy says that some will be resurrected “to humiliation and everlasting contempt.” Because of their rebellious attitude, their names will not be in the book of life and they will not receive eternal life. They will suffer “everlasting contempt” or destruction. So Daniel 12:2 is speaking of the final outcome for all those resurrected, based on what they do after their resurrection. (Rev. 20:12) Some will gain eternal life, others will not.

According to Daniel 12:3, what else will happen after the Great Tribulation? And who will “shine as bright as the sky”?

(Read Daniel 12:3.) What else will happen after the “time of trouble” that is near? In addition to what we have seen in Daniel 12:2, verse 3 mentions something else that will happen after the great tribulation.

Who are those who will “shine as bright as the sky”? Jesus’ words in Matthew 13:43 help us to know. He said, “At that time the righteous will shine as brightly as the sun in their Father’s kingdom.” When he said those words, Jesus was speaking of “the sons of the kingdom,” that is, his anointed brothers, who will rule with him in the heavenly kingdom (Matt. 13:38). So Daniel 12:3 must be referring to the anointed ones and the work they will do during the Thousand Year Reign.

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