Our Reward Is Near

Background Scripture: Daniel 11-12
Lesson Scripture: Daniel 12:1-13

Introduction

God calls to the world through tragedies, disasters, and other notable events. These unusual happenings remind us that the end of the world may be near. Whatever our age or station in life, may it be our earnest determination to prepare to meet God whatever the cost. Without our spiritual house in order, we will not finish life’s course with gladness. By the grace of God, let us prepare for and gain the blessed reward.

Key Verse

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed (Rom. 13:11).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Although our lesson text is an Old Testament prophecy that precedes Christ’s first coming, parts of it may also be a prophecy of the end times. This passage should be a confirmation to us that God has always had a plan, and there is nothing that is not within his power. The day will come when all prophecy is fulfilled and everything God has spoken will come to pass.

As believers, we cannot expect to be spared from trouble; we, too, are subject to adversity in an imperfect, fallen world. Our great solace is that in the end, we will experience a complete deliverance and victory. Daniel’s prophecies foretell the future, but, just as important, these prophecies provide reassurance to faithful believers. Our faith will be tested, but the Word exhorts us to endure until the end, trusting that God is firmly in control. There is nothing that escapes his notice, and He will not fail to keep his promises. In eternity He will richly reward his people.

Daniel lists several indicators that describe the end of days. He prophesied a great time of trouble, such as the world has never experienced. Could this be our day? He said knowledge would increase; in our lifetime we have witnessed an explosion of knowledge in many fields. The means and ability to travel have greatly increased. It is a time of people following evil passions and perversions, of spiritual deception, and violence. Though the end seems imminent, many will be surprised and caught unawares. Will there yet also be a time of Holy Spirit revival when the faithful wash their robes white in the blood of the Lamb?

The wicked are in subservience to Satan, willingly ignorant of God’s will. This is contrasted with the righteous; they seek to understand and do God’s will. God alone knows the day when “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout” (1 Thess. 4:16). For the saved, it will be a day of incomparable joy, but for the lost, a day of abject terror.

Daniel received the consolation that he would rest until he received his promised inheritance. We must also wait with the excellent spirit of Daniel (Dan. 6:3), waiting patiently, confident that our reward is near. While we wait, may we proclaim the power of God’s Word to the people of all nations.

Practical Truths for Today

Believers through the ages have not regarded Bible prophecy as a matter of speculation and intellectual curiosity. They have studied it to make spiritual applications. They have considered it a call to action.

The promised reward for the righteous will not come without self-denial and cross-bearing. We should not expect to gain our eternal reward without earnestly contending for the faith. We will experience times of uncertainty and difficulty; however, God will remember the work of love done in his name and will deliver the faithful. Today is the day for patience and perseverance.

Daniel desired to know more of the future, but God simply told him, “Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end” (Dan. 12:9). In a way, the Lord gives us the same message. To have an interest in end-time prophecy may not be wrong, but it can easily distract us from the more serious needs of the heart. A search for knowledge can become an intellectual exercise that is religious but not spiritual. Some people have erred from the right way by entertaining some fantastic belief about the future. We have enough clear teaching in the Bible to direct us on a safe path to our reward. May we not focus on things God has not revealed but rather grasp in faith what is clearly taught. May we be ready with anticipation to go to our heavenly home when Christ returns.

Although life is always uncertain, by the natural law of aging, growing older means getting closer to home. As the end nears, the lights of home shine brighter. Though we have been familiar with trials and tribulations in life, facing the unknown of death’s crossing may bring apprehension of how it will be. However, God will be especially near as we approach that last enemy of death. When we face pain, sickness, and sorrow, the glory of the reward glows brighter on the horizon, and the longing to be free from the curse of sin becomes more real. May this lesson be a special encouragement to those in the sunset years of life.

The Word bears ample witness that there are only two destinies: the eternal city of light or the abyss of eternal hell. If our sins are not washed in the blood of Jesus Christ when we stand before God in the great judgment, we will be condemned to that place of unquenchable fire and outer darkness. There is no greater loss than the loss of the soul of man. Nothing in life is worth clinging to if by it we forfeit our salvation.

What a great day that will be when our faith and hope converge in a glorified, heavenly reality. To see the Savior face to face, to be a part of that vast assembly at the throne of God, to lift our voices in praise with the patriarchs, martyrs, forefathers, and all the loved ones gone before, and to know with certainty that we are saved forever is all hard to imagine, but it is only a small part of what awaits the faithful. May we endure until the end. It will be worth it all.

Questions

1. As Christians, we live in anticipation of the reward. What are the other incentives for faithful Christian living?
2. What are ways to teach our children that their choices in life directly affect the reward at the end?
3. What is a proper vision of retirement years?
4. How sober and serious should our outlook on life be?
5. What is the level of our responsibility to warn others of the end and point them to the gospel?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).