Hebrews 2:1 That is why we must pay attention even more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. Hebrews 2:2 You see, if the message spoken through agents was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a deserved payment, Hebrews 2:3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him. Hebrews 2:4 At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Sacred Breath as he prefers.
drift
It is possible to drift away from the gospel by disobedience. We are warned to pay attention to the good news because it came from the Lord himself, and was verified by God through the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit. With blessing comes responsibility.
Hebrews 1:5 You see, to which of the agents did he ever say, You are my Son; today I have become your Father, or again, I will be his Father, and he will be my Son? Hebrews 1:6 But when he brings his firstborn into the inhabited world again, he says, and let all God’s agents worship him. Hebrews 1:7 And about the agents he says: “He makes his agents winds, and his servants a fire flame,” Hebrews 1:8 but to the Son: “Your throne, O God, is for ages and ages, and the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice.” Hebrews 1:9 You have cared about righteousness and hated lawlessness; that is why God, your God, has anointed you with the olive oil of exuberant joy in contrast to your associates. Hebrews 1:10 And: During the beginning, Lord, you established the land, and the sky is the work of your hands; Hebrews 1:11 they will perish, but you remain. They will all wear out like a coat; Hebrews 1:12 you will roll them up like a cloak, and they will be changed like a coat. But you are the same, and your years will never give out. Hebrews 1:13 Now to which of the agents has he ever said: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool? Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering winds sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?
ministering winds
Compared to the majesty and permanence of God’s unique Son, the agents are like the winds and fire. God uses them for his purposes — as his ministers — because they are his creations. But there is an eternal throne prepared for the Son.
Hebrews 1:1 Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at numerous times and in numerous ways. Hebrews 1:2 During these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom he made the ages. Hebrews 1:3 The Son radiates God’s glory and expresses his character and reality exactly, supporting all things by his powerful word. After making purification for failures, he took a seated position at the right hand of the Majesty upward. Hebrews 1:4 He became so far better than the agents, just as the name he inherited is more valuable than theirs.
God’s unique Son
Jesus is the world’s Savior, but he is also the unique Son of God.
Because he is God’s sinless Son, he was able to make purification for our failures by the sacrifice of his life on the cross.
Because he is God’s revealing Son, he has spoken God’s words to us. Because of him, we know what God wants from us.
Because he is God’s royal Son, he radiates God’s glory and expresses his character and reality exactly. Because of him, we know what God is like.
Because he is God’s covenant Son, he has been appointed heir of all things, and has inherited a name more valuable than the names of the agent (angels).
Daniel 12:5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others were standing there, one on this bank of the river and one on the other. Daniel 12:6 One of them said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the water of the river, “How long until the end of these extraordinary things?” Daniel 12:7 Then I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the water of the river. He raised both his hands toward the sky and swore by him who lives permanently that it would be for a time, times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people is shattered, all these things will be completed. Daniel 12:8 I heard but did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?” Daniel 12:9 He said, “Go on your way, Daniel because the words are secret and sealed until the time of the end. Daniel 12:10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. Daniel 12:11 From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination which makes it desolate is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Daniel 12:12 Happy is the one who waits for and reaches 1,335 days. Daniel 12:13 But as for you, walk on to the end; and you will rest, and then you will stand up to receive your allotted inheritance at the end of the days.”
loose ends
The great wise man Daniel would not be around to see the fulfillment of his last vision. He was told that he would rest in the sleep of death, but at the end of the days, he would stand to receive his allotted inheritance. Like Daniel, we will not have the time to square away all the loose ends of our lives. Death will come to us unwelcomed and unplanned. Fortunately, death is not permanent. Everyone will rise to receive their inheritance at the return of Christ. Seek the inheritance of permanent life!
Daniel 12:1 At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over the children of your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never having occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape. Daniel 12:2 Many who sleep in the dust of the land will awake, some to permanent life, and some to disgrace and permanent contempt. Daniel 12:3 Those who have insight will shine like the bright expanse of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars permanently and always. Daniel 12:4 “But you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will rove around, and knowledge will increase.”
the many and the all
The prophecy here is of a revival of within Israel — the children of Daniel’s people. It uses the language of a resurrection — waking of those who sleep in the dust. But the prophecy is about the nation of Israel coming back from its exile and captivity.
Yet that resurrection language does reflect what will happen globally as well. The “many” of Israel who will take part in that revival match the “all” who are in their graves and will wake at Christ’s second coming (John 5:28-29). The two destinies are the same as well: permanent life or the permanent disgrace and contempt of destruction.
Daniel 11:40 “At the time of the end, the king of the South will engage him in battle, but the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, horsemen, and many ships. He will invade countries and sweep through them like a flood. Daniel 11:41 He will also invade the beautiful land, and many will fall. But these will escape from his power: Edom, Moab, and the first of the Ammonites. Daniel 11:42 He will extend his power against the countries, and not even the land of Egypt will escape. Daniel 11:43 He will get control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the riches of Egypt. The Libyans and Cushites will also be in submission. Daniel 11:44 But reports from the east and the north will terrify him out of his senses, and he will go out with great fury to annihilate and completely destroy many. Daniel 11:45 He will pitch his royal tents between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain, but he will meet his end with no one to help him.
he will meet his end
It was a terrible knowledge that this evil king (Antiochus IV) would seek to annihilate so many, including the inhabitants of the beautiful land itself (Israel). But it was a comfort that even his reign of deadly terror would come to an end.
We are not guaranteed much in this life. There may be suffering ahead for us. But if we trust in God, even times of unimaginable suffering can be endured — because they will always be temporary.
Daniel 11:36 “Then the king will do whatever he wants. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will say outrageous things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed because what has been decreed will be accomplished. Daniel 11:37 He will not show regard for the gods of his fathers, the god desired by women, or for any other god because he will magnify himself above all. Daniel 11:38 Instead, he will honor a god of fortresses – a god his fathers did not know – with gold, silver, precious stones, and riches. Daniel 11:39 He will deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. He will greatly honor those who acknowledge him, making them rulers over many and distributing land as a favor.
successful until
The story of Antiochus IV reminds us that success is no measure of character or blessing. His success was due to God’s plan to pour out his wrath on unbelieving Jews. He was “successful until the time of wrath (was) completed.”
Do you consider yourself a success? Don’t rely on your temporary situation. Seek the blessing of the eternal God. Success in a relationship with Him is the only success that stays.
Daniel 11:29 “At the appointed time he will turn and come again to the South, but this time will not be like the first. Daniel 11:30 Ships of Kittim will come against him, and being startled, he will withdraw. Then he will rage against the holy covenant and take action. On his return, he will favor those who abandon the holy covenant. Daniel 11:31 His strong forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the regular sacrifice and set up the abomination, making it desolate. Daniel 11:32 With flattery he will corrupt those who act wickedly regarding the covenant, but the people who know their God will be strong and take action. Daniel 11:33 Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to many, yet they will still fall by the sword and flame, and be captured and plundered for a time. Daniel 11:34 When they fall, they will be partnered by some, but many others will join them hypocritically. Daniel 11:35 Some of those who have insight will fall so that they may be refined, purified, and cleansed until the time of the end because it will still come at the appointed time.
The evil king Antiochus IV caused many Jews to renounce their faith. But the true believers stayed strong despite their deaths by sword and flame, bondage, and loss of property. Knowing God gave them the power to face all loss.
Staying strong does not guarantee immediate victory over the forces of evil. But the permanent success to come will be worth the struggle.
Daniel 11:20 “In his place, one will take a stand who will send out a tax collector for the glory of the kingdom; but within a few days he will be broken, though not in anger or in battle. Daniel 11:21 “In his place, a despised person will take a stand; royal honors will not be given to him, but he will come during a time of peace and seize the kingdom by intrigue. Daniel 11:22 A flood of military forces will be swept away before him; they will be broken, as well as the covenant prince. Daniel 11:23 After an alliance is made with him, he will act as a traitor. He will rise to power with a small nation. Daniel 11:24 During a time of peace, he will come into the richest parts of the province and do what his fathers and predecessors never did. He will lavish plunder, loot, and wealth on his followers, and he will make plans against fortified cities, but only for a while. Daniel 11:25 “With a large army he will stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South. The king of the South will prepare for battle with an extremely large and powerful army, but he will not succeed, because plots will be made against him. Daniel 11:26 Those who eat his provisions will destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall slain. Daniel 11:27 The two kings, whose hearts are bent on evil, will speak lies at the same table but to no avail, for still the end will come at the appointed time. Daniel 11:28 The king of the North will return to his land with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant; he will take action, then return to his own land.
heart set against
It was Antiochus IV whose heart was set against the holy covenant. On his way back home from plundering Egypt, he stopped to deal with a small insurrection in Palestine. His “action” was overkill. He murdered 80,000 men, women, and children, and that small insurrection grew into the mighty Maccabean revolt.
Sometimes our solutions to our problems are so unwise that they end up causing bigger problems. We need to seek God’s solutions.
Daniel 11:14 “In those times many will take a stand against the king of the South. Ravenous sons of your own people will be ambitious to fulfill a vision themselves, but they will falter. Daniel 11:15 Then the king of the North will come, pile up a siege mound, and capture a fortified city. The arms of the South will not stand; even their best troops will not have the power to stand. Daniel 11:16 The one who comes against him will do whatever he wants, and no one can stand before him. He will establish himself in the beautiful land and its annihilation will be within his hand. Daniel 11:17 He will set his face to come with the force of his whole kingdom and will reach an agreement with it. He will give him a daughter in marriage to destroy it, but she will not stand with him or support him. Daniel 11:18 Then he will turn his attention to the coasts and islands and capture many. But a commander will end his taunting; instead, he will turn his taunts against him. Daniel 11:19 He will turn his attention back to the fortresses of his land, but he will stumble, fall, and be no more.
Cleopatra
The daughter Antiochus III gave in marriage to Ptolemy V was named Cleopatra. She was not the famous later Cleopatra associated with Rome. But she did have an impact on history because she chose to support her husband instead of her father. As a result, Antiochus’ plans to destroy Egypt failed.
Our heavenly Father has a purpose for us. He has orchestrated our lives to fit within that purpose. But time will tell if we choose to do what he wants or make other choices.
Devotions 