Hear God call you to worship through his word:

”Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.”

— Psalm 147:1

Song 4 – 

Our welcome team members will pass an offering basket during this song.

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Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Amen

We will now continue our worship to the Lord by together confessing our sin before each other and before the One who loves us so tenderly. With boldness and full confidence in God’s love and mercy for us, we will pray together this prayer of confession to our Almighty God:

Confession of sin:
Almighty God, 
unto whom all hearts are open,
all desires known, 
and from whom no secrets are hidden —
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts 
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit
so that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
Through Christ our Lord,
Amen.

Assurance of pardon:
Jesus assures us of his loving care for us in the the gospel of Matthew. 
“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
— Matthew 11:28–30

Let’s pray.

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Daniel 12:1-13 (ESV)

The Time of the End

12 “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.² And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. ³ And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. ⁴ But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

⁵ Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. ⁶ And someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” ⁷ And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. ⁸ I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” ⁹ He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. ¹⁰ Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. ¹¹ And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.¹² Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. ¹³ But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”

Daniel 12

1. The faithful shall be delivered from tribulations (v 1)
2. The faithful shall be delivered to everlasting life (v 2)
3. God has a perfect timing and plan (vv 5-12)
4. Go your way till the end (v 13)

Our Father in heaven, 
hallowed be your name;
your kingdom come;
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread. 
And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. 
For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.

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Study Questions for Daniel chapter 12

Introduction
1. As we come to the end of the final vision (Chs. 10–12), and the end of the book, what do you think is the key message of chapters 11–12 for God’s people?

2. From these chapters, and the book as a whole, what do we learn about God’s rule (it might be helpful to summarize the message of the book?

3. From these chapters, and the book as a whole, what do we learn about living in light of God’s rule (it might be helpful to summarize the message of the book)?

4. From these chapters, and the book as a whole, what do we learn about the nature of God’s revelation (it might be helpful to summarize the message of the book)?

Into the Text
1. What is the meaning of the part of the vision in 12:1-4?

3. What is the meaning of the part of the vision in 12:5-13?

4. Why is verse 13 a fitting conclusion to the message of the book?

Application
1. What is human power like? Are the manifestations of human power we see here timeless in their application?

2. The vision in chapter 11 powerfully conveys God’s rule through the details of history, whereas the vision in chapter 12 conveys God’s rule over the end of history. In other words, God rules over the details and the big picture. Why are both important?

3. Both chapters 11 and 12 speak of persecution / dis tress for God’s people. Why do God’s people suffer? How does the material in chapters 11 and 12 encourage and inspire us to endure such times?

4. How will history end and what is the eternal future for God’s people (those who have accepted God’s rule)? What is the eternal future for unbelievers (those who have rejected God’s rule)?

5. How are we to live now as we wait for that future glory (12:13)?

Close in Prayer