Daniel 11-12  This final vision given to Daniel continues to be revealed to him.. far past his lifetime and ours.. to the final days.  Kings and kingdoms will war against each other.. with Israel in the midst of it all. Some of these prophecies have already been fulfilled.. but some are yet to be.. 

There are several verses that stand out to me.. that help us to have courage in the face of all of this.

11:27  "As for both kings, their hearts will be intent on evil, and they will speak lies to each other at the same table; but it will not succeed, for the end is still to come at the appointed time."  What an encouragement !  No matter what happens.. the future is aligned to God's time table! Those intent on evil will "not succeed" in the end!

11:32-33 "And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.  And those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder, for many days."  There will be men and women of God who will take courage and act in the face of persecution and death.  May we also be men and women of God who stand firm no matter what we face in the days ahead.. 

v35 "And some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge, and make them pure, until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time."  All of this that has happened.. and that which will happen.. is for this eternal purpose.. the sanctification of God's chosen ones. 

12: 1-3 "Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. and many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.  And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." 

v10 "Many will be purged, purified and refined; but the wicked will act wickedly, and not of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand."

Father in heaven, we are so thankful that the times are in Your hands and that Your purposes will be completed as You will.  Our prayer is that of the Apostle Paul:  "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." ( I Thes. 5:23)  We do not know the day or the hour of His coming.. we do not know what our future holds.. but we know You and pray that You will hold us close. Purge, refine, and make us pure, Lord.  Give us strength and courage to stand firm no matter what we must face. And most of all Lord, we pray, may many more have their names written in the book of life so that they too may be rescued and given everlasting life.  We ask these things in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.