September 28

Today's Reading: Daniel 12:1-13

Any time we read a passage like this there is a tendency to try and figure out the meaning of all the details here. And there is certainly a place for that kind of deep study. But I'm struck here by the fact that when Daniel doesn't understand, he is basically told (an I'm obviously paraphrasing here) "Don't worry about it. When that time comes you'll understand".

What is clear here is that one day there will be a bodily resurrection of the dead "some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt". Paul provides us with some more detail in 1 Corinthians 15, but there is still a mystery about exactly how this will occur. But it is clear that everyone will have a physical existence that goes beyond life here on earth. In those physical bodies, we will either spend eternity in the presence of Jesus or face horrible judgement. Which group we will be in is determined in this life based on what we do with Jesus.