What Time Is It?

Ever been asked, "What time is it?"
Did you then glance at your watch and reply, "Oh, about three minutes after four" or something like that?
But what if your friend came back, "No, I mean what time is it?"
Then you turn to him with a you're-nuts glare and say, "I already told you."

The Biblical verses I'm pondering this week have such a discussion of time. Here's what the ancient—and oft misunderstood—prophet Daniel writes (Daniel 12:1-3):

 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever."

Notice how Daniel writes about 'a time' and 'that time'? What time does he speak about? I've no intention to make this a detailed study of Daniel's prophecy. However, any successful novelist, for instance, knows it's important to set your readers into some period of time when the events of his novel take place. In my latest novel, for instance, I open with a time notation, putting my readers into the year 1939. That time setting is critical to a proper understanding of all that follows.

Likewise, it is important to locate Daniel in his original setting. When in calendar time did he write and what was going on in his world at the time? It is somewhere in the year 605 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar II, ruler of Babylon, has conquered Judah, pillaged Jerusalem and carried thousands as slaves back to what we now call Iraq. It was an utterly devastating and hopeless time for God's people. They were suffering for the godless ways of their rulers.

So it was in 1939. War had returned to Europe with the Nazi invasion of Poland and soon after France. Thousands of Poles, Jews, Gypsies and others were being enslaved, slaughtered and thrown into concentration camps. There was a strong sentiment in the United States to stay out of yet another European war, but by the end of 1941 that proved impossible, as you know.

So I ask again, "What time is it?" Where are the events of our day leading? Are the decisions of our national leaders taking us also into a time of devastation and despair? If so, how shall we endure such times as these? The Holy Spirit speaking through the words of His prophet Daniel has words of guidance and comfort for God's children.