Daniel was also told that “Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.”1 A ‘separation of spirits’ will take place during the end-times. Everything is coming to a climax as the world moves towards ‘norms and values’ that are an antithesis to Christianity; a head-on collision of opinions and convictions is ahead.
At the present time, the true Church and the false church are still mixed together, like the wheat and the weeds in the Jesus’ parable.2 But more and more the ‘weeds and the tares’ will collide with one another. When the ‘seals’ of the ‘scroll/book/deed’ about ‘the right to redeem’3 are being opened and the world returns to the rightful Owner as His rightful property, the conflicts will increase and will come to a climax. Is this an exhortation addressed to the ‘wicked’ and the ‘filthy’, the ‘wrong-doers’, those who practise injustice to continue and increase their malpractices? Of course not. This verse simply comes to the sad conclusion: let it happen. Apparently there is no other way. This is how it will happen. It is rather as if the Churches are being told to ‘leave them alone, do not be jealous of them, for you know how they will end up.’ There is something almost mocking and sarcastic about this as if to tell the end-time generation: ‘Just carry on, especially if you want to finally end up in a very bad way.’ But there is also a deep sadness in this remark.
And the ‘command to the Church’ is: practise more justice and let your deeds show how God wants us human beings to live. Keep holy and increase your holiness. Holiness meaning ‘separation from the rest’, put aside as an ‘instrument of blessing’ in the hands of the Lord. Refer to Deuteronomy 7:6-9 and 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-16; Ephesians 1:4; 2:21; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2:4-12. When you no longer have a vote in politics or have any possibility of influencing law-making, be a good example in all the organisations and associations in which the authorities still allow you to participate, be it Christian or non-Christian. Especially in your Church-life, your (Christian) schools, the (Christian) media that are available to you. As far as your personal life is concerned, demonstrate what it means to be a Christian. Do not appear judgmental, but lovingly win the world. Be an enthusiastic and redeemed person. There are already enough people in the world who grumble and complain. Pay personal attention to the people around you, even if they do not belong to your Church, social circles or networks, village or family. And: inform, inform, inform! Don’t keep your mouth shut! And where this is not appreciated, look further, as the Lord Jesus told His disciples to shake the dust off their feet.4 Do not continue to ‘hammer the gospel in’, or ‘force it down their throats’, for you will discover that that is tantamount to throwing ‘pearls before swine’, and that they will be ‘trampling them under their feet’ and will turn round and try to tear you to pieces!5 Be a readable letter of Christ.6 As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.7 Yet, in the end, many will simply not want to be associated with you. They want nothing to do with the Gospel and the Bible, and they want nothing to do with people like you who want to. So be it. Do not write people off too quickly, however. You never know what God wants to do in their life. That also applies to your own children and grandchildren. And the judgement is not ours anyway. “It is Mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will be heaping burning coals on his head.8’ The Lord will reward you, according to the author of Proverbs – being probably King Solomon. See Proverbs 1:1; 1 Kings 4:29-34; 10:1-10. At a certain point in time in the end- times the ‘point of no return’ will have been passed, after which no repentance or change of heart and mind is possible. Only God knows when that point of no return has been reached. Therefore, let us continue to offer His Grace to its full extent to everybody around us!
• The same sound is also heard in the Lord Jesus’ words when He asks His disciples: “Are you still sleeping and resting?” He had woken them each time at first, so that they could watch with Him, but then He left them alone.9
• Sanctification’ in life is not an ‘extra’ which we can also do without. Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.10 We do well to let the Word get through to us in all its sharpness.
Bible References:
1.Daniel 12:10 2.Matthew 13:24–30 3.Jeremiah 32:10–15; Revelation 5:1; compare Leviticus 25:23-55 and Ruth 4; Isaiah 54:5 3.Luke 9:5 4.Matthew 7:6 5.2 Corinthians 3:2–3 6.Hebrews 12:18; Romans 12:18; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:13 7.Romans 12:18–21; Proverbs 25:21–22 8.Matthew 26:45; Mark 14:32–42 9.Hebrews 12:14
