“The Wise”

Yesterday we looked at the importance of character for those waiting

for the Second Coming. Today we will look more specifically at the

importance of character for those who are alive at the second coming

of Jesus.

Read Daniel 12:1–10. What is the context? What time in earth’s his-

tory is being referred to? Most important, what can we tell from

these verses about the character of God’s people during these

times? What characteristics are given them, in contrast to the

wicked? (See also Rev. 22:11.)

Daniel is told that just before Jesus comes, there will be a time of

distress unequaled at any other time of history. In Daniel 12:3, 10, we’re

given a depiction of the righteous and the wicked during this time. Notice

how the wicked “ ‘shall do wickedly’ ” (Dan. 12:10, NKJV) in contrast

to the righteous, who in verse 3 shine brightly, perhaps because they have

been “ ‘purified, made spotless and refined’ ” (Dan. 12:10, NIV) during

this “ ‘time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even

to that time’ ” (Dan. 12:1, NKJV). In contrast, too, the wicked do not

understand, but the righteous are “wise” and do understand.

Understand what? Math, science, higher criticism? Proverbs says

that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7,

NKJV). Perhaps, in this context, the “wise” are wise because they have

an understanding of these final events, the time of trouble as it unfolds.

They are not taken by surprise; from their study of the Word, they know

it’s coming. And most important, they know enough to allow this time

of trouble to purify and refine them; the wicked, on the other hand, are

just made more obstinate in their rebellion and thus continue in their

wickedness.

The crucial point is that here we are given a depiction of a people

who have been through a refining and purifying process.

Though we’ve looked at these texts in the context of the very last

days, what principles do we see here that can help us to under-

stand better what the purifying and refining process is all about,

even today?