Mourning with Love for All

Scriptures: In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. Daniel 10:1-2

Observation: Daniel receives visions of the end times. He will write down some of that vision as it is explained to him, and it is confusing. However, there are three elements of it immediately explained by Daniel. First, the vision is true. Daniel first and foremost has no doubt that what has been shown to him is accurate and trustworthy. Lastly, the vision is immensely sad. It relates to the end of the people, and Daniel is so overwhelmed by it that he goes into mourning. However, the middle of the three elements of the vision is that it is a long, long way off. Daniel understands this is not something that will soon occur ... possible ~490 years away but also likely an unrevealed measure of many, many, many years.

So, Daniel learns the facts of something terrible, but it is so far away that it could not possible affect himself, anyone he knows, or even humanity as he even understands it. And yet his response is sadness. He is so affected by the thoughts of anyone enduring what he has seen - even people who may be a hundred generations removed from him - that he is physically moved to mourning for weeks, as if lamenting the death of family.

Application: The 'end times' are nearly impossible to understand, as the various visions and revelations can relate to both specific events within specific nations as well as to all mankind. However, what I can learn from Daniel is that those times are to be a source of sadness due to the impact on others, and that it is true that there will be a reconciling end to our age.

I long for Jesus to return, as I would gladly welcome an end to this age and the struggles endured daily. I would be thrilled to be called to my heavenly home. However, Daniel would teach me that there should be an attitude of great mourning for those who would be negatively impacted by this event. That is, it is far more loving to mourn the condemnation of those who have rejected God than it is to hope for the celebrations of salvation with Jesus.

This is why we strive to tell others of Jesus ... to minimize the negative impact. Even if the end is not in my lifetime, I will adopt a heart that longs to help others discover hope for themselves and their descendants.

Prayer: Lord, you love all those who visit our church, and with whom we talk every day and night. May we serve you well in those conversations so that more joy, and less mourning, will be experienced on the future return of Jesus. Amen.