Scripture to Read: Daniel 12:10–12
Many, through the tribulation, will become hardened toward God. Daniel 12:10 says, “the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand.” God also reveals this in Revelation 9:20–21, “The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; 21 and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.” We also see this in Revelation 16:9, 11, and 21. God’s loving discipline either produces a broken heart and conversion or it hardens people toward Him (much like Pharaoh in Egypt). God also gave Daniel an answer about the coming of the millennial reign in Daniel 12:11–12. Note that God adds 75 days to the 1,260 days of the tribulation. After the tribulation, the Second Coming of Christ occurs, then a 30-day period, and then an additional 45 days. Finally, the kingdom of God arrives on earth. It’s hard to say exactly what will happen in those additional 75 days. Some believe the first 30 are for Jesus’ government to be officially installed for the millennial reign and for the temple of God to be prepared. Then, the additional 45 will be when the nations are judged by our Lord, as recorded in Matthew 25:31–46. Only God knows for sure, but we can trust it will be for His glory.
Challenge & Application
How have you seen God’s loving discipline harden people’s hearts toward Him?
How have you seen God’s loving discipline break people’s hearts and see them converted to Christ?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!