⁵ “Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank. ⁶ And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, ‘How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?’”

12:5

Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank.

Daniel again becomes a personal participant in the scene.  Two figures stood on each side of the Tigris River and an angel above the river (v.6). 

12:6

And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?”

The book of Daniel ends with a couple of questions and answers. 

Question # 1 = 12:5-6

Answer = 12:7

Question #2 = 12:8

Answer 12:9-13

Daniel saw two other people standing on either side of the Tigris River (10:4).  These people may have been angels.  One of these people asked the man dressed in linen above the river a question about the length of the persecution and deliverance of Israel (11:36-12:4). 

PRINCIPLE: 

Hope gives definition to our present life.

APPLICATION: 

Hope is an essential dynamic in the Christian life.  Hope gives meaning to life.  We exist in despair without hope.  Hope at the end of the tunnel encourages the soul.  Hope stands with faith and love as a primary quality of life in God’s economy. 

Hope helps those who suffer endure their pain.  They have a better future ahead. 

Ro 5:1-2, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

1 Pe 1:3-9, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, ⁸ whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”