As the book of Daniel comes to a close, we see an important focus in chapter 12 - one that I think should matter to all of us. When you boil down the great prophecies and events found in Daniel, they are just events and future events unless you remember Daniel 12:2-3: physical death is not final and does not conclude our lives. Every person will face either everlasting life or everlasting shame and contempt. Every person will face his Creator. Then verse 3 shows us that the wise will be involved in pointing others to righteousness.
I think that Daniel got ahold of this focus and burden early in his life. Very few people have gone through the likes of Daniel's traumatic life, yet he stayed focus on serving the Lord, and through some of the clearest and most detailed prophecy in the Bible, is still pointing others to righteousness to this day.
So what's my excuse? When I boil it all down, there is still a Great Commission that commands me to give the Gospel, and to be involved in pointing people to righteousness. I can get involved in programs and become an expert in any doctrine or any subject, but if I lose my focus on souls, I've missed the point of that program or study or expertise.
Daniel saw the destruction of his beloved country in the Babylonian captivity, yet he didn't lose his focus, and kept on for God.
Daniel was kidnapped and made to serve ungodly kings, yet he didn't lose his focus, and kept on for God.
Daniel was falsely accused and disliked by the others he had to work around, yet he didn't lose his focus, and kept on for God.
Daniel faced "sure death" in the lion's den, yet he didn't lose his focus, and kept on for God.
Daniel faced uncertain times and changing leadership, yet he didn't lose his focus, and kept on for God.
I hope that I may be able to glorify God in my life in even a fraction of the way that Daniel did, and work with others, pointing them to salvation and the goodness of God.
(Daniel 12:2-3) "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (3) And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."