Friday, April 25, 2014

April 25, 2014 

Daniel 12:1-4, 13  (Everlasting Life?)

The Book of Daniel was likely written in the time of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, between 168 and 165 BCE, relating stories of Daniel under the Babylonian and Median kings in the first part Ch 1-6, and also four visions in the remaining part Chapters 7-12,  related by Daniel . Today's  excerpt is at the end of the book , concluding with a statement that a time of troubles is still to follow , such as never has been, but Michael stands up * to support God's people and to say that many of those sleeping shall awake in a time ahead, some to everlasting life v1-2. This may be viewed as an early understanding of resurrection, at least for some. The vision concludes (v4 ) that meantime for those who are wise, they will spend their time going in all directions to seek guidance in order to that knowledge should increase.  V13 is a verse that has been omitted by Greek versions of the text and perhaps is not in the original texts (Peake's Commentary on the Bible), but the gist of it suggests that Daniel is being told by Michael to not be concerned about details, rest in the knowledge that he is in God's hands, and that should be sufficent. (He needed to recall the implications of v1&2!)

The question of Resurrection is at the heart of  the Christian Gospel and currently  runs the gamut among  Christians ... from literal to allegorical understandings. It seems to me that God speaks to us in many guises and Holy Presence can be  common ground for both  seekers and for all those of faith, both within and without the Church community. In an age when many live lives knowingly with (or without) an existential awareness, such folk  can still be open to a sense of the "Holy", within and transforming Time & Space, and yet also Beyond. Such  awareness can also find understanding and a place for communion, and if need be, in participating (transcending) beyond the limits of this earthly life. Perhaps the message of Michael to Daniel resonates to our age. And maybe, maybe,  I'm reclaiming a sense of celtic Christian Spirituality!

 -The Ven. Ken Cardwell

*(Michael is mentioned three times in the Book of Daniel, once as a "great prince who stands up for the children of your people". The idea that Michael was the advocate of the Jews became so prevalent  in spite of the rabbinical prohibition against appealing to angels as intermediaries between God and his people )