Darryl joined in. "I would like to read verses 32-35 of Matthew 24 . 'Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.'"

Jamie was puzzled. "What does the fig tree represent?"

"The fig tree always symbolizes Israel. The budding fig tree symbolizes Israel becoming a nation once again in 1948. Jesus told them that the generation alive at the time all these signs were occurring would not all die before His return. He told them His coming would be very near, just like He was right at the door. He also said that Jerusalem would be trampled on by the Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles was fulfilled.4 Israel regained control of Jerusalem in June of 1967. It's been thirty years now that Jerusalem is back under the control of the Jewish people. These are very powerful signs that the Messiah's return is very near."

"His return is certainly very near." Elizabeth agreed. "Don't forget that these are signs of his second coming and not of the rapture."

"My goodness!" Jamie cried, "we could be raptured any day now."

Brian was quiet, he had a lot of thinking to do.

"Let's finish looking at what Daniel had to say."

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Then I, Daniel, looked and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?"

The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed."

I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My L-rd, what will the outcome of all this be?"

He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.'"5

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"So the angel asked Jesus how long it would be before all these things were fulfilled. Jesus told them for a time, times, and half time. Who can tell me how long that will be?"

"That's easy! Everyone knows its three and a half years!" Brian grinned.

Jamie poked him. "You didn't think that back in chapter seven."

"What about the 1290 days and the 1335 days?" she asked.

"That is a little puzzling. The three and a half years would 1260 days. There appears to be another 30 days tacked on followed by an additional 45 days. Although Daniel doesn't explain, it makes sense that the second coming of the Messiah and the establishment of His millennial kingdom requires time. There are a couple of judgments that take place before the millennium begins: the judgment of the nations , and the judgment of Israel.7 These great judgments will purge out the unbelievers who have worshipped the beast. Anyone who makes it to the very end will be worthy to enter the millennial kingdom."8

"What exactly is the millennium?" Brian looked confused.

"It is a 1000-year period in which Jesus, our Messiah, reigns from his throne in Jerusalem. During that time there will be no sickness, or death; the wild animals will even be tame."9

"What happens at the end of the 1000 years." Brian asked.

Satan is loosed for a short period of time in order that the people born during the millennium can make a decision to follow G-d or turn against him," Darryl explained. "Remember G-d does not make robots. He does not force us to worship Him. After this short time, the great white throne judgment takes place. Then G-d creates a new heaven and new earth."

"And we'll all live happily ever after," Jamie smiled.

"That concludes our lesson on Daniel," Darryl announced as he closed his Bible.

They sat quietly for a few minutes, lost in their own thoughts. Finally Elizabeth announced, "I think we better head back to camp. We need to have dinner before we start our trip back home."

Brian cleared his throat, "Thank you for bringing me on your camping trip. Thanks, too, for explaining Daniel to us."

"It was a pleasure to have you along. I hope you'll think seriously about accepting Jesus as your Messiah and L-rd."

Brian blushed. He hung his head and kicked the dust with his foot. He knew he had to do some thinking. He needed to sort things out.