“God will bless everyone who patiently waits until 1335 days have gone by.” (Daniel 12:12)

Prophetic visions in the book of Daniel are not the easiest to decipher and interpret.

Fear not, dear subscriber, I ain’t about to get caught in that there trap today or make an attempt to draw you in with me. Nosiree!

Instead, I want to place before you The 45 Day Difference that the Lord highlighted for me in this chapter.

Would you please take 2 minutes to read the entire chapter first? Daniel 12.

The part of the vision that is relevant for this revelation is the answer to the question: “How long before these amazing things happen?” (v. 5)

Daniel is told that some rather undesirable things will happen over a period of 1290 days.

However, those who wait an additional 45 days and hit the 1335 mark will be blessed.

Would you agree that waiting is not easy for most of us?

If you disagree, just listen to your children on Christmas Eve. “Why do we have to wait till tomorrow? Why can’t I open mine now?” Sound familiar?

Such impatience is not limited to children either. My birth family had a tradition of opening up just ONE gift on Dec. 24, because, get this, my Dad, yes, my Dad, couldn’t wait 🙂

Scripture offers us many examples of those who could not wait long enough.

I Samuel 13:7-15 recounts the sad story of how King Saul deprived his descendants the privilege of occupying his throne because he acted in haste. Saul took matters into his own hands and offered a sacrifice before the prophet Samuel arrived. He was able to wait seven days, but not the few extra hours by which Samuel was delayed. The difference it made was everlasting.

According to I Corinthians 15:6, the risen Jesus appeared to over 500 people following his resurrection. In Acts 1:4 he tells them: “Don’t leave Jerusalem yet. Wait here for the Father to give you the Holy Spirit, just as I told you he has promised to do.” Yet, just a few days later, there were only 120 left in the Upper Room (Acts 1:15).

Let’s do the math. The other 380 or more simply could not wait an additional 10 days for the promise to be fulfilled. They robbed themselves of the experience of being there when the Holy Spirit came in wind and fire. What a shame!

In fact, many Scriptures remind us of the blessings of waiting. Here are some verses:

Psalm 37:34: Wait on the LORD…and He shall exalt you to inherit the land.

Psalm 40:1:I waited patiently for the LORD; and He heard my cry.     

Hebrews 6:15: Abraham waited patiently and received what was promised.

As you look back at your life, can you identify times when you have experienced the blessings of “waiting until 1335 days have gone by?” Praise God!

Do you have stories to share about how you could not get past the 1290 day mark and suffered the consequences?  Praise God, because now you know better!

Do the math again. Do you realize that after 1290 days you are already 96% of your way there? You just need to stick it out for the remaining 4% and you’re in the Blessing Zone!

Do you know anyone who is going through the pain of quitting too soon? Pray with empathy for their plight. Ask God to grant them the inner strength to keep going till they reach the 1335 day mark.

On this fifth day of the 12:12:12 Fast, my prayer for you is that you will indeed be one who recognizes and realizes the blessings of The 45 Day Difference.