December 14 (Daniel 10–12; Psalm 134; James 1–2)

Summary

Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: December 14 – Daniel 10–12; Psalm 134; James 1–2
Host: Crossway
Date: December 14, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode takes listeners through readings from Daniel chapters 10 through 12, Psalm 134, and James chapters 1 and 2. Rich with prophetic visions, practical wisdom for Christian living, and calls to faithfulness and steadfastness, these passages move from Daniel’s apocalyptic revelations, through a psalm of blessing, to James’s clear instructions on Christian conduct, faith, and works.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Daniel 10–12: Prophetic Visions and the End of Days

(00:01–12:06)

• Daniel’s Mourning and the Angelic Encounter

  • Daniel fasts and mourns for three weeks (00:01–00:26), abstaining from meat, wine, and delicacies, in deep spiritual distress.
  • On the banks of the Tigris, Daniel encounters a radiant figure “clothed in linen” whose powerful appearance causes him such fear he collapses. (“His face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches…” 00:27)
  • The angel assures Daniel, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” (01:19)

• Spiritual Warfare and Delayed Answer

  • The angel reveals he was delayed by opposition from the "prince of the kingdom of Persia" for 21 days, until Michael the archangel intervened. (02:03)
  • He comes to explain “what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.” (02:30)

• Complex Political Prophecies

  • A detailed vision unfolds of future conflicts between the kings of the North and South, with intrigue, alliances, betrayals, and cycles of war (03:45–10:03).
  • The recurring theme: The rise and fall of powers, but God’s sovereign hand guides history, even amidst turmoil.

• End Times and Resurrection

  • “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince, who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble such as never has been… but at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.” (10:06)
  • A clear Old Testament statement of resurrection: “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (10:27)
  • Daniel is told to “shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined…” (11:00)

• Closing Encouragement

  • Daniel receives the reassuring promise for his own future: “You shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.” (11:55)

2. Psalm 134: A Song of Blessing

(12:06–12:21)

• Call to Worship and Blessing
  • Servants of the Lord are called to bless the Lord in His house, lifting hands in worship (12:12–12:18).
  • The Psalm closes with a word of blessing: “May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth.” (12:21)

3. James 1–2: Faith, Wisdom, and Works

(12:31–18:03)

• Steadfastness in Trial

  • An encouragement to “count it all joy...when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (12:39)
  • Those enduring testing receive “the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.” (13:31)

• Seeking Wisdom and the Need for Faith

  • “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting…” (12:51–12:58)
  • A “double-minded man” is “unstable in all his ways.” (13:06)

• Wealth, Humility, and Temptation

  • The fleeting nature of riches is compared to grass withering in the sun (13:20–13:25).
  • “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God.’ For God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.” (13:47)
  • Sin’s progression is outlined: desire leads to sin, and sin, when full grown, leads to death. (13:49)

• Hearing and Doing the Word

  • “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (14:27)
  • True religion is defined as caring for orphans and widows, and “to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (15:13–15:15)

• Warning Against Partiality

  • A vivid scenario of favoring the rich over the poor is condemned; all are called to “love your neighbor as yourself.” (16:10)
  • “If you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” (16:13)
  • “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (16:38)

• Faith and Works

  • Powerful teaching on faith: “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (17:05)
  • “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder.” (17:16)
  • Old Testament examples: Abraham’s faith “was active along with his works,” showing true faith is evidenced by actions (17:32 onwards).
  • “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” (18:03)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Daniel’s Prophetic Encouragement:

  • “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” (02:56)
  • “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (10:34)

• James’s Wisdom:

  • “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (12:39)
  • “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (14:03)
  • “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (14:27)
  • “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (17:07)
  • “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (16:38)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• Daniel 10: Vision and Angelic Message – 00:01–02:56
• Political Prophecy and Historical Future – 03:45–10:03
• End Times & Resurrection Hope – 10:06–11:55
• Psalm 134: Song of Ascents – 12:06–12:21
• James 1: Trials, Wisdom & Being Doers of the Word – 12:31–15:15
• James 2: Partiality, the Royal Law & Faith/Works – 15:15–18:03

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Summary Takeaway

This episode weaves together grand apocalyptic vision, poetic devotion, and intensely practical Christian guidance. From Daniel’s visions of cosmic battles and ultimate resurrection, through Psalm 134’s simple calls to worship, to the down-to-earth demands of James about living out real faith, listeners are challenged to steadfastness, humility, and actionable belief. The recurring message: God reigns over history and hearts, and true faith shines in both trial and love for others.

Transcript

[A]

A reading from the Book of Daniel. In the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia, a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision. In those days I, Daniel, was mourning. For three weeks I ate. No delicacies. No meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all.

[B]

For the full three weeks.

[A]

On the 24th day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river that is the Tigris, I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from uphas around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. And I, Daniel alone, saw the vision. For the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. Then I heard the sound of his words. And as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground. And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. And he said to me, o Daniel, man greatly loved. Understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you. And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of persia withstood me 21 days. But Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come. When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was muted. And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, o my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me. Again. One, having the appearance of a man, touched me and strengthened me in. And he said, o man greatly loved, fear not. Peace be with you. Be strong and of good courage. And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me. Then he said, do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia. And when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth. There is none who contends by my side against these, except Michael, your prince. And as for me, in the first year, Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him. And now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and a fourth shall be far richer than all of them. And when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece. Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and and do as he wills. And as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to the authority with which he ruled. For his kingdom shall be plucked up and go to others besides these. Then the king of the south shall be strong, but one of his princes shall be stronger than he, and shall rule, and his authority shall be a great authority. After some years they shall make an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement. But she shall not retain the strength of her arm, and he in his arm shall not endure. But she shall be given up in her attendants, he who fathered her and he who supported her in those times. And from a branch, from her roots, one shall arise in his place. He shall come against the army and enter the fortress of the King of the north. And he shall deal with them and shall prevail. He shall also carry off to Egypt their gods with their metal images and their precious vessels of silver and gold. And for some years he shall refrain from attacking the king of the North. Then the latter shall come into the realm of the king of the south, but shall return to his own land. His son shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall keep coming and overflow and pass through, and again shall carry the war as far as his fortress. Then the king of the south, moved with rage, shall come out and fight against the king of the North. And he shall raise a great multitude, but it shall be given into his hand. And when the multitude is taken away, his heart shall be exalted, and he shall cast down tens of thousands. But he shall not prevail. For the King of the north shall again raise a multitude greater than the first. And after some years he shall come on with a great army and abundant supplies. In those times many shall rise against the King of the south, and the violent among your own people shall lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision. But they shall fail. Then the King of the north shall come and throw up siege works and take a well fortified city. And the forces of the south shall not stand, or even his best troops, for there shall be no strength to stand. But he who comes against him shall do as he wills, and none shall stand before him.

[B]

And.

[A]

And he shall stand in the glorious land with destruction in his hand. He shall set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and he shall bring terms of an agreement and perform them. He shall give him the daughter of women to destroy the kingdom, but it shall not stand or be to his advantage. Afterward he shall turn his face to the coastlands and shall capture many of them. But a commander shall put an end to his insolence. Indeed he shall turn his insolence back upon him. Then he shall turn his face back toward the fortresses of his own land. But he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found. Then shall arise in his place, one who shall send an exacter of tribute for the glory of the kingdom. But within a few days he shall be broken, neither in anger nor in battle. In his place shall arise a contemptible person to whom royal majesty has not been given. He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. Armies shall be utterly swept away before him and broken even the Prince of the Covenant. And from the time that an alliance is made with him, he shall act deceitfully, and he shall become strong with a small people. Without warning. He shall come into the richest parts of the province, and he shall do what neither his fathers nor his father's fathers have done, scattering among them plunder, spoil and goods. He shall devise plans against strongholds, but only for a time. And he shall stir up his power and his heart against the King of the south with a great army. And the King of the south shall wage war with an exceedingly great and mighty army. But he shall not stand, for plots shall be devised against him. Even those who eat his food shall break him. His army shall Be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. And as for the two kings, their hearts shall be bent on doing evil. They shall speak lies at the same table, but to no avail. For the end is yet to be. At the time appointed, and he shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. And he shall work his will and return to his own land. At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south. But it shall not be this time as it was before, for ships of Kittim shall come against him. And he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant. Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering, and they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate. He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant. But the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. And the wise among the people shall make many understand, Though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder, when they stumble they shall receive a little help, and many shall join themselves to them with flattery. And some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white. Until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time. And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every God and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished, for what is decreed shall be done. He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other God, for he shall magnify himself. Above all, he shall honor the God of fortresses. Instead of these, a God whom his fathers did not know, he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign God. Those who acknowledge him he shall load with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price. At the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack him, but the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen and with many ships. And he shall come into countries and shall overflow and pass through. He shall come into the glorious land and tens of thousands shall fall. But these shall be delivered out of his hand, Edom and Moab, and the main parts of the Ammonites. He shall stretch out his hand against the countries and and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall become ruler of the treasures of gold and of silver and all the precious things of Egypt. And the Libyans and the Cushites shall follow in his train. But news from the east and the north shall alarm him. And he shall go out with great fury to destroy and devote many to destruction. And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end.

[B]

With none to help him.

[A]

At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince, who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered. Everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above. And those who turn, many to righteousness like the stars, forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase. Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. And someone said to the man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the stream, how long shall it be to the end of these wanders? And I heard the man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the stream. He raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time times and half a time. And that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end, all these things would be finished. I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, o my Lord, what shall be the outcome of these things? He said, go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined. But the wicked shall act wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand. But those who are wise shall understand. And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. But go your way till the end, and you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days. A reading from the Book of Psalms. A Song of Ascents. Come, bless the Lord.

[B]

All you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of.

[A]

The Lord, lift up your hands to.

[B]

The holy place and bless the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion.

[A]

He who made heaven and earth. A reading from the Book of James. James, a servant of God and of.

[B]

The Lord Jesus Christ. To the twelve tribes and the dispersion.

[A]

Greetings.

[B]

Count it all joy, my brothers, when.

[A]

You meet trials of various kinds. For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

[B]

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to.

[A]

All without reproach, and it will be given him.

[B]

But let him acts in faith with no doubting. For the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is.

[A]

Driven and tossed by the wind.

[B]

For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord. He is a double minded man, unstable in all his ways. Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation and the rich in his humiliation, because, like a flower of the grass.

[A]

He will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass.

[B]

Its flower falls and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial. For when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God. For God cannot be tempted with evil.

[A]

And He Himself tempts no one.

[B]

But each person is tempted. When he is lured and enticed by his own desire, then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it's fully grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

[A]

Every good gift and every perfect gift.

[B]

Is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change of his own will. He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. Know this, my beloved.

[A]

Let every person be quick to hear.

[B]

Slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the Word and not hearers, only deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away, and at once forgets what he was like.

[A]

But the one who looks into the.

[B]

Perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets, but a doer who acts, he he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is to visit orphans.

[A]

And widows in their affliction and to.

[B]

Keep oneself unstained from the world. My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring in fine clothing comes into your assembly and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, you sit here in a good place, while you say to the poor man, you stand over there or sit down at my feet, have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? If you really fulfill the royal law, according to the scripture, you shall love.

[A]

Your neighbor as yourself. You are doing well.

[B]

But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, do not commit adultery also said, do not murder. If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food. And one of you says to them.

[A]

Go in peace, be warmed and filled.

[B]

Without giving them the things needed for the body. What good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, you have faith and I have works.

[A]

You show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you.

[B]

My faith by my works. You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father, justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works. And faith was completed by his works. And the scripture was fulfilled that says Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness, and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way, was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart.

[A]

From works is dead.