Shattering the Holy People

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“Shatter” is such a horrible word, when it applies to human beings.

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Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.  (Daniel 12:7)

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I can see God shattering the wicked, but why shatter those whom He calls “holy?”

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Definition of SHATTER

transitive verb

1

: to cause to drop or be dispersed

2

a : to break at once into pieces

b : to damage badly : ruin

3

: to cause the disruption or annihilation of : demolish

intransitive verb

1

: to break apart : disintegrate

2

: to drop off parts (as leaves, petals, or fruit)

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I can imagine a powerful force, like a speeding car, crashing into something that is delicate, like a crystal glass, and with no defense.

The force hits the glass, and it immediately explodes and is destroyed.

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Daniel also writes:

“At that time Michael shall stand up, 
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
And there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
And at that time your people shall be delivered,
Everyone who is found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1)

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So, if God will deliver his people, why does he shatter them first, especially when He calls them “holy,” and so should be worthy of protection.?

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God also calls believers in Yahshua (Jesus) holy, so are they in for the same type of shattering also?

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Why does deliverance come out of being totally destroyed, shattered, ruined?

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Holiness

Although God calls us holy, this is actually our potential, not our reality.

Mankind is a mixture of the flesh and spirit.

Both pull at him for dominance.

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Holiness is the state of being holy or sacred. Holiness is being clean or pure, to be holy is to be like God.

This is God’s divine plan for man, but he is not there yet.

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Man starts with faith and repentance.

He grows and learns the Word of God.

He may fast and pray.

He may be zealous, with good works, producing good fruit.

He may be a wonderful, caring person.

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But, until he is tested, his flesh nature is still with him.

And, even after he is tested, much flesh can still remain.

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Testing

How much testing is enough to produce holiness?

Yahshua (Jesus) was already perfect, and he was crucified.

This fact should humble us all.

Who are we to try to claim holiness, when we have in no way come close to being what He was, and doing what He did?

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Have we been tested like He was?

The answer is no, and so we should not think we are greater than our Master, that we should escape the testing of our lives and flesh.

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The more flesh we have, the more testing we will have to go through, in faith, before deliverance comes.

This is why many prayers are not answered right away for deliverance, because God will not deliver us so that we can remain in the flesh.

If we are being tested, we have to pass the test, or we will be tested again and again.

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There are many Christians who have led relatively trouble free lives, and have passed on to the next life.

Others like them are still living, but may have tests ahead of them.

Each person is unique.

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Testing may come in small doses at a time, and if one passes each test, one proceeds to the next small test.

This is the ideal way, and is based a lot on our positive attitude and response.

But many resist testing.

Then, when tests come, they are bigger, and more difficult to pass.

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For others, the testing evolves from small tests and graduating to larger ones, to advance the person to a new level, closer to holiness.

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Some are immediately hit with huge tests, and they pass, but they die. This is seen in the martyrdom of innocent adults and children around the world. They only had one test to pass, and they passed when they kept their faith, and gave up their lives.

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The Seed that Dies

A seed is a natural thing, that has to be buried in the ground, and its shell broken and shattered in the ground by absorbing water, before it can send up a shoot, and become a real plant.

This is called germination.

When finished, there is no visible evidence of the seed.

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When God puts His spirit in us, He plants a seed.

It then has to germinate, and our flesh shell and contents need to be shattered and transformed, so that we can “send up our shoots” and become holy.

When finished, there is no visible evidence of the flesh.

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Untested Israel in Jacob’s Trouble

If we escape this time, we are blessed.

If we are to go through the Great Tribulation, then it is for our purification and holiness.

This time will include both natural Israel, and untested believers.

And this time, in my definition, does not include the time of wrath, which begins with the Trumpets and ends with the Vials.

Both the righteous and unrighteous are described in the seals 3 and 5, but only the wicked are described as present in the Trumpets and Vials.

Holiness comes at a cost, and with testing. We do not just say a prayer and sing songs, and be happy.

Holiness comes when our flesh dies to self, when we even forget who we are, and all that is left is the divine nature God has imparted to us.

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Jesus (Yahshua) showed us the way.

It is a narrow path, and most will not travel it, because they want life to be convenient, permissive and satisfying their needs.

But for those willing to follow the path of holiness, there is a Savior who will walk beside us, and help us through any trial or tribulation.

All we have to do is call upon His Name, Yahshua (Jesus), and He will come and deliver us.