As used in the first reading from the Book of Daniel, the phrase, “At that time” refers to “the time of the end” or “the end time”. This is ‘the time’ that Daniel describes in his vision; a description that was coloured by his Semitic religious understanding which would later form basic eschatological truths in Christian theology. From this text we get the first mention of ‘everlasting life’-the reward and glory of those whose names are found written in the ‘Book’.

Sadly but true, the others whose names are not written down will be doomed in shame and everlasting disgrace. This separation at the end of time is what will later introduce the idea of retribution to Christian theology, informing Christians to live well since they will be judged in the hereafter based on their actions.

In a similar vein, Mark, the evangelist, presents part of his eschatological discourse in our gospel reading, teaching that the Son of Man will come ‘in those days’ (the end time) to gather His chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the world to the ends of heaven. Using the analogy of the fig tree, Jesus cautions us on vigilance and watchfulness, teaching that when we see those strange things happening we should know that the end is near, although no one knows the day or the hour.

This suggests that although the end is inevitable, we ought to be careful about false claims and unfounded speculations from counterfeit preachers and so-called prophets who may claim special revelations about the day or the hour; for neither angels nor even the Son knows this (Mk. 13:32). All we need to do is to always live right and prepare for that day of the Lord’s coming in our individual lives; for, truly speaking, our ‘Parousia’ will be our eventual union with the Son of Man when we shall pass out of this life into eternal life.

On that day we shall be truly transformed; for we shall see God as He really is (1Jn. 3:2). This is the image Daniel further depicts in his vision, giving us useful hint on the nature of the ‘elect’ who will experience the resurrection. We get to understand that at the resurrection we will not be merely ‘raised to the same mode of existence’ as we are now in this present life of corporeal existence and corruption but we shall be transformed into a glorified mode of being where we shall shine like the stars. Little wonder that in chapter 8 of his book, Daniel refers to both stars and angels as the ‘host of heaven’ (cf. v. 10). Interestingly, contemporary Greek thinking and inter-testamental apocalyptic literature both hold that the righteous become like stars or angels; the same similarity we see Daniel using today to speak of the righteous who will shine forever in glory.

It is a thing of coincidence that the readings today draw our attention to the last things at the same time when we come close to the end of the liturgical year. This tells us that there is always an end to everything in life and that our very life itself will one day have an end in this present state of worldly existence. This should not however make us gloomy since the world is not our permanent home. If we live well by being prepared each day of our lives, then we need not to panic about Christ’s second coming since He will come to take us home from the world.

Let us not forget that, as the second reading reveals, Christ has already achieved our eternal perfection by His one supreme sacrifice and desires that we should be with Him someday where He now sits at the right hand of God. Let us then live gratefully by preparing always for His second coming in our individuals lives ‘at that time’ known to Him alone. We pray that He will find us ready and worthy; for then we shall pass over from this mortal life to the life of glory in the yonder.
This is my opinion, I am open to comments, contributions and corrections.
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