Daniel's Beasts and the Approaching End

1 It is necessary for us, then, to investigate deeply regarding the present and to search out the things that can save us. Let us therefore wholly flee from all works of lawlessness, lest they overpower us; and let us despise the deception of the present time so that we may be loved for what is to come. 2 Let us allow no relaxation for our soul, giving it freedom to associate with sinners and wicked men, lest we become like them. 3 The final offense is near, about which Scripture speaks, as Enoch says. For this reason the Master has shortened the seasons and the days, so that His beloved may come quickly and inherit.⁠a 4 And the prophet also speaks in this way: ‘Ten reigns will rule on the earth, and after them another king will arise, who will humble three of the kings under one.’ 5 Likewise, Daniel speaks about the same: ‘And I saw the fourth beast was wicked and strong and more stubborn than all the beasts of the earth, and from it arose ten horns, and from these another small horn and growth, and it humbled under one three of the great horns.’

Israel and the Broken Covenant

6 You should therefore understand. Moreover, I ask you this one thing besides, as someone like you, loving each of you more than my own soul, to pay attention now, and not to resemble certain people who heap sin upon sin, saying that our covenant also belongs to them. 7 It belongs to us; but they lost it forever in this way when Moses had just received it. For Scripture says: ‘And Moses was on the mountain fasting forty days and forty nights, and he received the covenant from the Lord—tablets of stone written by the finger of the hand of the Lord.’ 8 But they lost it by turning to idols. For the Lord says: ‘Moses, Moses, come down quickly, because your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, have acted unlawfully.’ And Moses understood and threw down the two tablets from his hands; and their covenant was shattered,⁠b so that the covenant of the beloved Jesus might be sealed in our hearts in the hope that arises from faith in Him.

Conduct in the Last Days

9 But although I would gladly write many things, not as a teacher but as one who loves you so that you may not fail in what we possess, I was eager to write to you, being your devoted servant. Therefore, let us be cautious in these last days. For the entire duration of our faith will profit us nothing, unless now, in the time of lawlessness and impending offenses, we, as God’s children, stand firm so the Black One may not force his way in. 10 Let us flee from all vanity; let us altogether hate the works of the evil way. Do not stand apart secretly, as though you were already justified,⁠c but gather yourselves together and deliberate about the common good.⁠d 11 For Scripture says: ‘Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight.’ Let us become spiritual, let us become a temple perfect for God. As far as we can, let us practice the fear of God, and let us strive to keep His commandments, so we may rejoice in His ordinances. 12 The Lord judges the world without partiality; everyone will receive according to their deeds. If someone is good, his righteousness will go before him on the way; if evil, the penalty for his wrongdoing is before him, so that, 13 if we relax, being called people of God, we might sleep in our sins, and the prince of evil might gain power over us and drive us out of the Lord’s kingdom. 14 Furthermore, understand this too, my brothers. When you see that even after so many signs and wonders worked in Israel, they were still abandoned, we must be cautious so that we are not found as Scripture says: ‘Many are called but few are chosen.’