Good morning,
In Daniel 12, we are reminded that no matter how difficult or tumultuous our circumstances may be, God’s protection and promises remain constant. We are also called to seek wisdom and understanding in the face of mystery, reminding us that, ultimately, our quest for knowledge is a divine journey.
Daniel 12
The Great Unveiling: Divine Revelations and Eternal Promises
Verses 1-4: The Time of Distress and the Promise of Resurrection
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
These verses describe a time of unparalleled distress that will occur at the end of days. Yet, in this time of strife, Michael, the great prince, will stand to protect Daniel’s people. It also mentions a resurrection, where those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awaken, some to everlasting life and others to everlasting contempt. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 12)
12:1 Daniel’s people Israel are to be the principal sufferers in the great time of the tribulation. This will be “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7). Michael is called the special prince or archangel who will be appointed to protect Israel. The Great Tribulation, “a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time,” was discussed in the Olivet discourse by the Lord Jesus (Matt. 24:15-22). Matthew 24:21 labels that as the greatest time of tribulation the world will ever see. (The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.929)
12:2 The resurrection is taught in many Scriptures (cf. job 19:25-27; Is. 26:19; Hos. 13:14; John 5:28; 1 Cor 15:22 et al.). However, that there are two separate resurrections–first of the saved and then of the unsaved, a thousand years apart–is discussed only in Revelation 20:4-6. Here is stated the doom of the wicked and the blessedness of the saved after the resurrection.(The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.930)
12:3 Wisdom is a great incentive for soul winning (cf. Prov. 11:30).That wisdom will cause soul winners to “shine as the brightness of the firmament” and “as the stars for ever and ever.” God is most concerned with the salvation of His people. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Tim. 1:15) (The Rice Reference Bible,1981, pg.930)
Verses 5-7: The Sealed Prophecy
5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
Here, Daniel sees two beings, one on each side of the river, asking the man clothed in linen about when the astonishing events will occur. The man, raising his hands to the heavens, swears by the eternal God that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and when the power of the holy people has been shattered, all these events will be completed. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 12)
12:7 A time, times, and a half refers to the second half of the great Tribulation, when these prophecies will be fulfilled. The first half of the Great Tribulation will be a time of relative peace for Israel because of their covenant with the prince (9:27). However, after the prince (Antichrist) breaks the covenant at the end of three-and-a-half years, there will be a tremendous time of persecution and wars (11:40-45). (Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988, pg.1294)
Verses 8-13: The Duration of the End Times
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
Daniel, not understanding, asks for clarification. The man, however, tells him that the words are sealed until the time of the end. He describes that the wicked will not understand, but the wise will, and puts forth times and durations to signify the end, blessing those who wait and reach the 1335 days. Finally, Daniel is told to go his way until the end, for he will rest and then rise again for his allotted inheritance at the end of days. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 12)
So, those who survive the tribulation and survive the sheep and goat judgment will enter the millennium. This is a blessing, indeed.
In summary, here is the timeline as we see it:
• Sometime after the rapture of the church, the Antichrist enters a treaty with Israel. This begins the seven-year tribulation.
• At the midpoint of the tribulation (1,260 days later), the Antichrist breaks the treaty, desecrates the temple, and begins to persecute the Jews.
• At the end of the tribulation (1,260 days after the desecration of the temple), Jesus Christ returns to earth and defeats the forces of the Antichrist.
• During the next 30 days (leading up to 1,290 days after the desecration of the temple), Israel is rebuilt and the earth is restored.
• During the next 45 days (leading up to 1,335 days after the desecration of the temple), the Gentile nations are judged for their treatment of Israel.
• The dispensation of the millennium begins, and it will last for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:3, 5–6). (https://www.gotquestions.org/tribulation-1260-1290-1335-days.html)
Daniel 12, the concluding chapter of the Book of Daniel, continues and finalizes the long range prophecy given to Daniel by an angel. In this captivating finale, Daniel receives revelations of the end times, including a period of unmatched distress, the promise of resurrection and judgment, and the sealing of these prophecies until the end time. (Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 12)
Themes
Prophecy and End Times
Resurrection and Judgment
Knowledge and Wisdom
Divine Protection and Reward
Topics
The Time of Distress
Resurrection and Judgement
The Sealed Prophecy
Duration of the End Times
People
Daniel
Michael
The two beings (one on each side of the river)
The man clothed in linen
Locations
The River(Bible Hub Chapter Summaries-Daniel 12)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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