�1�Daniel Chapter 12 Klaus G. Schiessel © August 2006

DANIEL 12 The Consummation of God’s Plan for the Jews:

The Time of “Jacob’s Trouble” This chapter closes the last vision given to Daniel and describes the consummation of God’s intended purposes for His Chosen People – the Jews. This part of the vision summarizes “how it will all end” for the Jews and Jerusalem and sheds more light on the Seventieth Week in the prophecy given to Daniel in chapter 9. Specifically, this includes the last half or three and a half years of the seven years.

The prophetic vision in this last chapter of the book of Daniel parallels that of Jesus’ discourse on the Mount of Olives in Matthew 24 and described with more detail in Revelation 12; 13; 17-20. Note that the terms ‘saints’ and ‘elect’ in the context of these prophecies refer primarily to Jewish believers living in the last days. vv. 1, 2 Ø THE TIME OF THE END: GREAT TRIBULATION & RESURRECTION

[1 “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, every one who is found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.”]

“At that time…” connects back to the time just described in the preceding verses {Dan 11:36-45} and is referring to the time in which the events related to the end of this present world system take place. It is a time when a world ruler, the antichrist, comes to power having some unique attributes summarized below:

• He will exalt and magnify himself above every god. • He will speak blasphemies against the Messiah {Jesus Christ}. • He will neither regard the true God nor the Messiah {Jesus Christ}. • He will not regard any god & exalt himself above all of them. • He will honor a god of fortresses – the devil.

Here again the archangel MICHAEL [=“who is like God”] is mentioned. He is referred

to as the great ‘prince’ or ‘captain’ of the Jews (‘sons of your [i.e., Daniel’s] people’). That is, he is assigned to guard and watch over the Jews to help them endure trouble and adversity. We will come to see what the source of that trouble will be. Michael is referred to as an ‘archangel’ in the New Testament1. He was already mentioned in Daniel 10:13, 21 in relation to having a special place as a warrior angel fighting forces in the supernatural world on behalf of Israel. He, along with Gabriel2 [who is mentioned in Dan. 8:16; 9:21] is an archangel who administers God’s purposes and plans for Israel and the Jews. 1 In Jude 1:9 we learn that Michael the archangel contended with Satan in a dispute over the body of Moses [it is implied that in Deut. 34:5, 6 that the LORD eventually buried the body of Moses] but dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" in complete submission and humility before the LORD. 2 Gabriel is an 'angel of the LORD' who appeared (a) to the priest Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, announcing that his wife Elizabeth would conceive {Luke 1:11-19} and (b) to Mary to announce her supernatural pregnancy with the Son of God, Jesus the Messiah {Luke 1:26-38}.

�2�Daniel Chapter 12 Klaus G. Schiessel © August 2006

At the time of the end then, that we see the MICHAEL one of the ‘chief princes’ (i.e., an archangel), will be ‘activated’ and serve a prominent role in fulfilling God’s promises to the Jews.

This is all part of the prophecy that started back in Daniel 10:1 where we are told that this “…message is true, but the appointed time was long”; that is, a far time away. And so it has been! Since this prophecy was given 537-536 BC this has already been over 2 ½ millennia! The previous passage {Dan. 11: 36-45} uses the phrases “…until the time of the end, because it is still for the appointed time” and “At the time of the end…” indicating the events described in this part of the vision will be fulfilled in the distant future. But that was from Daniel’s perspective more than 2500 years ago. We may now be fast approaching the time of the end and the time appointed by God to bring the SEVENTY WEEKS OF YEARS prophecy {Dan. 9:24-27} for the Jews and Jerusalem to fulfillment.

Notice carefully the key words, “a day of trouble such as the world has never seen or will ever see again” The word translated ‘trouble’ here [Heb. 6869 tsarah (tsaw-raw')] literally means ‘tightness’ or ‘narrowness’ and refers to such oppressive conditions that few if any options will exist to avoid the tribulation. We might use the phrase “dire straits” or “between a rock and a hard place” to describe this kind of ‘trouble’.

There is an element of panic and desperation involved with this kind of trouble. When I was a boy my parents put in new carpeting for our house and put the old carpeting on the front lawn in preparation of discarding it. To have some fun I laid down on that old carpet and began rolling myself up in it. I was rolling and unrolling myself – I was having great fun. Until I happened to roll myself up and ended up lying directly on top of the carpet’s outer edge. Now I couldn’t move, I was frozen, stuck inside that carpet with my hands to my side and face pressed up against the inside of that old carpet. I was in sheer panic and “trouble” with a capital “T”. I began having trouble breathing – even my cries for help were being muffled by several layers of thick carpet. So in desperation I began pushing back and forth, first this way and then the opposite way. Eventually, in what seemed like an eternity for a small boy, I gathered enough momentum to move off the edge of the carpet. That’s all I needed and was finally able to unroll myself as before. Needless to say, I never tried that again!

During this time there will be a time of trouble in this world the likes of which have

never been seen before or will ever be seen again. The events described in this passage therefore belong to the end times, the closing pages of history in God’s prophetic book. Therefore, this part of the prophecy is clearly referring to the period of time referred to as JACOB’S TROUBLE {Jeremiah 30:4-7} or the DAY OF THE LORD {Isaiah 13:9-13; Joel 2:1-2, 11, 28-31; Zechariah 14:1-9; Zephaniah 1:7, 14-18}. Jesus also describes this time as GREAT TRIBULATION in the so-called Olivet Discourse recorded in Matthew 24:15-25. Note that it is Israel’s [Jacob’s] trouble – not the Church’s trouble. For the Jews [the sons of Daniel’s people], this is the time of intense persecution and suffering that is described as being like a woman in travail during childbirth {Jer. 30:6, 7} – there is no alternative but to have the baby and the labor pain that goes along with it. But afterward there is joy and peace.

�3�Daniel Chapter 12 Klaus G. Schiessel © August 2006

There are key features of this period of tribulation that indicate this time period does not include the Church such as the warnings of Jesus Christ that one’s attempt to escape the Great Tribulation not be on the Sabbath day [the Church worships on Sunday] and the display of false signs & claims of false christs. [The Jew is inherently susceptible to false signs while the Gentile is susceptible to false wisdom; 1 Cor. 1:22]. In Matthew 24:5, 23-27 Jesus explains that during the Great Tribulation (the last 3 ½ years of the Seventieth Week of seven years

“…many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many……Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs3 and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect4. See, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

The traditional, orthodox Jew is still looking for the Messiah and they would do well to heed such a warning as this. But a Christian has ‘found’ the Messiah; he or she has no need to search or look for a Savior for they know who He is—Jesus Christ. The sheep hears the Master’s voice and He knows them by name; they will not be fooled by the cheap substitutes/imitations. They will not follow the thief – the hireling shepherd. Please note that the key to understanding the context of these events and the nature of ‘this trouble’ in the Matthew passage is to understand that the message coincides with the prophecy in Daniel and is directed primarily to the Jews, “your [i.e., Daniel’s] people”, and that the term “elect” in this context refers to God’s Chosen People, the Jews – not the Body of Christ {e.g., Isaiah 43:20; 45:3-4}. This is contrasted with the Church which is made up of Jews and Gentiles. This is confirmed by Paul’s statement in 2 Timothy 2:8-10:

Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

It is the time that Satan, working through the antichrist whom he has empowered {Rev. 13:2}, will go forth with great fury to destroy the Jews {Revelation 12:1-17}. Michael will be involved in leading an angelic host against Satan [the ‘dragon’, that ‘old serpent’]. Note that God’s Word informs us that Michael will yet again serve a prominent role in God’s dealing with the Jews during the Day of the LORD.

3 Indeed, Revelation 13:13 tells us that the false prophet [‘the beast who has two horns like a lamb and speaks like a dragon’] who helps the antichrist gain power and control will have the power to “….perform great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.” 4 God’s ‘chosen people’, the Jews; see Isaiah 43:20, and who are God’s special ‘elect’ Isaiah 45:3-4; 65:7-9, 19-25. The apostle Paul acknowledges this prophetic relationship in 2 Timothy 2:8-10.

�4�Daniel Chapter 12 Klaus G. Schiessel © August 2006

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. – Revelation 12:7-9.

This is Israel's time of trouble. Every reference to it uses superlative language. Although it is a time of providential tribulation of Israel at the hands of Antichrist to prepare for Messiah's coming {Jer 30; 31; Ezek 20:33-38}; it is also a time of divine indignation and wrath over all the earth as well; so the whole world will suffer. {Isa 26:20; Dan 11:36; Rev 16:10}. Yet it also refers to a time period when, according to Daniel 9:24, everlasting righteousness will reign, the vision and prophecy will be accomplished and the Most Holy One will be anointed. When the saints will posses the kingdom forever and forever {Dan. 7:18, 22; Rev. 5:20; 20:4, 6}. [“…your people shall be delivered…”] That is, Daniel’s people, the Jews. Note that Paul affirms this in Romans 11:23-29! The Jews will be ‘grafted’ back into the noble fig tree. [“…every one who is found written in the book…”] That is, the BOOK OF LIFE. Refer to Philippians 4:3 and Revelation 20:11-15. This is a reference to the record of all those who have been spiritually reborn by faith in the LORD [Jehovah] and possess eternal life. This would include anyone who has put their trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – that is, the LORD Jesus Christ. [“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake…”] The word ‘sleep’ here is a euphemism for the burial of the body upon death. Therefore, this is referring to bodily resurrection which is affirmed by the literal translation of the Greek word for resurrection (Gk. ANASTASIAS = ‘stand up again’). The word translated ‘awake’ here carries with it the idea of abruptly waking which is in keeping with the New Testament description of this event – it occurs in ‘a moment, in the twinkling of an eye’ {1 Corinthians 15:51-52}. The Jews had an understanding of this resurrection. Joseph wanted his bones carried back into Palestine because he had a belief in the resurrection and wanted to be raised from the Promised Land {see Exodus 13:19}. Job asked a question, “If a man dies, shall he live again?” He remarked that a bodily change would come {Job 14:14} and that even though worms would destroy his dead body yet he would see God in new flesh {Job 19:25, 26}. God declares to Isaiah that the dead shall live again and their dead bodies that lie in dust shall arise and be taken out of the earth {Isaiah 26:19}. And Martha, sister of Lazarus, acknowledged the resurrection day {John 11:21-27} [“…some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.”] Some are going to be raised to glory – everlasting life in the presence of God. Others will be raised to shame – everlasting contempt in the presence of Satan. The Hebrew word for shame used here carries with it the idea of pulling off a façade or exposing one’s wickedness. The Hebrew word for contempt used here carries with it the idea of repulsion and being the object to be avoided.

�5�Daniel Chapter 12 Klaus G. Schiessel © August 2006

The two resurrections thus include one to eternal life in heaven, one to eternal condemnation in Hell. Compare this prophecy in Daniel with John 5:21-29. In the New Testament revelation we discover that these two resurrections are separated by a period of 1000 years: Revelation 20:1-15; 21:1-8. Those that are part of the first resurrection are referred to as 'blessed'. The second resurrection [to eternal condemnation] is called the 'Second Death' and includes those whose names are not in the ‘Book of Life’, who are thrown into the Lake of Fire – banished from God forever. Note that those who are part of the first resurrection have no part of the second which unto eternal torment and separation [‘death’] from God.

This truth has been summarized in the following statement: “Those who are born once [i.e., physically] will die twice [i.e., by death & eternal separation from God]; those who are born twice [i.e., physically & spiritually by faith] will die once [i.e., by death]”. v. 3, 4 Ø THE VISION OF THIS BOOK IS SEALED UNTIL THE ‘TIME OF THE END’

[3 “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. 4 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.”]

How does one become wise5? Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10 tell us:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction”…..“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”.

Ultimately wisdom is Christ Jesus and knowing Him! See 1 Corinthians 1:18-30.

Those that are wise are here likened to the sky [‘firmament’] shining with billions of

stars at night. Most of us do not get to see this. But go far away into the country, away from the city lights and the sky is aglow with light from these stars.

But why this analogy? Because most of the sky at night is dark and black except for the

stars – much like our world today. The stars, along with the sun and moon, were intended to guide man through his daily life.

Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. – Genesis 1:14-15. The messengers of God, angels, are referred to as ‘stars’ in God’s Word {e.g.,

Isa.14:13; Dan. 8:10; Rev. 1:20; 12:4}. In like manner, so too those who are righteous in the sight of God are intended to guide many and show them the way to salvation and eternal life! James 3:18 tells us that, “…..the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” 5 Refer also to an excellent discourse on wisdom found in Job 28:12-28 with the same conclusion as Solomon in Proverbs.

�6�Daniel Chapter 12 Klaus G. Schiessel © August 2006

Jesus tells us in John 8:12,

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Those who have this knowledge are referred to as shining light in this present world of darkness. Refer to Matthew 5:14-16. So, in this sense we are also ‘stars’ or ‘messengers’ shining in the dark firmament of this present world. Christians have been entrusted with the message of the Gospel of peace and reconciliation to God through the sacrificial shedding of Jesus’ blood on the cross. We too have the message to share; one of righteousness apart from works, through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ offered by God’s grace. It is a message that takes one from ‘darkness’ to ‘light’, from ‘death’ to ‘life’. Those who are righteous or just will also turn others to righteousness with the TRUE LIGHT that illuminates the heart of man.

But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. – Proverbs 4:18

Perhaps the apostle Paul puts it best when he writes from a Roman jail,

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; [that is, be a godly example and lead many to salvation] for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. – Philippians 2:12-16

Ultimately, those who ‘….turn many to righteousness….’ are those who have testified to the Truth and have been witnesses of the Gospel. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise”. {Proverbs 11:30}. James 5:19-20 tells us

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

That is, by turning someone back to righteousness, many potential sins will be avoided including one that would even lead to death for the Christian {i.e., 1 John 5:16}. [“…shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end…”] Literally, the words are to be “stopped up” or kept secret. The vision is to be locked up – but only until the time of the end – when the prophecy becomes real events. The ‘sealing’ of this prophecy is in contrast to the book of the REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST which is explicitly ‘unsealed’ {Rev. 22:10}! [“…many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase…”] Perhaps this aspect of the prophecy is related to the rapid exchange and communication of information through satellite radio and television and the Internet.

�7�Daniel Chapter 12 Klaus G. Schiessel © August 2006

This could also be alluding to the fact the knowledge will generally increase and people will continue to learn, but because of their wholesale rejection of the LORD, they will never be able to come to the satisfaction that they have found the Truth. There is an intriguing prophecy supporting that view found in Amos 8:11-12,

“Behold, the days are coming”, says the Lord GOD, “that I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, but shall not find it.”

Indeed, this is the spirit of what Jesus says to the self-righteous religious rulers in John 5:39-40,

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”

In 2 Timothy 3:1-7 Paul writes to young pastor Timothy who was the elder at Ephesus:

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Perhaps this prophecy is giving us a hint of the watering down of God’s word in the last days and the compromise with the world in so many of our congregations today. It would explain why there is no power or credibility within much of the Christian community. v. 5-7 Ø THE DURATION OF JACOB’S TROUBLE

[5 Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?” 7 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 sees two ‘others’, that is, two other angels. Each one is standing on opposite sides of the river, the Tigris River {Daniel 10:4}. But there is also a third person hovering above the river, the “certain man clothed in linen”. He was introduced in Daniel 10:5-6 and identified as a manifestation of God Himself, represented by the pre-incarnate Messiah. He is asked a key question, a probing question by one of the angels – “How long will it be?” That is, how long will it take to fulfill these “wonders”—from the time that the Great Tribulation begins to fulfill its completion.

It is a question that humans ask as well. It is the question that the martyred saints of

God asked Him in Revelation 6:10:

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth”?

�8�Daniel Chapter 12 Klaus G. Schiessel © August 2006

Habakkuk asked a similar question regarding how long it would be before righteousness and justice would prevail in Jerusalem. It is referred to as his “burden”.

“O LORD, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, ‘Violence!’ And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; there is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore perverse judgment proceeds”. – Habakkuk 1:2-4

But the LORD gave him an interesting answer:

“Look among the nations and watch-- be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you”……”For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith”. – Habakkuk 1:5; 2:3-4

Sometimes we question the future, asking God to give us some understanding of what's going on. We ask God, “How long will it be before you answer my prayer?” But oftentimes the answer is simply “Wait!” We are to go our way continuing to use our gifts and share the good news of Jesus Christ's atonement and offer of salvation. It is not for us to know the details of our future, only to know that we can rest in God's promises and that we have a blessed hope that is secure {Jesus is our blessed Hope, will never leave of forsake us, He who has begun a good work in us will complete it…..} and a place prepared for us personally by our LORD and Savior, Jesus the Messiah {In my (Jesus') house are many rooms, I (Jesus) go and prepare a place for you, that where I (Jesus) am there you will be also.}. 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 is, the LORD} that it shall be for a time {1 year}, times {2 years}, and half a time {1/2 year}; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished. [Is this the same one who appears to Daniel in chapter 10, if so, here again the pre-incarnate Christ Jesus is present] This One swears by the LORD (the “One who lives forever”). On swearing and oaths see: Matthew 5:34-37; 23:20-22; James 5:12. Men and therefore angels are not allowed to swear in the name of God (the One who lives forever & ever) but the “man clothed in linen” was in actuality, God (Jesus Christ) Himself!

This part of the prophecy was intended to bring consolation and hope to the Jews who will have suffered at the hands of Gentiles during the Great Tribulation period. That the worst period would last only 3 ½ years and then Jacob’s Trouble would be finished.

�9�Daniel Chapter 12 Klaus G. Schiessel © August 2006

v. 8-10 Ø CONTRAST BETWEEN THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE WICKED & THE WISE

[8 Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” 9 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.”] [“What shall be the end of these things…”] This is basically the same question the disciples asked Jesus Christ about the “end of this age” and the end times. This is a question that Christians have wondered about for centuries. It is the same basic question that the twelve disciples asked Jesus in Matthew 24:1-3.

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

The words in this part of the prophecy were closed up and sealed at the time of Daniel.

But as mentioned previously {v. 4}, it appears that the vision and prophecy will be understood more and more as the ‘time of the end’ of this present world system approaches. Note that many will be saved [purified, made white and refined] but those who continue to love darkness more than light will continue with their wickedness. See especially the context of John 3:16-21. Note that wickedness is here contrasted particularly with wisdom [instead of righteousness]. None of those who are evil, those who are unrepentant, will understand [unsaved] but the wise will understand [the saved]. [“…but the wicked shall do wickedly…”] This is a general commentary on the fallen and sin-sick state of humanity. Apart from repentance of dead works and spiritual regeneration through faith in Jesus Christ this will be the ‘status quo’ of a person. This statement is similar to the one given at the end of the book of Revelation:

“He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” – Revelation 22:11.

[“….none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand….”] We are told in 1 Corinthians 2:11-16 that the ‘natural’ man, that is the unsaved person, cannot receive or understand the things of the Spirit of for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual, that is the one who is ‘born from above’ through faith in the Jesus Christ, has the mind of the LORD and is instructed by Him. Again, this part of the prophecy was intended to bring consolation and hope to the Jews who will have suffered at the hands of Gentiles during the Great Tribulation period. The LORD will ultimately restore the nation of Israel on earth and establish the kingdom of righteousness through the ‘descendent’ of King David, Christ Jesus.

�10� Daniel Chapter 12 Klaus G. Schiessel © August 2006

v. 11, 12 Ø THE FINAL TIME PERIOD & PROMISE OF BLESSING

[11 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.”]

There have been two basic schools of thought regarding this part of the vision. As would be expected, each one is based on a diametrically opposed interpretation as to the timing of this prophecy. One view is that it is past history (like most of chapter 11) and the other that it is future history. Those who believe that this prophecy is already past interpret it to be a reference to the time under the Syrians [Seleucids] when the Jewish sacrificial worship at the Temple was halted for a time [~170–163 BC] until the ‘abomination of desolation’. The latter would then refer to the time when Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the altar of the Jewish Temple by offering swine’s blood upon it.

But the timing of 1290 days is not consistent with the time period that Antiochus had control over Jerusalem, which was over 6 years long [over 2160 days]. Nor does this interpretation seem to consider the prophecy related to the abomination of desolation related to the anti-Christ6 in Daniel 9:27 and Jesus’ reference to it in Matthew 24:15. Neither does this interpretation consider that there can be a time gap between Daniel 11:35-36 that is currently over 2000 years long.

Furthermore, in Daniel 8:13-14 we have already seen a prophecy related to the time

period associated with Antiochus Epiphanes IV which included the Maccabean revolt. It is given as 2300 days after which time the Temple was to be cleansed [which did happen]. The period of time is 6 years, 4 months, 20 days coinciding with Antiochus’ control over Jerusalem from ~170 to 163 BC.

Other variations on interpreting this prophecy include allegorizing the ‘days’ here with ‘years’; i.e., the time periods are not days but are really 1290 and 1335 years. But there is no scriptural reason for doing this, either grammatically or within the context of this prophecy. Any such interpretation is pure speculation and an attempt to make the prophecy match history rather than the other way around.

The final “week of years’ or 7 year period is divided into halves, each 42 months or 1260 days long {e.g., Dan. 7:25; 9:27; 12:7; Rev. 11:2-3; 12:6; 13:5}. The last half of this time period is referred to in scripture as “Jacob’s Trouble” {Jer. 30:7}. Both Jesus and the book of Revelation refer to it as a time of “Great Tribulation” {Matt. 24:21; Rev. 7:14} which is consistent with the description given in v. 1 of this chapter. We have already seen that the anti-Christ will receive power for only 3 ½ years = 42 months = 1260 days {e.g., Dan. 7:25, 9:27, 12:7; Rev. 13:5}. Therefore, the two time periods prophesied here would be expected to coincide with the timeline of the 70th ‘week’, last 7 years, of the Seventy Weeks of Years prophecy [refer notes in chapter 9, verses 24-27].

6 We have seen from a prior study in chapter 9 what the nature of the ‘abomination of desolation’ seems to be and it is described in 2 Thessalonians 2:4.

�11� Daniel Chapter 12 Klaus G. Schiessel © August 2006

Therefore, when all the scriptural and contextual evidence is evaluated, the most logical and scriptural conclusion is that this prophecy is still in the future. It would therefore refer to the coming prince, known more commonly as the ANTI-CHRIST or LAWLESS ONE, who will make a strong covenant with many for 7 years and break that covenant after 3 ½ years {Dan. 9:27}.

As to the timing of these two periods of time there is built-in uncertainty. However, the timing of the 1290 and 1335 days appear to be associated with the last 7 years [2520 days]. Three are many possible timing schemes including those that extend past the 7 year period and Figure 12-1 summarizes two of these.

Figure 12- 1. Possible Timing Schemes for Two Time Periods Given in Daniel 12:11-12. As to the significance of the additional days there seems to be no clear scriptural interpretation. Perhaps this issue is unimportant for us as Christians, but it will probably be very important to Daniel’s people – the Jews. v. 13 Ø PERSONAL PROMISE TO DANIEL

[13 “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”] [“….for you shall rest…”] This is a euphemism for Daniel’s death and burial. This terminology is based on the body lying in ‘repose’ at death and ties in with term ‘sleep’ used in v. 2 to describe those who have died. This term is also used in the New Testament to refer to Christians who have died {1 Cor. 11:30; 15:51; 1 Thess. 4:14}. The word ‘resurrection’ refers to the reversal of this process – to stand up again in a new body. For a scriptural discourse on the resurrection refer to 1 Corinthians 15:12-58. Daniel now, in a somewhat anti-climactic way, is simply told to go and live out the rest of his life until the end. This is obviously referring to his death, but it could also include the end of time when the final aspect of this vision is fulfilled. This makes sense because when Jesus was discussing the state of those who have died with the SADDUCEES [who did not believe in a resurrection], His response was.

�12� Daniel Chapter 12 Klaus G. Schiessel © August 2006

“But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken”. – Mark 12:26-27 {See also Luke 20:37-38}

Although Daniel still lives in Heaven and his body will be resurrected, he did not live

to see the fulfillment of the prophecies in this last vision given to him. And there would be other prophets besides him [e.g., HAGGAI, ZECHARIAH and MALACHI] through whom the LORD would speak concerning the last days and the fate of his people, the Jews. [“….will arise…”] Here is a promise regarding Daniel’s personal resurrection. God would indeed keep him until the time of the end. [“…to your inheritance at the end of days…”] So now, over 70 years after Daniel was taken captive to Babylon, he is given an amazing promise that must have been a tremendous encouragement and blessing to him in his old age [mid-80’s]. He would not only be resurrected but he would receive an eternal inheritance! Hallelujah! All those who have put their faith and trust in the LORD to save them also have this promise!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. – 1 Peter 1:3-5

Neither Daniel nor any other saint will ever lose out—rather, he/she will stand up in resurrection glory. Sown in corruption, reaped in incorruption; brought down in dishonor, brought up in honor; lowered in defeat, raised in victory; buried in sorrow, resurrected in joy, we shall stand to receive our eternal inheritance. There is a “crown of righteousness” reserved for all those who “have loved His appearing” which our Lord will give to us in that day{2 Tim 4:8}. And a “crown of life” which the LORD has promised to all who love Him {James 1:12}.

Hallelujah!

�13� Daniel Chapter 12 Klaus G. Schiessel © August 2006

Bibliography

(1) New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright © 1988. (2) Thru the Bible With J. Vernon McGee, Proverbs-Malachi, Vol.3; The Book of Daniel, J.

Vernon McGee, pp. 524-607, copyright © 1982 (3) Adam Clarke Commentary. (4) Bible Knowledge Commentary/Old Testament, Cook Communications Ministries;

Copyright © 1983, 2000. (5) Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Copyright © 1986. (6) Barnes Notes.