Daniel 12

Chapters 10–12 of Daniel must be viewed as one unit (chapter breaks in the Bible appear at times rather arbitrarily, occurring in unfortunate places). Recall back in chapter 10 verse 14 — the prophecy concerns Daniel’s people, i.e. The Jews — it’s not about the church. That idea becomes critical when you get to Revelation or grave mistakes can be made in its interpretation.

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. (Daniel 12:1 KJV)

The end is certain; a time will arrive which makes $4 gas seem trivial. The church won’t be here during the great tribulation, but don’t make the mistake it’s easy going until then. Daniel speaks of the great tribulation (note the definite article) pointing to a specific event, but considerable great tribulation exists until then, as most of the church experienced for most of the last two thousand years.

Society has not improved with time — entropy says the universe moves toward chaos and disorder. But at that time, “thy people” (the Jews) shall be delivered.

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. 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. (Daniel 12:2–3 KJV)

You are eternal whether you want to be or not, but you have the option of where you will spend it. You see, all paths really do lead to God. But where you go after that isn’t so certain (see Revelation 20:11–15 and the great white throne judgment).

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. (Daniel 12:4 KJV)

Many misunderstood this verse to imply a general increase in knowledge, which we’ve certainly seen in the last few decades. From the moon landing in the 1960’s until today, knowledge has increased by orders of magnitude — it’s a geometric progression. But that’s not what Daniel has in mind.

The knowledge in view concerns the Bible and prophecy. Prophecy isn’t for divination, and many times we don’t understand it until later. For example, the prophecies saying Israel would reclaim their land have been allegorized as people had no concept Israel could ever regain the Biblical land. But today it’s old news, as on May 14 1948 they’ve been re-gathered in the land just as the Bible said. It’s not an allegory, it meant exactly what it said.

In a similar vein, the to and fro mentioned does not imply flying on airplanes across the globe. No, the angel means travel through the Bible looking for answers as people begin to realize it means exactly what it says.

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD (Amos 8:11 KJV)

Everyone today wants to understand the end times. Even secular people study it. But not many people find the answer they want. Every time something flares up in middle east the experts come out wondering “is this Armageddon?” But as the final days approach, it’s knowledge of the Bible which increases. For example, consider the following.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5 KJV)

The Greek word for light is “Phos” — meaning never kindled and therefore never quenched (Zodhiates page 945). God is light. Not light-like, or having the characteristics of light. That should bother you. Why? Something called the two-slit experiment and wave-particle duality of light.

Still not bothered? God is a trinity. But if God is light, and light is a duality, we’ve got problems. The Bible has an error! Whenever you think you’ve got a problem, you really don’t, it’s just a lack of understanding. It’s a chance for God to reveal to you something you don’t have right now — fulfilling Daniel’s writing knowledge will increase.

This might keep you up at night, but only until the Holy Spirit gives you the answer. And He does back in John’s gospel.

Nevertheless when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. (John 16:13–14 KJV)

“He shall not speak of Himself” — and that’s the answer. Based on these passages light has another characteristic besides wave or particle physicists working on the theory of everything (string theory) should look for. But they can’t find it experimentally because it always looks like either a wave or particle, for the Holy Spirit never speaks of Himself — that means the third manifestation of light will be quite difficult to find experimentally, but the effects will be seen by indirect means.

Much like the quantum breakthrough in the early 1900’s which took physicists on a different (and correct) path, those physicists today working on new theories should consider another characteristic of light. It’s there, just difficult to detect. Naturally, we didn’t even know this was a problem until 1900 — but John had the answer in the first century.

The Holy Spirit never speaks of Himself, acting like a gentleman rather than a bully forcing you into a position. That’s why some of the strange doctrine focusing on the Holy Spirit is so wrong. He doesn’t speak of Himself, but testifies of Jesus.

Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood two others, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was above the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? (Daniel 12:5–6 KJV)

Back in chapter ten the guy in linen is Jesus. But the question is, when? That’s what we always want to know. The disciples in Matthew 24 ask, when will these things be? Not exactly troubled by the events themselves, they’re only concerned with when those events occur.

And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swore by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished the breaking up of the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. (Daniel 12:7 KJV)

Times is a dual, like “both”. Thus you have 3 and one-half years once again. The Bible speaks of the great tribulation in several ways, but always referring to the same period of time.

• 42 months — Revelation 11:2,13:5
• 1,260 days — Revelation 11:3,12:6
• Half of one week (literally “sevens”) — Daniel 9:27
• Times, time and half a time — Daniel 12:7

The seven year duration of the tribulation isn’t exactly true — the 70th week of Daniel spans 7 years, but the first half (after the rapture) works out fairly well. But you don’t want to be around for the last half as judgment finally comes on a world refusing to acknowledge God.

It’s time to acknowledge prophecy as literal. What other interval could God have used to emphasize the point? The 70 weeks of Daniel represent an exact literal period of time.

And I heard, but I understood not. Then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? (Daniel 12:8 KJV)

So if the vision causes Daniel confusion, don’t be surprised if we are equally confused. These are end-times events; some are clear, others aren’t. Some we understand now, others not.

And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tested; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. (Daniel 12:9–10 KJV)

The closer to the end we get, the more understanding we see. Don’t be surprised if your unsaved friends don’t understand. The natural man can’t understand because they are spiritually discerned — they are foolishness to him.

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. (Daniel 12:11 KJV)

What is this extra 30 days? We don’t know. Most popular speculations are either the great white throne judgment occurs during this time or it’s setting up for the millennium rule of Christ. But we don’t know.

Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 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 12:12–13 KJV)

Same problem as the previous verse; we don’t know what this period relates to. Daniel will die, but note the resurrection promise at the end. And thus ends Daniel’s book, with the promise of the resurrection. A final summary of Daniel’s character appears in Weirsbe’s commentary (page 308-311).

1. He believed in a sovereign God
2. He had a disciplined prayer life
3. He studied the Word of God and believed it.
4. He had an understanding of spiritual warfare
5. He sought only to glorify God.
6. He realized that he had a work to do.
7. He was tactful and considerate.
8. He had insight into human history.
9. He lived up to his name (God is my judge).