Bible Commentaries
Daniel 12

Verse 1

Dan 12:1

The End of the Jewish Latter Days (Daniel 12)

Chapters 10 through 12 all record Daniel’s vision of Jewish latter days. Chapter 10 was an account of the events and circumstances leading up to the vision. Chapter 11 begins with the actual vision of prophecy which deals with the Destiny of the Jewish people as the commonwealth of God. Historically, chapter 11 covered significant events in history as they effected the Jewish people from the time of Cyrus of Persia until about the turn of the millennium which saw the Roman Empire’s rise to power. Historically by the end of chapter 11, Jesus Christ was alive on earth. Chapter 12 covers the final events which were significant to Daniel’s people, and closes with the final destruction of Jerusalem and the end the Jewish nation as a commonwealth holding of God.

The Jews were no longer the chosen people of God. They were chosen from the beginning to bear the lineage of the Messiah. Jesus Christ had come, the old covenant had been fulfilled and nailed to the cross of Christ. The new covenant had been revealed, established and confirmed. Jesus Christ had ascended back to heaven and all that remained was for the Jewish holdouts who refused to accept Jesus Christ to have their temple worship forever taken away. This was accomplished with the utter and complete destruction of the temple without which there could be no Levitical worship. With the removal of the temple and the destruction of Jerusalem, God placed His final closing exclamation mark on the Jewish nation and Mosaic system of worship with such completeness that the restoration of it could never be accomplished without direct divine assistance. Such assistance has not been forthcoming in the past 2000 years. Note: Those who are now the chosen people of God are those who obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16)

The premillennialists have altogether a varied view of both chapter 11 and 12 of Daniel. It is not the purpose of this study to provide an exhaustive study of all the different beliefs associated with Daniel’s last vision. Daniel explains to whom this vision applies in words that cannot be misunderstood unless one approaches them with some kind of preconceived beliefs. It is the belief of this Bible student that by simply assigning this vision to whom the text identifies as the ones to whom it pertains, one need not spend a great deal of wasted time and effort in misguided interpretations.

Daniel 10:14

Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.KJV

Daniel’s people were the Israelites, or the Jews as they came to be called. This entire vision applies to Daniel’s people. The Jewish nation ceased to exist after 70 AD therefore this vision applies to Daniel’s people prior to that date. 2000 years after the Jewish nation was destroyed is not the latter days of Daniel’s people. There are descendants of Daniel’s people alive today, but Daniel’s people as a nation is what is obviously in view in this vision.

Premillennialists say that God is yet to fulfill the land promises made to the Israelites. To answer that, one need only look as far as Joshua 21:43-45, "And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass." Inspiration went out of its way to lay these facts out in terms easy to comprehend and impossible to misunderstand. There should be no argument or dispute from such a declaration from scripture.

This is important because premillennialists believe that God has some earthly designs for the Jews sometime in the future. All of these earthly designs involve the establishment of some kind of earthly kingdom with Jesus reigning on earth for a period of a thousand years. One of the main contentions in support of this doctrine is the belief that God still has to fulfill the land promises to the nation of Israel. According to Joshua, this has already been accomplished.

While on earth, Jesus made some very significant references to the forthcoming kingdom which He was to rule. In Mark 9:1, Jesus declared, "Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power." Was Jesus mistaken? Is there anybody that was in attendance with Jesus that day that has not tasted of death?

During Christ’s mock trial before His crucifixion, Pilate interrogated Him at which time Jesus was asked if He were the king of the Jews. Jesus answered Pilate with these words as recorded in John 18:36, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence". In Luke 17:20-21, our Lord made this statement concerning His coming kingdom, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you". According to the teachings of Jesus, the kingdom of God is not going to be a physical thing which we can point to and declare its presence. It is a spiritual kingdom and not an earthly one, which resides within the hearts and minds of mankind. This is not the kind of kingdom the Jews were hoping for. They wanted to be set up as authority figures for the whole world as the chosen children of God. This kingdom Jesus was teaching didn’t suit their liking at all so they rejected it. premillennialists today are ignoring the same teachings of Jesus that the disbelieving Jews of the first century rejected. They, like the Jews are still looking for a physical kingdom which is never going to exist on this earth. Premillennialism at its core is as wrong as the Jews who rejected Christ way back in the first century.

Daniel 12:1 And at that^H1931 time^H6256 shall Michael^H4317 stand up,^H5975 the great^H1419 prince^H8269 which standeth^H5975 for^H5921 the children^H1121 of thy people:^H5971 and there shall be^H1961 a time^H6256 of trouble,^H6869 such as^H834 never^H3808 was^H1961 since there was^{H4480 H1961} a nation^H1471 even to^H5704 that same^H1931 time:^H6256 and at that^H1931 time^H6256 thy people^H5971 shall be delivered,^H4422 every one^H3605 that shall be found^H4672 written^H3789 in the book.^H5612

Daniel 12:1

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.

We need to focus on the first words of this verse; "And at that time". Not 2000 years in the distance future or any other whimsical period of time down the road of time, but AT THAT TIME. This section of Daniel’s final recorded vision is set in the same time period as the former and cannot be separated from it.

"shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people"

This is the second time Michael has been mentioned. We saw a previous reference to him in Daniel 10:13 where he was referred to as one of the "chief princes" and again in Daniel 10:21 where he was referred to as "your prince". Michael is a key player in the plans of God as evidenced elsewhere. In Judges 1:9 he is identified as an archangel which means a chief angel. In Revelation 12:7, we see a battle scene with Michael in a conflict against Satan who was represented as the Dragon. Here in this vision, we learn that Michael stands for the children of Daniel’s people. It is obvious from this and other passages of scripture that heavenly beings are active in the purpose of God for mankind.

By standing up, this means that Michael is going to become directly active in the affairs of the vision. Daniel’s vision has only one event left to conclude the latter days of the Israelite nation as the commonwealth holding of God and that is the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. By associating Michael with this event, we can be assured that the entire affair is being carried out per the instructions of God. The destruction of the temple and the city of Jerusalem was carried out under the direct supervision and oversight of one of God’s chief angels.

The exact role of Michael in this affair remains a point of conjecture, however we can infer from this account that the destruction of Jerusalem was something that figured in to God’s overall plan and that its execution according to that plan was left in the hands of one of His most trusted servants.

"and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time"

First of all, it must be noted here that Jesus Christ, while discussing the impending destruction of the temple to His disciples directly alluded to this phrase in Daniel’s vision as recorded in Matthew 24:21, "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be". The connection between Daniel 12:1 and Matthew 24:21 cannot be reasonably denied. Both accounts tell of a time of tribulation unparalleled both in the past and in the future.

From Daniel’s perspective, the destruction of Jerusalem was going to be worse than anything he had ever witnessed. Keeping in mind that Daniel lived through the first destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and was an eyewitness to some of the devastation. And now he is told that the one yet to come is going to be worse. And indeed it would, because after the initial destruction in Daniel’s time, the temple and the city would be rebuilt, however, after the destruction yet to come, there would be no rebuilding.

Josephus wrote of the devastation in the "Wars of the Jews". In book six, named ’From the Great Extremity to which the Jews were reduced, to the Taking of Jerusalem by Titus’, he provides a detailed account of the suffering which the Jews underwent during that period of time.

The devastation of the siege leading up to the destruction of the temple and the city lasted about five months and was horrible beyond belief. Thousands died of starvation. When the Romans finally broke into the city, the sight of so many corpses shocked even hardened soldiers. The slaughter of the Jews was so extensive that several fires were extinguished by their of blood (Josephus, Wars 6.8.5).

Josephus recorded that 1,100,000 Jews were killed in Jerusalem, and that some 97,000 others were taken as slaves into captivity. It has been estimated that some 1,337,490 Jews in Jerusalem and in areas adjacent to Judaea died by famine, by the sword, by burning, and by crucifixion (Wars 6.9.3-4). Josephus expressed the view that the human suffering as a result of this holocaust exceeded anything known to man previously (Wars, Preface, 4; 9.4).

"and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book."

Those who had accepted Jesus Christ as the Messiah and were faithful would be delivered from the destruction of Jerusalem. Jesus warned his disciples of the coming destruction as recorded in Matthew 24. Those "found written in the book" is a reference to Christians who have their names written in the Lamb’s book of life. Those Jews who had become followers of Jesus Christ would be delivered from the destruction spoken of in Daniel’s vision.

Jewish believers historically took refuge at Pella, southeast of the Sea of Galilee, before the Roman legions had encompassed Jerusalem; and they were able to do so on the basis of the advance warning and information here given in Daniel, furthermore and more imminently supplied by Jesus’ more detailed projections regarding that event some forty years in advance in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 19:41-44 and chapter 21. Especially see Matthew 24:2; Matthew 24:15-21, Luke 19:41-44; Luke 21:20-24.

Verses 1-13

Dan 12:1-13

Commentary on Daniel Chapter 12 by Mark Dunagan

Daniel 12:1 “Now at that time”: This phrase makes us look back to the section we’ve just read. “Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise”: This is a reference to God’s providential protection of His people in a time of exceeding affliction. “And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time”: Some feel that this time of intense tribulation is when Antiochus persecuted God’s people, others feel that it refers to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 70. We know that Daniel’s prophecy in Daniel 9:26 does refer to such a destruction, for Jesus endorsed the application of Daniel 9:26-27 to the destruction of Jerusalem in Matthew 25:15. Some argue that the expression “a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation” can only refer to some great tribulation at the end of time. Yet the apostle Paul taught that when Jesus comes again, He is not coming during a time of complete global upheaval, rather He is coming during a time that men would be feeling peaceful and safe (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3). It should be noted that similar language is used when God destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 B.C., “And because of all your abominations, I will do among you what I have not done, and the like of which I will never do again” (Ezekiel 5:9). This appears to be proverbial language to express the utter horror of the whole affair. Finally, Jesus told us that the great tribulation mentioned in Matthew 24:21 would occur before the generation passed away in which Jesus lived.

Daniel 12:1 “And at that time your people everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued’: The “book” referred to here is God’s book of life (Malachi 3:16; Isaiah 4:3). The rescue under consideration is not necessary a physical deliverance from suffering, for such suffering does arrive, but rather they would be saved. If this is the destruction of Jerusalem, then the faithful will be delivered because they had listened to Jesus’ forewarning and left at the proper time (Matthew 24:15-16).

Daniel 12:2 “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but others to disgrace and everlasting contempt”: Is this the resurrection at the last day? First of all this is not a verse that premillennialists can use for the supposed rapture, for the resurrection in the above verse includes both good and the wicked. The rapture theory has the righteous being raised seven years before the Old Testament faithful and those killed during the supposed great tribulation, and 1007 years before all the wicked. Secondly, the context “at that time” is not speaking about the end of time. The book of Daniel(chapters 2, 9-11), consistently only takes us up to the time of the Roman Empire. Some view this resurrection as referring to the events that would occur in the time of Antiochus, to the arousing of many to defend their country. The Old Testament does use the imagery of a resurrection to refer to a spiritual rebirth, such as Ezekiel chapter 37: “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people” (37:12), and where being resurrected refers to the nation being brought back to their land (37:13). When Jesus came, those Jews who accepted Him found everlasting life, but those who rejected Him only brought condemnation upon themselves.

Daniel 12:3 “And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven”: Those who have insight, are those who are wise, that is, people who fear the Lord (Psalms 111:10), and remain faithful to Him. I believe this passage refers to those Jews who convert to Christianity and who become the light of the world and the salt of the earth(Matthew 5:13-16; Philippians 2:15 “that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world”.

Daniel 12:3 “And those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever”: Notice this verse follows the “resurrection” mentioned in verse 2. There will be no need to convert anyone after the last day; therefore this verse implies that the resurrection of verse 2 is not the resurrection at the end of time. Rather, this resurrection is followed by leading many to righteousness, that is, preaching the gospel to the lost (Mark 16:15-16). We should observe that men and women with “insight” understand the value of personal evangelism and that God feels that such is an important part of being a Christian.

Daniel 12:4 “But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time”: This does not mean that Daniel is to “hide” the prophecy but rather that He is commanded to stop writing. In addition, this expression stands for not only the completion of the book, but the preservation of the book as well. The reader should be aware that this book was to be sealed up, for the things it predicted were a couple of centuries in the future. In contrast, John the writer of the book of Revelation, was told, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near” (22:10). Therefore, the book of Revelation is not talking about things that would happen centuries from when it was written. Again, the “end time” of Daniel is not the end of the world, but rather the end of the Jewish age, the same period of time referred to as the “last days” in the New Testament (Acts 2:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-2).

Daniel 12:4 “Many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase”: Some see this as a frantic search for the meaning of these prophecies in the coming centuries or, that men will gain a lot of knowledge but the true knowledge and certain knowledge is contained in this book. Others say that in the coming ages, those who searched these prophecies and see their fulfillment will obtain a much clearer view of what was revealed through Daniel. It could be a message of assurance to Daniel, and these prophecies would not be lost, their meaning would not remain obscure, but in the centuries to come they would be studied, appreciated, and understood by the faithful (see Luke 10:24).

Daniel 12:5 “Then I, Daniel, looked and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the river, and the other on that bank of the river”: The river here is the Tigris.

Daniel 12:6 “And the one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river”: That is the one who was hovering over the river.

Daniel 12:6 “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?”: The statement “these wonders” may refer to the events in Daniel 12:1-3. Eight times in these chapters “the end” has been mentioned (Daniel 11:27; Daniel 11:35; Daniel 11:40, Daniel 12:4; Daniel 12:6; Daniel 12:8-9; Daniel 12:13).

Daniel 12:7 “And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of thee river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever”: This messenger swears by the name of the Almighty God as an indication of the solemn significance of the announcement to be made.

Daniel 12:7 “That it would be for a time, times, and half a time”: This is often interrupted as 3 ½ . Some feel that since 3 ½ is half of seven (the number that signifies perfection), that this number symbolizes a time that shall not be complete or last forever.

Daniel 12:7 “As soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed”: Some see this as referring to the persecution of God’s people in the days of Antiochus IV, and the claim is made that the time that Antiochus IV first removed the daily sacrifice from the Temple until Judas Maccabeus purified the Temple was a littler over 3 ½ years. Others feel that the “shattering of the holy people” refers to when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and that this is the termination of everything written in Daniel. One should note that in the book of Revelation, Rome persecutes the church for the same period of time (Revelation 12:4; Revelation 11:4; Revelation 12:6; Revelation 11:2; Revelation 13:5). Premillenialists see this verse as teaching that a future Anti-Christ will persecute the nation of Israel for 3 ½ years.

Daniel 12:8 “As for me, I heard but could not understand”: Daniel stood almost 400 years removed from the events being predicted to him. The temple had not even yet been rebuilt and many Jews were still in Persia, yet Daniel was extremely anxious to understand (Luke 10:24 “many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them”). Daniel may have thought, “You mean the vision ends with my people being broken?” He needs explanation. Surely this is not the end of the story (McGuiggan p. 188).

Daniel 12:9 “Go your way, Daniel”: Daniel is not given an explanation.

Daniel 12:10 “Many will be purged, purified, and refined”: This is similar to Daniel 12:3. The faithful will profit spiritually from the coming periods of persecution (Romans 5:3-5; 1 Peter 1:6-8). “Here he is told that trouble means purification for many. Daniel is being told: ‘It’s all going to work out right. You know the good will be blessed and you know the wicked will be punished. That’s all you need to know’” (McGuiggan p. 188). There is a warning here to the unbeliever and the unfaithful, without God there is no improvement, without conversion, one simply remains in wickedness. In addition, troublesome times do not profit the unbeliever, but the righteous know what to do with persecution and hard times.

Daniel 12:11 “From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1290 days”: The regular sacrifice was taken away when Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the temple (Daniel 11:31). The “abomination of desolation” is mentioned by Jesus as being when Rome surrounded Jerusalem in A.D. (Matthew 24:15; Luke 21:20-22; Luke 9:26-27). A period of 1290 days is used to describe this time period, which is basically the same period of time as time times and half a time. Premillennialism teaches that this verse applies to 3 ½ years before the Second Coming. The problem with this idea is that this period of time starts when the regular (Jewish) sacrifices are stopped. To argue that another Temple (with God’s approval) will be established and the Jewish sacrificial system instituted near the end of time goes against everything the New Testament teaches about Jesus being the final sacrifice, and the complete inability of animal sacrifices to forgive sin (Hebrews 10:4). Why reintroduce a system that God said in the New Testament was obsolete? (8:13) In the book of Revelation, Rome will persecute the church for 1260 days (Revelation 13:5). In both instances the faithful are being told that the oppressor who might appear to be unconquerable (after all he is able to stop the sacrifices), has only as much power as the Lord allows. As to why Daniel mentioned 1290 days instead of 1260, in the Old Testament the Jewish people did add 30 additional days every three years to the calendar to bring it in line with the solar year.

Daniel 12:12 “1335 days”: 1290 days is the measure of the oppressor’s power. If a man remains faithful throughout that period he out waits the oppressor and will be blessed.

Daniel 12:13 Daniel is not told to worry. He will die and not see the events that would fulfill this vision but he would not be forgotten. “Daniel was a prophet, and one day when the time was right he would be called to take that place. Jesus, in making mention of Daniel, began the awakening. When Jerusalem fell, Daniel stood up and was acknowledged! Jesus warned that that is what would happen even as Daniel had said” (McGuiggan p. 191).

Verse 2

Dan 12:2

Daniel 12:2 And many^H7227 of them that sleep^{H4480 H3463} in the dust^H6083 of the earth^H127 shall awake,^H6974 some^H428 to everlasting^H5769 life,^H2416 and some^H428 to shame^H2781 and everlasting^H5769 contempt.^H1860

Daniel 12:2

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.

There is no shortage of speculation as to the meaning of this fragment of the prophecy. One cannot help but associate it with the resurrection of the just and of the unjust on that great and final day of the Lord which signifies the end of all things physical. And it would be wrong to emphatically declare that the final resurrection is not in any way in consideration here. Certainly we know from other scripture that the events detailed here will take place on the last day. The very words of Jesus affirm this to be the case as recorded in John 5:28-29, "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." It is impossible to read the text of this verse and not associate it with the events associated with the final judgment yet to come.

It is the nature of apocalyptic language to speak of literal events in figurative language and to lay out these events in less than a chronological manner. The book of Revelation is ample evidence of this as it jumps back and forth in time and speaks of future events that will happen in past tense form. There are a number of ways one can look at this passage, however, consistency demands that we look at it in the context of the destruction of Jerusalem and try and draw some parallels between the text and that event.

Apocalyptically speaking, the spiritually dead Jews were to come to life as believers in Jesus as the Messiah, while those who rejected Jesus are destined to suffer “shame and everlasting contempt". Daniel 12:3 has language which helps us keep this vision in the proper focus.

The resurrection in view here can be directly compared with the resurrection spoken of in Revelation 20:6 which is in reference to Christian baptism, "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." Those who believe in Jesus as the Messiah will submit to Christian baptism and be figuratively resurrected with Christ (Colossians 2:12; Colossians 3:1), to walk in "newness of life" (Romans 6:4). It is this Bible student’s conviction that verse 2 of Daniel chapter 12 is an apocalyptic allusion to Christian baptism and the resurrection of the new birth process associated with it.

Verse 3

Dan 12:3

Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise^H7919 shall shine^H2094 as the brightness^H2096 of the firmament;^H7549 and they that turn many to righteousness^{H6663 H7227} as the stars^H3556 for ever^H5769 and ever.^H5703

Daniel 12:3

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.

And here are the words that help to keep us from identifying the former verse with the day of final judgment. On the day of the Lord, there will not be any turning of many to righteousness. On that day, the opportunity for turning will have passed. The wise who accept Jesus will "shine as the brightness of the firmament". Paul wrote of the brightness of Christians to the Philippians in Philippians 2:15, "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world". Christians were commanded by Jesus to let their lights "so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

The connection with this context of Daniel’s vision and Christians under the new covenant is compelling and it follows well with overall flow of the vision being about the events in the lives of Daniel’s people leading up to and concluding with the coming of Christ and the end of the Jewish nation as the commonwealth holding of God. The Mosaic system was fading away and the Messianic system was being ushered in. Gentiles and Jews alike would be ushered into the new spiritual kingdom as equals and all nations would be given the opportunity for salvation through Christ.

Verse 4

Dan 12:4

Daniel 12:4 But thou,^H859 O Daniel,^H1840 shut up^H5640 the words,^H1697 and seal^H2856 the book,^H5612 even to^H5704 the time^H6256 of the end:^H7093 many^H7227 shall run to and fro,^H7751 and knowledge^H1847 shall be increased.^H7235

Daniel 12:4

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.

Daniel was here told to record the vision in words, to write it down and protect it, taking whatever necessary steps required to see to it that the recording of it be kept and preserved so that it would be available for future generations up to, including and going beyond those who would live at the time of Christ and see the fulfillment of this vision. It is well evident that the instructions to guard and preserve the message refers to all of the writings of Daniel concerning his prophetic visions.

"many shall run to and fro"

Many generations will live and die through the course of these visions. Many will run, many will strive, many will live and many will suffer in the years to come. This is a reference to the number of people living through the centuries of time that will come to pass though the latter days of Daniel’s people.

"and knowledge shall be increased."

These visions written in apocalyptic language are shrouded in mystery and hard to understand for those living before Christ came. The knowledge required to make the connections in this vision will be given by Christ when he came to bring focus to these prophecies with additional clarity in Matthew 24:15-21, Mark 13:14-27 and Luke 21:20-24.

Many things were kept secret but at the time of Christ were revealed. Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:4-5, "Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit". This is yet another indicator that this vision is in association only with the events leading up to and ending with the coming of Christ as the promised Messiah. Knowledge which had been kept secret and shrouded would be increased. There would be a coming of understanding which had never been seen before.

Verse 5

Dan 12:5

Daniel 12:5 Then I^H589 Daniel^H1840 looked,^H7200 and, behold,^H2009 there stood^H5975 other^H312 two,^H8147 the one^H259 on this side^H2008 of the bank^H8193 of the river,^H2975 and the other^H259 on that side^H2008 of the bank^H8193 of the river.^H2975

Daniel 12:5

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.

Daniel noticed two more figures standing on either side of the river.

Verse 6

Dan 12:6

Daniel 12:6 And one said^H559 to the man^H376 clothed^H3847 in linen,^H906 which^H834 was upon^{H4480 H4605} the waters^H4325 of the river,^H2975 How long^{H5704 H4970} shall it be to the end^H7093 of these wonders?^H6382

Daniel 12:6

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?

And one of the new arrivals asked the one standing on the waters of the river a question. This is in all likelihood the same individual introduced in chapter 10 who had been sent to make Daniel "understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days" Daniel 10:14. There were several heavenly visitors throughout the course of this vision. The fact that he was standing on the water, combined with Daniel’s reference to Him as "my Lord" in Daniel 12:8 lends one to speculate if this individual may have been a manifestation of Jesus Christ but the next verse seems to put this idea to rest. We see this individual swearing an oath by "him that liveth for ever" in answer to the query which is an obvious reference to at least one of the members of the Godhead.

"How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?"

Oddly it was not Daniel who first asked this question of the one revealing the vision. Whether this was a prearranged thing to make sure the following information was revealed or if the heavenly visitor was just acting out of his own curiosity is something we may never know this side of the judgment. In either event, the thing to focus on here is "the end of these wonders" which are wholly centered around what would befall Daniel’s people in the latter days. This vision has always been about Daniel’s people, the Jews. Any attempt to project this vision at this point any further than the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD is to take it beyond what it claims to be. The following verse lends even more credit to this vision being restricted to just the Jewish people up to that event in time.

Verse 7

Dan 12:7

Daniel 12:7 And I heard^{H8085 (H853)} the man^H376 clothed^H3847 in linen,^H906 which^H834 was upon^{H4480 H4605} the waters^H4325 of the river,^H2975 when he held up^H7311 his right hand^H3225 and his left hand^H8040 unto^H413 heaven,^H8064 and sware^H7650 by him that liveth^H2416 for ever^H5769 that^H3588 it shall be for a time,^H4150 times,^H4150 and an half;^H2677 and when he shall have accomplished^H3615 to scatter^H5310 the power^H3027 of the holy^H6944 people,^H5971 all^H3605 these^H428 things shall be finished.^H3615

Daniel 12:7

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.

The heavenly messenger, standing upon the waters of the river holds up his right hand and swears an oath by God that after a period of time, the things mentioned thus far in the vision would be accomplished. The period of time is not given in exacting years, and it could not be. If this time period were exactly given, it would be revealing too much information at the time. This would have been information that the enemies of the Jews could use against them. Apocalyptic language is like that. It is shrouded in mystery in order to conceal the true message from all but to whom it is written.

The period of time is given as a "time, times, and half". When we add these together, we come up with three and a half "times". Numbers had a significant meaning to those living in old testament times. This number appears in scripture in a variety of forms. It is half of 7 which symbolizes the perfection of God on earth. The number 3 1/2 symbolizes that which is incomplete or unspecified. Since seven is complete, then three and one-half is incomplete and represents something indefinite. This number also appears disguised in different forms in scripture. In Revelation 11:2 it is represented as forty two months, which is 3 1/2 years. In Revelation 12:6 it appears as 1260 days which is also 3 1/2 years. In Revelation 12:14 it appears as "time and times and half a time" which is how it appears here in Daniel 12:7. The reference in Revelation is undoubtedly an indefinite or unspecified period of time. In Daniel 7:25 we read almost the exact same wording when he is prophesying about the Roman Empire, "and they [the saints] shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time." All of these forms of 3 1/2 are symbolic of an indefinite or unspecified period of time.

"and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people"

Keeping in mind, this is a vision given to Daniel, and Daniel, as well as every Jew that would read it would have associated this reference to the "holy people" as the Jewish people. It is also possible that this is a reference to the Christians who were scattered across the Roman Empire due to the destruction of Jerusalem. Keeping in mind that there were many Jewish survivors of the destruction of Jerusalem and they too were scattered all over the Roman Empire. Both Jew and Christian alike were scattered as a result of the destruction of Jerusalem, but this Bible student believes that this reference is more in line with the Jews than the Christians. The text says the "power of the holy people", which seems to mean their power was broken and disrupted. Certainly this was manifested in a dramatic way with the destruction of the Jerusalem and the temple located therein.

Either way, there can be no doubt this scattering of the holy people is a reference to the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman empire.

Verse 8

Dan 12:8

Daniel 12:8 And I^H589 heard,^H8085 but I understood^H995 not:^H3808 then said^H559 I, O my Lord,^H113 what^H4100 shall be the end^H319 of these^H428 things?

Daniel 12:8

And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?

Daniel was hearing the words but did not understand them, obviously grieved over hearing that the "holy People" would be scattered. Keeping in mind that Daniel lived through the Babylonian captivity where his people were carried away and scattered across the Babylonian empire as slaves.

So he added his request for understanding to the query made by one of the heavenly visitors standing nearby. It was entirely understandable that Daniel wanted further clarification. And we will see in the next verse that Daniel’s plea for further enlightenment was denied.

Verse 9

Dan 12:9

Daniel 12:9 And he said,^H559 Go thy way,^H1980 Daniel:^H1840 for^H3588 the words^H1697 are closed up^H5640 and sealed^H2856 till^H5704 the time^H6256 of the end.^H7093

Daniel 12:9

And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Daniel is told that it is time now for him to be on his way. The complete understanding of the words given him will not be revealed until the time of the end. The end in view here being the scattering of the holy people at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Verse 10

Dan 12:10

Daniel 12:10 Many^H7227 shall be purified,^H1305 and made white,^H3835 and tried;^H6884 but the wicked^H7563 shall do wickedly:^H7561 and none^{H3808 H3605} of the wicked^H7563 shall understand;^H995 but the wise^H7919 shall understand.^H995

Daniel 12:10

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.

Many people through the centuries are going to come to righteousness and they are going to suffer persecution as well. Daniel is being told here that a considerable span of time is going to pass. Many people are going to come and go. Some will be righteous and some will be wicked.

The wicked will continue to be present and would not understand these things, having no real interest to do so. Such was the case then and such is the case today; 1 Corinthians 1:18-20, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?"

Verse 11

Dan 12:11

Daniel 12:11 And from the time^{H4480 H6256} that the daily^H8548 sacrifice shall be taken away,^H5493 and the abomination^H8251 that maketh desolate^H8074 set up,^H5414 there shall be a thousand^H505 two hundred^H3967 and ninety^H8673 days.^H3117

Daniel 12:11

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.

Here is language which positively identifies this vision with the destruction of Jerusalem. Daniel would not have known the details of what was coming, but he certainly understood what it meant to have the daily sacrifice taken away. This is in reference to the continual sacrifice which was offered by the Israelites (Exodus 29:37-39) with only a few interruptions along the course of their history such as the Babylonian captivity which Daniel was aware of, and when Antiochus IV extinguished the flame and offered swine on the alter in the temple.

"and the abomination that maketh desolate set up"

In this instance, the abomination was the Romans within the temple itself. This was the same language the God used to describe the prophecy of the desecration of the temple by Antiochus IV and his army. The Israelites would know what these words meant. They regarded the inner chambers of the temple, behind the veil, wherein was kept the mercy seat as the "most holy place" (Exodus 26:34-37). Only the high priest would enter into that room and then for only one day out of the year (Hebrews 9:5). Access to this room in the temple was strictly forbidden to anyone else. The presence of any unauthorized person in that room was an abomination, and it rendered the whole sacrificial system of the Jews void. In order to re-establish it, a whole system of purification and sanctification had to be performed. Once the daily sacrifice was extinguished and the inner sanctuary defiled, it was no light thing to restore it to functionality.

Jesus directly referenced this verse of scripture in Matthew 24:15 when He was warning His disciples about the impending destruction of the temple, "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains". There can be no reasonable doubt that this prophecy of Daniel is in reference to the destruction and desolation of the temple in 70 AD by the Romans.

"there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days."

Daniel was earlier told in Daniel 12:7 that it would be for "time, times, and half". When adding these up we have 3 and a half times. The text never said anything definite about these periods of time in reference to days or years. It simply left it as "times", which is a vague and indefinite description. Daniel asked for further clarification and was denied. Now here we have language which not only fails to give any clarification but makes it even more nondescript.

When you add up one thousand two hundred and ninety, you get the equivalent of forty two month, or three and one half years. These periods of time are used in these various forms elsewhere in scripture and they always refer to an undetermined or unspecified amount of time. This is no different. Literal days obviously are not in view here so we must come to the understanding that this is a reference to an unspecified period of time which will be revealed at the unfolding of these events.

Verse 12

Dan 12:12

Daniel 12:12 Blessed^H835 is he that waiteth,^H2442 and cometh^H5060 to the thousand^H505 three^H7969 hundred^H3967 and five^H2568 and thirty^H7970 days.^H3117

Daniel 12:12

Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

Many have tried to unravel the mystery of these added extra days and many have only further confused it. Daniel has already been told that it would be for a "time, times and half a time" for these things to occur. It is a vague and unspecified amount of time for which Daniel was made aware of. He was told of events to come but the precise timing of them was shrouded in apocalyptic language.

To unravel the mystery of these added extra days, we first need to recognize that there are two separate events being predicted. The first was to be fulfilled in 1290 apocalyptic days and the second one would be in 1335 apocalyptic days. That is a difference of 45 days and probably means nothing whatsoever to the actual time periods for which it refers. These are apocalyptic time periods and are unspecified periods of time. What is significant to our understanding here is that there are two events noted herein.

The next step in unraveling the mystery is to go back and examine the preceding text of the vision and try and determine of there are two events described therein which can be separated from one another. The scattering of the holy people was accomplished in 1290 apocalyptic days. Here in Daniel 12:12, Daniel is told, "blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the second period of time.” There were no blessings pronounced on those who were scattered. The blessings were given to those who waited beyond the 1290 apocalyptic days to the fulfillment of the second period of time.

The amount of time is not significant in this context. What is significant is that there are two time periods and that those who persevere beyond the first to the second are the ones who receive the blessing.

So what went on that dated beyond the destruction of the temple, the abomination that made desolate and the taking away of the Jewish daily sacrifice? What went on past that event that if endured resulted in the blessings of God? Going back to the text in verse 10 we see the words, "Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly". Paying special attention to the words "and tried" keep in mind that the Romans who destroyed the temple were also instrumental in the terrible Christian persecution.

"Blessed is he that waiteth" Compare this to Revelation 14:12, "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." The entire book of Revelation was written to those Christians who would live through the terrible Christian persecution by the Roman Empire. The temple was destroyed in 70 AD but the trials of the Christians went on beyond that. It is this Bible student’s conviction that the period of time denoted in Daniel 12:12 is an apocalyptic reference to the Christian persecution of the Roman Empire.

"Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the" second apocalyptic period of time, parallels with Jesus words in Revelation 2:10-11, "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."

Verse 13

Dan 12:13

Daniel 12:13 But go thou thy way^{H859 H1980} till the end^H7093 be: for thou shalt rest,^H5117 and stand^H5975 in thy lot^H1486 at the end^H7093 of the days.^H3117

Daniel 12:13

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 is here told that the vision is over and that it is now time for him to be on his way.

"for thou shalt rest"

Daniel is an aged man at the revelation of this vision. He had labored diligently throughout his captivity in Babylon. He worked with a number of regimes from the top down and through it all, he remained a faithful witness of God. Steadfast to the end, Daniel labored his entire life for God’s righteousness, the welfare of his people and for the reestablishment of the temple in Jerusalem which had been destroyed by his first captor, King Nebuchadnezzar, when he was but a child in the courts of Judah. Daniel’s earthly time was drawing to an end and he is here told that his time of rest is upon him. What remains for this noteworthy prophet is for him to record the vision he has seen and take such steps to preserve it for future generations. We have the book of Daniel today which includes this remarkable vision of the events of his people in the latter days of their status on earth as the chosen people of God. So thereby we know that Daniel did indeed do as he was instructed.

"and stand in thy lot at the end of the days"

What a comforting thing to hear from a heavenly messenger. Daniel is comforted with the affirmation that at the end of days, he would stand with the victorious. Daniel lived an extraordinary life as a faithful prophet of God throughout one of the most difficult periods in Jewish history. He suffered greatly, yet with the grace and poise of a true man of God, he lived his faith and remained faithful. He lived in such a way that his life influenced the most powerful men on earth. Nebuchadnezzar was the king of the richest most powerful Empire that had up to that time existed on earth. Daniel’s influence on Nebuchadnezzar was evident in his writings.

The kings after Nebuchadnezzar knew him by reputation and called on him at various times when their own mystics failed them. Daniel resided and served in the highest courts of the empires under which he lived his whole life. he was respected and trusted by the most powerful men on earth. One does not attain such a lengthy and notable position unless one has the character which engenders that kind of trust. Daniel’s long standing station as a Jewish captive in the service of the royal courts of the gentiles is a testament to the character of this extraordinary man. Significant is the fact that he was this trustworthy to a people who had destroyed his home, destroyed his way of life, destroyed his way of worship to God, turned him into a eunuch and forced him to serve them in a foreign land. Daniel lived the life of a godly man even in the face of the adversity he lived through. And now, he is told that he would stand in his lot at the end of the days.

Daniel’s life is an inspired testimony to the way the godly man would strive to live, even to today. His life was recorded as an example by which all who would live godly lives after him could look to an find instruction. Daniel never lost his hope; never lost his faith. He never gave up on relying on and looking to God for the answers, and never gave up on righteousness. In considering Daniel’s extraordinary career, let us look to the writings of Paul in closing.

1 Corinthians 15:55-58

"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."