Bible Commentaries
Daniel 12

Verse 1

DANIEL - CHAPTER 12

TIME OF "THE TRIBULATION THE GREAT"

Verse 1:

Verse 1 specifically and definitively states "at that time," in the midst of the 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy, Daniel 9:26-27, when the antichrist has set his tabernacles, Daniel 11:45, in the holy mount Zion area, in Jerusalem, and requires worship as God, 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:4; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 13:12; Revelation 13:15, the following will happen: "Michael," the great archangel of God’s protectorate for the children of "thy people," Daniel’s national people, Israel, will appear to preserve her, Daniel 9:15-16; Daniel 9:20; Daniel 9:24; Daniel 10:11; Daniel 10:14; Judges 1:9; Revelation 12:7-10.

From that moment, "that time," there remains but forty and two months, a time, times, and an half time, 3 1/2 years, or 1,290 days for the final desolation judgment of Israel, under the man of Sin, "Son of perdition," after he has "taken away the morning and evening oblations," sacrifices that he had agreed the Jews could reestablish, which they did, till the midst of the week, he mandated that they cease and he be worshipped, Daniel 9:26-27; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; from the midst of the week.

It is certified that from "that time,". . ."There shall be (exist) a time (period) of trouble, such as never was (existed), since there was (existed) a nation," since the tower of Babel, Genesis 11:1-9; Jeremiah 20:7; Matthew 24:21; Daniel 8:24-25; Daniel 11:36, up to that time; See also Isaiah 26:19; Isaiah 26:10. Then it is further certified that "at that time," point of time," thy people (Israel) shall be delivered, liberated, or protected from death, Zechariah 13:8-9, the 144,000 who have become worshipping saints during the former 42 months, shall be sealed against death and wrathful judgment that is to be poured out, Revelation 7:3-4; Revelation 12:14-17 upon: 1) the antichrist, 2) the mother of harlots, and 3) the unbelieving Jews, to the coming of the Lord to the earth, with all of His other saints, to put down sin and begin His rule over the earth, 2 Thessalonians 1:10. It is declared that everyone shall be delivered from death, by Michael the protectorate angel, "that shall be found written in the book," of the redeemed servants of God in Israel, Exodus 32:23; Luke 10:20; Revelation 7:3-4.

CHART III

WHAT HAPPENS? AND WHEN DOES IT, HAPPEN?

Daniel 11:21 - "Little Horn" vile ruler enters by flattery. Daniel 11:32 - He corrupts the wicked by flatteries.

Daniel 11:36-38 - He appears to be a Jew, an atheist Jew--neither regarding "the God of his fathers," nor the "desire of women," but set himself up as God, John 5:43.

Daniel 11:45 asserts that he "shall plant the tabernacle (sanctuary) of his palace in the glorious holy mountain," on mount Moriah, there to demand self-worship, 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation ch. 13. Recall that this occurs in the midst of the 70th week.

"AT THAT TIME" - Daniel 12:1 states, "there shall be (exist?) a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation." Michael will then stand up and deliver every one that "shall be found written in the book," from the 42 months, time, times, and half time, of or 31/2 years of Tribulation the Great--144,000 of Jewish believers (saints), saved during the 31/2 previous years of their restored worship, will be sealed against death, preserved alive in the prepared desert place (Petra), while the tribulation fury falls on Gentile nations and unbelieving Jews, till Jesus returns; See Revelation 7:1-4; Revelation 12:6; Revelation 12:14. Daniel 12:6 asks how long to the end? Jesus replied v. 7. "The wise shall understand," v. 10; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:9.

Verses 2-3

THE RESURRECTIONS

Verses 2, 3:

Verses 2, 3 foretell of the coming resurrections, of the just and the unjust, which are to be separated by about one thousand and three and one half years. There is first a general statement, without any delineation of time when each should occur; though such is taught elsewhere. Both the righteous are to be raised from the dust of death, from their graves to everlasting life, and the wicked, unbelievers to everlasting shame and contempt, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:11-15. See also Daniel 12:13; Job 19:25; Hosea 13:14; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Corinthians 15:52.

Verse 3 adds that those who shall be (exist as) wise ones, as teachers, shall shine (in the rewarding hour) as the radiance of the firmament, like the high meridian, noon-day sun. And those who turn many to righteousness, lead many to repentance and trust in Christ, should sparkle like the stars "for ever and ever," or without ceasing, Psalms 126:5-6; 1 Corinthians 3:14; Revelation 22:12; See also Proverbs 11:30; Matthew 10:42.

Verses 4-13

GOD’S FINAL MESSAGE TO DANIEL

Verses 4-13:

Verse 4 recounts the beginning of the final message this informing angel (Gabriel) had brought to Daniel 9:20-22; Daniel 10:5; Daniel 10:9-21. This informing heavenly messenger directed Daniel to shut up the book or close the scroll and seal it, the opposite of what John was told, Revelation 22:10. Let it be preserved as Divine Inspired prophecy, 2 Peter 1:20-21, even to the time of the end, the final consummation or completion of all things herein foretold. From that point, however, to the end, it is declared that many (the masses) would run to and fro, in every direction, as sheep left without a shepherd, Habakkuk 2:2; Amos 8:12. It was further declared that to the end "knowledge should increase," in an explosive, rapid fire, accelerated manner, a thing witnessed even today, through modern technology, Deuteronomy 29:29; Proverbs 1:4; Romans 10:18; Revelation 14:6-7.

Verses 5, 6 state that Daniel then looked, and to his astonishment he saw standing two (angelic messengers) pondering what they had heard Gabriel tell Daniel in that vision, on the banks of the River Hiddekel (the Tigris) as in Genesis 2:14; Daniel 10:4. There be some things "the angels desire to look into", 1 Peter 1:12; Ephesians 3:10. The angelic personages stood, one on either bank of the river, as the man clothed in linen (white array) Gabriel, representing the Son of man, stood upon the waters of the river, which represented his control of the masses of flowing humanity. One inquired of him, "how long shall it be (exist) to the end (completion) of these wonders?" to the time of the total consummation of the 70th week, to the end of the tribulation wonders, v. 1, Daniel 9:24-27. The question was repeated by Daniel, v. 8.

Verse 7 relates that Daniel explicitly heard the linen clothed heavenly messenger Gabriel, as he stood upon (over) the waters of the river, and visibly saw him raise his right hand and his left toward heaven, and certified with an oath, (swore) by him that liveth forever Jesus Christ who is alive forevermore (Revelation 1:18) that it would be for a period of a "time, times, and an half time," from the time that wicked one would require worship of himself, Daniel 11:45; Daniel 9:27; Matthew 23:39; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:4; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 13:12; Revelation 13:15; John 5:43. When he shall have finished the desolation (judgment) of the covenant people, the Tribulation the Great will be finished.

Verse 8 relates that Daniel confessed and affirmed, "I heard," (the message, the explanation) "but I understood not," and many still do not today, though it was written for their understanding and benefit, Job 8:9; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 1 Peter 1:10-12; Daniel 12:10 c states that `the wise shall understand," those who are "the children of light," who are not in darkness, astigmatized, backslidden, willingly ignorant state or condition, 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 3:18; 2 Peter 3:5. But none of the wicked shall understand or comprehend v. 10. Then Daniel cried out to the Lord, as one of the angels on the bank of Hiddekel had, v. 6. He asked, "O my Lord, what shall be (come to be) the end of these prophetic matters?" You see prophets foresaw, heard, and foretold matters for future generations that they themselves did not always comprehend. For none knows the mind of God, 1 Peter 1:10-12; Ephesians 3:2-10; Ephesians 3:21; Deuteronomy 29:29.

Verse 9 relates that, to Daniel’s further inquiry of what the outcome of all this would be, the lingering linen clothed messenger replied and directed him to go about his own business, his own way, completing the writing of this prophetic work in full assurance that he would "stand up" in his own time. He simply was to finish, seal up what had been given him, complete recording the message of inspiration, to give account in his own time, at the end, 1 Corinthians 3:14; Revelation 22:12.

Verse 10 adds that to the end "many shall be purified and made white," "and tried" or tested. God will not be without witnesses, either in Israel or the church, or sometimes both on earth, Matthew 13:24-49; Matthew 16:18; John 15:16; John 15:27; John 20:21; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8. It is further certified that the wicked shall continue wickedness, and none of the wicked shall understand or comprehend what has been foretold. But it is certified that "the wise shall understand." And blessed are those who seek to understand the prophetically revealed things to come, Deuteronomy 29:29; Revelation 1:3; Revelation 21:7-12.

Verse 11 restates, certifies how long "that time," v. 1, will be, after the antichrist’s break of the covenant he has made with Israel, which he will break in the midst of the week, Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:45; Daniel 12:7. And from the time that 1) the sacrifice is taken away, and 2) the abomination that maketh desolate is set up, the setting up of his own altar of self-worship to which he will ascend, showing himself as God, 1) 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10. From that time there shall be 1290 days left, the last 31/2 years, plus some two weeks of time to set up his own altar for worship. It appears that about this time war breaks out in heaven, before the throne, when according to Revelation 12:5-9; Revelation 12:14-17, Satan and his accusers of the brethren are cast out from heaven, with no more entrance, and he knows (smarter then some) that he has "but a little time," a time, times, and half time, Revelation 12:12; Revelation 12:14, corresponding with this of Daniel’s last half of the 70th week, to finish his wrath on earth, to cause the antichrist to demand self-worship or put men to death, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-11; John 5:43; Revelation 13:4; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 13:14-18.

It appears that at or about the time 1) Satan is cast out of heaven, 2) that the antichrist declares he is God to be worshipped, Daniel 11:45; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:3) the Holy Spirit that came on Pentecost to indwell the church forever is taken away, John 14:16-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:4) the Lord comes in the air to raise the righteous dead, rapture His living church (the wise) those who look for Him, and begin pouring out His waves of 42 months of tribulation judgments on earth, as He is married to and rewards His saints, after which 5) He will come in power and great glory with His saints, 2 Thessalonians 1:10, to put down the antichrist and initiate His Kingly rule forever, Luke 1:32-33; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Revelation 5:9-10; Revelation 19:16.

Verse 12 pronounces a benediction upon those who continually and faithfully wait and come to the 1335 days of waiting for the Lord: 1) catching away the righteous dead and His church, those who watch, are looking for him, Luke 22:36; Hebrews 9:28; John 14:3; John , 2) For His sealing those 144,000 believing Jews who have received the Christ in their hearts, as their ancient fathers, during the offering of their covenant restored sacrifices up to the midst of the covenant week, when this one-world heathen ruler causes the oblations to cease and begins his tribulation fury to which these 144,000 will not, like the 3 Hebrew children, bow down, Daniel 3:16-18; Revelation 7:2-5.

Verse 13 concludes with a blessed charge and promise to Daniel to "go thy way," do the work and live the life God wants you to do, serving your own generation well, till the end for you will find your pay (reward), in that end time, 1 Corinthians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 3:14; Revelation 22:12. For he was assured he too would rest in death and stand in his lot, at the end of the days appointed to the judgment of rewards, Job 3:17; Job 19:25; Psalms 16:5; Psalms 126:5-6; Proverbs 14:32. See also Isaiah 57:1; Zechariah 3:7; Hebrews 4:9.