These are the notes to the final session of The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is study of the book of Daniel. In this session Daniel is told of the wonderful end for God's people. This end includes many parts of Daniel's prophecies that have already been fulfilled for the Jewish nation, but also includes things to come for those of us who have become children of God through His Son, Jesus Christ. For an audio of this final session click the YouTube link at the end of the notes
Daniel 11:29-35 NLT “Then at the appointed time he will once again invade the south, but this time the result will be different. For warships from western coastlands will scare him off, and he will withdraw and return home. But he will vent his anger against the people of the holy covenant and reward those who forsake the covenant. “His army will take over the Temple fortress, pollute the sanctuary, put a stop to the daily sacrifices, and set up the sacrilegious object that causes desecration. He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him. “Wise leaders will give instruction to many, but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed. During these persecutions, little help will arrive, and many who join them will not be sincere. And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come.
Later, Antiochus attacked Egypt again. This time he was not successful, because the Romans opposed him. He turned back and went into the country of the Jews. He hated the Jews and their God. Perhaps the Jews had asked the Romans to help them. Antiochus tried to stop anyone from serving the real God. He was cruel to the people who loved God. But he listened to those people who were not loyal to God. He did not allow the people to make sacrifices to God. He made God’s holy places so that they were not holy.
Some people stayed loyal to God. They tried to teach other people to be loyal too. Many people died because they were loyal to God. God will reward these people in heaven. He only allowed Antiochus to do his evil things for a certain time. This lasted for about 6 years.
Daniel 8:13-14 (HCSB)13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the speaker, “How long will ⌊the events of⌋ this vision last—the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and of the host to be trampled?” 14 He said to me, “For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be restored.”
Daniel 11:36-45 NLT “The king will do as he pleases, exalting himself and claiming to be greater than every god, even blaspheming the God of gods. He will succeed, but only until the time of wrath is completed. For what has been determined will surely take place. He will have no respect for the gods of his ancestors, or for the god loved by women, or for any other god, for he will boast that he is greater than them all. Instead of these, he will worship the god of fortresses—a god his ancestors never knew—and lavish on him gold, silver, precious stones, and expensive gifts. Claiming this foreign god’s help, he will attack the strongest fortresses. He will honor those who submit to him, appointing them to positions of authority and dividing the land among them as their reward. “Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will attack the king of the north. The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and sweep through them like a flood. He will enter the glorious land of Israel, and many nations will fall, but Moab, Edom, and the best part of Ammon will escape. He will conquer many countries, and even Egypt will not escape. He will gain control over the gold, silver, and treasures of Egypt, and the Libyans and Ethiopians will be his servants. “But then news from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in great anger to destroy and obliterate many. He will stop between the glorious holy mountain and the sea and will pitch his royal tents. But while he is there, his time will suddenly run out, and no one will help him.
He will be successful for a certain time. But then the time that God has planned will come. God will show his anger and he will kill this evil person.
The man seemed to go on telling Daniel about the same king.
But then he talked about things that Antiochus Epiphanes did not do.
It seems that he was telling Daniel about another person.
Daniel 11:36 NLT “The king will do as he pleases, exalting himself and claiming to be greater than every god, even blaspheming the God of gods. He will succeed, but only until the time of wrath is completed. For what has been determined will surely take place.
Paul, who lived a long time after the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, wrote similar things (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 NLT Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and “son of perdition” every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.
That person, that Paul wrote about, would come at the end of the world. This person would do evil things like Antiochus Epiphanes did. But he would do even more evil things.
This king is the same as the "son of perdition", who is to appear before Christ's second advent). His career will be short, lasting only until the indignation of God is vented upon mankind in the end time. We call him Antichrist.
Since the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, many other evil men have lived. Many of them hated God and his people. The man who will come at the end of the world will be even worse. He will say that he is greater than any God, even the real God. He will set himself up in God’s holy place. He will speak against the real God. He will reward those people who do not give honour to the real God. He will attack many countries and he will have power over them. He will also attack the country of the Jews.
Daniel 7:11 (HCSB)11 “I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire.
Daniel 7:25 (HCSB)25 He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.
Look at Daniel 11:37-39 (NKJV)37 He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.38 But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things.39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.
Though the phrase may be translated, "gods of his father," surely it is to be interpreted of the Lord God of Israel, for a false Messiah of the Jews could hardly be a Gentile.
Daniel 11:40 (NKJV)40 "At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through.
Last week we talked about there being a gap between the 69th and 70th weeks with the 70th week being the end times.
This verse starts talking about the time of the end.
1 Corinthians 15:24 (HCSB)24 Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He abolishes all rule and all authority and power.
The end is the end of the events prophesied in this book—the arrival of Messiah's kingdom to replace all these others. From here (verse 40) to the close of the prophecies of Daniel, the final events are in view.
Antichrist's end is set forth elsewhere in Revelations not here.
Observe that throughout this section this willful king is a different person from either "the king of the north" or "the king of the south," who both fight against him.
Daniel 11:40 (NKJV)40 "At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through.
With what nations these two opponents will be identified is difficult to say for certain.
Antichrist's success at war is prophesied here. Likely the particular engines of war—whirlwind, chariots, horsemen, ships—are to be interpreted in terms of the engines of that future day. He will have modern weapons. Daniel saw war in terms of his own day, else he would not have recognized it.
Daniel 11:41 (HCSB) He will also invade the beautiful land, and many will fall. But these will escape from his power: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of the Ammonites.
This describes an attack on Palestine. Perhaps it should be connected with Antichrist's breaking covenant.
We talked about that in Session 5. In review;
Daniel 9:27 (HCSB)27 He will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering. And the abomination of desolation will be on a wing of the temple until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”
Evidently the covenant is to be made between Antichrist and Israel when the Jews are back in their homeland in the last days. Or is it spiritual Israel or the church? The exact nature of the covenant is unknown. The evil and destructive events described in the remainder of this verse should be interpreted as summary information concerning the end;
For some thoughts on the part of that verse naming Edom, Moab and the Ammonites let’s go to another book written by a prophet who prophecies about the Messiah. Remember Isaiah also prophecies about the exile of the Jews, then the punishment of the nations around Israel and of Babylon for it’s treatment of the Jews, and then their coming Messiah.
Isaiah 11:10-16 (HCSB)10 On that day the root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him, and His resting place will be glorious.11 On that day the Lord will ⌊extend⌋ His hand a second time to recover—from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the coasts and islands of the west—the remnant of His people who survive.12 He will lift up a banner for the nations and gather the dispersed of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth.13 Ephraim’s envy will cease; Judah’s harassment will end. Ephraim will no longer be envious of Judah, and Judah will not harass Ephraim.14 But they will swoop down on the Philistine flank to the west. Together they will plunder the people of the east. They will extend their power over Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be their subjects.15 The LORD will divide the Gulf of Suez. He will wave His hand over the Euphrates with His mighty wind and will split it into seven streams, letting people walk through on foot.16 There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who will survive from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt.
This commentary from Wycliffe Bible Commentary
The Messianic kingdom will be ushered in by a second restoration of the Jews (which clearly excludes reference to the return under Zerubbabel in 537 b.c. and yet indicates a national restoration of comparable magnitude). This time the scattered people will come from every geographical direction: east—Assyria, Elam, Shinar; west—the isles of the sea; north—Hamath; and south—Egypt, Pathros or Upper Egypt, and Cush or Ethiopia. Such diverse regions were not involved in the return of 537. Not Jews alone, but the Gentile nations (gôyîm) also will rally to the standard of the cross (v. 12), to form a Jewish-Gentile Church even in the latter days. Furthermore, in that day there will no more be a cleavage between northern tribes and southern, but the Christian Israelites will constitute one harmonious people. God's people, moreover, will triumph over all the not-yet-converted nations surrounding them (as Philistia, Edom, and Moab surrounded ancient Israel). The natural barriers of the Euphrates and Nile will be removed, and communication between all these formerly hostile regions will be easy and unimpeded when the Prince of Peace rules over them all.
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
*Zerubbabel returned after Cyrus issued his decree in 538 BC. He conquered Babylon in 538 BC. In Ezra we read about who returned and that included Zerubbabel.
Daniel 11:42-44 (HCSB)42 He will extend his power against the countries, and not even the land of Egypt will escape.43 He will get control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the riches of Egypt. The Libyans and Cushites will also be in submission.44 But reports from the east and the north will terrify him, and he will go out with great fury to annihilate and completely destroy many.
We can’t really identify the nations of the north south or east that are in verses 40 and 44. but it is pretty clear that there are to be at least three strong national powers contemporary with Antichrist.
He will have some initial success but will be destroyed.
Daniel 7:11 (HCSB)“I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire.
Daniel 7:25-27 (HCSB)25 He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.26 But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away, to be completely destroyed forever.27 The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’
Daniel 11:45 (HCSB)45 He will pitch his royal tents between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain, but he will meet his end with no one to help him.
Evidently in Palestine to put an end to the perennial Jewish problem by wiping out the Jews, he himself meets his end. We can read prophecies about the consummation of Israeli history in the last three chapters of Zechariah.
Daniel 11:29-35 NLT “Then at the appointed time he will once again invade the south, but this time the result will be different. For warships from western coastlands will scare him off, and he will withdraw and return home. But he will vent his anger against the people of the holy covenant and reward those who forsake the covenant. “His army will take over the Temple fortress, pollute the sanctuary, put a stop to the daily sacrifices, and set up the sacrilegious object that causes desecration. He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him. “Wise leaders will give instruction to many, but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed. During these persecutions, little help will arrive, and many who join them will not be sincere. And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come.
Later, Antiochus attacked Egypt again. This time he was not successful, because the Romans opposed him. He turned back and went into the country of the Jews. He hated the Jews and their God. Perhaps the Jews had asked the Romans to help them. Antiochus tried to stop anyone from serving the real God. He was cruel to the people who loved God. But he listened to those people who were not loyal to God. He did not allow the people to make sacrifices to God. He made God’s holy places so that they were not holy.
Some people stayed loyal to God. They tried to teach other people to be loyal too. Many people died because they were loyal to God. God will reward these people in heaven. He only allowed Antiochus to do his evil things for a certain time. This lasted for about 6 years.
Daniel 8:13-14 (HCSB)13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the speaker, “How long will ⌊the events of⌋ this vision last—the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and of the host to be trampled?” 14 He said to me, “For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be restored.”
- How would the evil king meet his demise? (11:36-45)
Daniel 11:36-45 NLT “The king will do as he pleases, exalting himself and claiming to be greater than every god, even blaspheming the God of gods. He will succeed, but only until the time of wrath is completed. For what has been determined will surely take place. He will have no respect for the gods of his ancestors, or for the god loved by women, or for any other god, for he will boast that he is greater than them all. Instead of these, he will worship the god of fortresses—a god his ancestors never knew—and lavish on him gold, silver, precious stones, and expensive gifts. Claiming this foreign god’s help, he will attack the strongest fortresses. He will honor those who submit to him, appointing them to positions of authority and dividing the land among them as their reward. “Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will attack the king of the north. The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and sweep through them like a flood. He will enter the glorious land of Israel, and many nations will fall, but Moab, Edom, and the best part of Ammon will escape. He will conquer many countries, and even Egypt will not escape. He will gain control over the gold, silver, and treasures of Egypt, and the Libyans and Ethiopians will be his servants. “But then news from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in great anger to destroy and obliterate many. He will stop between the glorious holy mountain and the sea and will pitch his royal tents. But while he is there, his time will suddenly run out, and no one will help him.
He will be successful for a certain time. But then the time that God has planned will come. God will show his anger and he will kill this evil person.
The man seemed to go on telling Daniel about the same king.
But then he talked about things that Antiochus Epiphanes did not do.
It seems that he was telling Daniel about another person.
Daniel 11:36 NLT “The king will do as he pleases, exalting himself and claiming to be greater than every god, even blaspheming the God of gods. He will succeed, but only until the time of wrath is completed. For what has been determined will surely take place.
Paul, who lived a long time after the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, wrote similar things (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 NLT Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and “son of perdition” every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.
That person, that Paul wrote about, would come at the end of the world. This person would do evil things like Antiochus Epiphanes did. But he would do even more evil things.
This king is the same as the "son of perdition", who is to appear before Christ's second advent). His career will be short, lasting only until the indignation of God is vented upon mankind in the end time. We call him Antichrist.
Since the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, many other evil men have lived. Many of them hated God and his people. The man who will come at the end of the world will be even worse. He will say that he is greater than any God, even the real God. He will set himself up in God’s holy place. He will speak against the real God. He will reward those people who do not give honour to the real God. He will attack many countries and he will have power over them. He will also attack the country of the Jews.
Daniel 7:11 (HCSB)11 “I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire.
Daniel 7:25 (HCSB)25 He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.
Look at Daniel 11:37-39 (NKJV)37 He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.38 But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things.39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.
Though the phrase may be translated, "gods of his father," surely it is to be interpreted of the Lord God of Israel, for a false Messiah of the Jews could hardly be a Gentile.
Daniel 11:40 (NKJV)40 "At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through.
Last week we talked about there being a gap between the 69th and 70th weeks with the 70th week being the end times.
This verse starts talking about the time of the end.
1 Corinthians 15:24 (HCSB)24 Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He abolishes all rule and all authority and power.
The end is the end of the events prophesied in this book—the arrival of Messiah's kingdom to replace all these others. From here (verse 40) to the close of the prophecies of Daniel, the final events are in view.
Antichrist's end is set forth elsewhere in Revelations not here.
Observe that throughout this section this willful king is a different person from either "the king of the north" or "the king of the south," who both fight against him.
Daniel 11:40 (NKJV)40 "At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through.
With what nations these two opponents will be identified is difficult to say for certain.
Antichrist's success at war is prophesied here. Likely the particular engines of war—whirlwind, chariots, horsemen, ships—are to be interpreted in terms of the engines of that future day. He will have modern weapons. Daniel saw war in terms of his own day, else he would not have recognized it.
- Can you trace trace the military career of this future king. Daniel 11:40-43
Daniel 11:41 (HCSB) He will also invade the beautiful land, and many will fall. But these will escape from his power: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of the Ammonites.
This describes an attack on Palestine. Perhaps it should be connected with Antichrist's breaking covenant.
We talked about that in Session 5. In review;
Daniel 9:27 (HCSB)27 He will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering. And the abomination of desolation will be on a wing of the temple until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”
Evidently the covenant is to be made between Antichrist and Israel when the Jews are back in their homeland in the last days. Or is it spiritual Israel or the church? The exact nature of the covenant is unknown. The evil and destructive events described in the remainder of this verse should be interpreted as summary information concerning the end;
For some thoughts on the part of that verse naming Edom, Moab and the Ammonites let’s go to another book written by a prophet who prophecies about the Messiah. Remember Isaiah also prophecies about the exile of the Jews, then the punishment of the nations around Israel and of Babylon for it’s treatment of the Jews, and then their coming Messiah.
Isaiah 11:10-16 (HCSB)10 On that day the root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him, and His resting place will be glorious.11 On that day the Lord will ⌊extend⌋ His hand a second time to recover—from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the coasts and islands of the west—the remnant of His people who survive.12 He will lift up a banner for the nations and gather the dispersed of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth.13 Ephraim’s envy will cease; Judah’s harassment will end. Ephraim will no longer be envious of Judah, and Judah will not harass Ephraim.14 But they will swoop down on the Philistine flank to the west. Together they will plunder the people of the east. They will extend their power over Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be their subjects.15 The LORD will divide the Gulf of Suez. He will wave His hand over the Euphrates with His mighty wind and will split it into seven streams, letting people walk through on foot.16 There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who will survive from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt.
This commentary from Wycliffe Bible Commentary
The Messianic kingdom will be ushered in by a second restoration of the Jews (which clearly excludes reference to the return under Zerubbabel in 537 b.c. and yet indicates a national restoration of comparable magnitude). This time the scattered people will come from every geographical direction: east—Assyria, Elam, Shinar; west—the isles of the sea; north—Hamath; and south—Egypt, Pathros or Upper Egypt, and Cush or Ethiopia. Such diverse regions were not involved in the return of 537. Not Jews alone, but the Gentile nations (gôyîm) also will rally to the standard of the cross (v. 12), to form a Jewish-Gentile Church even in the latter days. Furthermore, in that day there will no more be a cleavage between northern tribes and southern, but the Christian Israelites will constitute one harmonious people. God's people, moreover, will triumph over all the not-yet-converted nations surrounding them (as Philistia, Edom, and Moab surrounded ancient Israel). The natural barriers of the Euphrates and Nile will be removed, and communication between all these formerly hostile regions will be easy and unimpeded when the Prince of Peace rules over them all.
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
*Zerubbabel returned after Cyrus issued his decree in 538 BC. He conquered Babylon in 538 BC. In Ezra we read about who returned and that included Zerubbabel.
Daniel 11:42-44 (HCSB)42 He will extend his power against the countries, and not even the land of Egypt will escape.43 He will get control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the riches of Egypt. The Libyans and Cushites will also be in submission.44 But reports from the east and the north will terrify him, and he will go out with great fury to annihilate and completely destroy many.
We can’t really identify the nations of the north south or east that are in verses 40 and 44. but it is pretty clear that there are to be at least three strong national powers contemporary with Antichrist.
- "Reports from the east and the north" which alarm the king are apparently reports of other armies marching toward Israel ("at the beautiful holy mountain") for a final climactic battle. How would you describe the outcome of this battle from what you are told in this passage and from what you have already learned about the antichrist earlier in Daniel ?
He will have some initial success but will be destroyed.
Daniel 7:11 (HCSB)“I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire.
Daniel 7:25-27 (HCSB)25 He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.26 But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away, to be completely destroyed forever.27 The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’
Daniel 11:45 (HCSB)45 He will pitch his royal tents between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain, but he will meet his end with no one to help him.
Evidently in Palestine to put an end to the perennial Jewish problem by wiping out the Jews, he himself meets his end. We can read prophecies about the consummation of Israeli history in the last three chapters of Zechariah.
- All of Daniel 11 was future to Daniel. However, Daniel 11:2-35 is past to us. Looking back, we can see how precisely God's predictions came true. One scholar has calculated that, in the first thirty-five verses of this chapter, 135 specific prophecies are made that were literally fulfilled. How does this support the theme of the book—that the Lord is sovereign over history?
- How can God's sovereign rule help us to stand firm when evil seems to triumph?
Brilliant End for God's People The Time of the End
Daniel Chapter 12
Daniel 12:1-3 (HCSB)1 At that time Michael the great prince who stands watch over your people will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape.2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to shame and eternal contempt.3 Those who are wise will shine like the bright expanse ⌊of the heavens⌋, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
This is a prophecy Concerning the Great Tribulation of Israel. It is a providential chastening by the wicked hands of Antichrist to prepare for Messiah's coming. Though especially Israel's tribulation, it is a time of divine indignation over all the earth as well; so others will suffer. It is the belief of many in the church that the church will not go through this period because it is the tribulation of Israel. That is not the object of this study.
The period ends in a bodily resurrection to "everlasting life" This is the first scriptural usage of this term (everlasting life) —a common one in the New Testament. It is not, however, the first reference to a bodily resurrection. There are references to that in:
Job 19:26 (NKJV) 26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God,
Psalm 16:10 (NKJV)10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. (the second part of the verse is a prophetic reference to the Messiah)
Hosea 13:14 (NKJV) 14 "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes.
The resurrection of the ungodly is also spoken of here as a restoration "to shame and everlasting contempt"
7. Why do you think Daniel is given the instruction to seal the scroll "until the time of the end" ?
Daniel 12:4 (HCSB)4 “But you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”
If we look at verse 9 we will see that it has to do with the protection and authentication of the message
Daniel 12:9 (HCSB)9 He said, “Go on your way, Daniel, for the words are secret and sealed until the time of the end.
The events themselves would unfold the meaning of the prediction more fully, and would confirm its truth by their exact correspondence with it. Yet, though the revelation was closed, and all that the angel had designed to say had been said, he does, in the subsequent verses, throw out some suggestions as to the time, or as to some important events which were to mark the termination of the wonders referred to. They are bare hints, however, the meaning of which was to be reserved until the time when the predictions would be accomplished, and they are not of such a nature that they can be supposed to have furnished any additional light to Daniel, or to have done anything to relieve the perplexity of his mind in the case.
Barnes Notes From the Bible
Daniel 12:5-7 (HCSB)5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others were standing there, one on this bank of the river and one on the other.6 One of them said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long until the end of these extraordinary things?”7 Then I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river. He raised both his hands toward heaven and swore by Him who lives eternally that it would be for a time, times, and half ⌊a time⌋. When the power of the holy people is shattered, all these things will be completed.
8. Daniel's natural question after seeing this vision is "How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?
First of all the answer doesn’t come from another angel but from someone who is different from them. The man clothed in linen appears to be the pre incarnate Son of God himself and the questions are referred to him.
The consummation is to take place when the three and one-half times (31/2 years; 1, 260 days, 42 months) so frequently mentioned in Daniel's previous prophecies
Daniel 9:27 (HCSB)27 He will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering. And the abomination of desolation will be on a wing of the temple until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”
So these things prophesied in verses 1-3 will happen after this.
Daniel 12:1-3 (HCSB)1 At that time Michael the great prince who stands watch over your people will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape.2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to shame and eternal contempt.3 Those who are wise will shine like the bright expanse ⌊of the heavens⌋, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
How did the angel respond to Daniel’s concern? (12:8-13)
Daniel 12:8-13 HCSB I heard but did not understand. So I asked, “My Lord, what will be the outcome of these things? ” He said, “Go on your way, Daniel, for the words are secret and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; none of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand. From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. The one who waits for and reaches 1,335 days is blessed. But as for you, go on your way to the end; you will rest, then rise to your destiny at the end of the days.”
Daniel 12:10-13 (HCSB)10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; none of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.11 From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.12 The one who waits for and reaches 1,335 days is blessed.13 But as for you, go on your way to the end; you will rest, then rise to your destiny at the end of the days.”
The final section of the Book of Daniel seems to give a general chronology of this time of the end.
Daniel 12:10 See 1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Of particular note is the time period of 1,290 days specified in Daniel 12:11.
Daniel 12:11 HCSB From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
This is just 30 days beyond half of the last seven-year period of foretold history.
Why the extra 30 days? The reason is uncertain, though some have suggested that they refer to the time of judgment for the nations mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46 as following the Great Tribulation period.
Matthew 25:31-46 HCSB “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You? ’ “And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ Then He will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger and you didn’t take Me in; I was naked and you didn’t clothe Me, sick and in prison and you didn’t take care of Me.’ “Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help You? ’ “Then He will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me either.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Daniel 12:11 This carries prophecy from the middle of the seventieth week (1260 days) through the first thirty days of the Millennium
Revelation 20:2-7 HCSB He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for 1,000 years. He threw him into the abyss, closed it, and put a seal on it so that he would no longer deceive the nations until the 1,000 years were completed. After that, he must be released for a short time. Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge. I also saw the people who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of God’s word, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and who had not accepted the mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with the Messiah for 1,000 years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the 1,000 years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of the Messiah, and they will reign with Him for 1,000 years. When the 1,000 years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison
Whatever the reason, if we take the pattern of fulfilled prophecy as our guide, we can expect these to be literal days; and that when history overtakes prophecy, every detail will be seen and understood
Daniel 12:12 HCSBThe one who waits for and reaches 1,335 days is blessed.
This carries the prophecy seventy-five days beyond the end of the "week." Does it reach to the full establishment of Messiah's reign after sixty-five days of initial preliminary work? The Millennium, if a true administration of heaven's rule on earth in a visible manner, will require time for administrative processes to begin to work.
10. As you think back over the book of Daniel, what specific aspect of Daniel's character or example helped you most to live spiritually in a secular world?
How did it help you?
11. In the course of your study in Daniel, what did you learn about the character of God that strengthened you most spiritually?
Daniel Chapter 12
Daniel 12:1-3 (HCSB)1 At that time Michael the great prince who stands watch over your people will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape.2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to shame and eternal contempt.3 Those who are wise will shine like the bright expanse ⌊of the heavens⌋, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
This is a prophecy Concerning the Great Tribulation of Israel. It is a providential chastening by the wicked hands of Antichrist to prepare for Messiah's coming. Though especially Israel's tribulation, it is a time of divine indignation over all the earth as well; so others will suffer. It is the belief of many in the church that the church will not go through this period because it is the tribulation of Israel. That is not the object of this study.
The period ends in a bodily resurrection to "everlasting life" This is the first scriptural usage of this term (everlasting life) —a common one in the New Testament. It is not, however, the first reference to a bodily resurrection. There are references to that in:
Job 19:26 (NKJV) 26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God,
Psalm 16:10 (NKJV)10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. (the second part of the verse is a prophetic reference to the Messiah)
Hosea 13:14 (NKJV) 14 "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes.
The resurrection of the ungodly is also spoken of here as a restoration "to shame and everlasting contempt"
7. Why do you think Daniel is given the instruction to seal the scroll "until the time of the end" ?
Daniel 12:4 (HCSB)4 “But you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”
If we look at verse 9 we will see that it has to do with the protection and authentication of the message
Daniel 12:9 (HCSB)9 He said, “Go on your way, Daniel, for the words are secret and sealed until the time of the end.
The events themselves would unfold the meaning of the prediction more fully, and would confirm its truth by their exact correspondence with it. Yet, though the revelation was closed, and all that the angel had designed to say had been said, he does, in the subsequent verses, throw out some suggestions as to the time, or as to some important events which were to mark the termination of the wonders referred to. They are bare hints, however, the meaning of which was to be reserved until the time when the predictions would be accomplished, and they are not of such a nature that they can be supposed to have furnished any additional light to Daniel, or to have done anything to relieve the perplexity of his mind in the case.
Barnes Notes From the Bible
Daniel 12:5-7 (HCSB)5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others were standing there, one on this bank of the river and one on the other.6 One of them said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long until the end of these extraordinary things?”7 Then I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river. He raised both his hands toward heaven and swore by Him who lives eternally that it would be for a time, times, and half ⌊a time⌋. When the power of the holy people is shattered, all these things will be completed.
8. Daniel's natural question after seeing this vision is "How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?
First of all the answer doesn’t come from another angel but from someone who is different from them. The man clothed in linen appears to be the pre incarnate Son of God himself and the questions are referred to him.
The consummation is to take place when the three and one-half times (31/2 years; 1, 260 days, 42 months) so frequently mentioned in Daniel's previous prophecies
Daniel 9:27 (HCSB)27 He will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering. And the abomination of desolation will be on a wing of the temple until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”
So these things prophesied in verses 1-3 will happen after this.
Daniel 12:1-3 (HCSB)1 At that time Michael the great prince who stands watch over your people will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape.2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to shame and eternal contempt.3 Those who are wise will shine like the bright expanse ⌊of the heavens⌋, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
How did the angel respond to Daniel’s concern? (12:8-13)
Daniel 12:8-13 HCSB I heard but did not understand. So I asked, “My Lord, what will be the outcome of these things? ” He said, “Go on your way, Daniel, for the words are secret and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; none of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand. From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. The one who waits for and reaches 1,335 days is blessed. But as for you, go on your way to the end; you will rest, then rise to your destiny at the end of the days.”
Daniel 12:10-13 (HCSB)10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; none of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.11 From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.12 The one who waits for and reaches 1,335 days is blessed.13 But as for you, go on your way to the end; you will rest, then rise to your destiny at the end of the days.”
The final section of the Book of Daniel seems to give a general chronology of this time of the end.
Daniel 12:10 See 1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Of particular note is the time period of 1,290 days specified in Daniel 12:11.
Daniel 12:11 HCSB From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
This is just 30 days beyond half of the last seven-year period of foretold history.
Why the extra 30 days? The reason is uncertain, though some have suggested that they refer to the time of judgment for the nations mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46 as following the Great Tribulation period.
Matthew 25:31-46 HCSB “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You? ’ “And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ Then He will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger and you didn’t take Me in; I was naked and you didn’t clothe Me, sick and in prison and you didn’t take care of Me.’ “Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help You? ’ “Then He will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me either.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Daniel 12:11 This carries prophecy from the middle of the seventieth week (1260 days) through the first thirty days of the Millennium
Revelation 20:2-7 HCSB He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for 1,000 years. He threw him into the abyss, closed it, and put a seal on it so that he would no longer deceive the nations until the 1,000 years were completed. After that, he must be released for a short time. Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge. I also saw the people who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of God’s word, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and who had not accepted the mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with the Messiah for 1,000 years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the 1,000 years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of the Messiah, and they will reign with Him for 1,000 years. When the 1,000 years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison
Whatever the reason, if we take the pattern of fulfilled prophecy as our guide, we can expect these to be literal days; and that when history overtakes prophecy, every detail will be seen and understood
Daniel 12:12 HCSBThe one who waits for and reaches 1,335 days is blessed.
This carries the prophecy seventy-five days beyond the end of the "week." Does it reach to the full establishment of Messiah's reign after sixty-five days of initial preliminary work? The Millennium, if a true administration of heaven's rule on earth in a visible manner, will require time for administrative processes to begin to work.
10. As you think back over the book of Daniel, what specific aspect of Daniel's character or example helped you most to live spiritually in a secular world?
How did it help you?
11. In the course of your study in Daniel, what did you learn about the character of God that strengthened you most spiritually?
Bible Study Audio
RSS Feed