In what has been referred to as the fourth vision of Daniel that began back in chapter 10, it now reaches its grand climax in chapter 12 with its prophesies about:
*The Great Tribulation
*The Resurrection of Old Testament Saints
*The Sealing Up of Prophecy Until the Time of The End
*The Abomination of Desolation
We begin chapter 12 with references to Daniel's people - the Jews - and to the Archangel Michael, the protector of the Nation of Israel. ...
Daniel 12:1-3 ...
While Michael has been the protective overseer of the Jews throughout their history, his work will become even more critical in the days ahead. .. The end-time reality for the Jews, according to prophecy, will deteriorate into something worse than anything anyone has ever witnessed in world history. .. Therefore, when you & I think we have it difficult at any given moment, we must remember that the pain & sorrow we may be suffering will pale into insignificance when compared with the trials & tribulations yet to come to so many. ..
Jeremiah 30:7 says, "How awful that day will be! None will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob but he will be saved out of it." .. Jesus confirmed Jeremiah's prophecy in Matthew 24:21 when He said, "For then there will be great distress unequaled from the beginning of the world until now - and never to be equaled again." .. However, Jesus says that Michael the protector will also be on the scene, doing battle with Satan in the heavenlies. (See Revelation 12:7-8) ...
In Daniel 12:1, we see Michael "standing for the people of Israel." .. Why will Michael be there? .. So that the Jews might be saved physically. .. That's Michael's job, and the Jews - at the time of the end - will never need his assistance more than during the time of 'Jacob's trouble.' .. Everything will go relatively smooth during the first half of the Tribulation, but then wham! .. Everything is smashed to pieces at the midpoint of the Tribulation. .. (See Daniel 9:27) ..
This is the beginning of the time of great persecution for the Jews as Satan is cast out of heaven, with his primary assignment to obliterate the Jewish people from the face of the earth. ..
(See Revelation 12:13) .. For all these reasons, Michael will be there to stand up for his people, as revealed to Daniel in the first verse of this chapter 12. ..
Daniel 12:4-13 ...
Daniel is told in no uncertain terms that his vision is NOT for today, and that his revelation will only be understood at the time of the end. .. For this reason many of the prophesies dealing with the Revived Roman Empire, mentioned in Daniel 2 in the form of the image, as well as the four beasts so accurately described in chapter 7, would not be understood until the time of the end when the book would be unsealed & revealed. ..
Historically, none of Daniel's visions made much sense to Bible scholars until 1890, when Dr. Gabaelein began to teach that a revived Roman Empire would come into play during the time of the end. .. Therefore, the terminology "shut up the words until the time of the end" only became operative in an unprecedented way at the beginning of the 20th century. .. This is also when we began to understand clearly that a great nation would march against israel (Ezekiel 38-39) and that this enemy would come from the north. .. No one could make much sense of Daniel's vision until certain world events began to reveal themselves to God's servants. ..
Today we understand much more of HOW it all will happen. .. But WHEN does it occur? .. "When many run to and fro and knowledge is increased." .. (verse 4) .. Here's some things to look for ---
*Travel is reaching unparalleled proportions ..
*Knowledge is doubling every 20 months at last count ..
*Read all of Matthew 24:4-14 ... (Jesus' teachings concerning the signs of the end) ..
Now, once again Daniel is joined by angels who come to give him further insight into historical matters concerning the time of the end. .. The one angel responds by saying that 'time, times, and a half-time will bring all things to a conclusion. .. So what things, and what is meant by this expression? .. We do know that 'time, times, and a half-time equals 42 months. .. This is taught in Daniel's '70 weeks' prophecy in chapter 9. .. The Tribulation lasts a total of 7 years, or two 42-month periods. .. This represents the last half of the Tribulation, or, the Great Tribulation. ..
The things that will take place are partly what we read in Matthew 24 as well as and leading up to the final great battle of Armageddon. .. Wars & rumors of wars will occur now & up to & through the 42 months, right up to the exact moment that the beast & his armies battle Jesus Christ as recorded in Revelation 19:11-21. .. Then, as Christ appears, the words of Isaiah 2:4 become a reality ... "He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." Hallelujah! ..
It is going to take the real Prince - Jesus Christ - to bring history to this final tranquil conclusion, the one who's name is the 'Prince of Peace.' .. (See Isaiah 9:6) ..
The angel said one more thing. .. It was about many being purified, or made white - people who would have understanding and also about those who were wicked, and who, in their wickedness, would not be able to understand the things of God. .. 1st Corinthians 2:14 says that the natural man, the one who is unsaved, does not understand the things of God. .. Also, 1 Corinthians 1:18 says this, "For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." ..Simply, they can't understand the teachings because they have NO spiritual discernment. ..
On the other hand, God's people - especially those who've gone through the mill - will have divine insight into these things because they, as God's faithful servants, have experienced such trials and have been purified through these times of testing. (Note: We here in America are about to enter into a 'time of testing' never before experienced in this once-blessed land.) ..
The Apostle Paul said that tribulation works patience within us. .. Therefore, those who have been through pain & suffering , but who, through that process, have remained close to the Lord, and have read His word, and have prayed in faith, believing, and have understood the things of God through the Holy Spirit's enlightenment - will have ALL these predictions revealed to them.
.. But those who have hardened their hearts through wickedness will go to the time of the end totally ignorant of, and carelessly indifferent to the end-time conditions & predictions. .. It will be like the Days of Noah. .. (See Matthew 24:37-39) ..
Now, as we come to the final verse of the Book of Daniel, this great saint and man of God is in his 90s. .. The angel tells him to"go thy way till the end be: for he shall rest, and stand in his lot at the end of his days." .. This angel is simply saying that there will be a soon-approaching moment when Daniel will die and rest from his labors. .. But the angel adds that a glorious day is coming when Daniel and all believing people shall stand up and be raised from the dead to rule & reign with Christ. .. Hallelujah! ...
For a moment, let's review who will be there on that great day! .. There will be four groups sharing Christ's kingdom for 1000 years ---
*The believers who were raptured & who return with Christ 7 years later .. (See Jude 14 - Revelation 19:14) ...
*The believers who are selected at Christ's return & are alive at the time of His return .. (See Matthew 25:34) ..
*The Old Testament Jewish believers covering a period of some 4000 years who are raised from the dead at Christ's return to enter the kingdom. .. (See Daniel 12:2) ..
*The believers, both Jew & gentiles, who died for Christ during the Tribulation period and are raised from the dead upon the Savior's second coming. .. (See Revelation 20:4) ..
And thus, we come to the close of the Book of Daniel, and a look at the final end-time prophesies that have now been revealed. .. We have seen how the Book of Daniel clearly demonstrates the sovereign rule of Almighty God over the affairs of men. .. We have seen prophecy & prophecy fulfilled, all verifiable & documented by religious & secular history! .. We have observed that God remains in control and will until the time of the end, giving the gentile world dominance until Christ returns. .. To all this I will only add ...
... Come quickly, Lord Jesus! ...