DANIEL 12

INTRODUCTION:

1. Daniel’s fourth vision, beginning in chapter 10, continues through chapter 11 and into chapter 12 up to verse 3.
2. Dan.11:36—12:3 is an important prophetic passage and includes references to the antichrist, the one-world government, the battle of Armageddon, the great tribulation, and the final resurrection.

12:1 "Michael" refers to the archangel (Jude 9; cf. Dan.10:13,21), who is Israel’s defender. Daniel refers to the coming tribulation as "a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation" (cf. Matt.24:21). During the tribulation, God will our out His wrath upon all of mankind, but especially the Jews for their rejection of Christ (cf. Deut.4:30; Jer.30:7). Of course, God will also judge the heathen nations for their sin and unbelief (cf. Ezek.30:1-5; Rev.6:3,4,8,17, etc.).

Satan will attack Israel during the tribulation (Rev.12:13-16), but God will intervene and protect the remnant that repent and turn to Christ (Rev.12:17; cf. Rom.11:26; Zech.12:10; 13:8,9; Dan.12:1 – "thy people shall be delivered…"). This faithful remnant have their names "written in he book" of life (Dan.12:1; cf. Rev.20:12,15; 21:27; 22:19).

12:2 This prophecy has reference to the resurrection of the O.T. saints and those martyred during the tribulation at the end of the tribulation (cf. Isa. 26:19-21; Rev.20:4). "Sleep" here does not refer to "soul-sleep," a false doctrine taught by some cults. The body appears to be sleeping, but the soul never sleeps (cf. I Thess.4:13). O.T. saints will not be part of the rapture but will be resurrected after the tribulation along with the tribulation martyrs.

The unsaved will be resurrected "to shame and everlasting contempt" at the end of the 1,000 year reign of Christ (cf. John 5:28,29; Rev.20:5). The book of Revelation fills in many of the details that are unclear from the other prophecies.

12:3 The saved are "wise" and "shall shine as the brightness of the firmament" (cf. Matt.13:43). Soulwinners are "wise" (Pro.11:30) because they "turn many to righteousness." God will reward those that are faithful.

12:4 On the basis of this Scripture, Sir Isaac Newton wrote these words over 300 years ago: "Personally I believe these words concern the end of time. Men will travel from country to country. There may be some means of travel invented which will enable people to go much more quickly than now." Voltaire, the famous French infidel scoffed at Newton and said: "Now look at the mighty mind of Newton, who discovered gravitation; when he began to study the Bible, it seems in order to credit its fabulous nonsense, he believed that the knowledge of mankind will be so increased that we shall be able to travel fifty miles an hour! The poor dotard!"

The primary application of these prophecies is for those (us?) living in "the time of the end." Therefore, Daniel is instructed to "shut up the words, and seal the book." The things Daniel saw in his visions could not be properly understood except in the light of the N.T. (cf. Dan.12:8; Rev.22:10).

"Knowledge" refers to the tremendous increase in knowledge during the last days, but specifically to an increase in Bible prophecy.

12:5,6 Daniel was by the river Hiddekel (cf. 10:4), i.e. the Tigris River. He apparently saw three angels. Gabriel might be the angel "which was upon the waters of the river" (12:6), but we are not told (cf. 10:5; 8:16).

12:7 The angel raised his hands to heaven as if making a solemn oath (cf. Rev.10:5,6). "A time, times, and an half" refer to the second half of the seven year tribulation period (cf. 7:25; 9:27; Rev.11:2,3; 12:6,14; 13:5). The antichrist will rule in relative peace during the first half of the tribulation, but will double-cross Israel "in the midst of the week" (Dan.9:27). This will precipitate a series of conflicts and battles leading into the Battle of Armageddon.

12:8 As I said earlier, more light is given in the N.T., especially the book of Revelation.

12:9 "The words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end" (cf. Dan. 12:4).

12:10 "Many" will repent and "shall be purified" (cf. Titus 2:12,13; I John 3:3). "But the wicked shall do wickedly" and follow the antichrist. They shall not understand the things of God, "but the wise shall understand" (cf. I Cor.2:14).

12:11,12 The angel said that 1,290 days will be counted off "from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away…i.e. from the mid-point of the seventieth week (three and a half years). This is at variance with other Scriptures which teach it will be 42 months (Rev.11:2) or 1,260 days (Rev.11:3). The thirty extra days could extend beyond the end of the tribulation in order to allow more time for God’s judgment of the nations (cf. Matt.25:31-46; Ezek.39:9,12-21).

A blessing is promised for "he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days (1,335)." Here we have another additional 45 days beyond the 1,290 days. Again, one cannot be too certain concerning these prophecies (cf. Scofield’s notes, p. 920).

12:13 Daniel was now old and ready to die. God told him, "for thou shalt rest." But when our Lord returns to set up His kingdom, Daniel shall "stand" in his lot with the rest of God’s saints. What a meeting that will be!