Daniel 12

Chapter 12:1 – Focus on Israel and her people. Same period as 11:36-45. Archangel Michael comes to help Israel, as in chapter 10:13, 21 & Revelation 12:7-9 in Israel’s worst period of suffering ever. Deuteronomy 4:30; Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:21. The intense suffering is caused by Antichrist’s hate and persecution – Anti-Semitism. Two thirds die, rebels purged (Ezekiel 20:33-38). Michael casts Satan from access to heaven, down to the earth, who, in turn exerts his fury against the Jewish people. (Christians are in heaven with the Lord). Satan tries to disprove and destroy Bible truth concerning the glorious future for Israel – an endeavour to prove God a liar! He is the dragon of Revelation 12. Satan masterminds Antichrist but he becomes a proved failure. One third of Israel is spared and saved (Zechariah 12:10-13:1). Same deliverance as in Daniel 7:26-27.

“Written in the Book”. ‘Book of life’ (Exodus 32:32-33; Psalm 69:28; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12-15; 21:27). Many Jewish people will have become true believers due to the two witnesses and the 144,000.

Verses 2-3 – Physical resurrection of the martyred believing Jewish people raised to enjoy the Millennium (see Revelation 20:4-6). Resurrection of the Tribulation martyrs among the Gentiles – Millennial and Eternal blessings of Salvation. (Find resurrection of Tribulation saints in Revelation 7:9-17). Old Testament saints raised too when Christ returns.

Verse 4 – ‘Seal the book’ – preserve and maintain its safety. It does not mean to hide its message. ‘Run to and fro’ – many searching for answers and information concerning future events (2nd Chronicles 16:9, Jeremiah 5:1; Amos 8:12; Zechariah 4:10). Daniel is to preserve his book so that people of all time, especially now these end times, may have it for reference to the last end-time events. Daniel will unfold then.

Verses 5-6 – Again the two angels are still with Christ – same vision time. (Two witnesses establish a point).

Verse 7 – Solemnity and importance in the answer. 3½ years. Second half of Great Tribulation.

Verses 8 & 9 – Daniel is told that the revelation given him is for the time of the end. Further revelation given for the end in the book of Revelation, to be linked with Daniel.

Verse 10 – Many Jews to be saved to walk right with their God. Others remain wicked and judged as rebels.

1260 days (3½ years) being the 2nd half of the Great Tribulation plus 30 days. Is this for the Judgment of the Living Nations upon Christ’s return? (Matthew 25:31-46). This may include summoning the rest of the Jewish people back to Israel to live under their redeeming King (Ezekiel 20:34-38).

Verse 12 – 1335 days. Note extra 45 days. Maybe this is the length of time needed to set up the governmental machinery of the 5th Empire – Christ’s reign – the Millennium. True and full borders for Israel will have to be set up, Genesis 15:18 and be established. Appointments of kings and rulers made worldwide.

Verse 13 – Daniel will rest in death, to be raised in resurrection and to stand again to receive and enjoy his inheritance place as a saint for the Millennium and for eternity, at the second coming of Christ. This seems the likely time for the resurrection of the Old Testament saints. Maybe he will have a high office in the Millennium as he did in the exile period. He prepared the exiles from the study of the Scriptures to return to Israel. Will be have the same office again?

Summary: (1) World ruler. 2) World religion. (3) World war. (4) Time of Great Tribulation for Israel. (5) Deliverance for the people of God at the end of the Great Tribulation. (6) Resurrection and Judgement. (7) Reward for the Righteous.

John Walvoord writes, “This concluding revelation linked with the Millennial Kingdom and resurrection in the Old Testament acts as a capstone on top of all the preceding tremendous revelations, establishes the book of Daniel as the greatest and most comprehensive prophetic revelation of the Old Testament. Its counterpart in the New Testament in the book of Revelation provides the final Word of God concerning the Prophetic programme of the ages.”

In the light of world conditions today, which would seem to anticipate the fulfilment of Daniel’s ‘time of the end’, it is possible to understand Daniel today as never before in history.

If God is reviving His people Israel politically, allowing the Church to drift into indifference and apostasy, and permitting the nations to move towards centralisation of political power (United States of Europe and then One World Order and Global Government under the Antichrist), it may not be long before the time of the end will overtake the world.

Many who look up for the coming of the Lord anticipate their removal from earth’s scene before the final days of the time of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The hour may not be far distant when faithful saints – Jews and Gentiles, but not the Church – in the midst of trial in the Great Tribulation will turn to these pages of Scripture and find in them the strength and courage to remain true even though it may mean a martyr’s death.