CHAPTER 12

12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Many times in the Old Testament the term "that day" is used. One must read the CONTEXT of the Scripture involved to see to what the term refers. In this case, "that day" refers back to Chapter 11:36-45. It will be the day of "..Jacob's trouble.." (See Jeremiah 30:7). It is the time of the "..great tribulation..." Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:21.

Take careful note that God does NOT say that every Jew will be delivered. He DOES say that those who are found "..written in the book.." will be delivered.

Christians are Jews by adoption through the Name and blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore, this promise applies to the "..all Israel.." that Paul speaks of in Romans 11:24-27.

There will be a resurrection and "..many of them that sleep in the dust.." (verse 2) shall "..awake.." However, not ALL shall arise to salvation. Some shall arise to "..everlasting contempt.."

That resurrection is the first resurrection spoken of in Revelation 20:1-6. From this resurrection many saints of God will "..reign.." with Christ for one thousand years.

Only the "..wise.." will receive the righteousness of Christ which shines "..as the brightness of the firmament.."

The wise does not refer to them that are intelligent according to the world. "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness." (1Cor. 3:19)

The wise refers to those who "..love His appearing." (See 2Timothy 4:8)

4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

That's it! No more! Let's see if we can put it in everyday English for you and me. "You can shut up your book now, Daniel. There is no more." But...."people will gather knowledge about this."

5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

Daniel saw two other angels standing above the waters. He also saw the "man clothed in linen," which is Christ.

One of the angels asked Jesus "..How long...?" Jesus answered "..a time, times and an half..."

Daniel heard this, but did not understand it.

8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

Now Daniel speaks directly to the Lord and asks when. Jesus tells him again that this is the end of the prophecy. There will be those who live for righteousness, and there will be those who live for wickedness. Those who live for righteousness will be considered wise and will understand. Those who live for wickedness will NOT understand.

Then, Jesus tells Daniel that it will be "..a thousand two hundred and ninety days" until the temple will be desecrated by an idol.

The "..time, times and an half.." refer to 1 year, 2 years and 1/2 year. That's the same as 1,260 days (in the Jewish calendar). However, Jesus says that it is 1,290 days. This would seem that both the 1,260 days and the 1,290 days refer to actual events caused by Antiochus Epiphanes (see discussion on Chapter 11:22-35).

Again, we must realize that most prophecy has TWO or MORE applications. There is the immediate and the future application. We have seen history record the immediate fulfillment of this in the events surrounding Antiochus Epiphanes. However, we are YET to see the application of this in the future sense.

12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

Here is yet ANOTHER statement of time. Theologians have pondered this for centuries and have failed to come up with a logical explanation. Perhaps it refers explicitly to a future application of which we are not yet aware.

BUT.....

13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

For Daniel, the prophetic revelation is ended. He is now to "seal" up the book he's written, and to go on his way. He will find "rest" in the grave. For he who BELIEVES in the Lord shall find that at death, his body shall return to the ground, but his spirit shall return to God (Ecclesiastes 12:6-7).

And in the end, he shall stand again in his "lot," or appointed place. The believer such as Daniel shall have his body resurrected from the grave and made into a perfect body that will be without corruption or death. Then he shall be rejoined with his spirit and serve the Lord in everlasting joy!

All those who die IN Christ shall find "rest" in Him at death (2Corinthians 5:4-8). And all those who die in Christ shall also stand again in their appointed positions (1Thessalonians 4:13-18).

This is a tremendously comforting note upon which to end the prophecy!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.