LESSON SEVENTEEN

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In this final chapter of Daniel’s prophecies, we are informed of a timeline that will set the stage for Revelation where we will then be shown what happens in these 1335 days.

Scripture to read: Daniel 12

“1And 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 [malat], every one that shall be found written in the book.” 

The words "at that time" indicate that the King of the North (USA) will come to his end (Dan. 11:45) during the time of trouble.

Those who are delivered are delivered because their names are found written in the book of life. This takes us back to Daniel 7 when the court scene was shown, judgment was set, and the books were examined. The judgment is the same event portrayed in Daniel 8 as the cleansing of the sanctuary, and now it ends when Michael stands up after the names in the book are finalized. 

This time of trouble is the worst the world has ever seen. It is the time of God's wrath when it is unmixed with mercy. The Spirit of God is finally withdrawn from the unrepentant and the earth descends into chaos and unrestrained evil activity. This is also the time of the seven last plagues. Christ protects His saints during the plagues, but He returns to earth after the sixth trumpet to rescue His bride "thy people shall be delivered".

“2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” 

The many that are resurrected refers to the 1st resurrection (Rev. 20:5-6). The righteous dead are raised to life to join the righteous living in ascending to meet Christ in the air. They are raised to "everlasting life". There is also a special resurrection for the unrepentant who pierced Him (had a hand in Christ's death on the cross), who will briefly live to see him coming in the clouds of glory. This latter group is raised to "shame and everlasting contempt".

“3And 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.” 

The wise shine, reminding us of the bright white clothing that the righteous wear in Revelation, which means that Christ's righteousness is lived out within them. The righteous who spread the gospel are here portrayed as stars, just like in Daniel 8, Revelation 1 and elsewhere, where stars are messengers.

“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. 5 Then I Daniel looked, and behold, there stood other two (cherubim), the one (cherub) on this side of the bank of the river, and the other (cherub) on that side of the bank of the river. 6 And one (cherub) said to the man clothed in linen (Jesus), 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 (Jesus), 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 forever 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.” 

One of the heavenly beings asks to know when the “time of the end” would occur and Jesus swears by his Father that it will occur after 1260 days of tribulation. This period of persecution is 1260 days "time, times, and an half". The time is repeated in various other prophecies as "forty and two months" and "thousand two hundred and threescore days". As we get into Revelation keep in the back of your mind verse 7. This is a confirmation that Jesus is the “strong angel” in Revelation 10 carrying the book of life in his right hand at our rescue.

“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. 12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest and stand in thy lot at the end of the day” 

Daniel doesn't quite understand and asks the same question. Jesus then explains it again, describing the time of persecution, but this time, providing another time frame to help Daniel understand.

The 1290 days

This time, the description is in relation to the 1290 days of the removal of the daily and the setup of the abomination of desolation. Earlier, in Daniel 11:31, we saw that the daily sacrifice was taken away in 554AD when emperor Justinian conquered Italy, issued the Pragmatic Sanction, and his armies enforced his edicts in Italy including the integration of the papacy into the structure of government. By officially establishing the papacy, by law, as part of the structure of government, the Byzantines established the papacy's rebellion (placed the abomination that maketh desolate), which diverted souls away from Jesus' ministry (daily sacrifice), and instead pointed them to the papacy's substitute earthly system of priestly mediation, thus wounding the heavenly sanctuary (sanctuary of strength). 

“How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said to me, 'For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be properly restored.” Daniel 8:13-14

Notice that both Daniel 12:11 and Daniel 8:13-14 tie together the taking away of the daily sacrifice and the abomination/transgression of desolation with a time prophecy. Daniel's writings, portions of which were "sealed till the time of the end", will be completely unsealed when Daniel's words are destined to bear his testimony "stand in thy lot" and be preached throughout the entire world. This shows us that the daily sacrifice and an abomination of desolation will recur in the end days.

Prophecies are concerned with events that affect God's people and powers who rule over God's people. The Organized Church of Christ in large part moved from the middle east up to Asia minor and then Europe. Prophecy is linked to the kingdom that rules over these areas. Note that God's people dwell throughout the earth on every continent and every country.

Notice that the word “sealed” is used only in this last chapter of Daniel prophecy. When we get to the Revelation of Jesus Christ you will see that Daniel’s prophecy was sealed in the scroll and included as chapter 12 of Revelation. It is interesting that it is referenced as the same chapter number in both Daniel and Revelation prophecies. I believe that this was intentional. Also, notice that Daniel 10 seems to be an interlude and really doesn’t have any prophetic content. It is my understanding that chapter 10 was the last chapter written by Daniel. 

Now I am aware that the chapter and verse numbers in the Bible were created by man years later, but could it be that our Lord had a part in its placement? 

In conclusion, once again it is a God worth serving and trusting who can tell the future and make provision for every person's need. 

Daniel 11:40-45 is only one of many remarkable Bible prophecies that may be seen precisely fulfilled in history. This should reassure us that we can count on future prophecies to be fulfilled in the same way and give concrete evidence of the realness and veracity of God and His Word.

"And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe" John 14:29

Next week we move into the Revelation of Jesus Christ, the most beautiful book ever written. There I will begin to reveal everything that the Holy Spirit has blessed me with including how Daniel’s prophecies play a part. I would like to encourage you at this time to refresh your knowledge of the lessons on numbers and the Lord's feasts which play a major role in revealing the end time calendar. 

If you are wondering how the timeline in Daniel 12 fits into the end, revert back to the calendar in your Study Tools or you can wait until we move into Revelation's lessons, so it makes more sense. But I will tell you this, it is without a doubt the calendar for Revelation.