Daniel 12

Message: The Time of the End

Time: Third year of Cyrus the Persian (~535/536 BC) - a continuation of the Daniel 10 vision

What the Lord is Saying: 

Verse 1 declares a future final deliverance of the saints - "every one of those written in the book (of Life) will be rescued," specifically the elect of Israel. And at thi time there will be a great distress. Distress is the Greek word tsarah and is translated with the word thlipsis (tribulation) as sheer, physical pressure, as when pressing grapes. It conveys the idea of being squeezed or placed under pressure or crushed beneath a weight. When, according to the ancient law of England, those who willfully refused to plead guilty, had heavy weights placed on their breasts, and were pressed and crushed to death, this was literally thlipsis.(Source: http://preceptaustin.org/daniel_12_commentary.htm)

Verse 2 refers to those who have been asleep, which is a metaphor for death. When the body is in a grave it is inactive, thus in a state of sleep. Both deceased believers and deceased unbelievers will be raised, reunited with their spirit, to spend eternity in bodily form. Thus, two resurrections

Verse 3 points to our mission here. We are to shine as bright as the sky. We are to lead many to righteousness or saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We don't convert, but we lead, we show them the way. But, our lives are to be a testimony of our condition in Christ. As a leader, people only know to follow when our voice is raised.

Verse 4 speaks of Daniel and his need to seal this book. To seal something is to close it up so that no one will add to it. Times will change, knowledge will increase, but this message will not change. It is sealed.

Verse 5 - Two more stood on opposite sides of the river. Could this be two more angelic beings?

Verse 6 - How long until these events are over? Not, when will these begin, but when will they end.

Verse 7 - The man raises both hands. We often raise one hand to state an oath and scripture supports this, but this man raises both hands, thus symbolizing the highest degree of assurance one could provide. The time expressed is 1260 days or 3 1/2 years and will consummate with the utter defeat of Israel by her enemies. We have multiple examples of Israel's demise by their enemies in scripture, but this is when it is final, as it comes to an end.

Verse 8 - We are told throughout scripture to be careful. We are to be careful with our conduct and our understanding of truth. And here as well is the proclamation that though words have been stated, there is still not clear understanding. This is tough truth, tough in the sense, that it is not easy to understand.

Verse 9 - And the response to Daniel's request for clarity is for him to go. He is to continue to live and persevere and proclaim the name of the Lord. As in Daniel 6, when a law was decreed that people were only to pray to Darius, the response of Daniel was to not change his life, but to continue to pray. So, yes, be careful to understand the words, but also realize they are sealed and we can't add to them. We must leave them intact. They are static, but our lives are to be lived with a focus on leading people to righteousness.

Verse 10 - This verse context is not meant to explain the history of the church and its people and what they experience, but it remains in the context of the 3 1/2 years and what will be experienced by those present during that time. Believers will understand these times because of the insight given to them by God. The wicked will lack understanding because God will not have revealed to them.

Verse 11 - There will be a future rebuilt of the Jewish temple and it will be desecrated. And at this time an object or person will be worshiped for 3 1/2 years.

Verse 12 - Despite the worship of this man/object, the blessed are to wait and remain, continuing their actions described in verse 9.

Verse 13 - To everyone else, go do what you have been doing, again the same words I mentioned in verse 9. Keep serving the Lord. To Daniel, you will at some point die, and then you will rest, thus not experiencing any of these acts of the 7 years and then will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you. An inheritance is something we receive as a gift. It is not something we earn.

Promise: God holds the future in his hands. Seek to understand it, indeed, but realize it is a plan that is sealed and can't be changed, so focus instead more on the life that you are to live in the hear and now and that is one of faithfulness to the Lord and leading people to righteousness. And in the end, God will take care of your reward.