Daniel 12:8-13
The Time of the End ~ Part
3
Pray
Time of the End (vs. 8-9)
Dan. 12:8 Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?”
Dan. 12:9 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
√ Time of the end ~ a question
You’ll remember that last week it was one of the Angels who asked the chief Angel a question!
“How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?”
Daniel 12:6
That is, how long will the tribulations last that Daniel saw in his vision.
Now Daniel asks a question because it’s still not clear to him!
Vs. 8…
“Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?”
That is, Daniel wants to know what God’s plans are for
Ap. You’re not that dumb!
I like that! Why? Because it encourages me to know that Daniel sometimes struggled to understand the Word of God!
That is, if Daniel ~ the great prophet of God to whom was revealed the secrets of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and it’s interpretation didn’t always get it…
…then you and I shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves when we read the Bible and don’t understand it the first time through!
God’s Word was designed to provide you with a lifetime of rich learning so don’t get frustrated ~ just keep digging and ask God to help you understand!
Ex. The most wonderful Book!
On the one hand the Bible’s message is simple enough that anyone can understand it and be saved…
…while at the same time deep enough to challenge the greatest intellect and provide a life time of intellectual and spiritual delights!
√ Time of the End ~ the answer
The Angel’s answer is interesting because he doesn’t give Dan all the information he probably desired, rather, he only gives him what God deemed necessary…
…kind of a “need to know” basis.
“Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” ~ vs. 9
The command to “go your way” is literally "to go" but it is not meant in a physical sense.
Rather, the angel is telling Daniel to make a mental departure from the question.
More details of the Kingdom Age would be revealed later through other prophets (Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi)…
…and ultimately through Jesus and His apostles (ex. Matt. 24, Thess., & The Revelation).
So the Angels tells Daniel that he must be content with what God has revealed thus far!
Why!? Because God reserved the fullness of His revelation to Mankind for the ministry of His Son who would bring all of God’s prophetic plan together in Himself!
Heb. 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
Heb. 1:2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
And…
Matt. 17:4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Matt. 17:5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
That is, the Father exalted Jesus above both Moses and Elijah, the Law and the Prophets…
…because Jesus is the very Word of God (ref. John 1:1)
Finally, John’s Angel guide said…
Rev. 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
The point is that Daniel, like each of us, has a part to play in God’s great plan to redeem Man from sin, but only a part.
Jesus alone is the fullness of God’s revelation of Himself and His plan to Mankind.
So, Daniel would have to be satisfied with that which God had given him and leave the rest of the story to others of God’s choosing.
Ap. No Lone Ranger in God’s Army
On a personal note I think that God’s answer to Daniel reminds us that none of us can go it alone in the work of God.
The Holy Spirit has given each of us a part to play, but only a part.
When we work together as a Body we learn to appreciate the unique gifting of each member…
…and to recognize our own limitations.
That experience helps to keep our greatest enemy in check…
…our pride!
√ Sealed until the End
So, when will God reveal the fullness of His plan for Mankind, the Jewish people specifically (“your people”) and all of humanity generally?
“Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” ~ vs. 9
That is, the understanding of these things will not come till the time of the end.
Until then, there is a sense in which these prophecies are closed up and sealed.
That doesn’t mean that there was no instruction, blessing, or benefit in these words for any generation prior to the time of the end.
But the meaning of these prophecies would be better understood at the time of the end as God provided more detail through later prophets…
…and the words of His Son and His Apostles as recorded in the New Testament.
Ex. Recent interest in Prophecy
While God’s people have always been interested in prophecy (Daniel’s a good example ~ Dan. 9:2)…
…there has never been a time in history where so many of God’s people have been interested in, and understanding, prophecy like the last 150 years of Church history.
Due in part to the widespread availability of the scripture for study.
Due also to the work of the Holy Spirit to bring to light the mysteries of the End Times to those who study His Word.
So, the fact that there is such a greater understanding of the prophetic plan is a sign that we are living in the End Times.
Timing of the End (vs. 10-13)
Dan. 12:10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.
√ Timing of the End
The final words of the Angel give us some interesting clues about the last days before God puts an end to the Kingdoms of Men.
1) The Saved
Vs. 10 tells us that out of the terrible time of the Tribulation, some will be saved!
“Many shall be purified, made white, and refined,”
This is probably a reference to the many people who respond to the testimony of the Two Witnesses (Rev. 11) and the 144,000 Jewish evangelists (Rev. 7 & 14).
Remember, only by the Blood of Christ can anyone be “purified and made white”!
So, these will be people (specifically Jews) who get saved during the Tribulation.
2) The Lost
Vs. 10 also tells us that the wicked will not respond to God’s Grace and will continue on their path of evil.
“…but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.”
It’s hard to believe that anyone would turn from God’s incredible offer of salvation, yet many do and many will in the Last Days.
Paul gives us the best understanding of how this happens in a person’s life in his letter to the Romans ~ chapter 1.
The point is that God predicts that in the End Times there will still be wicked people doing wicked things!
√ Timing of the End
Dan. 12:11 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.
Dan. 12:12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.
Dan. 12:13 “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”
This is an amazingly specific prophecy. Daniel says that from the time that the abomination of desolation is set up…
…you can count the days until the End!
That is, from the day that the Antichrist enters the rebuilt
…you can count 1,290 days until God wraps up His plans for Mankind!
That’s why Jesus pointed to Daniel’s prophecy of the abomination of desolation as the sign that would mark the immediacy of His return! (Matthew 24:15).
It’s also the reason that the Rapture of the Church must be two separate events occurring at two different times!
√ Rapture vs. 2nd Advent
The Rapture of the Church is characterized by Jesus and His apostles imminent, that is coming at an “unknown” hour on an “unknown” day!
Matt. 24:36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
And…
Matt. 24:44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Contrasted to the 2nd Advent, which is characterized by a host of signs leading up to the event, and the sign spoken of by Daniel and quoted by Jesus that gives those alive the exact day that Jesus will return.
So, the Rapture of the Church and the 2nd Advent cannot be the same events…
…and the Rapture must proceed Jesus’ Return to set up His Kingdom on Earth.
Ap. Not Post-tribulational
Our friends who hold a post-tribulational view point will say that the Rapture happens nano-seconds before Jesus Returns.
That still doesn’t reconcile the two events as Jesus said that no one knows the day of the Rapture…
…while Daniel’s prophecy gives us the exact day of His Return.
Nor does it reconcile a host of other problems not the least of which is that Paul tells us that the Antichrist can’t even take power until the Church is removed (2 Thess. 2:1-7).
That event constitutes the beginning of the Tribulation (Rev. 6:1-2).
Which means that the Church must taken in the Rapture before the Tribulation begins!
√ How many days?
Vs. 12 throws us a curve ball!
“Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. “
1,335 days!!
Up until now we’ve been talking about 1,260 days ~ Rev. 11:3, 12:6 ~ “time, times and half a time” Dan. 12:7, etc.
Did you catch that in vs. 11 it was 1,290 days!
Where did all the extra days come from and what does it all mean? Some Bible students suggest…
1,260 days ~ Jesus returns to rescue
1,290 days ~ Jesus is crowned King of the Word.
1,335 days the nations are judged “sheep & goats” (Matthew 25:31-46).
We don’t have enough information to be dogmatic, but this outline has some merit and helps us to get our mind around the prophecy.
√ What about Dan!
For the second time the Angel tells Daniel…
“Go your way” ! vs. 9 & 13
That is, Daniel wasn’t to invest any more mental energy trying to figure it out because it’s sealed (he wouldn’t be able to understand)…
…and God had a plan for his life and he would need to focus on that!
Close
Ap. The time of the End
The Angel’s words to Daniel in verse 13 have a universal application in the life of every person…
Every person has a way to go ~ so follow the path God has given you.
Every person has an end ~ so choose your path wisely for there are only two destinations.
There is a rest provided for the people of God ~ so use the time you have now for His glory.
There is an inheritance for the people of God ~ so invest your life in the treasure that will last forever.
The book of Daniel reminds us that…
How we live out our faith is important
That God honors those who honor Him
That our faith is not blind, rather, it is based upon the sure foundation of God’s Prophetic word!