Daniel 12:5-13
The fourth verse marks the end of the prophetic outline begun in verse 20 of chapter 10, foretelling the history of Gentile rule from the Persian empire until the Son of Man shall take dominion. That no reference is made in it to the present interval of grace to Gentile and Jew alike (which began when He, rejected and crucified, rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Majesty on high) is entirely in harmony with all other Old Testament prophecies, none of which tell of the present gathering out of a people to share Christ’s heavenly glory. (See Eph. 3:1-12).
Verses 5 and 6: Angelic beings are seen again, but the central figure is, as before (chapter 10:5, 6), the glorious Person we believe to be the Son of God. In chapter 10, Daniel “heard the voice of His words”, but all that follows, until verse 7 of the last chapter is reached, was communicated to him through angels.
Verse 7: “A time, times and an half” (or the dividing of a time), is believed to mean 1 year, 2 years, and one-half year, (three and a half years in all), and this is confirmed by verse 25 of chapter 7, and verse 27 of chapter 9 which relate to the same period of time. Taking the prophetic year as comprised of 360 days, or 12 months of 30 days each, it will be seen that the period referred to in verse 7 is 1,260 days. The periods named in verses 11 and 12 are 30 and 75 days longer.
Verse 8: Daniel heard, but understood not. The words are “closed up and sealed till the time of the end” (verse 9). Such was the character of much of the revelations of the purposes of God in Old Testament times; compare Rev, 22:10, where it is said that the book (of Revelation) should not be sealed, “for the time is at hand”. (See also 1 Peter 1:10-12), The Christian is taught to expect the coming of the Lord at any moment, and he is given intelligence as to the purposes of God, not only as to his own future place as linked with Christ in glory, but concerning Israel and the Gentiles.
Verse 10 tells in briefest language of the time of trial at the close of Gentile rule; the “wise” of Israel’s race shall understand then, but none of the wicked shall understand. It is ever true that only those who are subject to God understand His Word (1 Cor. 1:17-31).
Verses 11 and 12: It is clear from Rev, 19:11-21, and 2 Thess. 2:8-10 that the first act of the Lord upon His return in glory to this world will be to put down the Antichrist, the false king of the Jews; this, we gather. will take place 1,260 days after the daily sacrifice is stopped at Jerusalem and an idol is set up in the temple—the abomination of desolation (See Matt. 21:15).
The Scriptures do not reveal the order in which His other enemies will be dealt with, but it is clear that they will meet judgment in succession, the last being the northern power called Gog in Ezekiel 38 and 39; the end of the period of 1335 days, named in verse 12 no doubt marks the complete establishment of abiding peace in the world, and the 1,290 relates to an intermediate period of blessing.
The last verse of the Book gives assurance to Daniel in keeping with the character of Old Testament prophecy: the prose is sure, but it is not the Christian hope which was reserved for New Testament prophecy (1 Thess. 4:13-18).
EXTRACT
If God should write the sins of men on their foreheads in visible letters, our streets would be desolate, and the world a wilderness.
09/13/1936