Daniel 11:1-12:13
Everlasting Life or Shame—Which Do You Cause?
Daniel 12:2-3 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
The writings of Daniel stand out in the scriptures as one of the primary proofs of the divine inspiration of scripture. With great detail, we are given prophetic declarations of the events that will follow the rise of the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great. No other literature upon the Earth has within it such an amazing number of prophetic statements that have been fulfilled in human history. Every skeptic, and even believers, would be astonished if they took the time to discover all the links between biblical prophecy and recorded history. It is because of this consistent accuracy in the fulfillment of prophecy that the remaining prophecies can be approached with such complete confidence. An example of this is in Daniel 12:1-3.
At the end of the age, when Christ returns to set up His promised Kingdom on Earth, all whose names are written in the Book of Life will be given a resurrected body like Christ's and eternal life that culminates in a completely new world and universe (1 Cor. 15:1-58, Rev. 19:1-22). The former things of a cursed and sinful world will be both forgotten and completely removed. All things will be new. Bliss will become our unending pleasure.
Tragically, there is also promised an unending, everlasting existence of shame for those who have rejected the offer of life eternal from God in Christ. This insane choice of pride against God will result in each one's own self-hatred and shame. This prophecy ends with a hope and honor reserved for those who give themselves to bring others to the righteousness found only in God and that through Christ gives us eternal life with its amazing bliss. All will be fully, perfectly right.
God's promised eternal reality points us to the glory of His grace and love. It is not God's desire that any person, not even one, would suffer eternal shame and alienation from all that Heaven will be. But He also makes it perfectly clear that the offer to turn to God and His righteousness is the personal responsibility of each one of us (John 1:12).
The prophecies given to Daniel are more sure than the eyes you are using to read this sentence. Therefore, live in light of God's ordained purposes in this fallen world and for the world to come and you can be assured that you will possess every prophetic promise of God.
NJKV BIBLE TEXT
Daniel 11:1-12:13
1 "Also in the first year of Darius the Mede, I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.) 2 And now I will tell you the truth: Behold, three more kings will arise in Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer than them all; by his strength, through his riches, he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece. 3 Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. 4 And when he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not among his posterity nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted, even for others besides these.
Warring Kings of North and South
5 "Also the king of the South shall become strong, as well as one of his princes; and he shall gain power over him and have dominion. His dominion shall be a great dominion. 6 And at the end of some years they shall join forces, for the daughter of the king of the South shall go to the king of the North to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the power of her authority, and neither he nor his authority shall stand; but she shall be given up, with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, and with him who strengthened her in those times. 7 But from a branch of her roots one shall arise in his place, who shall come with an army, enter the fortress of the king of the North, and deal with them and prevail. 8 And he shall also carry their gods captive to Egypt, with their princesand their precious articles of silver and gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the North.
9 "Also the king of the North shall come to the kingdom of the king of the South, but shall return to his own land. 10 However his sons shall stir up strife, and assemble a multitude of great forces; and one shall certainly come and overwhelm and pass through; then he shall return to his fortress and stir up strife.
11 "And the king of the South shall be moved with rage, and go out and fight with him, with the king of the North, who shall muster a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into the hand of his enemy. 12 When he has taken away the multitude, his heart will be lifted up; and he will cast down tens of thousands, but he will not prevail. 13 For the king of the North will return and muster a multitude greater than the former, and shall certainly come at the end of some years with a great army and much equipment.
14 "Now in those times many shall rise up against the king of the South. Also, violent men of your people shall exalt themselves in fulfillment of the vision, but they shall fall. 15 So the king of the North shall come and build a siege mound, and take a fortified city; and the forces of the South shall not withstand him. Even his choice troops shall have no strength to resist. 16 But he who comes against him shall do according to his own will, and no one shall stand against him. He shall stand in the Glorious Land with destruction in his power.
17 "He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do. And he shall give him the daughter of women to destroy it; but she shall not stand with him, or be for him. 18 After this he shall turn his face to the coastlands, and shall take many. But a ruler shall bring the reproach against them to an end; and with the reproach removed, he shall turn back on him. 19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fortress of his own land; but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
20 "There shall arise in his place one who imposes taxes on the glorious kingdom; but within a few days he shall be destroyed, but not in anger or in battle. 21 And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue. 22 With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant. 23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time.
25 "He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him. 26 Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. 27 Both these kings' hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time. 28 While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall be moved against the holy covenant; so he shall do damage and return to his own land.
The Northern King's Blasphemies
29 "At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter. 30 For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage.
"So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant. 31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. 32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. 34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. 35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.
36 "Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. 37 He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. 38 But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things. 39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.
The Northern King's Conquests
40 "At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. 44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.
Daniel 12
Prophecy of the End Time
1 "At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
And there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
And at that time your people shall be delivered,
Every one who is found written in the book.
2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever.
4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."
5 Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?"
7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.
8 Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, "My lord, what shall be the end of these things?"
9 And he said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 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.
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. 12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.
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."
STUDY NOTES
Daniel 11:1-12:13
v. 1 I even I ? Although still not calling himself by name, this angelic being seems to be identifying himself as Gabriel by asserting that he had strengthened Daniel earlier during the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, which was recorded in 9:21.The rest of this chapter is a continuation of the previous one and involves a series of prophecies about events that would follow for the next 350 years regarding the nation of Israel. These events have been fulfilled and can be identified with historical events.
v. 2 Three more kings ? Three more kings will arise in Persia after Cyrus. These are Cambyses his son, Smerdis his brother, and Darius his nephew, who would expand the boarders of Persia to a great extent. This Darius is not the Darius the Mede mentioned in earlier chapters.
Fourth ? The fourth in the line of the kings of Persia was a man called Xerxes by the Greeks and Ahasuerus by the Hebrews. This king is the husband of Esther and was notorious for organizing a million-man army for the invasion of Greece. In spite of far superior numbers and vastly surpassing the Greeks in resources and technology, a confederacy of Greek city-states ultimately defeated Xerxes and forced him to return to Persia.
v. 3 Then ? About 130 years will pass after the death of Xerxes before the arising of Alexander the Great.
Mighty king?great dominion ? This is referring to Alexander the Great, who will ultimately invade Persia and take control of the Middle East. His kingdom will extend all the way from Greece to India. He would die from a sudden illness.
v. 4 Broken up?toward the four winds of heaven ? See study notes for Daniel 7:24 and 8:8.
Not among his posterity ? Alexander's kingdom did not pass to his son, who was assassinated by one of his generals, but was divided up among his military advisors.
Nor according to his dominion ? These successor states were not as powerful as Alexander's nor did they control as much territory.
v. 5 Also ? In what follows, the vision will focus on the two empires that bordered Israel. These two empires would struggle for control of the Holy Land during the 170 years that followed Alexander's death in 323 BC and culminated in Israel reclaiming its independence in 165 BC. The South is referring to the Ptolemaic kingdom of Egypt which bordered Israel to the south and the "North" is referring to the Seleucid kingdom of Syria which was to the north of the Holy Land.
King of the South ? Ptolemy Soter, one of Alexander's generals, emerged from the wars for imperial control by gaining control over Egypt.
One of his princes ? This probably refers to Seleucas Nicator, who would eventually gain control of the Middle East. Initially his kingdom was the weaker of the two, but he would grow in power until he surpassed Ptolemy.
v. 6 Some years ? This chapter rushes through various historical events and surges forward 40 years. It is important to keep in mind that the terms "King of the South" are referring to different kings of the Ptolemaic line and not to any one particular individual. The "Kings of the North" are referring to those of the Seleucid line.
Daughter ? This is Berenice, the daughter of Ptolemy II, who married Antiochus II, grandson of Seleucas in the hopes of establishing an alliance between these two empires.
She shall not retain power ? Ultimately, Antiochus, Berenice, and their infant son would be murdered by Antiochus's first wife and the alliance ended.
He nor his authority shall stand ? Berenice's father Ptolemy II would die in the same year as his daughter.
v. 7 Branch from her roots ? After her husband was murdered but before she died, Berenice asked her brother Ptolemy III to intervene militarily and ensure that her son would become the next king of Seleucia, but the child was killed before he came of age. Her brother was able to take the capital city of Antioch but it was eventually recovered by Seleucas II.
v. 9 Come?return ? Seleucas II attempted an invasion of Egypt, but failed in his attempt and was forced to return home.
v. 10 His sons ? Seleucas Ceraunas and Antiochus III. The next 9 verses will deal with the deeds of Antiochus III who is also called the Great. He is considered important in the context of Daniel's vision, because he would ultimately wrest control of Israel from the hands of the Ptolemies and put it under the control of the Seleucids.
Overwhelm?pass through?stir up strife ? This is speaking of Antiochus' victories against the Egyptians.
v. 11 South ? Ptolemy IV Philopater, who would fight many battles with Antiochus III
Muster a great multitude ? Both men had large armies, but this refers to Antiochus' army.
Given into the hand ? Antiochus would be defeated by Ptolemy at the battle of Raphia.
v. 12 He ? This is speaking of Ptolemy IV.
Lifted up ? He acted arrogantly and, thinking he had won the war, entered a life of luxury. There is also a tradition that says that he forced his way into the Holy of Holies at this time, as Israel was still under his control.
Cast down tens of thousands ? This may refer to people from Antiochus's army that Ptolemy had killed.
v. 13 Return and muster a multitude ? Antiochus, who escaped the previous battle with his life, would reorganize his army and come back to fight Ptolemy.
Muster ? to summon or assemble troops
v. 14 Many rise up against ? An alliance would be formed between Antiochus and Phillip the king of Macedon to fight against Ptolemy.
King of the South ? Ptolemy V Epiphanies
Your people ? Israelites
Exalt themselves in fulfillment of the vision ? During the ongoing conflict between the Ptolemies and Seleucids, some of the more violent, warlike Jews will try to take advantage of this opportunity to secure their independence. The angel is telling Daniel that they will use his prophecy about their independence as their motivator for rebelling. Because Daniel is going to prophecy that the Jews will gain their freedom, these people try to jump the gun and obtain it before the time appointed in the vision.
They shall fall ? They'll fail in their attempt to gain control.
v. 15 Not withstand ? The armies of Egypt will fall to Antiochus who will continue to increase his territorial control.
v. 16 He shall do according to his will ? Antiochus III
Glorious land ? This is a reference to Israel. Israel would fall under the control of the Seleucids during the reign of Antiochus III.
v. 17 Strength?upright ones ? The phrase "upright ones" seems to be mistranslated. This passage is saying that Antiochus wanted to march towards Egypt with his full force, but, because the Romans were the special protectors of Egypt, he did not want to invade, and instead sought to bring favorable terms of peace. Upright ones should have been translated as "equitable terms of peace."
Daughter of women ? Antiochus will seek to gain control of the Ptolemaic empire through intrigue, by fashioning a false alliance between himself and Ptolemy V through marriage. Thus, Antiochus gave his daughter Cleopatra to be the wife of Ptolemy.
To destroy it ? to destroy the kingdom from within
She shall not stand with him ? In the end, Cleopatra will end up siding with her husband against her father.
v. 18 Coastlands ? In his attempts to expand his empire, Antiochus would turn to the islands and coastlands of the eastern Mediterranean.
Ruler ? This is referring to Scipio Asiaticus, who was a Roman nobleman that drove Antiochus out of the region.
v. 19 Face toward the fortress ? After losing to Scipio, Antiochus would return to the protective confines of his own country.
Stumble and fall, and not be found ? Oddly, in an attempt to steal money from the Temple of Jupiter, Antiochus was killed by a mob of his own people.
v. 20 One who imposes taxes on the glorious kingdom ? Seleucas IV, the son of Antiochus, levied excessive taxes on Israel and seized those funds when they didn't pay.
Few days ? His reign would not last long. This is not literal, it is a litote: a figure of speech that understates a situation in order to produce the desired effect.
Not in anger or in battle ? Seleucas IV would ultimately be poisoned. Although we are not certain who did it, his brother Antiochus IV has always been suspected.
v. 21 Vile Person ? Antiochus IV called himself Epiphanies, meaning bringer of light, a title that implied he was a god, but was called Epimanes by his subjects, a word meaning "insane." This man is one of the chief subjects of the book of Daniel. He is spoken of extensively in both chapters 7 and 8. He is the wicked person who operates under a demonic power and from whom the Jews would eventually win their independence in battle.
Honor of royalty ? As his nephew was the rightful heir to the throne, his people did not recognize his right to rule.
Peaceably ? Or quietly. In other words, he would not gain control through force of arms, but through intrigue.
v. 22 Force of a flood ? After gaining control of his own kingdom, he will begin invading the surrounding nations and attempting to expand his kingdom as his father had before him.
Prince of the covenant ? This is a difficult term to interpret, but is usually taken as referring to the King of Egypt who was supposed to be allied to Antiochus through a covenant.
v. 23 League ? the peace accord between Antiochus and Ptolemy
Deceitfully ? Antiochus will invade Egypt while ostensibly being at peace with them.
v. 24 Peaceably ? He entered Egypt making overt gestures of peace, saying that he had no wicked intentions, but would seize every opportunity to take control of the various cities of Egypt.
Devise plans against the strongholds ? While taking the defenseless cities through a pretense of peace, he would begin to plan military operations to take control of the better fortified cities of Egypt.
v. 25 Stir up?with a great army ? Finally, Antiochus IV would invade Egypt openly. This was one of several times that he invaded Egypt: each with a varying degree of success.
King of the South ? Ptolemy VI
He shall not stand ? He would be defeated in several battles by Antiochus. At this time, Antiochus took control of Egypt and took the king captive.
v. 26 Eat the portion of his delicacies ? close family and friends that shared in the king's meal with him
Shall destroy him ? Ptolemy is reputed to have made disastrous wartime decisions that were based on bad advice given by his counselors. These advisors purposely thwarted his plans, giving Antiochus the victory.
v. 27 Speak lies at the same table ? As Ptolemy was under the control of Antiochus, he was treated well and allowed to eat at the same table with him. Both men put on the guise of seeking an alliance, but each one sought to destroy the other.
Not prosper?appointed time ? The schemes of these men would not succeed. They each had a role to play that would be determined by God and their roles would be fulfilled at the appointed time.
v. 28 Returning to his own land ? leaving Egypt after the wars
Against the Holy Covenant ? He would begin to persecute Jews that worshipped Yahweh faithfully according to the Law of Moses. Antiochus wanted to force Greek culture and language on the Jews.
v. 29 Return ? Later he would march back to Egypt bent on taking more territory.
Not like the former ? He would not be successful as in former times.
v. 30 Cyprus ? Technically, this is an island to the southwest of Turkey, but was commonly used to speak of the westernmost lands, as Israel had not had much contact with the west as of this time. In this case, Cyprus is referring to Rome. Daniel would have been ignorant of Rome at this time.
Ships ? An entourage of Roman senators sailed to Egypt to warn Antiochus to go back to his own country and leave Egypt alone.
Grieved ? Without striking one blow against any Roman, Antiochus would be humiliated in front of his own army by a team of Roman senators.
Returned in rage against the Holy Covenant ? Fearing reprisals at the hands of the Roman armies should he take his anger out on the senators or the Egyptians, Antiochus decided to vent his anger against the Jews as he was on his way back to Antioch.
Regard for those who forsake the holy covenant ? As stated before, Antiochus hated Judaism and demanded that Jews adopt Greek style, dress, language, and religion. Those that did as he desired were favored and put into positions of honor. Even the high priest himself fit this description and was placed into his position by Antiochus.
v. 31 Forces mustered ? He would organize an army to come into the city and seize control of the Temple of God.
Defile the sanctuary ? He would set up a statue of himself as Zeus in the Holy of Holies of the Temple of Yahweh.
Daily sacrifices ? He put an end to the daily routine of sacrifices offered according to the Law of Moses.
Place there the abomination of desolation ? This occurred when he ordered that pig, which is considered an unclean animal according to Jewish law, sacrificed on the altar in honor of himself and Zeus.
Wickedly?flattery ? Many of the Jewish people fell right in line with Antiochus's regimen and they would be nicely compensated by him for doing so.
People who know their God?great exploits ? Those faithful to God and His Law would flee to the mountains and stage a revolt against Antiochus and his armies. This revolt was led by a national hero named Judah Maccabee, who was aided by his entire family. These men would engage in guerrilla-style warfare (hit-and-run tactics) and accomplish many surprising victories against Antiochus.
v. 33 Instruct ? The Maccabees would teach warfare to the people that came to them and would prepare them to fight and survive.
Fall ? Initially, the Maccabees would suffer defeats
v. 34 Many shall join ? As their numbers grew they would gain more success in battle and morale would rise.
Intrigue ? Some faithful Jews stayed in the cities and used their positions to undermine Antiochus through trickery and deceit.
v. 35 Fall?refine?purify?make white ? Many died during this time and Daniel is being comforted in knowing that ultimately they would end up in heaven. They would not lose their reward even though they might not take part in Israel's independence.
v. 36 Magnify himself above every god ? Antiochus will come to consider himself to be a god in the flesh and will demand to be worshipped by his subjects.
v. 37 God of his fathers ? He came to the point where he didn't even respect the Greek gods, but saw himself as the only god worthy of worship.
Desire of women ? This seems to mean that he fell into many different forms of sexual perversions.
v. 39 Divide the land for gain ? This seems to say that he would divide the Holy Land up and give it to his followers for a price.
v. 40 At the time of the end ? This does not mean the end of time altogether, but only the end of this particular epoch in history. It must be said, however, that there is not enough information in the historical records to give a full account of what is described in verses 40-45, but it does seem to describe one final invasion of Egypt with several victories along the way for Antiochus. We do know, however, that the Maccabees won their revolt and their freedom from Antiochus, who ultimately died in battle in Persia.
Daniel 12
v. 1 At that time ? The previous chapter speaks of events that were prophetic from Daniel's standpoint, but which are in the ancient past from ours, whereas chapter 12 seems to fast forward in human history and speak of events unfolding at the end of time. This is not altogether uncommon, as prophecies often fast forward through history. This has happened several times in the previous chapters.
Time of trouble ? This refers to the Great Tribulation period: that final seven-year period mentioned in Daniel 9, during which God will finish His work with the Jewish nation.
You people will be delivered ? As many of these prophecies have dealt with temporal benefits to the nation of Israel, discussing their freedom from slavery and oppression in Babylon and Greece, this chapter, as with chapter 9, points to the final salvation that will be given to God's people in eternity.
Written in the book ? This surely refers to the Lamb's Book of Life, in which are written the names of all those that have placed faith in Jesus Christ. (Rev. 13:8, 20:12)
v. 2 Sleep in the dust ? The Scriptures teach that the soul of the believer goes to be with the Lord upon his death (Phil. 1:23), while the soul of the unbeliever goes to a sort of holding place, commonly called Hades (Luke 16:19-30). The bodies of the deceased return to the dust from whence they came. On the last day, at the judgment, our souls will be reunited with our re-created bodies (1 Cor. 15). This is why we are said to "sleep in the dust." Our bodies do indeed return to the dust, and are awakened at the last day.
Everlasting life ? Those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will have resurrected bodies and will live on the New Earth with the Lord forever (Rev. 21-22).
Everlasting shame?contempt ? Those whose names are not written therein are destined for eternal separation from God in hell (Rev. 20:13-15).
v. 3 Shine ? This speaks of the great glory that God's people will receive in the New Heaven and Earth.
Turn many to righteousness ? Those that turn people to Jesus Christ will be greatly blessed eternally.
v. 4 Shut up the words and seal the book ? It was not the time for people to understand Daniel's visions. Many of the things written therein could only be understood after certain prophecies had been fulfilled.
v. 7 Time, times, and half a time ? This is generally regarded as a 3½-year period and is usually interpreted as referring to the second half of the Great Tribulation, which will mark the greatest of sorrows for the Jewish nation, but will end with its ultimate redemption.
Power of the holy people has been completely shattered ? When the tribulation is complete, the judgments have been poured out on the world, and the Israelite nation has endured all its hardships to the end, then the time for resurrection will have arrived.
v. 9 Sealed till the time of the end ? Not even Daniel understood his visions when he received them. We understand them much better now looking back on history, and as things continue to unfold today, we understand them even better, but we won't have complete understanding until the final time is upon us.
v. 10 None of the wicked shall understand ? The wicked won't understand the importance of the words spoken here to Daniel. They will continue in their wickedness and won't comprehend that there is a future implication to their actions.
The wise shall ? Those who are wise will be purified, made white, and refined.
v. 11 1290 ? This seems to say that from the time of the setting up of the abomination of desolation there would be 1,290 days till the end. The end of the world obviously didn't happen with Antiochus's abomination, which means that there must be a dual fulfillment. The assumption is that the Antichrist will perform the same kinds of deeds that Antiochus did.
v. 12 1335 ? Much of what is being communicated in this chapter is meant to be sealed. It does not seem as though it's supposed to be understood yet.
PRAYER FOCUS
"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever." –Daniel 12:2-3
Let us not fail to forget, Jesus, the significance of what is on the line for those who do not believe in You as Savior. Rid our minds of the thought that there is always more time to pray for others and to share You. We know not when each life will end, so we pray to reach out and make opportunities to share You and Your salvation with those who do not know You.
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