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, every one that shall be found written in the book."
1. It is very important for us to remember that this prophecy has time and people parameters for our assistance.
b. This prophecy is limited to their latter days, their second period, from Babylon to destruction (10:14).
c. All the events in this prophecy were fulfilled by the time of Israel's scattering by Rome in 70 AD (12:7).
d. These parameters are our starting point, as they are constraints we must obey to rightly understand.
e. We trust the Bible over any or all men; we give God the benefit of any doubt and trust His parameters.
f. We now come to the last stage of the latter days of the nation of Israel. What happened up to AD 70?
g. We accept and appreciate the date- and people-limiting statements of 10:14 and 12:7 for this prophecy,
b. A prophecy including all the chronological details of chapter 11 could not ignore the much more
d. Most commentators hold this gap- or leap-theory, especially those today of the Futurist school. Once
b. A fast-moving prophecy of the sort seen in 11:2-35 would not ignore more important events following.
c. Antiochus Epiphanes is dealt with fully in 11:21-31, and the Hasmonean period is covered in 11:32-35.
d. A prophecy of the latter days of Israel had many more important events coming after Antiochus.
e. They arrogantly ignore the coming desolation of Jerusalem following the Saviour's sacrifice (9:24-27).
f. Antiochus was exceeded by Herod in atrocities and the Romans in destruction. But they ignore both!
5. The chapter break at 11:45 should not distract us at all, for the prophecy plainly continues on uninterrupted.
6. This lengthy prophecy covers every important event of Israel's history from Daniel to Jerusalem's end.
The Conclusion of the Vision (12:1-4)
12:1
1. For the time referred to, we look at the context, which is the time of Herods and Rome (11:36-45).
2. The "time of the end" from 11:40 is the final conflict of Greece and Rome, with Rome winning all.
3. The Bible uses time of the end, last days, and latter days with great latitude depending on context.
4. Michael, the archangel, shall stand up in judgment against the nation, but he will save all the elect.
5. We do not believe Michael is the Lord Jesus Christ any more than we believe that Gabriel is He.
6. You may study this matter of Michael's identity further by reviewing the notes for Daniel 10:13.
7. When someone stands up, we recognize that they are going to be much more active and involved.
8. There was great angelic activity, even by the angel of the Lord, in the years surrounding our Lord.
9. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph (Matt 1:20,24; 2:13,19), appeared to the shepherds (Luke
Philip to the eunuch (Acts 8:26), delivered Peter out of prison (Acts 12:7), killed Herod Agrippa I
(Acts 12:23), took care of Paul in a storm (Acts 27:23), and fought against Satan (Rev 12:7).
11. Angels in general were also active (Matt 4:11; Luke 2:13; 22:43; 24:23; John 1:51; 5:4; 20:12; Acts
14. This time of trouble without precedent is the consummation and destruction of the nation (9:26-27).
15. Josephus recorded calamities and suffering exceeding any before (Wars, Introduction; V, 10:5).
16. Josephus recorded over 1,100,000 were killed by Romans and each other and 97,000 taken captive.
17. Upper class women ate their children, as Josephus describes, due to the horrible famine in the city.
18. As Jesus prophesied, the elect would be saved from the deception and destruction (Matt 24:22,24).
19. Jesus and Peter told them how to escape the coming judgment altogether (Matt 24:16; Acts 2:40).
1. Did an awakening occur before Jerusalem's destruction that divided Israel into elect and reprobates?
2. The events told in 12:1-4 must occur before 70 AD, for Jerusalem's destruction is the climax (12:7).
3. We are to rightly divide the word of truth here, just as we must do in so many places to avoid error.
4. We are at the climactic end of a great prophecy, so we should not be surprised with some figurative
review of this point, read Isaiah 13 about the Medes in 459 BC and Acts 2:17-21 about Pentecost!
6. The final resurrection is not here, for all shall be raised but only some are awakened (John 5:28-29).
7. The final resurrection is not here, for most saints have nothing to do with Daniel's people (10:14).
8. The resurrection of saints at Christ's rising is not here, for some were for shame (Matt 27:52-53).
9. We are constrained to place the fulfillment before AD 70, and we see a perfect such fulfillment.
10. Because of this verse's language, the literalists and futurists cannot see anything but resurrection.
11. As we have seen many times, God will give unbelievers enough rope for them to hang themselves.
12. There is nothing said here at all about death, resurrection, bodies, angels, clouds, saints, etc., etc.
13. Put your faith to the test; believe God rather than men; see if Scripture does not fulfill the figures.
14. After 400 years of silence from God, John the Baptist and Jesus burst on the scene with the gospel.
15. They found a nation asleep in ignorance and worldliness, which they jarred into consciousness.
16. John and Jesus preached the "time is at hand," for it was time to get up and receive the Messiah.
17. Due to the time of expectation, all men mused whether John was the Messiah or not (Luke 3:15).
18. Some believed unto eternal life; some rejected the message unto everlasting shame and contempt.
19. Jesus preaching the gospel brought great light to those in the shadow of death (Is 9:2; Matt 4:12-17).
20. The light of the gospel of Jesus Christ arising on people was the dawning of a new day (Is 61:1-3).
21. Remember figurative language of Christ's ministry (Is 40:1-11; 42:1-7; 60:1-3; 61:1-6; Mal 3:1-6).
22. God judged the nation with a stupor and sleep upon hearer and teacher (Is 29:9-10 cp I Cor 1:19).
23. Jesus caused great division and consequences (Luk 2:34-35; John 7:43; 9:16; 10:19; II Cor 2:16).
24. Paul used figures of sleep and death often (Romans 13:11-12; I Cor 15:34; Eph 5:14; I Thess 5:6).
25. The gospel message created a division by eternal life and eternal condemnation (John 3:18-21,36).
26. Peter and Paul warned the Jews of judgment for rejecting Jesus (Acts 2:40; 13:40-41; 28:25-29).
27. There was horrible shame within the generation of those who did not confess Him (Luke 9:26-27).
28. The Gentiles believed the word of the Lord; but the Jews condemned themselves (Acts 13:44-52).
1. The apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor/teachers of our Lord Jesus Christ fulfill this verse.
2. The twelve apostles are added to the twelve fathers of Israel as the twenty-four elders in heaven.
3. These men were gifted with wisdom to teach the people knowledge (Luke 2:40; 21:15; Acts 6:10; I
5. Jesus said John was a bright and shining light; he turned many to God (John 5:35; Luke 1:16-17).
6. The pastors of the seven churches of Asia were represented as seven stars in His hand (Rev 1:20).
7. Many were turned to righteousness; their enemies admitted they turned the world upside down!
1. The prophecy was not understood well until the time of the end, when John and Jesus appeared.
2. Both John and Jesus foretold these same events, with emphasis on that generation being destroyed.
3. Jesus declared at the time of the end the last generation Daniel could be understood (Mat 24:15)!
4. He declared to Israel that all written vengeance against them was about to be fulfilled (Luke 21:22).
5. The apostles ran to and fro with their commission to take the gospel to all nations (Mark 16:20)!
6. Men run with their feet, and gospel ministers are described as having beautiful feet (Rom 10:15).
7. Philip ran so fast, by the Spirit's power, that he moved from the eunuch to Azotus (Acts 8:39-40)!
8. Paul went all over the place from Syria to Illyricum, from Asia to Rome, from Cyprus to Crete.
9. Paul labored more abundantly than all in running to and fro for Christ (I Cor 15:10; Rom 15:18-24).
10. Paul ridiculed the ignorance of the Athenians! Consider the knowledge he brought (Acts 17:16-31).
11. Paul had great knowledge of matters that had been kept secret since the creation (Eph 3:1-19).
12. The New Testament and the gospel of it bring great knowledge (Luke 1:77; Rom 15:14; I Cor 1:5;
14. We are now at the end of the prophecy, which began in 11:2. No important event was left out from
1. We leave the italicized words just as they are, for there was and are surely good reasons for them.
2. We know from the answer that the question was understood of the time of trouble just emphasized.
3. Since any other use of the time frame given does not fit the nation of Israel or any other nation, it
5. The timing of this matter is of great importance, as N.T. believers would be carefully watching it.
1. Why in the world is this question and answer of such importance that Gabriel swears dramatically?
2. Because the great importance of the event and the precise details of timing justified confirmation.
3. Our Lord used a comparable oath in confirming His own prophecy of this event (Matt 21:34-36).
4. This prophecy and fulfillment witnessed the arrival of Christ's kingdom (Matt 24:14; Luke 21:31),
6. The wonders leading to the scattering of the holy people would take time, times, and half a time.
7. Time, times, and half a time is an expression for 3 and a half years, or 3 years and part of a year.
8. The time, times, and half of Antichrist is exactly 3 ½ years by virtue of 1260 days and 42 months,
limiting context and plain historical fulfillment.
13. The entire prophecy would be completely fulfilled when Israel was scattered, which was 70 AD.
14. We are told in the New Testament such a scattering occurred in our Lord's generation (Luke 21:24).
15. Moses had prophesied of this horrible desolation long before when warning Israel (Deut 28:49-68).
1. There is some particular event that is being implied by the angels, which Daniel wants clarified.
2. The particular event is the unprecedented time of trouble with only the righteous delivered (12:1).
3. But Daniel does not have the starting or ending point, so he asks for clarification of "what."
4. Daniel wants more details, but he is denied further knowledge or explanation (I Peter 1:10-12).
1. Jesus said that Daniel could be understood in light of His prophecy (Matthew 24:15; Luke 21:20).
2. Jesus explained sufficient details to show when this 3 ½ years began counting to serve His people.
3. Jesus said that all things that were written of vengeance on Israel were coming shortly (Luke 21:22).
4. Every believer in the New Testament era the wise of the 12:10 understood the prophecy (12:4).
2. There were many purified and made white by the blood of Christ (I Cor 6:9-11 cp Acts 21:20).
3. These were tried with fiery trials of persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ, as in I Peter 1:7; 4:12.
4. The Jews raised enormous persecutions against the saints starting in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1; 9:1-2,23;
6. When the wicked do wickedly, there must be special wickedness being considered (Acts 2:22-24).
7. Crucifying Jesus Christ was doing very wickedly (Mat 12:45; Act 3:12-15; 4:10; 5:28-30; 7:51-53).
8. The difference between the two classes was understanding (Matt 13:13; 24:15; Luke 1:3; 8:10;
II Cor 3:14; 4:3-4; Eph 1:18; 3:4; I Tim 1:13; I John 5:20).
2. The abomination of desolation is clearly the Roman armies (Matthew 24:15-16 cp Luke 21:20-21).
3. The verbs do not require the events in any particular order, though we are used to progressing in
5. Jesus told us plainly the abomination of desolation came first (Matt 24:15-21 cp Luke 21:20-24).
6. Once Jesus set the beginning of the time period, His disciples could easily gauge the war's progress.
7. The Roman armies under Cestius entered the suburbs of Jerusalem, according to the warning of
12. The daily sacrifice ceased to be offered, due to the lack of men to offer it, according to our
14. There are exactly 43 whole months of 30 days (a total of 1290) between these two events, if we
4. Jesus had prophesied Himself the days would be cut short to preserve the elect (Matthew 24:22).
8. Since we are dealing in multiples of 30, we should not have a problem with 44 ½ months in total.
9. The Spirit has already tipped us to this rounding by calling 1290 days, "time, times, and an half"!
2. His life clearly shows he fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept his faith (II Tim 4:7).
3. Gabriel tells Daniel to go his way in life and death until the end, which occurred in about 525 years.
4. It is good for us to think of going our way, for the Lord will take us from here and we will be gone.
5. Gabriel tells Daniel he would be resting, which is the saints' death (Job 3:17; Is 57:1-2; Rev 14:13).
6. It is our happy lot to be able to leave this place of vanity and vexation of spirit for a place of rest.
7. Daniel would stand in his lot, his inherited place in heaven, when the end of Israel finally came.
8. It is our highest goal to live in our bodies now with an eye to that happy lot we will want in that day.
Conclusion:
1. We have studied Daniel by its given parameters, its prophetic wording, its Scriptural connections, and its
perfect fulfillments of every verse.
Jews are no longer the people of God; and God is absolutely sovereign over all the affairs of men.
For further reading:
1. Works of Josephus
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