The first three verses of this chapter belong with Chapter 11. They are the conclusion of Gabriel’s prophetic account of world history.
Verse 1
At that time Michael shall stand up – The phrase “at that time” refers back to verses 44 and 45 of the previous chapter. When the end-time king of the north attempts to destroy God’s faithful remnant, Michael will stand up. As we learned in Chapter 10, Michael is another name for Jesus.
Jesus’ act of standing up has a double significance:
1) It signals the conclusion of the judgment in heaven and the close of human probation. Jesus is about to assume His role as King and execute judgment upon the wicked (Acts 2:34, 35, Revelation 22:11, 12).
2) It also signals that He is about to “stand up for” His people, or come to their aid.
In Acts 7:55, we see the very same thing taking place. Here Jesus stands up to signal the close of probation for the Jewish nation at the conclusion of the 70-weeks, and to sustain Stephen who is about to become His faithful martyr. (SOP 1)
And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time – This is the great final time of trouble that takes place after the close of probation, unprecedented in all of human history. (SOP 2)
During this time of trouble the seven last plagues will fall upon the wicked, and they will attempt to kill God’s faithful remnant (Revelation 13:15). It is called the time of Jacob’s trouble because, like Jacob, the faith of God’s people will be severely tested (Jeremiah 30:5 – 7, 23, 24; Genesis 32:6, 7, 22 – 28; Jeremiah 30:12 – 15, 10, 11; Hosea 12:2 - 4). (SOP 3)
And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book – During the time of Jacob’s trouble, it will appear that God’s people are about to be destroyed by the wicked. But after they have been tested and their characters refined by this ordeal, God will miraculously deliver them from the power of the wicked. Revelation reveals that this deliverance will take place at the fifth plague.
Verse 2
After God’s people are delivered from death, a resurrection will take place. This is not the general resurrection of the righteous dead that takes place at the Second Coming of Jesus, but a special resurrection that takes place shortly before that time.
Notice the following:
Jesus spoke of two general resurrections of the dead (John 5:28, 29). The righteous dead will be resurrected at the Second Coming of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17), and the wicked dead will be resurrected at the end of the thousand years (Revelation 20:4, 5). Notice that these resurrections are general resurrections, where all the righteous dead and all the wicked dead will be raised. Also notice that they take place at different times.
In contrast with the two general resurrections, the resurrection described here in Daniel is a partial resurrection (many . . . shall awake). Also, it includes some righteous and some wicked, both resurrected at the same time. The question is, who are these people being resurrected, and why are they being given a special resurrection shortly before the Second Coming?
The wicked in this special resurrection are those who crucified Jesus (Matthew 26:63, 64; Revelation 1:7). The righteous are those who died in the Lord during the proclamation of the Three Angel’s Messages, expecting Jesus to come. (See Revelation 14:13, notice that the special blessing pronounced upon those who die in the Lord is given between the proclamation of the Three Angel’s Messages in verses 6 – 12 and the Second Coming of Jesus in verses 14 – 16. Also see Daniel 12:12.) (SOP 4)
Verse 3
Today it is considered an honor to have ones name inscribed in a concrete sidewalk in the company of “famous stars.” But the names are soon forgotten, and the sidewalk soon will crumble. In contrast to this, God promises us that the wise will shine as the stars for all eternity.
Who are the wise? The word wise here means “cause to understand,” or “teacher.” So the wise are those who turn many to righteousness (Proverbs 11:30). Kingdoms may rise and fall, empires may crumble to dust, but the stars in their orbits shine on from century to century. Some are so far away that it has taken a hundred million years for their light to reach us. The wise – those who teach others the message of righteousness – will shine as the stars for all eternity. What a wonderful promise this is! (SOP 5)
Verse 4
But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end – His account now ended, Gabriel instructed Daniel to shut up and seal his book until the time of the end. This book that was sealed was not the entire book of Daniel, but the part that had to do with the time of the end – specifically the 2300-day prophecy (see Daniel 8:26). This was the portion that Daniel himself had been unable to understand.
As we noted at the beginning of our studies, Daniel was written especially for those who lived at the time of the end. And so God sealed up that part of the book that applied to the end times, because it was not intended for those who lived during earlier times and they would not understand it.
Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase – The term “run to and fro” is an old English term meaning to turn back and forth in a scroll, or book. Here Gabriel is assuring Daniel that at the time of the end, when his prophecies would be in the process of fulfillment, his book would be unsealed. Then many would study his prophecies and understand them. We are living during that time. How privileged we are to live in the last days, and to study and understand Daniel’s prophecies (Matthew 13:16, 17)!
NOTE: This phrase is frequently used to refer to the great increase in knowledge and speed of travel in the last days. Although the context indicates that this is not the primary meaning, it is nevertheless true in a secondary sense and a valid interpretation of the phrase.
Verses 5, 6
After Gabriel had finished speaking, Daniel once again became aware of his surroundings. He was still standing next to the river Tigris (or Hiddekel), and he noticed that two other heavenly beings had joined them, one standing on each bank of the river. Hovering over the river was the man clothed in linen, earlier called Michael by Gabriel (compare with Daniel 10:5). This man was Jesus Himself.
One of the heavenly beings then asked Jesus a question, no doubt the very question uppermost in Daniel’s mind – How long? Keep in mind that Daniel’s great burden at this time was for the speedy restoration of the Jews in Jerusalem (Daniel 10:1 – 3). But Gabriel has just given a lengthy prophetic account that extended far off into the future, and he ended by instructing Daniel to seal up his book until the time of the end. Daniel must have been thinking, “What does all this have to do with the restoration of the Jews?” “When is the time of the end?”
Verse 7
In answer to the angel’s question, Jesus raised both hands to heaven in a covenant oath, and swore by God Himself that it would be for a “time, times, and half a time.” We first encountered this phrase in Daniel 7:25. This was the prophetic time period of 1260 years, during which the little horn would rule over the earth and persecute the saints. (For a further explanation of this phrase, see my notes on Daniel 7:25.)
And so the time of the end would begin at the conclusion of the reign of the little horn, in 1798. This is when Daniel’s book would be unsealed, studied and understood. Keep in mind that Papal Rome suppressed the Bible, and this is one reason why Daniel’s book would not be read or understood until 1798.
When the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be fulfilled – This simply means that the final fulfillment of these prophecies would not take place until after the persecution of the saints had ended.
Verse 8
Although he heard the explanation, Daniel still did not understand. And so he asked Jesus, “How are all these things going to end?”
Verse 9
Jesus responded to Daniel’s question by gently reminding him that the prophecy was closed up and sealed until the time of the end (1798). It wasn’t Daniel’s privilege to understand or see the fulfillment of his prophecies (1 Peter 1:10 – 12).
Verse 10
Many shall be purified, made white, and refined – At the time of the end, many would be purified, made white, and refined. This is referring to the redeemed, who wash their robes of character in the blood of the Lamb (See Revelation 7:13, 14). How is this accomplished? It is God who makes us righteous. But we have a part to play, by cooperating with God through faith and obedience. Only those who faithfully engage in this work of character development will be found righteous in the judgment, and will go through the great tribulation unscathed.
But the wicked shall do wickedly – In contrast to the saints, the rest of humanity will neglect this work of preparation, and will continue to do wickedly. Therefore they will be unready for the great tribulation.
None of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand – When Daniel’s prophecies would finally be unsealed and studied, only the wise - those who wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb - would be able to understand the prophecies and appreciate their true significance. I pray that all of us are among the wise who understand these prophecies.
NOTE: In verses 11 and 12, Jesus gives two additional prophetic time periods. These are not new prophecies, unrelated to the ones already given, but simply a further explanation of the 1260-year time period already given in verse 7. In other words, they will help us to better understand the “time, times, and half a time” when the Papacy ruled.
Verse 11
From the time that the daily . . . is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up – As we studied earlier, this refers to the work of the Papacy during her rule of 1260 years (see Daniel 8:11, 11:31). Taking away the daily describes the work of obscuring Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, and setting up the abomination of desolation describes the setting up of Papal abominations that would finally result in desolation.
There shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days – The work of the papacy just described would be set up, or established, at the beginning of the 1290 days.
As we try to understand the 1290 days, it is helpful to know that the 1260 days and the 1290 days both describe the same period of time, except that the 1290 days begin thirty years earlier. This is why the 1290 days is a further explanation of the 1260 days. It simply gives us a different starting date to further confirm our understanding.
What event marked the beginning of the 1260 days? The emperor Justinian decreed that the Bishop of Rome was to be the head over all religious matters in the empire and the corrector of heretics, and the civil power began to enforce this decree. In 538 the last opposition to the decree was put down with the uprooting of the Ostragoths, and this marked the beginning of the 1260 years of Papal rule.
So what happened 30 years earlier, in 508 AD, to mark the beginning of the 1290 days? One of the barbarian tribes that had broken up the Roman Empire was the Franks, who later became the French. Clovis, the king of the Franks, became an emissary for the Bishop of Rome by using his army to subdue the tribe of Visigoths, another enemy of Rome. The Visigoths were Arian Christians who believed that Jesus was a created being, and as such were considered heretics by Rome. Clovis went to war in behalf of the Papacy and subdued her enemy, and then gave the keys to the cities of France to the Pope in 508 AD. This gesture meant that he was placing his armies and political system at the service of the Roman Catholic Papacy. This marked the beginning of civil support of the Papacy, and the beginning of the 1290 days.
Verse 12
Another time period is here introduced, 1335 days, but no further information is given except for the blessing on he who “waits.” And so the 1335 days are connected with the 1290 days just given. It covers the same period of time as the 1290 days, but it extends another 45 days beyond the 1290 days.
The 1290 days ended in 1798 (the same as the 1260 days), when all political power was taken from Papal Rome. This is referred to as the “deadly wound” in Revelation. If we add another 45 years beyond 1798, we come to 1843. What significant event related to Daniel’s prophecies took place in the year 1843?
This was the time of the Great Advent Movement, when the message of the soon return of Jesus was proclaimed to the world in fulfillment of Daniel 8:14. The message went in its greatest power in the last year, beginning in 1843, and those who accepted the message looked forward to Jesus’ coming with great joy and anticipation. They were indeed “blessed,” but their joy ended in a bitter disappointment. Jesus did not come as they had hoped.
And yet, here Jesus here pronounces a blessing on those who had looked forward to His soon coming. In what way could they be considered “blessed?” Revelation 14:13 provides the answer. Those who die during the proclamation of the Three Angel’s Messages will receive a special blessing from Jesus. This takes us back to the special resurrection described in Daniel 12:2. The special blessing pronounced upon those who expect to see Jesus come, but are disappointed, is that they will be resurrected early to see Jesus come. (SOP 4) They will sleep through the great final tribulation, but Jesus knows their love for Him and their desire to see Him coming in the clouds. And so He will resurrect them early. They will not miss it after all. What a loving Saviour! And what a wonderful way to end the book of Daniel!
Verse 13
The book of Daniel closes with these last words of love and assurance to Daniel. He would soon go to his rest in the grave, to await the resurrection. But Jesus, the Life-Giver Himself, promised him that he would arise to his inheritance – to eternal life and the joys of the redeemed. Daniel was certainly one of the wise, described by Gabriel in verse 3, and he will shine as a star forever and ever.
The phrase “arise to your inheritance” is translated in the KJV as “stand in thy lot.” It refers not only to Daniel’s resurrection, but to the role Daniel would play in the last days when his book would be unsealed, studied and understood. (SOP 6) Jesus ended not only with a personal assurance of the resurrection, but with the promise that the great prophecies faithfully recorded by Daniel would be understood when the time came. And that time is today.
Some day soon, if we are faithful, we will have the privilege of meeting and talking with Daniel. We will share with him and the righteous of all ages the eternal joys of the life to come. And the greatest joy of all will be to spend eternity with the One who spoke these closing words to Daniel; the One became the Son of Man that He might make us sons and daughters of God. Let us resolve to be there, that we might praise His holy name forever and ever.
THE END
Spirit of Prophecy Quotations
1 “The scene about him faded from his vision; the gates of heaven were ajar, and Stephen, looking in, saw the glory of the courts of God, and Christ, as if just risen from His throne, standing ready to sustain His servant, who was about to suffer martyrdom for His name.” – The Story of Redemption, pages 265, 266.
2 “When He [Jesus] leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed, and Satan has entire control of the finally impenitent. God's long-suffering has ended. The world has rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation; the Spirit of God, persistently resisted, has been at last withdrawn. Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no protection from the wicked one. Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of old.” – The Great Controversy, page 614.
3 “As Satan influenced Esau to march against Jacob, so he will stir up the wicked to destroy God's people in the time of trouble. And as he accused Jacob, he will urge his accusations against the people of God. He numbers the world as his subjects; but the little company who keep the commandments of God are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. . . .
“As Satan accuses the people of God on account of their sins, the Lord permits him to try them to the uttermost. Their confidence in God, their faith and firmness, will be severely tested. As they review the past, their hopes sink;
for in their whole lives they can see little good. They are fully conscious of their weakness and unworthiness. Satan endeavors to terrify them with the thought that their cases are hopeless, that the stain of their defilement will never be washed away. He hopes so to destroy their faith that they will yield to his temptations and turn from their allegiance to God.
“Though God's people will be surrounded by enemies who are bent upon their destruction, yet the anguish which they suffer is not a dread of persecution for the truth's sake; they fear that every sin has not been repented of, and that through some fault in themselves they will fail to realize the fulfillment of the Saviour's promise: I "will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world." Revelation 3:10. If they could have the assurance of pardon they would not shrink from torture or death; but should they prove unworthy, and lose their lives because of their own defects of character, then God's holy name would be reproached.
“They afflict their souls before God, pointing to their past repentance of their many sins, and pleading the Saviour's promise: "Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me." Isaiah 27:5. Their faith does not fail because their prayers are not immediately answered. Though suffering the keenest anxiety, terror, and distress, they do not cease their intercessions. They lay hold of the strength of God as Jacob laid hold of the Angel; and the language of their souls is: "I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me." . . .
“Jacob's history is also an assurance that God will not cast off those who have been deceived and tempted and betrayed into sin, but who have returned unto Him with true repentance. While Satan seeks to destroy this class, God will send His angels to comfort and protect them in the time of peril. The assaults of Satan are fierce and determined, his delusions are terrible; but the Lord's eye is upon His people, and His ear listens to their cries. Their affliction is great, the flames of the furnace seem about to consume them; but the Refiner will bring them forth as gold tried in the fire. God's love for His children during the period of their severest trial is as strong and tender as in the days of their sunniest prosperity; but it is needful for them to be placed in the furnace of fire; their earthliness must be consumed, that the image of Christ may be perfectly reflected.” – The Great Controversy, pages 618 - 621.
4 “Graves are opened, and "many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth. . . awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." Daniel 12:2. All who have died in the faith of the third angel's message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear God's covenant of peace with those who have kept His law. "They also which pierced Him" (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ's dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient.” – The Great Controversy, page 637.
5 “Oh, that they would now exert their powers of mind in seeking ways to approach perishing sinners, that they might make known to them the path of holiness, and by prayer and entreaty win even one soul to Christ! What a noble enterprise! One soul to praise God through eternity! One soul to enjoy happiness and everlasting life! One gem in their crown to shine as a star for ever and ever! But even more than one can be brought to turn from error to truth, from sin to holiness. Says the Lord by the prophet: "And they that turn many to righteousness [shall shine] as the stars for ever and ever." Then those who engage with Christ and angels in the work of saving perishing souls are richly rewarded in the kingdom of heaven.” – Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, page 512.
6 “[Dan. 12:9, 4, 10, 13 quoted.] The time has come for Daniel to stand in his lot. The time has come for the light given him to go to the world as never before. If those for whom the Lord has done so much will walk in the light, their knowledge of Christ and the prophecies relating to Him will be greatly increased as they near the close of this earth's history (MS 176, 1899).” – Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 1174.
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