Daniel 12

The SSB men’s group that meets on Thursday mornings just finished the book of Daniel.  What is true with any portion of Scripture is true in Daniel 12 – it is rich with insights and helps.  What a book is this Bible and what a chapter!

Now for a brief walk through chapter 12 of Daniel.

God closed out His use of Daniel to write Scripture with some important truths for a time in Daniel’s distant future (and in our future).  Chapter 12 adds some information after some very important prophecies at the end of Chapter 11 about a coming powerful, evil, and false messiah called the antichrist.  God reminded the Jews, Daniel’s people, that He had not and would not forget them and had even assigned a most important angel to their care.

After a most terrible time – far worse than the conquest of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586 BC and the horrific destruction perpetrated on the Jews and Jerusalem by the Romans after the time of Jesus – something far worse was coming (So, even today, God is not done with the Jews!)!

But, the Jews would be delivered – not destroyed!  The Jews would be saved by God’s grace and power.  Then will come a resurrection to everlasting life for all those who revered, feared, and served God during their lifetime (this excludes those already resurrected when the church is raptured).  Also, in the end, all those who did not embrace God as Lord are to be resurrected to be judged and sent to an eternal Hell.

God then declared that at the end, Daniel’s prophecies would make sense but not until then.  And such is so true.  With Israel back in the land, the rise of China, the hatred of Israel by “Gog and Magog”, the world economic troubles, and other current events indeed make Daniel’s lessons come alive today where just a century ago they were mysterious.

Daniel’s attention then turned to two messengers who noted that the terrible, future time coming on the Jews and Jerusalem would be for 3.5 years (times, time, 1/2 time) bringing the Jews to their knees and then would come the end.

Daniel didn’t understand and asked for a clarification to which God said there was nothing more to be given.  In the end, many Jews will be saved – purified – and grasp Daniel’s writings, yet the wicked would continue to do evil and not understand.

And like a postscript, God noted that from the beginning of the horrible time coming on the Jews and Jerusalem, there would be 1290 days (3.5 years is 1260 days so 30 more days after the end) followed by another 45 days (1335 days). This speaks of the return of Jesus to the Mount of Olives (1260), the purging of the world (30 days ridding the non-believers and Satan from earth) and 45 days preparing for His grand entrance as King.  [This is so like our transfer of power between presidents.  Elected in early November and then about 30 days to move out of the White House followed by 45 days to refurb, furnish, and move into the White House before the inauguration on January 20.]

What a rich chapter of promises and hope.