DANIEL 12 STUDY
Daniel 10-12 The Antichrist and Eternal Life
Charles e Whisnant
May 23, 2012
Overview[i]
Daniel 12 Resurrection
and Reward
12:1 At that
time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who stands for the
children of your people; 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 your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found
written in the book. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust
of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame
and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine as
the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness
as the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, shut up
the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many
shall run back and forth, and knowledge shall be increased.
5 Then I,
Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on the river bank
on this side, and the other on the river bank on that side. 6 One said
to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, How long
shall it be to the end of these wonders? 7 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 a half; and when they
have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy
people, all these things shall be finished. 8 I heard, but I didn’t
understand: then I said, my lord, what shall be the end of these
things? 9 He said, Go your way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed
until the time of the end. 10 Many shall purify themselves, and
make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly;
and none of the wicked shall understand; but those who are wise shall
understand. 11 From the time that the continual burnt offering
shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up,
there shall be one thousand two hundred ninety days. 12 Blessed
is he who waits/perseveres, and comes to the one thousand three
hundred thirty-five days. 13 But go you your way until the end; for
you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance, at the
end of the days.
1) Israel and the Last Days 11:40–12:13
(2) Israel and the “little horn” 11:40-45
(3) Israel’s distress and deliverance 12:1-4
(4) The length of Israel’s distress 12:5-7
(5) The outcome Israel’s distress 12:8-13
Israel’s Distress and Deliverance (12:1-4)
1 “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who
stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time
of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time;
and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will
be rescued. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake,
these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.
3 And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the
expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars
forever and ever. 4 But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the
book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”
The events of history from Daniel’s day down to the
“day of the Lord” are described in chapter 11 in terms of the on-going struggle
of two world powers: “the king of the North” and the “king of the South.” The
final “king of the North” is introduced in Daniel 11:21 and is the central
figure in the remainder of chapter 11. He comes into frequent contact with the
nation Israel because of its location in relationship to the “king of the
South.” At least three times in our text, the “king of the North” wages war
with the “king of the South.” The first and last attacks are successful, while
the second ends in retreat. On each of these occasions, the king passes through
Israel and gains a growing hatred and animosity toward the God of Israel, His
people, and the holy place. At the end of chapter 11, the “king of the North”
is encamped between the sea and the “beautiful Holy Mountain” ready to attack
and to destroy.
The Great Tribulation will be a time of
great suffering; the worst ever known to mankind. The Church will be
redeemed from the Earth before God's wrath is poured out at the end of the
Great Tribulation. Some of God's people who are 'mature' and 'ready' will
be redeemed before the Great Tribulation starts. They will be the first
fruits of the harvest. The majority of God's people will have to endure
the Great Tribulation. They will be redeemed after 1260 days and then God
will pour out his wrath. Those who remain on Earth will suffer God's
wrath. Those that survive until the end of the 1335 days will continue to
live on Earth for 1000 years and are destined to become the Nations in the New
Heaven and Earth.[ii]
ISRAEL: GOD’S
"TIMEPIECE"
1 And at that
time
The first three verses of this
chapter are a continuation of the prophecy started in 11:1. Most scholars
feel these verses should have been part of chapter 11, since its part of the
same event.
The first three verses deal with the
last half of tribulation, and merge into the Millennium of blessing and touch
on the great white throne judgment and eternity.
The last ten verses fill in some
very specific details and events to close of seven-year tribulation
period.
The flow of time is a continuation
of the events occurring in chapter 11:36 to 45. At the close of verse 45,
the Antichrist has entered Israel and is about to desecrate the Temple.
What time? Daniel 11:36-45
time. The last 3.5 years of the “time of
great distress.” The time that will come on the entire world but in
specifically on the nation of Isarel.
Chapter 12 is not a new vision but one what we started in chapter
10.
Shall
Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy
people:
The first verse of chapter 12 reveals
two facts pertaining to the end times we would not have expected apart from
divine revelation. First, the angel Michael114
is the instrument through whom the period of the Great Tribulation is
initiated. There is a definite link between the “king of the North” and
the Great Tribulation to be sure. But the text leaves this evil king behind in
chapter 11, linking the beginning of the tribulation to Michael, who will arise
and bring about a “time of great distress,” a time particularly directed toward
the Jews.
Michael the angel who is assigned to Israel to guard Israel
Michael:
The angel Michael is reintroduced
here, the first mention of him in the bible occurred in Daniel chapter 10,
where he helped the current angel speaking with Daniel, resist the demonic,
“Prince of Persia” who tried to prevent Daniel from receiving this message.
(Daniel 10:13,21).
We
again see him, now intervening on Israel behalf at the middle of tribulation
period. Revelation 12, also corresponds with events taking
place on earth, revealing the spiritual events in the heavenly realms.
Michael and his angels are finally permitted to engage Satan and his angels,
who up to this period, had access to Heaven to accuse God’s servants on
earth. At the mid-point this access ceases, and Satan and his forces sent
to earth where Satan will make his last stand in the person of the Beast or
Antichrist.
7 And war broke
out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon
and his angels fought, 8 but they did
not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the
great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who
deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast
out with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now
salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His
Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our
God day and night, has been cast down.
AND THERE SHALL BE A TIME OF TROUBLE OR DISTRESS, thlipsis 06869
It is easy to see
that the first half of verse 1 pertains to Michael and the last half to the
period of the Great Tribulation, but it is difficult to accept the connection
between the two. When Michael arises, the time of Israel’s trouble begins. At
first this does not seem possible. Michael is “Israel’s prince” (10:21), the
“great prince who stands guard” over the sons of Daniel’s people, Israel
(12:1). How could the “protector of Israel” precipitate this time of such great
suffering?
Trouble or
distress:
Literally gives the idea of something which is
narrow, tight or confining and figuratively describes discress (great pain,
anguish or suffering affecting the body and mind.
A term which originally expressed sheer, physical
pressure, as when pressing grapes. It conveys the idea of being squeezed or
placed under pressure or crushed beneath a weight. When, according to the
ancient law of England, those who willfully refused to plead guilty, had heavy
weights placed on their breasts, and were pressed and crushed to death, this
was literally thlipsis.
Figuratively pictures one being
“crushed” by intense pressure, difficult circumstances, suffering or trouble
pressing upon them from without. Which
gives the idea of persecution, affiction, opposition or tribulation, all press
hard on one’s soul.
This identifies this as a future
event. An event that has not equal in history. A time of distress.
Thlipsis (tribulation) has the underlying
meaning of being under pressure and was used of squeezing olives in a press in
order to extract the oil and of squeezing grapes to extract the juice...In
Scripture the word thlipsis is perhaps most often used of outward
difficulties, but it is also used of emotional stress." (MacArthur, J: Romans
1-8. Chicago: Moody Press)
It is
a technical theological term for the Great Tribulation of the end times. Matthew 24:15,21
SUCH AS NEVER WAS SINCE THERE WAS A NATION EVEN TO THAT SAME TIME.
The Tribulation period is a time for punishing the Gentile nations
for the way they have sinned against the Jews Joel 3:2-8, it is also a time for
siftying and purging Isarel and preparing the Jews for the return of the
Messiah Amos 9:9-12.
EVERY ONE
THAT SHALL BE FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK.
According
to Zechariah
13:9, 1/3 of Israel is saved and enters the Millennium age of
blessing. Those who flee Jerusalem through the mountain valley of the Mt.
Olives will survive the tribulation (Zechariah 14:4)
Israel
will finally understand, Jesus was the Messiah, he came and suffered for the
sins of humanity (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). When Israel cries out to Jesus, he will
return as promised, before he was crucified, but not until Israel recognizes
Him as their Messiah. 38 "See! Your house is left to
you desolate; 39 "for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say,
'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' " Matthew 23:38-39
Christ
returns with the armies of heaven (Revelation 19:11-17) (Zechariah 12:10), to a
repentant Israel who understands Jesus the Messiah (Christ) is their only hope.
At this point, Israel is restored,
and the Millennium is put in motion, starting with the resurrection of the saints killed
and the Millennium is put in motion, starting with the resurrection of the saints killed
Referes to God’s Book of Life in which there is a record of all the names of the saved.
Some will be rescued,
delivered from all this great tribulation.
Some by the way, this is not a universal salvation for all, but those
whose name is in the books.
Those that are going to
be delivered are the elect of Israel.
But this verse does not teach, nor anywhere in scripture that every Jew
living on the earth at that time will be saved.
The prophecy in Daniel limits the deliverance to “every
one that shall be found in the book.”
These are the godly
Jews, the believing remnant on the earth at the time.
Certainly the apostate
Jews in that day are not included, but only the redeemed Israelites.
2 And many of them that sleep in the
dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and
everlasting contempt.
MANY OF THEM
Resurrection 386 40 times Anastasis
Luke 2:34; Luke 14:14; Luke 20:27; Luke 20:33; Luke 20:35 Acts 2:31; Acts 4:2; Acts 4:33; Acts 17:32; Acts 23:6; Acts 23:8; Acts 24:15; Acts 24:21; Acts 26:23 1 Corinthians 15:12-13; 1 Corinthians 15:21; 1 Corinthians 15:42 (King James Version)
What event
follows this horrendous period of judgment on the world? What follows is a
period of blessing and reward. Outside of the Temple mount, on the Mount
of Olives is a Jewish cemetery facing the Temple. The hope those being
buried there is the resurrection, to see the Messiah at the resurrection when
Messiah kingdom is established.
Paul links
Israel’s national conversion, with the resurrection in the book of Romans, 15
For if their being cast away is the
reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the
dead? Romans 11:15
The
resurrection has two parts, a resurrection of the just and a resurrection of
the unjust. The timing of these two parts has caused great debate and
division. Who is resurrected? Moreover, when?
There are
several view of the resurrection;
1.
At the end of time there is one resurrection of the just and unjust, known as
the “General resurrection” a view held by AMillennialists and post-millennialist[
2.
There are two distinct resurrections, the resurrection of the saved, and the
unsaved. The first resurrection takes place before the Millennium and the
second, of the unsaved, takes place after the millennium. This view often held
by pre-millennialis.
3.
Under the Pre-millennial heading, there are three view of when the
rapture occurs, the first resurrection.
a.
Pre-tribulation: The first resurrection takes place in two phases,
the first phase when the when the church is raptured before the tribulation,
and the second phase when the saints killed during the tribulation are
resurrected to rule and reign with Christ for 1000-years. (I Thes 4;13, Revelation 20:4).
In addition, many commentators view the Old Testament saints, such as Daniel
being part of the second phase of the first resurrection, when the Jewish
saints killed in the tribulation are resurrected following the return of
Messiah.
b.
Mid-tribulation: The resurrection occurs at the middle of the
tribulation period, followed by second resurrection at the end of the
tribulation for saints killed during the last half.
c.
post-tribulation: Immediately after the tribulation (Matthew 24:30),
before Christ returns the saints are resurrected to return with Christ and
establish the Millennial kingdom.
Why
many and not “all”? Simply, not all mankind will sleep in the dust (die). There is going to be a Rapture.
[i]
Daniel 12 Resurrection
and Reward
[iii]
Verses 1-4 of chapter 12 are generally considered part of the paragraph
beginning at Daniel 11:40. In defense of the chapter division as we have it in
our Bibles, a significant change is evident in Daniel 12:1, one which explains
(if it does not also justify) the ending of chapter 11 at verse 45. Never again
is the “king of the North” (or the “king of the South”) mentioned in the
remaining verses of Daniel. If chapter 11 describes the approach of the last
days from a human standpoint, chapter 12 describes the end in terms which are
divine.
The first verse of chapter 12 reveals two facts pertaining to
the end times we would not have expected apart from divine revelation. First,
the angel Michael114
is the instrument through whom the period of the Great Tribulation is
initiated. There is a definite link between the “king of the North” and
the Great Tribulation to be sure. But the text leaves this evil king behind in
chapter 11, linking the beginning of the tribulation to Michael, who will arise
and bring about a “time of great distress,” a time particularly directed toward
the Jews.
It is easy to see that
the first half of verse 1 pertains to Michael and the last half to the
period of the Great Tribulation, but it is difficult to accept the connection
between the two. When Michael arises, the time of Israel’s trouble begins. At
first this does not seem possible. Michael is “Israel’s prince” (10:21), the
“great prince who stands guard” over the sons of Daniel’s people, Israel
(12:1). How could the “protector of Israel” precipitate this time of such great
suffering?
The answer is found in the second surprising
fact revealed in verse 1: The deliverance of God’s people is that which
occurs in the time of her greatest trouble—the Great Tribulation.115
If we are surprised to see Michael associated with the suffering of Israel, we
should also be surprised to see Israel’s deliverance associated with the time
of her greatest suffering. Those whose names are found written in the book of
life116
will be rescued.
God has chosen to bring about the salvation of his chosen
ones by means of suffering. God does save men and women from
suffering, but He also saves through suffering. Consider for a
moment the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. God was well aware of
their suffering and heard the cries of His people. He sent Moses to deliver His
people from their suffering. But the deliverance of the Israelites came through
suffering. When Moses appeared before Pharaoh and demanded that he let God’s
people go, Pharaoh only made things more difficult for the Jews. The Jews
protested that Moses had only made matters worse. In a sense, they were right.
Things were going to get worse before they got better. It looked as though the
entire nation would be wiped out by the Egyptian army as they found themselves trapped
between the Red Sea and the approaching Egyptian forces. But God opened the
sea, bringing about the salvation of His people and the destruction of their
enemies.
The salvation of sinners has been accomplished by our Lord
Jesus Christ. He delivers us from sin, from suffering, and from death, but He
did so by means of His own suffering and death. So too the nation Israel will
be delivered from its sins and suffering, but this will happen by means of the
suffering of the nation in the time of the Great Tribulation. Then the people
of God will be rescued.
For this reason, Michael, the guardian prince of the nation
Israel, is revealed as the one who will arise, bringing about the Great
Tribulation. Israel’s time of great suffering is God’s appointed means for her
deliverance; thus, the angel appointed to protect her precipitates by his
actions the time of her suffering. When Michael arises and the tribulation
begins, it is like the doctor who “breaks the water” of a woman as she nears
the time to give birth to her child. A time of pain will come upon her, but it
is through this pain that the joy of new life will come to pass.
The righteous do not receive their full reward in this life.
When the wicked rule, the righteous may suffer persecution and even death
because of their faith in God and their obedience to Him:
33 “And those who have insight among the people will give
understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by
captivity and by plunder, for many days. 34 Now when they fall they will be
granted a little help, and many will join with them in hypocrisy. 35 And some
of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge, and make them
pure, until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time
(Daniel 11:33-35).
In order for justice to be meted out at the coming of the
Messiah and of His kingdom, the dead must be raised so that all men receive
their just reward. This resurrection of the righteous and the wicked is very
plainly prophesied in verse 2 of our text. The righteous will be raised and
rewarded with everlasting life, while the wicked will be raised and given the
recompense of everlasting contempt.
In verse 3, the
reward of the righteous in eternity is directly linked to their faithfulness to
the task they were given in time. Those who “let their light shine” in the dark
days of persecution and opposition, and thus led many to righteousness, will
shine brightly forever in eternity.
In verse 4, the
angel turns from the fate of the saints of the latter days to the fate of
Daniel whose life and ministry is drawing to a close. Daniel need not worry
about these future days of distress; he has seen difficult times in his life,
and remained faithful. Daniel was instructed to conceal the words revealed to him
and to “seal up the book until the end time.” I understand the angel to mean
that this final vision has completed the revelation of the Book of Daniel; now
that the book is complete, it is to be sealed.
Why should the book be sealed? If the saints of the end times
were faithful to proclaim their faith and to lead many to righteousness, why
should the revelation of the Book of Daniel be kept concealed until the later
days? The reason is given in the last half of verse 4: “many will go back and
forth, and knowledge will increase.”
The prophecy of Daniel is not the revelation of God’s plan of
salvation; it is the revelation of God’s plan for the future. It reveals how
God’s salvation will be fulfilled, not how it is made possible. Daniel focuses
on the manifestation of God’s salvation in history, not its means through the
coming, death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
In the sixteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke, the parable
of the rich man and Lazarus is recorded as told by our Lord. When the rich man
died, he went to hell, while Lazarus went to Abraham’s bosom. In his place of
torment, the rich man begged that someone be sent to warn his five brothers of
the wrath to come. Abraham’s response to this request was: “They have Moses and
the Prophets; let them hear them” (Luke 16:29). The brothers of the rich man
did not need new revelation nor did they need to hear a word of warning in a
unique and dramatic way. What this man’s brothers needed was to obey the
revelation they had already received from the Old Testament Scriptures.
The same was true for those in Daniel’s day as well as
for those in the last days. They needed no new revelation. They needed to
believe God’s promise of salvation which was revealed to them in the Old
Testament Scriptures, just as every Old Testament saint was saved by faith (see
Hebrews 11). While the last days would be characterized by a rapid increase in
knowledge, this will not turn men toward God. Instead, men in the last days
will vacillate, manifesting no consistency. They will go here and there seeking
new knowledge (see Acts 17:16-21). The prophecy of the Book of Daniel proves to
be of great value to those living in the last times, for it gives insight into
the events taking place around them
