Journal Through the Bible: Week 80 Monday

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Daniel chapter 12

This would appear to be a prophecy that will take place in our future. In other words, it does not appear as though it was fulfilled on the calendars between Daniel's time and our own. This is a continuation of the vision Daniel received in the 3rd year of Cyrus' reign and recorded in chapters 10 and 11.

Does God issue any commands?

• Daniel had been told to stand, listen, and understand at the beginning of chapter 10. Since chapter divisions are man-made and this is part of the continuing conversation between the messenger and Daniel that command would still be in effect.
• Daniel was to seal the book.
• When Daniel asked for further clarification concerning when these events would happen he was told to go on his way.

Does God make any promises?

• Those who are wise will shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Verse 3) We are told elsewhere in scripture that those who win souls are wise! See Proverbs 11:30
• Daniel was told that he would rest (perhaps a reference to a peaceful death), and stand in his allotted place at the end of the days (perhaps a reference to being with the saints coming with Christ at the resurrection).

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Michael, "Who is like God," may very well be God in the flesh. This is not a contradiction since the Bible uses many names to describe the 2nd person of the Trinity: Immanuel, "God with us" and Joshua (which means the same thing as Jesus, "Savior") just to name the most familiar "first names" given to males around the world that are descriptive names denoted to the Son of God.
• The man clothed in linen that stood upon the water as He spoke with Daniel was most likely Jesus. He raised his hands and took an oath toward Heaven that the Great Tribulation would last for a time, times, and an half time which would be 3 1/2 years. This must be Jesus! Only God Himself would dare to swear by him that lives forever and ever! This is an example of God swearing by Himself because there is no one or nothing else whereby an oath could be secured. See Hebrews 6:13 for another example of this.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Verse 1 seems to be talking about the time called The Great Tribulation. The way many interpret this is that it takes place during the last 3 1/2 years of the last "week" or 7 years described by Gabriel to Daniel in 9:26-27 and Jesus to His disciples in Matthew chapter 24. (In Matthew 24 the disciples ask Jesus 3 questions: 1. When shall these things be? ie. the destruction of the temple; 2. What shall be the sign of your coming?; and 3. What shall be the sign of the end of the world? Jesus answers at least one of these questions by referencing the Abomination of Desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet [verse 15] and mentions a time of great tribulation [verse 21]). This Matthew 24 information is taken from my husband's recent sermon series on that chapter.
• Verse 2 speaks of the resurrection of the dead and the judgment that follows. This may have had a fulfillment at the time of Jesus' death when the gospels state that some of the saints arose and went into Jerusalem and it will have another fulfillment when the people who have perished since the cross will be resurrected and judged as Paul taught in I Thessalonians chapter 4. (This raises a question in my mind. Were all who died between the creation and the cross resurrected at the time of Jesus' death or were there only select individuals raised? See Matthew 27:52-53.)
• At the time of the end many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. This is happening now and it will continue to happen!
• From the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away and the Abomination that makes desolate is set up shall be 1,290 days. Those who wait and complete the 1,335 days (an extra 45 days) will be blessed. I do not know to what this is referring and I have read several online articles, none which adequately satisfy me. I guess I have questions just as Daniel did.

What are your thoughts on this chapter? Have you learned anything new from journaling through Daniel?