Daniel 12 Study Notes

12:5-7 Daniel saw two others, meaning angels, who served as witnesses for the oath of the linen-dressed angel (10:5). Two was the minimum number of witnesses necessary for an oath (Dt 19:15). One of the witnessing angels asked how long until the end of the predicted time of distress. The angel dressed in linen answered that the time of the great tribulation (the second half of Daniel’s seventieth week) would be for a time, times, and half a time, or three and one-half years (7:25; Rv 12:7). By the end of the great tribulation, the power of the holy people Israel will be shattered, causing them to turn in faith to their long-rejected Messiah Jesus (Zch 12:10). At that time, he will return and deliver them (Zch 14:1-21) and all these things will be completed.

12:8-10 Daniel’s statement that he heard but did not understand does not mean that he did not comprehend that his prophecy was about the end of days but rather that he did not understand precisely how these events would happen. Daniel was told to go on his way, because the words are secret (or “closed”) and sealed until the time of the end, meaning they would not be fully recognized until their fulfillment at the end of days. At that time, the wicked will fail to comprehend their situation but those who have insight will understand the fulfillment of Daniel’s words and turn in faith to the God of Israel and his Messiah Jesus.

12:11-12 Two periods of time were revealed to Daniel. First, from the middle of the tribulation when the antichrist stops daily sacrifice and commits the abomination of desolation until the end, there will be 1,290 days. The great tribulation is said to be three and one-half years (v. 7) or 1,260 days (Rv 12:6; 13:5). Here it is thirty days longer, probably to include time for the judgment of the nations (Mt 25:31-46). Second, a blessing awaits the one who . . . reaches 1,335 days, a period that includes not only the thirty days for judging the nations but an additional forty-five days, perhaps to establish the government of the messianic kingdom. Those who enter that kingdom are said to be happy because they will be part of the most glorious world, governed by its greatest King, the Lord Jesus himself.

12:13 The angel told Daniel that he was to continue to the end of his life, at which point he would rest, a euphemism for death. Yet he was given the promise that he too would stand, that is, rise from the dead, at the end of time (v. 2).