Daniel 12:6

6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was upstream, "How long shall it be until the end of these wonders?"

Daniel 12:6 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 12:6

And one said to the man clothed with linen
One of the angels on one side of the bank of the river spoke to Christ, who appeared in a human form, as a presage of his future incarnation; and as clothed in linen, expressive of his priestly office, and of his purity and holiness, which qualified him for it; (See Gill on Daniel 10:6). Which of the angels it was that spake is not said, or on which side of the river he stood; very probably each of them spake in their turn, and joined: in the same request to Christ: which was upon the waters of the river:
or above F13 them; denoting his power and dominion over men, kingdoms, and nations, sometimes signified by waters, and even over those the most tumultuous and raging: how long shall it be to the end of these wonders,
these wonderful things before predicted, concerning the state and condition of the people of God, their troubles and afflictions, the fall and ruin of antichrist, and the glorious things that shall follow upon that: angels, as they are inquisitive creatures, and pry into the mysteries of grace, so into those of Providence; especially such as concern the church of God, for whom they have a great regard; of the secrets of which they have no knowledge until revealed unto them; though this question seems to be put not so much for their own sakes as for the sake of Daniel, who was present, but had not that courage and presence of mind as they had; nor could use that freedom with Christ as they did, at least at first, till encouraged by their example.


FOOTNOTES:

F13 (ymyml lemm) "super aquas", Pagninus; "desuper aquas", Montanus; "supra aquas", Calvin, Cocceius, Michaelis.

Daniel 12:6 In-Context

4 But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and the book sealed until the time of the end. Many shall be running back and forth, and evil shall increase."
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others appeared, one standing on this bank of the stream and one on the other.
6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was upstream, "How long shall it be until the end of these wonders?"
7 The man clothed in linen, who was upstream, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven. And I heard him swear by the one who lives forever that it would be for a time, two times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end, all these things would be accomplished.
8 I heard but could not understand; so I said, "My lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?"
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.