12:1 – The Great Tribulation specifically the last 3.5 years of the Tribulation. It is quite a statement that there has never been a time like this before. Considering everything the Jews have been though over the years – even just the prophesies that Daniel received. They will flee to the desert (Is. 63:1-6 and Micah 2:12-13). We’ve already discussed Edom/Moab etc. Bozrah is actually in Jordan and very naturally fortified/surrounded by hills and mountains. When Jerusalem is surrounded and without hope – they will call out to their Messiah – the one they rejected and in their acknowledgement of him, all Israel will be saved (Rom. 11:35-36)

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V. 2 – Promise of bodily resurrection – not so much that only some would rise but that it was a great multitude. Also, notates that they will not all be resurrected to the same fate – Matt. 25:46. Some will be judged to eternal damnation. Others will receive their glorified bodies and spend eternity with God. The Greek equiv. in Matthew notates a real eternity – the loathing and suffering will continue forever.

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V. 3 – Those who are wise – who know Christ will shine like the brightness of the sky. The stars are bright but think about Christ’s return. The entire sky will light up like never before. The brightness of his glory when he returns in Revelation will be unparalleled (Rev. 19:11-16). All will see him (Matt. 24:30-31) and we will return with him – we will shine. Those who turn many to righteousness. This seems to be referring primarily to those who are still alive during the tribulation who have born witness to God’s glory and led many to believe in him. It could also refer to those who share Christ during the Millennial reign but the main point seems to be that if you come with him in the clouds or are on earth and have acknowledged him as Lord and surrendered their life to him, we will be with him forever. The righteous will shine forth like the sun (Matt. 13:43). There will be no hiding our righteousness because we will be like the one who made us holy.

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V. 4 – Daniel - your task is complete. The revelation to you is finished. You have been entrusted with arguably more truth and prophecy than anyone. You have had a 70+ year ministry but the revelation is complete and your task is finished. People will run to and fro – searching Scripture learning, growing/missionary journeys but also trying to accrue knowledge apart from God. People will often search for truth in the wrong places but Daniel’s task and part in the journey is done.

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One thing I do want to highlight here is that in Matt. 24:15-22 God specifically tells his people to note the prophesies of Daniel as a sign of the end times. He tells the Jews to flee to the mountains. Staying in Jerusalem will be devastating. 

. I’m not sure if Daniel understood the influence his writing would have between his lifetime and the end of the world. His only task was to be faithful and he did that. The work was finished – no more and no less than God had given him.

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V. 5-6 – Two other angels on both sides of the Tigris. Perhaps no significant meaning or perhaps a metaphorical divide of east/west and that angels are always ready to do God’s bidding at any point. One of the angels asks the question, how long will it take to complete these wonders – these judgements? Notice the question is not when it will start because no one knows the time. Rather, the question is when it will end.

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V. 7 – The angel was apparently getting ready to leave but he swore with right and left hand just in case there was any doubt about the veracity of his claims. He swore by God alone. Times, time, and half-a-time, 3.5 years, 1260 days. The Antichrist will be powerful and accomplish much horror in those days but all things will be finished exactly as God foretold The end/judgment is coming swiftly.

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V. 8 – For my type “A” friends, a few notes, Daniel has already been made familiar with this time frame from 7:25 so it is unlikely that he is confused by the timeframe. However, he wants to understand the signs of the times to come. He wants details but he is also asking a very important question. The angel made some very promising/hopeful statements. In 12:1-4 but then the angel goes back to the time, times, and half-a time and you can almost hear Daniel wondering how this will ultimately end for his people?

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The word “end” in v. 8 is different than v. 6 – literally this one has the idea of “Which of these things will be last?” So not only what happens before the end – but who wins in the end? How does the final chapter close? What is the outcome? Isn’t that what we all want to know? Notice, he doesn’t get an answer. He has been given so much truth, but the full revelation is not fully explained at this time.

V. 9-10 – Go thy way – the revelation is complete for now. No more will be shared. The one who has received all of the revelations is not given this final clarification. They will be purified – wheat from chaff, made white – cloth whitened by fuller. Metal – dross separated from pure metal. There will be many – most who refuse to repent. They are so blinded by the appearl of this world and the lies of the Antichrist that they don’t understand truth/do not see the clear Biblical fulfilment/do not repent until it is too late.

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V. 11-12 – 1260 days of tribulation until the beast is destroyed. However, Daniel specifically identifies 75 extra days. 30 of those days seems to be focused on rebuilding the world. We see Jerusalem elevated above every other mountain. We see destruction restored. Think about the blood that had been up to the horses’ bridles in Rev. 14. There will be massive destruction that will need to be restored. Daniel is then very specific that those who arrive at 1335 days will be blessed. This seems to indicate that at least part of those 75 days will be spent on the judgment of the nations. If those who wait 1335 days are blessed that seems to indicate that the Millennial Kingdom will truly begin 75 days after Christ’s return.

V. 13 – Again, go thy way – nothing remains to be revealed to him. Thou shalt rest – you will have peace – also likely telling Daniel he would die before these events. Thy lot – exactly where God wants him to be – in his inheritance in the kingdom.

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Daniel lived an extraordinary life but God’s final instructions to him were not to do something grand. Rather, go thy way – go about your business. Be faithful in the daily/the ordinary. Daniel was not alone in these instructions. You can think of many, the Jeremiah’s who preached when no one would listen, the Ruth’s who gathered wheat when she could have stayed in her homeland in comfort, the Abraham’s who waited 25 years for the fulfillment of God’s promises, the Joseph’s who waited for 13 years in slavery and prison, David waited years to become king. God used these people for extraordinary purposes, but they did not always realize why they needed to wait and some of them like Jeremiah and Ruth never fully realized the full impact of their lives. Still, they were called to remain faithful in the waiting.

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For all of the amazing truth Daniel received, I think this is a remarkable testament to what God ultimately wants from us. Faithfulness – obedience in the daily tasks and calling. He calls us to rest in him, in the provision he gives us. He will take care of the rest. We are not put on this earth to fix the problems – we are called to be obedient, wherever God places us. If we are placed in a wheat field, a palace, and lion’s den, a kitchen, an office…go our way and trust in his provision as we follow in the path that he reveals to us.