Daniel 12:1-13
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy 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 thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 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.” (Daniel 12:1-2)
When the Antichrist’s kingdom begins to unravel, he will blame Israel for the problems for continuing to worship God rather than his state religion, in an effort to distract people from the failure of his leadership. It is a tactic that has been used throughout history. As a result almost the entire world will turn on Israel. They will go through a period of trouble like they have never experienced, as Jeremiah 30:7 describes it. “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.”
Throughout history the two archangels, Michael and Gabriel have stood against Satan’s power, keeping evil from completely taking over the world, with Michael being especially responsible for protecting God’s people. For a time he will be restrained from protecting them allowing the Antichrist to come to power and force people to choose between trusting God or just following tradition, as we find in II Thessalonians 2:7-10.
“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
A post on Facebook asked how 6 million Jews can be a threat to 1.2 billion Moslems, yet they are viewed as such a threat. When the Antichrist turns the entire world against them Michael will stand up to preserve them for three and a half years, using the earth itself as we see in Revelation 12:6-8. “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.”
The human powers will be destroyed completely, and Satan himself imprisoned for a thousand years according to Revelation 20:1-3. “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”
For a thousand years, Christ will reign and from the description it seems that the world will function as God originally designed it to function. At the end of the time, Satan will be released, giving mankind one last chance to choose whether to serve God. After that the judgment will come, with some being eternally condemned and others to everlasting life. Revelation 20:11-15 describes this judgment.
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)
While those who have never had their names written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire, those who have will be richly rewarded, standing out like stars in the night sky.
“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Daniel 12:4)
Daniel was to close up the prophecy until the times came, although over time they would know more about it as things happened. In Acts 1:7 Jesus told his disciples, “… It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” He repeatedly told us that he was going to come secretly, when he was not expected. He will not tell us in advance when these things will happen. That we see so many that have been fulfilled does not enable us to set a time table, but it does provide reassurance that God is still keeping his promises, and knows what is going on, and I believe that is the purpose for the prophecies.
“Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.” (Daniel 12:5-7)
Once again it was stressed that the extreme persecution will only last three and a half years, “for a time, times, and an half.” It will be very reassuring to those who are alive when that day comes to know that it will be such a short time.
“And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” (Daniel 12:8-10)
Daniel asked for more detail but God told him it was not to be known until the end. In the mean time people would decide whether they would serve God or not. The message was primarily for those who are alive at the time., and Daniel was not to get so caught up in prophecy that he neglected other subjects as many prophetic speakers have done.
“And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.” (Daniel 12:11-13)
The details would have no impact on Daniel, or others who lived before all these things happened, other than providing some encouragement. They would all die, and later stand for judgment at the end, whether they understood the prophecy or not. For those who would go through it, the knowledge that they only had to survive about three and a half years might give them the courage to go on.
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy 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 thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 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.” (Daniel 12:1-2)
When the Antichrist’s kingdom begins to unravel, he will blame Israel for the problems for continuing to worship God rather than his state religion, in an effort to distract people from the failure of his leadership. It is a tactic that has been used throughout history. As a result almost the entire world will turn on Israel. They will go through a period of trouble like they have never experienced, as Jeremiah 30:7 describes it. “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.”
Throughout history the two archangels, Michael and Gabriel have stood against Satan’s power, keeping evil from completely taking over the world, with Michael being especially responsible for protecting God’s people. For a time he will be restrained from protecting them allowing the Antichrist to come to power and force people to choose between trusting God or just following tradition, as we find in II Thessalonians 2:7-10.
“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
A post on Facebook asked how 6 million Jews can be a threat to 1.2 billion Moslems, yet they are viewed as such a threat. When the Antichrist turns the entire world against them Michael will stand up to preserve them for three and a half years, using the earth itself as we see in Revelation 12:6-8. “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.”
The human powers will be destroyed completely, and Satan himself imprisoned for a thousand years according to Revelation 20:1-3. “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”
For a thousand years, Christ will reign and from the description it seems that the world will function as God originally designed it to function. At the end of the time, Satan will be released, giving mankind one last chance to choose whether to serve God. After that the judgment will come, with some being eternally condemned and others to everlasting life. Revelation 20:11-15 describes this judgment.
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)
While those who have never had their names written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire, those who have will be richly rewarded, standing out like stars in the night sky.
“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Daniel 12:4)
Daniel was to close up the prophecy until the times came, although over time they would know more about it as things happened. In Acts 1:7 Jesus told his disciples, “… It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” He repeatedly told us that he was going to come secretly, when he was not expected. He will not tell us in advance when these things will happen. That we see so many that have been fulfilled does not enable us to set a time table, but it does provide reassurance that God is still keeping his promises, and knows what is going on, and I believe that is the purpose for the prophecies.
“Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.” (Daniel 12:5-7)
Once again it was stressed that the extreme persecution will only last three and a half years, “for a time, times, and an half.” It will be very reassuring to those who are alive when that day comes to know that it will be such a short time.
“And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” (Daniel 12:8-10)
Daniel asked for more detail but God told him it was not to be known until the end. In the mean time people would decide whether they would serve God or not. The message was primarily for those who are alive at the time., and Daniel was not to get so caught up in prophecy that he neglected other subjects as many prophetic speakers have done.
“And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.” (Daniel 12:11-13)
The details would have no impact on Daniel, or others who lived before all these things happened, other than providing some encouragement. They would all die, and later stand for judgment at the end, whether they understood the prophecy or not. For those who would go through it, the knowledge that they only had to survive about three and a half years might give them the courage to go on.
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