Daniel 12 (Final)

Almost our last time in Daniel. Probably have one more message after this.

As I was beginning this series, I remember reading something a man named Ray Pritchard wrote about Daniel’s time compared to our time:

“Daniel’s situation parallels our own. Daniel spent his entire adult life as a believer living in a pagan culture. We can gain much insight from the way he handled his challenges.”

“Daniel’s prophecies may soon be fulfilled. I believe the stage is being set for the rise of the Antichrist. That day may be closer than we think.”

“Daniel’s God is our God too—and he is still on the throne. This may be the most important lesson of the book. God is in charge! Simple and clear. He is in charge of nations, families, and individuals. He is in charge of the past, the present, and the future. He is in charge of good times and bad days, of happiness and sorrow, of joy and heartache, of great victories and shocking defeats. He is in charge when a child is born and he is in charge when death knocks at your door. Studying this book ought to increase our confidence in the sovereignty of a God who makes no mistakes.”

I love that summary.

We live in a pagan culture. How Daniel handled himself is an outstanding example to us.

The prophecies Daniel gave could happen any time. We’re only waiting on the appearance of Jesus Christ to take us home.

And Daniel’s God is our God. And He’s on the throne. We can trust in Him who makes no mistakes.

If Daniel has taught us no other lessons, I believe these three give us hope. If Daniel could do, so can we, because Daniel’s God is our God.

And that basis for our faith helps us establish tonight’s truth as well.

About Daniel, one man (Miller) said, “The Book of Daniel is not only one of the most intriguing works in the Bible, but it is also filled with timeless truths that are just as relevant to modern believers as they were to those who first heard them” (Miller).

“The sovereignty of God is the core of this book…the emphasis is on living a life of faith in an increasingly hostile world. God’s sovereignty is seen in His ability to prosper or deliver those who are true to their faith convictions…they had to trust the power of God to control the flow of world empires as they rose and fell. God’s agenda is never in jeopardy, but they were to be prepared of the long term” (Hill).

One thing we know to be true is there is an enemy that opposes all that is right and good. And because of that, there must be, as a counter, people of God who stand by faith. Whether or not we know how things are going to work out, we must choose what to focus on. What we know of God or the challenges in front of us.

What God is saying is this: You may hot have all the answers, but you can place your confidence in a source that does.

Don’t miss this: God’s answer to Daniel is not that

God isn’t telling Daniel that

That doesn’t mean that they’ll get all the answers.

And it doesn’t mean they’ll have all the knowledge.

It simply means that they stop putting their faith in knowledge and place their faith in the source of knowledge.

I want to try to to explain this in a way we can understand.

Illustration: You can have confidence without knowledge as long as you have the right source of knowledge.

In Summary: When knowledge fails, look to a source of knowledge that doesn’t fail.

This is an interesting contrast. What

I strongly considered finishing out this text tonight, but I want to take some time and apply the

II. Two important questions are asked regarding the end times. (v. 5-9)

A. He had a vision of two additional angelic beings and their question regarding the time frame of the vision. One of the angels spoke to the man clothed in linen who was above the river. (v. 6) The identity of this angel is related to the discussion in chapter 10.

B. He asked an important question, “How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?” This is asked in reference to the last part of the vision, the fierce part of the tribulation.

1. The man in white linen who was standing above the waters answered with his hands raised. (v. 7) Raising one’s hand was customary of one stating the truth or taking an oath. It was customary to lift up one hand. This individual lifted both.

2. He said it will last “time, times and half a time.” This reference to 3 ½ years is found in other passages. (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 11:3; 12:6, 14; 13:5)

3. This refers to the second half to the tribulation, when the Antichrist breaks the covenant with Israel and sets up idolatry in the Jewish Temple. (Daniel 9:27) It is described in Daniel 12:1 as the “time of trouble.” It will be the worst period of human history.

C. It will last the length of time it takes for the Antichrist to scatter the power of the holy people. (v. 7b) Israel will finally come to the end of herself and cry out to God. It is then that Jesus will appear in power and great glory to establish His Kingdom. (Daniel 7:13-14)

D. Daniel did not understand their conversation and asked about the outcome of the events described. (v. 8) He wanted to know how these things were going to work out.

E. Thus, the two important questions regarding the end times were:

1. How long is this going to last?

2. What is going to happen?

F. Daniel was informed that the fulfillment of the vision was set for the end time. (v. 9)

1. He was expected to go on living. “Go thy way…”

2. He didn’t have to understand everything to keep going.

3. He had to trust God to take care of those things that were beyond his control.

III. Central Idea: When Daniel didn’t understand how everything was going to work out, God told him to continue living by faith. (v. 10-13)

A. Many would be spiritually purged. (v. 10a; Revelation 7:14)

B. The wicked would do wickedly (v. 10b). There are some so hardened by sin that even the worst of circumstances will prove unsuccessful in bringing them to Christ. (Revelation 9:21; 16:11)

C. The second half of the tribulation period is designated as 1,290 day. (v. 11). The second half will not start until the Antichrist sets up the detestable form of worship in the temple.

1. This is the abomination that makes the temple desolate (empty). Jesus said it was yet to come. (Matthew 24:15) He could not have been referring to Antiochus because that time had already happened. It is still yet future.

2. Revelation 13:14-15 describes how the Antichrist will set up an image of himself in the temple.

3. Thirty extra days are mentioned and unassigned when compared to Revelation. How these days are used is unclear. It may be for the judging of the nations. (Matthew 25:31-46)

D. He declared a blessing to be upon those who wait and come to the 1,335th day (v. 12.) This represents an extra 45 days. Again, it is unspecified regarding the purpose of these days. It may be for the preparation for the kingdom and the inauguration of the world’s greatest King, the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who enter this kingdom are blessed!

E. Daniel was to continue living for God the rest of his life (v. 13). He was supposed to keep living until he came to the end of his life. He was not to be anxious about things he understood nor things he didn’t understand. He was to finish his time on earth and come to rest. He would stand in his lot (inheritance) at the end time. This speaks of Daniel’s future resurrection. Daniel will be rewarded and have part in the coming kingdom of Christ.

IV. Application

A. In trials, we want to know two things:

1. How long is this going to last? (Psalm 6:3; 13:1-2)

2. What is going to happen? We want to know how things are going to turn out.

B. God doesn’t give us all the answers to life. He tells us what He wants us to know and what we need to know to obey.

C. When you don’t understand how everything is going to work out, just continue living by faith. Trust God to take care of the details.

D. Everything is going to work out because God is at work!

Conclusion

I hope you have enjoyed our study of the book of Daniel. We are living in exciting times for the sake of the gospel. As we continue to experience opposition, let’s follow the example of Daniel as we stand by faith!