Daniel 11:36- 12- The Time of The End
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Intro- We are going to conclude our study today of one of the more fascinating books in scripture. We are going to be looking at the end of chapter 11 and . Like most of the latter half of the book, there are a variety of different understandings regarding what we are reading. We will do our best to conclude the study in a manner that answers some of the questions.
“And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done.
One thing we did not have time to address last week that I wanted to was one of the popular teachings regarding who this king is… Many view this king to be “the antichrist”
I find it crazy how often we hear the term “antichrist” being tossed around in reference to some major leader.
Most of the reason why this passage is deemed to be describing the antichrist has everything to do with a misunderstanding about what the Bible actually has to say about anti Christ.
The Bible speaks of the antichrist in 4 passages.
Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.
“many antichrists” had already come by the time of John. The idea of waiting on one “super antichrist” who is going to effectively plunge the world into a pit of darkness is foreign to scripture
Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.
Who is the antichrist(s) ? Liars, that deny the father and the son
and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
People who do not confess Jesus
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.
Those who do not confess the coming of Christ in the flesh
So, V.36 is not a reference to “the antichrist” Rather, another ruler (who very well could fall into the definition of “a antichrist” but no more so than anyone else who denies Jesus)
“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
“At that time...” this is a continuation of the final vision of Daniel that started in chapter 10. We still see Michael (the prince) on full display.
The text says that there shall be a time of trouble “such as never has been since there was a nation” but at that time “your people” meaning Daniel’s people would be delivered
As early as God kept a list of those who were His
But the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book.
So this great tribulation was going to arise but Daniel’s people (the faithful Jews) would be spared.
“And many who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake”
This is one of the reasons why many believe these visions to be describing the end of the world and the final resurrection. There are two reasons why I don’t believe this is a reference to the end of times.
The use of the word “many” on the day of Judgement, all will be raised and on their way to heaven or hell.
Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people.
Ezekiel who was a contemporary with Daniel, wrote symbolically about the nation of Israel “rising from the grave” as symbolic of their return to Jerusalem
I believe this is likely the meaning since later this same year is when the foundation for the temple was laid for the 2nd time.
“Those who are wise shall shine like stars, and those who turn many to righteousness like stars forever and ever”
Those who were faithful and those who faithfully turned others toward righteousness would shine like stars (good thoughts for us still today.)
“Shut up the words and seal the book”
Daniel had trouble understanding the visions because they dealt with hundreds of years in the future.
He was told to seal the book- Signet wring, and wax a mark of authenticity.
The purpose of God revealing these visions to Daniel was not for him to tell the people, but for Him to have a written record of His prophecy’s for future generations to be able to look back on history and see how it was accurately predicted.
Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. And someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, 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 finished. I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
Daniel witnesses a conversation between these angelic beings. One asks the question, how long shall it be till the end of these wonders?
It is my belief that “these wonders” is a reference to the fulfillment of all of the prophecies in this book.
The answer given, “a time, times, and half a time”
The vagueness of that answer is unsettling for someone who wants to know.
a Clue is given in V.7 “When the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end”
This is most likely a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70
The Jews would be destroyed because of their rejection of Christ.
I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
Daniel asked for understanding… this time he was not given any
The time of the end- “The end of not just the tribulation, but the Jews as a nation. The establishment of the church”
And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”
There are some very specific numbers given, indicating that it is likely significant. There are many theories and none of them can be proven.
Most likely in my estimation:
1,260 days is how long Antiochus IV did away with the regular burnt offerings (we discussed this previously) The Jews instituted them again 30 days later (1,290 days)
The timeline is murky and it isn’t something to be dogmatic about but by day 1,335 Antiochus IV had been killed and there was a period of peace
once again, God always has an end for the suffering of His people.
But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”
This book ends with a note of encouragement to Daniel
Either, he will have rest as the Jews go back to Jerusalem, or He will die, and be raised to his reward
Even though Daniel did not understand all that was happening, He could have peace because He knew his God.