LESSONS FROM DANIEL # 12
Chapters 10-12 have continuity: God protects his people by celestial warriors (angels).
12:1-4, v.1, “that time” = the one just treated (11:36-45) = Antiochus’ abominations and perse-cutions against the Jews.
(Brethren who apply “the king” of 11:36 to the Roman Empire and the destruction of Jerusalem, AD 70, apply 12:1 to “that time”, and so interpret the remainder of this chapter). I make the appli-cation to Antíochus, the “king” of 11:36.
The text speaks about what Michael will do in that time of great persecution, incited by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, against the Jews.
Michael defends God’s people in this time of trouble, proverbially spoken of as the greatest of all time.
(Not a reference to AD 70, as in Mat. 24:21. Cp. 9:12 and Ezeq. 5:9, And I will do in thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like, because of all thine abomi-nations).
“thy people shall be delivered” = the battles of the Maccabees against the Syrians = a type of the true deliverance in Christ.
Daniel knows by the vision of chap. 2 that after the Greek era, and during the reign of Rome, that the eternal kingdom will be established.
The important thing: not apostatize, but have one’s name written in the book of God = the re-gistry in God’s mind (i.e., God’s approval).
(Lk. 10:20, Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven).
(Heb. 10:39, But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul).
v.2, two oppressed groups in times of persecu-tion (Antiochus) and battles for independence (Maccabees): the faithful rise against the Syrians, others hellenize to their shame. The lesson = God always rewards fidelity.
A “resurrection” that typifies the literal, Jn. 5:28, 29, for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, 29 and shall …
come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.
(The angel did not jump millenniums ahead to speak of the resurrection at the last day).
v.3, “wise” = those who believe the angel’s reve-lation. Ps. 111:10, The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all they that do [his commandments].
Perpetual glory for the faithful who advocate the justice of God and put a good example before others, teaching them.
This revealed to Daniel to comfort God’s people of that time (and to console such at all times).
Compare verse 10.
v.4, stop writing; the revelation is completed, no more to be revealed.
“seal the book” = authenticate it as a work of God. Not hide the contents, but close the record-ing of this revelation that is for times remote from that of Daniel.
“time of the end” (8:17,19; 10:14) = principally the conflicts and anguish caused by the Persians and Greeks (10:20), and specially by Antiochus.
(Shortly thereafter Rome comes on the scene, the Messiah’s kingdom is established and the Jewish economy is totally destroyed).
“many run to and fro” = maybe the “many” of v.2 and the “wise” of v.3, who teach righteousness to others in their time. Or, maybe the preaching later of the gospel and the knowledge that this will give upon seeing the prophecies of this book ful-filled.
12:5-13, v.5, two angelic witnesses to the oath the angel warrior (10:20) is about to make (v.7).
v.6, the question: When will the sufferings caus-ed by Antiochus (in particular) be fulfilled?
v.7, “sware” = solemn significance! (Consolat-ion: the terrors of men cannot eliminate God’s people).
“time, times, and a half (3+1/2)” = an incomplete period of time, known only to God; half of a hebdomad, which means complete. Man’s power does not control history!
From 168 to 165 BC the temple was desolate; Judas Maccabeus purified & rededicated it in 165

“end of the breaking in pieces the power of the holy people” = under the Maccabees, the disper-sed Jews were organized, battled with the Syrians, and terminated that foreign control.
“these things” then were fulfilled (see 8:24-25)
v.8, Daniel lived nearly 400 years before these events. The restoration of Jerusalem had not yet taken place. So, it was difficult for him to under-stand that this vision, and that of chap. 9, were revealing the end of the Jewish economy.
“What is to be the result of this suffering of God’s people?”
v.9, “Daniel, don’t inquire more; return to your normal work”.
“the time of the end” (of the Seleucid wars, 11:35,36).
It was a time of preparation for the coming of the reign of the Messiah. (Even Jeremiah, 31:31-34, prophesied of the coming of the New Covenant).
v.10, the faithful will suffer trials, knowing that such is God’s will and precedes the coming of the Messiah when there will be complete spiritual liberty. The kingdom is coming!
From the time referenced, two generations bring one to the time of Jesus Christ and the Jews’ expectation of the coming Messiah.
Matt. 11:3-6, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good tidings preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me. The answer: “Yes!”
Lk. 2:38, And coming up at that very hour she (Anna) gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Great consolation here for Daniel: for the faith-ful, conflicts with the enemy produce spiritual purity, with the corresponding recompense of glory.
The apostate Jews (who would Hellenize) are the wicked who will not understand (i.e., will not share God’s word and will).
Cp. Rev. 22:11, He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still (or, yet more): and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still.
Understanding capacitates the faithful to perse-vere in times of conflict, for they look to the re-compense of reward. Note Heb. 11:26,
(Moses) “accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward”.
v.11, From the time of Antiochus’ stopping the temple service and his abominable acts of idola-try in the temple (there will be so many days).
According to v.7, 3 +1/2 years.
Here in v.11, 1290 days ( = 42 <months> times 30 <days> = 1260 days, plus 30 <additional days according to the annual calendar> = 1290 days).
The “1290 days” brings to the dedication of the temple by Judas Maccabeus, 165 BC.
v.12, 1290 + 45 = 1335 days. 1 Macc. chap. 6 narrates the death of Antiochus shortly after the temple was cleansed and rededicated.
Blessings for those who persevere till then, rather than surrender to the culture of Helleniza-tion and thus avoid persecution.
These blessed ones will see that God is fulfilling his promises in spite of apparent temporary victo-ries of a fierce emperor, Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
v. 13, thus ends the painful revelation for Daniel, who personally will not have to endure said per-secutions wrought by Antiochus.
He is to continue to the end of his earthly days, and then rest (in Hades, the realm of departed spirits).
Cp. Rev. 14:13, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.
“Thou shalt stand in thy lot” = Based upon the coming of the Messiah (according to the prophe-cy of 9:24-27), Daniel and all saints ultimately will stand in their lot (inheritance), promised in Christ, by being resurrected to eternal life.
1 Jn. 2:25, And this is the promise which he promised us, [even] the life eternal.
CONSIDER THIS:
Both Alexander the Great and Jesus Christ lived 33 yrs. of life, and died.
Which lived for himself and died alone, and which died for others and lives forever?
One shed the blood of others in order to gain the world, while the other shed his own blood to res-cue the world.
One acted as if he were God; the other, being God, identified himself with man.
One cried because there were no more worlds to conquer; the other cried for the lost estate of those whom he loved.
One conquered thrones; the other conquered graves.
One died and his dominion passed with his death; the other died and his dominion continues for ever.
One obtained, and then lost it all; Jesus Christ sacrificed himself and gained it all.
Which of the two do we plan to imitate and to follow?
If there is something to be learned from them, it is:
“He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake (Jesus’ sake) shall find it”, Matt. 10:39.

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