“How Long will it be Before these Astonishing Things are Fulfilled?”
Daniel 12
Introduction: Daniel 10 introduced us to Daniel’s final vision. Now we are coming to the conclusion of the vision which he received at the
I. Michael (1)
A. The only angel given the title “archangel” (Jude 9)
B. Michael means “who is like unto God?”
C. He will cast Satan out of heaven (Rev.12:7-9)
D. He is the protector of the nation of
E. Michael’s plan can be seen in:
1. Rev.12:15-17
2. Matt.24:16-20
3. Jer.49:16
II. The Great Tribulation (1)
A. We know this refers to the Great Tribulation because of what Jesus says in Matt.24:15-22.
1. It begins with the breaking of the covenant by the antichrist (Dan.9:26-27).
2. It will last for 3 ½ years (Dan.7:25; 12:7; Rev.13:5).
3. It is also known as the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer.30:7)
4. It is a time of great distress (Matt.24:21).
B. We also know that this prophecy is about “your people.” This refers to the nation of
C. At the second coming Christ will rescue the nation of
III. The Resurrections (2)
A. “Actually, there is no passage in Scripture which teaches that the Old Testament saints will be raised at the time the church is raptured, that is, before the final tribulation” (Walvoord, 287).
B. “The Old Testament saints are not raised at the rapture of the church” (McGee, 193).
C. At the end of the Great Tribulation those belonging to the Old Testament era, Jews and Gentiles, who are believers will be resurrected. Why does the OT saints’ resurrection occur here? “Because the time to enter the kingdom is at the end of the Great Tribulation period when Christ comes to establish His Kingdom on the earth. Then the Old Testament saints will be raised. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will all be raised to enter the kingdom on this earth at that time.” (McGee, 194)
D. Those who are raised “to shame and everlasting contempt” are raised 1,000 years later, after the millennium, at the Great White Throne judgment (Rev.20:11-15).
E. Those who have died in the Great Tribulation just before this will also be resurrected (Rev.20:4-6).
F. Bible Resurrections:
1. Jesus
2. A token resurrection (Matt.27:52-53)
3. The church prior to the tribulation
4. The righteous Old Testament saints (Rev.20:4-5)
5. The wicked Old Testament individuals (Rev.20:12-14)
6. There is a 1,000 year span between #4 and #5. #4 is the first resurrection. #5 is the second death. It is appropriate to say: Born Once – Die Twice … Born Twice – Die Once
IV. The Wise (3, 4)
A. What can I do? What should I do? These are questions people ask. We know:
1. We must stand firm (
2. We know we must pray (II Chron.7:14)
3. We know we must “look up” (Psalm 11:3ff)
4. We must also be wise! We will shine like the brightness of the heavens which glorify God (Ps.19:1). The wise “…were able to see through the unbelief and wickedness of their generation and put their confidence in the unseen eternal values of their faith” (Walvoord, 290).
5. We must “shine like stars” and lead! [Note Boice, Foundations, pg.679] Isn’t this exactly what Paul told the Philippians in
6. Seal the scroll! The scroll has reference to “the time of the end.” Doesn’t this mean we should know it?
7. In the end people will be running to and fro. They will desire knowledge (4). But will they find it? (Amos 8:12)
8. People will run here and there trying to find answers, searching for knowledge. But they will ignore the truth!
B. Verse 10 teaches that the time of the end will result in
1. purified saints
2. increased wickedness
a. II Tim.3:1-5
b. Rom.1:24, 26, 28-32
c. I Cor.2:14
C. Then notice: “…none of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand” (John 16:13). Those of us who are wise should be able to understand what is happening!
1. Wisdom begins with the fear of God (Prov.9:10). This will build up a people- a nation.
2. But when wisdom is discarded, God gives that nation, that people up:
a. to sexual impurity (Rom.1:24)
b. to shameful lusts (Rom.1:26)
c. to the depraved mind (Rom.1:28-32)
V. How long? (5-8)
A. Daniel is at the
B. The two others are angels. The "man clothed in linen" is the Lord Jesus (McGee, pg.196).
C. Jesus lifts His hands toward heaven and confirms 3 1/2 years (7). This occurs in 7:25.
1. The power of the holy people is broken. This is the Great Tribulation of 3 1/2 years against the people of
2. When this occurs, at the end of the 3 1/2 years, that is when the end will come "…all these things will be completed."
VI. I don't understand! (8-11)
- Daniel doesn't understand so he asks for clarification.
- Daniel is told
- Go your way. The words are closed up. God's seal is upon them. Live by faith in His word because it will come true!
- Be pure! (Titus 2:11-15)
- Wickedness will continue.
- Be wise!
- From the mid-point of the tribulation (the abomination of desolation) until the end there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who reaches 1,335 days!
1. 3 1/2 years is 1,260 days (Dan.7:25; 12:7; Rev.11:2; 13:5)
2. What is the 1,290 days? The idol of the Beast may remain 30 days (McGee, 197).
3. What is the 1,335 days? "No one has the interpretation of this…" (McGee, 198).
- Evidently some time elapses between the 2nd coming and everything being set in order for the Millennium. The additional days of 1,290 and 1,335 may have something to do with this. Boice simply notes "…the special period of 1,290 or 1,335 days (which we cannot yet explain)…" (pg.130).
- Daniel, go your way until the end.
1. You will rest.
2. You will receive your allotted inheritance!
a. Daniel will be raised at the Millennium (12:2)
b. Daniel will reign with Christ (Rev.5:10)