Daniel 12, The Book is Sealed!

 The explanation of Daniel’s vision continues in Ch. 12, but becomes more general. 

·       12:1: It speaks of a time when Michael stands up to deliver Israel.

o   First, there will be a time of great trouble, but then Israel will be delivered.

o   “Every one who is found written in the book” indicates that Israel will experience salvation.  The “book” with names and their salvation is also predicted in Mal. 3:16-18.

·       12:2-3: Then will come the resurrection, when those raised to everlasting life will shine like the stars forever.

You can see how this is lacking in the same detail as Dan. 11.  It is not that the detail is not there, because Daniel is told to shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end (v4).  Two other angels appear, and one asks how long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be, referring to what was revealed in v1-3 (v5-6).  The answer from the One we believe is Christ (cf. Dan. 10:5-6) is that it will take a time, times and half a time (3 1/2 years or 1,260 days).

It is quite interesting, that between the day Daniel sealed the book and the time of the end there is an era described like this: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.  That phrase describes the age in which we live, the time between the first and second appearances of Christ.  Daniel pleads for more information but is told he will hear no more (12:8-9).  But he is told that, during the time in between, many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand (12:10).  In other words, Daniel is assured, that while there will continue to be difficulties for his people, there is the hope that many will experience salvation.  That also fits this age.

The words from Christ conclude with something mysterious.  He refers to an extra 30 days (1290, v11) beyond the time, times and half a time and then to an additional 45 days (1335, v12).  What can this mean?  Many have thought about this, including myself.  We can assume that from the day of Christ’s return to the establishment of His earthly kingdom there will be some time.  But my thought is that we don’t know and don’t need to know what happens in this time.  The Lord simply says that the blessing comes to those who wait until then.  There will be an end; that is what Daniel’s people need to know.

I have no doubt that this sealed book is the one given to the resurrected Lamb of God in heaven in Rev. 4-5.  The book of Revelation reveals the end of the story for Daniel and his people; it completes the six purposes of Dan. 9:24. It describes in detail the time of great trouble and Israel’s salvation (Dan. 12:1-3).  But it is sealed until One who is worthy to open the book appears.  That One is, of course, the Lamb of God who gave His life to make reconciliation for iniquity (Dan. 9:24; Rev. 5:1-7).

Daniel is told to go his way till the end.  As for Daniel, he will rest, a beautiful picture of the death of the saints.  And in the resurrection, he will arise to his inheritance at the end of the days.  Daniel, like all the other people of faith before the cross of Christ, did not see nor receive the promise (Heb. 11:39-40).  But by faith in Christ we have received the promise of the New Covenant.  The word to us is also to “go our way,” and as we go we must make disciples of all nations (Mt. 28:19-20). 

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:1-2).