How will it end?

Topic: Questions

Passage: Daniel 12:5–13

July 22, 2021

Commentary

This last section answers 2 questions. The first is “How long will it last?” Daniel looked and saw two others (probably angels), and he heard someone ask to “the man clothed in linen” (the preincarnate Christ), “How long until the end?” (vv. 5-6). How long is the Tribulation going to last? Jesus raised his hands toward heaven and swore by God that it would be for a time (one year), times (2 years), and half a time (Half a year) (v. 7), all together 3½ years (Rev. 12:6,14). “Smashing the power of the holy people” refers to the horrible persecution of the Jewish people that will occur in the latter half of the tribulation (Daniel 11:36-45). The Jewish people will not be “Smashed” forever; their trial will last 3½ years, after which they will be delivered (Daniel 12:1).

The second question answered in this section is “How will it all end?” Daniel admits “I heard, but I did not understand”(v. 8). And so, he asked God how it would all end. God assured Daniel that there was no urgency to understand everything. These words would not be fully understood until the end of time (v. 9). In the last 150 years or so, there has been a focus on Biblical prophecy. At the time of the end, the godly will become godlier, and the wicked will become more wicked. Many people will have their hearts and lives made clean, but those who are evil will keep on being evil and never understand (v. 10). We can’t do much to reverse the wickedness of mankind, but we can choose to be godlier ourselves, more committed to God.

There will be 1290 days from the time that the daily sacrifices are stopped, until someone sets up the “Horrible Thing” that causes destruction (v. 11). God will bless everyone who patiently waits until 1335 days have gone by (v. 12). Daniel was soon to be with the Lord, but he was promised a blessed resurrection “at the end of the days” (v.13). Daniel stands tall in God’s Hall of Fame because of his trust in Christ.

Application

When I don’t understand something, am I quick to ask God for the answer? Or do I look for answers in the wrong place? I want to trust God in the midst of confusion. I believe that God will give me the answers I seek when the time is right.

Daniel 12:5– 13 (NET)

⁵ I, Daniel, watched as two others stood there, one on each side of the river. ⁶ One said to the man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the river, “When will the end of these wondrous events occur?” ⁷ Then I heard the man clothed in linen who was over the waters of the river as he raised both his right and left hands to the sky and made an oath by the one who lives forever: “It is for a time, times, and half a time. Then, when the power of the one who shatters the holy people has been exhausted, all these things will be finished.”

⁸ I heard, but I did not understand. So I said, “Sir, what will happen after these things?” ⁹ He said, “Go, Daniel. For these matters are closed and sealed until the time of the end. ¹⁰ Many will be purified, made clean, and refined, but the wicked will go on being wicked. None of the wicked will understand, though the wise will understand. ¹¹ From the time that the daily sacrifice is removed and the abomination that causes desolation is set in place, there are 1,290 days. ¹² Blessed is the one who waits and attains to the 1,335 days. ¹³ But you should go your way until the end. You will rest and then at the end of the days you will arise to receive what you have been allotted.”