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Revelation - Detour

Daniel 12

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Recap

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (605-562 BC)

Daniel & friends trained for king’s court.
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of statue (4 kingdoms).
Daniel’s friends thrown in fire for refusing to worship image.
Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of tree being cut down (given mind of animal).

King Belshazzar of Babylon (553-539 BC)

7. Vision of 4 beasts.

8. Vision of ram & goat

(Medo-Persia & Greece).

5. Fall of Babylon to

Medo-Persian Empire

King Darius of Medo-Persia

6. Daniel & the lions’ den

9. Prayer of Confession & 70 weeks

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God’s Sovereignty in Exile

Succession & Decline of Earthly Kingdoms

Setup for God’s Victory

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Recap (Daniel 10-11)

Daniel 10:

Daniel receives a troubling message/vision (Daniel 10:1).
Messenger comes to tell Daniel more of the vision (Daniel 10:14).

Daniel 11:

Transition from Persian to Greek Empires:

Greek Empire after Alexander the Great split into 4
Likely talking about conflict between 2 kingdoms from the split:

North (Seleucid) and South (Ptolemaic)

~500-100 BC

Possibly more going even further in the future (Daniel 11:36-45 ?).

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Reading

Daniel 12:1-4

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Michael the Archangel (Daniel 12:1)

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but, behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me because I remained there with the kings of Persia. - Daniel 10:13 (WEB)

But I will tell you that which is inscribed in the writing of truth. There is no one who holds with me against these, but Michael your prince. - Daniel 10:21 (WEB)

“At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there will be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. At that time your people will be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. - Daniel 12:1 (WEB)

But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, “May the Lord rebuke you!” - Jude 1:9 (WEB)

There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war. - Revelation 12:7 (WEB)

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Revelation 12:7 mentions “Michael”. “Michael” is one of only two angels, along with Gabriel (https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=Gabriel&resultspp=250&version=WEB), explicitly named in the Bible (unless “Lucifer” from Isaiah 14:12 is also counted).

Michael seems to be in command of other angels in the war described in Revelation 12:7. In Jude 1:9, Michael is described as an “archangel” (https://biblehub.com/greek/743.htm - a “chief angel”). The word “archangel” is only used in one other place in the Bible (https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=archangel&resultspp=250&version=WEB), without a specifically-named angel. No other angels (including Gabriel) are explicitly identified as “archangels” in the Bible.

In Daniel, Michael is described as a “prince” (and seemingly specifically for the Jews in this case) - https://biblehub.com/hebrew/8269.htm. That terminology would seem to fit in with the “archangel” idea.

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Reading/Discussion (Time of Trouble - Daniel 12:1)

“At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there will be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. At that time your people will be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. - Daniel 12:1 (WEB)

Compare with:

Matthew 24:14-31, Mark 13:14-27

What else might we learn from comparing these passages?

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Trouble Unlike Any That Has Come Before

“At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there will be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. At that time your people will be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. - Daniel 12:1 (WEB)

for then there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be. - Matthew 24:21 (WEB)

“But immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light…and see the Son of Man coming on the clouds…He will send out his angels…and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds... - Matthew 24:29-31 (WEB)

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Reading/Discussion (Daniel 12:1-4)

“At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there will be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. At that time your people will be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. - Daniel 12:1 (WEB)

Also see:

Matthew 24-25, Mark 13 (entire chapters)

How should we live in light of this time of trouble?

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Daniel 12

“At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there will be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. At that time your people will be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. - Daniel 12:1 (WEB)

First observation from Daniel 12:1 is that this “time of trouble” is surrounded by two “at that time” situations - Michael, the great angel presumably for Israel, stands up for them, and then those written in the “book” will be delivered. So there is ultimately hope in God surrounding this time of trouble.

Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine as the brightness of the expanse. Those who turn many to righteousness will shine as the stars forever and ever. - Daniel 12:2-3 (WEB)

There are two basic options presented here - resurrection to everlasting life or everlasting contempt. Though the “wise” and those who turn many to “righteousness” seem to be given positive “shining” descriptions.

But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end. Many will run back and forth, and knowledge will be increased.” - Daniel 12:4 (WEB)

Regardless of how one interprets “many will run back and forth, and knowledge will be increased”, that phrase does seem to indicate that “a lot” could be going on before the time of the end.

Matthew 24-25/Mark 13

Jesus mentions several times about not being led astray but recognizing troubles coming before the end and enduring. After the specific part of the chapter we read previously, Jesus goes in various parables:

Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come. - Matthew 24:42-44 (WEB)
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes. - Matthew 24:45-46 (WEB)

In Matthew 25, Jesus goes into lengthier parables emphasizing His return.

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Reading/Discussion (Books - Daniel 12:1)

At that time your people will be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. - Daniel 12:1 (WEB)

Compare with:

Psalm 139:16, Philippians 4:3, Malachi 3:16-4:2
Revelation 3:5, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 20:11-15

Why books? What is the meaning/purpose of these books?

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“Book” References on the Slide

Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them. - Psalm 139:16 (WEB)

God knows/has written all the days of our lives - they are not a surprise or accident to Him.

Then those who feared Yahweh spoke one with another; and Yahweh listened and heard, and a book of memory was written before him for those who feared Yahweh and who honored his name. They shall be mine,” says Yahweh of Armies, “my own possession in the day that I make. I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him. Then you shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who doesn’t serve him. “For behold, the day comes, burning like a furnace, when all the proud and all who work wickedness will be stubble. The day that comes will burn them up,” says Yahweh of Armies, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings. You will go out and leap like calves of the stall. - Malachi 3:16-4:2 (WEB)

Here we see the notion of God “remembering” His people (and making a written record of them).

Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. - Philippians 4:3 (WEB)
He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. - Revelation 3:5 (WEB)
All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed. - Revelation 13:8 (WEB)
I saw a great white throne and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. There was found no place for them. I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them. They were judged, each one according to his works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire. - Revelation 20:11-15 (WEB)

Here we see the phrase “book of life”. Of particular note about this “book of life” is that it references it as being the book “of the Lamb who has been killed” and being “from the foundation of the world”.

Other “Book” References

Yet now, if you will, forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out of your book which you have written.” Yahweh said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot him out of my book. - Exodus 32:32-33 (WEB)
Then I said, “Behold, I have come. It is written about me in the book in the scroll. - Psalm 40:7 (WEB)

See Hebrews 10:7

You count my wanderings. You put my tears into your container. Aren’t they in your book? - Psalm 56:8 (WEB)
Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not be written with the righteous. - Psalm 69:28 (WEB)
Search in the book of Yahweh, and read: not one of these will be missing. None will lack her mate. For my mouth has commanded, and his Spirit has gathered them. - Isaiah 34:16 (WEB)
A fiery stream issued and came out from before him. Thousands of thousands ministered to him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was set. The books were opened. - Daniel 7:10 (WEB)
The beast that you saw was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go into destruction. Those who dwell on the earth and whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see that the beast was, and is not, and shall be present. - Revelation 17:8 (WEB)
There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. - Revelation 21:27 (WEB)

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Reading/Discussion (Resurrection - Daniel 12:2)

Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. - Daniel 12:2 (WEB)

Compare with:

John 5:25-29, Acts 24:15, Revelation 20:4-6

What does this mean about who will be “raised”?

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What we see here is that essentially “all” people (except perhaps those alive at whenever this happens) will get raised at some point, regardless of their “status”. But there is a difference in the “results” - some get everlasting life and some get shame/everlasting contempt.

“In the fighting both godly and ungodly will be killed and so sleep in the dust of the earth (Gen. 3:19; Ps. 22:29). The reason for using ‘sleep’ here as a metaphor for ‘die’ is that sleep is a temporary state from which we normally awake, and so the reader is prepared for the thought of resurrection.” - Joyce G. Baldwin, Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 23, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1978), 225.

“In the light of this usage our author can be seen to be thinking of a general resurrection prior to judgment. Jesus almost certainly has this verse in mind in Matthew 25:46 and John 5:28, 29.” - Joyce G. Baldwin, Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 23, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1978), 226.

“everlasting life, wording first coined here in the Old Testament, though other writers express the conviction that the warmth of fellowship with the Lord that they enjoyed on earth could not be ended merely by death (Pss 16:11; 17:15; 73:23, 24; Isa. 26:19). Mention of the tree of life and the possibility of living for ever (Gen. 3:22) must have kept the thought before the Israelite believer from early times.” - Joyce G. Baldwin, Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 23, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1978), 226.

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Reading/Discussion (Daniel 12:3)

Those who are wise will shine as the brightness of the expanse. Those who turn many to righteousness will shine as the stars forever and ever. - Daniel 12:3 (WEB)

Compare with:

Matthew 13:43, Malachi 4:2, Proverbs 4:18

What does this mean?

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https://biblehub.com/interlinear/daniel/12-3.htm

https://biblehub.com/hebrew/2094.htm - The word for “shine” seems to have some connotations that might emphasize the wisdom of the wise being highlighted.
https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7549.htm - The “expanse” here is the same word used for “heavens” in various places.
In turning “many to righteousness” indicates the importance/value of people being turned to righteousness.
Note that the shining like stars is given a timeframe of “forever”.

Other verses:

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. - Matthew 13:43 (WEB)

The context of this verse occurs in the explanation of a parable after Jesus gathering the wicked at the end of the age to be burned. In contrast to the wicked who are burned, the righteous get to shine in God’s kingdom.

But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light that shines more and more until the perfect day. - Proverbs 4:18 (WEB)

“Paths” related to righteousness are referenced back in Proverbs 4:11-12, which emphasize steps not being impeded and not stumbling.
This is in contrast to the path of the wicked, which is dark and without visibility into what they stumble (Proverbs 4:19).

But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings. You will go out and leap like calves of the stall. - Malachi 4:2 (WEB)

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Sealing of Prophecy (Daniel 12:4, 9)

But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end. Many will run back and forth, and knowledge will be increased.” - Daniel 12:4 (WEB)

He said, “Go your way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. - Daniel 12:9 (WEB)

“The vision of the evenings and mornings which has been told is true; but seal up the vision, for it belongs to many days to come.” - Daniel 8:26 (WEB)

When the seven thunders sounded, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from the sky saying, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders said, and don’t write them.” - Revelation 10:4 (WEB)

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There’s an element here of where some prophecy may be “sealed up” until the time when it becomes relevant. While there might be times where this has an element of “hiding”, sealing may also be indicative of “protecting” a prophecy to ensure it is preserved/remembered until the appropriate time, while also preserving the original “authority” behind the sealing. Thinking back to Revelation 5, we had a scroll with 7 seals, and even though it was sealed, it was eventually opened to have the words written in it have their effect (and these seals could only be opened by the Lamb who was slain & worthy).

“4. Shut up the words implies keeping them safely until the time when they will be needed, much as a present is kept a treasured secret until the day for presentation arrives. Seal the book has the double sense of authenticating and of preserving intact (cf. Isa. 8:16; Jer. 32:11, 14). The Jeremiah reference is especially helpful, for it shows that the tablet on which the deed of purchase was written was enclosed in a sealed ‘envelope’ of clay, on which was summarized the contents. This summary was open and so could be tampered with; if it should be questioned, then the clay covering could be broken to verify the facts. If we think in terms of a papyrus roll, then two copies were prepared, one open and the other sealed. A further implication of sealing a document is that it was kept from general knowledge, just as Isaiah kept his teaching within the confines of his own circle of disciples (Isa. 8:16). The reason why Daniel was to keep his last two visions sealed was that they were not yet relevant (8:26; 12:9), at least not in all their detail.” - Joyce G. Baldwin, Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 23, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1978), 227–228.

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Reading

Daniel 12:5-13

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The Men by the Rivers (Daniel 12:5-7)

In the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel, I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man clothed in linen, whose waist was adorned with pure gold of Uphaz. His body also was like beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches. His arms and his feet were like burnished bronze. The voice of his words was like the voice of a multitude. - Daniel 10:4-6 (WEB)

Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on the river bank on this side, and the other on the river bank on that side. One said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be to the end of these wonders?” I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river... - Daniel 12:5-7 (WEB)

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First off, remember that Daniel 10-12 is essentially one long continuous vision/explanation of a vision, even though we have it divided into chapters.

There are essentially 3 men that Daniel sees here, and he references them in relation to a river.

To start, assuming there isn’t some “change” in location (i.e. where Daniel is/is seeing), then it would seem that the “river” here is the Hiddekel (or Tigris).

And he references a “man clothed in linen”, who appears to be above the waters of the river. That would seem to be the same man clothed in linen Daniel saw at the beginning of chapter 10 (looking “up” to see this man).

We also see “two others” referenced, which would seem to be some beings other than the angel that has primarily been speaking to Daniel thus far.

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The Men by the Rivers (Daniel 12:5-7)

Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on the river bank on this side, and the other on the river bank on that side. One said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be to the end of these wonders?” I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river... - Daniel 12:5-7 (WEB)

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Raising of Hand (Daniel 12:7)

I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him who lives forever that it will be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have finished breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things will be finished. - Daniel 12:7 (WEB)

The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky, and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there will no longer be delay, - Revelation 10:5-6 (WEB)

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If you recall from our Revelation 10 study (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1VYYVpyjwmlSKLwF5ybOxxGngoB4lkDG_93dPZuWxouo/), we noticed an angel similarly lifting up one hand then.

This “lifting up and swearing” action is intended to help emphasize the confidence in God’s promises being fulfilled at the proper time.

Similar actions are done for oaths elsewhere:

Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up my hand to Yahweh, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread nor a sandal strap nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ - Genesis 14:22-23 (WEB)
For I lift up my hand to heaven and declare, as I live forever, - Deuteronomy 32:40 (WEB)

“Whereas it was usual to lift one’s hand (singular) in taking an oath (Gen. 14:22; Exod. 6:8; Ezek. 20:5), here the heavenly messenger raised both his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, ‘as the more complete guarantee of the truth of what is about to be affirmed’.” - Joyce G. Baldwin, Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 23, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1978), 229.

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Question (Daniel 12:5-12)

What questions are asked in this passage?

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Questions (Daniel 12)

One said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be to the end of these wonders?” - Daniel 12:6 (WEB)

What are “these wonders”?

What is “the end”?

“How long” will it be to the end of these wonders?

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Tackling this first question, to try and understand the answer better, it’s worth breaking down the question into a few components.

What are “these wonders”?

“These wonders” could potentially refer to:

A smaller subset of what took place in the vision (i.e. back to the beginning of Daniel 12, though remember chapter divisions weren’t in the original text).
Everything going on in the vision (back to the beginning of Daniel 11 when the core explanation of the vision started, or possibly going back into Daniel 10 where the vision itself somewhat started).

What is “the end”?

The answer to this somewhat depends on what “these wonders” encompasses.
But broadly speaking, it could potentially refer to the “end” of some “troubling” times (with “wonderous” things going on) or the “end” of everything (the troubling times + the good things God has in store afterwards).
From verse 7, the timeframe given in the answer seems to refer to the end of “breaking in pieces the power of the holy people”.

I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him who lives forever that it will be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have finished breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things will be finished. - Daniel 12:7 (WEB)

“How long” will it be to the end of these wonders?

We’re given a “time, times, and a half” in Daniel 12:7. This may amount to a 3.5 (see next slide).
We’re given a timeframe of 1,290 days in Daniel 12:11 (followed by 1,335 days in Daniel 12:12).
If we take one “time” to be 1 year, 12 months per year, and 30 days per month, that’s 360 days per year. 3.5 years would be 1,260 days, which would be 1 30 day month shy of 1,290 days.
And then 1,335 days is an extra 45 days after 1,290 days.

One lesson from all of this is that the vivid nature of the vision might make it seem like it’s about to all happen soon. Though that doesn’t seem to be the case, based both on the answer given in the text itself and our understanding of history:

“The vivid reality of the revelation creates the impression that all is about to be implemented and the final curtain fall on human history.” - Joyce G. Baldwin, Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 23, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1978), 229.

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A Time, Times, and Half-a-Time (math)

Time = 1, Times = 2, Half-a-Time = 0.5 = 1 + 2 + 0.5 = 3.5
If 1 time = 1 year, 1 year has 12 months, and each month is 30 days:

3.5 times * 1 year * 12 months/year = 42 months
42 months * 30 days/month = 1,260 days
1 month (30 days) shy of 1,290 days (Daniel 12:11)
1,290 days is 45 days shy of 1,335 days (Daniel 12:12)

Alternatively, 1,290 + 1,335 days = 2,625 days = about 7.2 years, which could mean something like roughly 2 “halves” of a complete 7 time period

3.5 is also half-a-week (7 days per week / 2)

…it will be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have finished breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things will be finished. - Daniel 12:7 (WEB)

“From the time that the continual burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there will be one thousand two hundred ninety days. Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred thirty-five days. - Daniel 12:11-12 (WEB)

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We’ve examined the “time, times, and half-a-time” (or 3.5) concept a few times previously in our Revelation study. The basic math is on this slide.

“The addition of 1,290 days, or just over three and a half years, would complete the seventy sevens of years, so bringing persecution to an end. Even so there is need to persevere a little longer, till 1,335 days, another month and a half, have passed.

Thus, as in the teaching of Jesus, the emphasis is on endurance to the end (Mark 13:13). A particular blessing awaits the one who goes on expectantly even after the time for the fulfilment of the prophecy is apparently passed, as in the parable of Jesus there is a special blessing for the servant who continues to be faithful even when his master does not come home at the stated time (Matt. 24:45–51).” - Joyce G. Baldwin, Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 23, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1978), 232.

““Three and a half” represents the idea of spiritual trial; (besides this certain symbolical meaning, there is doubtless an accurate chronological meaning, which is as yet to us uncertain): it is half of “seven,” the complete number, so a semi-perfect state, one of probation. The holy city is trodden by the Gentiles forty-two months (Rev 11:2), so the exercise of the power of the beast (Rev 13:5). The two witnesses preach in sackcloth 1260 days, and remained unburied three days and a half: so the woman in the wilderness: also the same for a “time, times, and a half” (Rev 11:3, 9, 11). Forty-two connects the Church with Israel, whose haltings in the wilderness were forty-two (Nu 33:1–50). The famine and drought on Israel in Elijah’s days were for “three years and six months” (Lu 4:25; Jam 5:17); the same period as Antiochus’ persecution: so the ministry of the Man of Sorrows, which ceased in the midst of a week (Da 9:27)” - Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 1 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 648.

“As to this epoch, which probably is prophetically germinant and manifold; the profanation of the temple by Antiochus (in the month Ijar of the year 145 B.C., till the restoration of the worship by Judas Maccabeus on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month [Chisleu] of 148 B.C., according to the Seleucid era, 1290 days; forty-five days more elapsed before Antiochus’ death in the month Shebat of 148 B.C.” - Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 1 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 649.

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Other “time, times, half-a-time” / 3.5 References in Daniel

Little horn of 4th beast: He will speak words against the Most High, and will wear out the saints of the Most High. He will plan to change the times and the law; and they will be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time. - Daniel 7:25 (WEB)

Middle of final week of 70 weeks: He will make a firm covenant with many for one week. In the middle of the week he will cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. On the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate; and even to the decreed full end, wrath will be poured out on the desolate.” - Daniel 9:27 (WEB)

See Daniel 8:11-14, 11:29-31, 12:11; Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14

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Other “time, times, half-a-time” References in Revelation

Trampling of city/prophesying of 2 witnesses: Leave out the court which is outside of the temple, and don’t measure it, for it has been given to the nations. They will tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months. I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” - Revelation 11:-3 (WEB)

Time period of death for 2 witnesses: From among the peoples, tribes, languages, and nations, people will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days…After the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered into them [two witnesses], and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw them. - Revelation 11:9-11 (WEB)

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Other “time, times, half-a-time” References in Revelation

Time of the woman in the wilderness:

The woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that there they may nourish her one thousand two hundred sixty days. - Revelation 12:6 (WEB)

Two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, so that she might be nourished for a time, times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. - Revelation 12:14 (WEB)

More to come in Revelation 13…

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Question (Daniel 12:8-13)

I heard, but I didn’t understand. Then I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?” - Daniel 12:8 (WEB)

What is the outcome?

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Even though Daniel hears the answer to “how long”, he doesn’t understand, so he instead asks the outcome (which is interesting to think about…).

Several things in this chapter are listed in response to this question:

Daniel is to go on his way, for the outcome for him will be rest and resurrection to his allotted portion (Daniel 12:9, 13).
There will be purification, cleansing, and refining, but wickedness will continue for the wicked (Daniel 12:10).

Similar to Daniel 11:35 (WEB): Some of those who are wise will fall—to refine them, and to purify, and to make them white, even to the time of the end, because it is yet for the time appointed.
Note that the wicked won’t really understand what is really happening with these things.

There is ultimately a blessing (Daniel 12:12), though it is after a troubling time (Daniel 12:11).

“If impurities remain in the metal the fracture of a girder under stress results in total collapse, and all because the refining fire has not been allowed to complete its work. The idea of dependability as the outcome of testing is often implicit in the metaphor, especially when the word of the Lord is in question (Pss 12:6; 18:30; 119:140; Prov. 30:5). Here the thought is rather that suffering will prepare a people for the immediate presence of their Lord (cf. Mal. 3:2, 3).” - Joyce G. Baldwin, Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 23, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1978), 230.

“The last word is addressed to Daniel. He too must go on, though he is already an old man. You shall rest implies ‘in the grave’, as in Isaiah 57:2, but he is reckoned among the ‘wise’ (12) who will rise from the dead to enter into an allotted inheritance. He was not given to expect that the end of time would come before the end of his own lifetime, but he would experience resurrection life (cf. Matt. 28:20), and in that hope he could be content.” - Joyce G. Baldwin, Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 23, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1978), 232.

“thy people shall be delivered—(Ro 11:26). The same deliverance of Israel as in Zec 13:8, 9, “the third part … brought through the fire … refined as silver.”” - Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 1 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 648.

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What are your summaries/takeaways from the entire book of Daniel?

Daniel & friends trained for king’s court in exile
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of statue (4 kingdoms)
Daniel’s friends thrown in fire for refusing to worship image
Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of a tree being cut down (given mind of an animal)

Fall of Babylon to Medes/Persians
Daniel & the lions’ den
Vision of 4 beasts
Vision of ram & goat
Prayer of confession & 70 weeks
Daniel receives troubling vision
Walkthrough of vision
Conclusion to vision

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