SINCE THE REVELATION in chapters 10-12--the last given to Daniel--is essentially a conclusion of all the previous revelations given to this prophet, it seems without question that the expression used for the sealing of this last one refers also to the sealing of the whole book. It must be guarded securely against any alterations, because its contents project to "the time of the end." In chapter 8:26 the reason for the sealing is stated thusly: "it belongeth to many days to come." In 12:4 the time of the end is the terminus--as far as the prediction reaches.

As in chapter 8, where the revelation closes with an instruction to "shut ... up the vision" (vs. 26), so this last one is here accompanied by the command, "shut up the words" (vs. 4). Inferred is the idea of guarding. Kliefoth explains it simply:

Preserve the revelation, not because it is not yet to be understood--also not for keeping it secret--but that it may remain preserved for distant times.¹

The securing of the prophecies "to the time of the end" was so that many people might be able to read them and thus obtain knowledge. The last clause in vs. 4 so implies: "Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."

This, the concluding chapter, contains seven outstanding predictions which demand close attention.

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book (vs. 1).

The Tribulation covers a period of seven years. This is the seventieth week of Chapter 9. In the middle of that period, the world dictator (Antichrist) will break the covenant which he will have made with the Jews. The people of the world at that time will be under extreme stress, tension and perplexity. He will launch a campaign to exterminate the Jewish race, which--praise be to God--shall utterly fail. However, this turn of affairs--the repudiation of the covenant--will usher in a time of great sorrow, such as the world has never experienced, lasting throughout the latter half of the great Tribulation period. The Lord Jesus Christ, in the book of Matthew, speaks of it as a time of trouble, the like of which has never occurred before nor ever will again (24:15ff). The judgments of the Tribulation will escalate in severity throughout the last three and a half years.

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and evertasting contempt (vs. 2).

According to this verse there are two groups of people who will be raised from the dead. A perfunctory consideration of this verse might lead some readers to conclude that there is to be just one, general resurrection of both the lost and the saved. On this subject, other passages have also been so construed, but all these should be read and considered in the light of Rev. 20:1-6:

And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: over these the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

All of God's Word harmonizes. Revelation 20 dispels all doubt; it clearly indicates that there are two resurrections, separated by a thousand years. Daniel 12:2 must be viewed in the light of this later revelation. We believe that there will be two resurrections, 1) of the righteous, before the Millennial reign of our Lord; 2) of all the lost, following the Millennium.

And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever (vs. 3).

While this statement expresses only a general truth, we see in the light of other passages that there is to be a mighty soul-saving campaign during the Tribulation, conducted by the 144,000 Jewish evangelists mentioned in Rev 7. This spiritual awakening, during the first half of the Tribulation, is also foretold in other passages of Scripture. Since such a turning to God takes place at that time, it seems most likely that the prediction here also relates to this revival.

Soul winning affords the greatest thrill in life, and those created anew in Christ Jesus are saved for that express purpose. May God give each a passion and love for souls.

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased (vs. 4).

Daniel was told to shut up the word of his prediction and seal the book even to the time of the end. He followed this statement by saying that "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." This has been interpreted by some as the spread of knowledge and the rapid transit seen in our day. It is possible, but this is not the full interpretation. When this prediction is considered in the light of the context, and kept connected with the preceding verse which mentions the great revival, it would seem that it has particular reference to an increase in the knowledge of God. In other words, God's Word will be proclaimed with authoritative power and conviction throughout the entire earth during the world's time of great sorrow and despair--yet in the future.

5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on the brink of the river on this side, and the other on the brink of the river on that side. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river. How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? 7 And 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 unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. 8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things? 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end (vss. 5-9)

In this vision Daniel saw two angelic beings standing on opposite banks of the river. The person clothed in linen, above the river, was asked, "How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?" His reply: "a time, times, and a half; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished."

What probably puzzled Daniel--that which he heard, but "understood, not" --were those judgments that are to come upon the world because of its wickedness. So terrible, extensive and utterly destructive were they to be that Daniel wondered how long they would last. He was told that they would continue three and a half years (the second half of the seventieth week of Daniel; the latter half of the Great Tribulation. This same period of time mentioned in ch. 9:27 and Rev. 11:2).

Note the fact that God will allow these judgments to continue until the power of the "holy people" (the Jewish race) is broken. What is meant by "breaking in pieces the power"? In the light of other predictions relating to the same time and circumstances, it becomes clear that the heavenly messenger was speaking about the breaking of the will of the Hebrew people.

The judgments of the latter half of the Tribulation will serve to break their wills and bring them to the point when they will cry, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Ps. 118:26; Matt. 23:39b). When this occurs they will appoint a day of convocation for the repudiation of their national sin and their return to God. On that and the following day, the entire nation, in godly sorrow, will genuinely repent and implore His forgiveness. As a result, God will respond by pouring out upon them the spirit of grace and supplication to spiritually revive them. Thus will the nation be born in a day. On the third day the heavens will be rent asunder, and the Son of Man--the Lord Jesus Christ, the Hebrew Messiah--will return to earth. In that day He will stand upon the Mount of Olives and deliver His people. This program of events for the last three days of the Tribulation is set forth in Hosea 5:14-6:3.

Thus Israel will have learned comprehensively the facts concerning the Gospel message. She will accept it and repudiate the position held by the race throughout the centuries. She will accept Jesus as Messiah and Saviour!

Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but they that are wise shall understand (vs. 10).

According to this verse, at that time many will purify themselves, make themselves white, and be refined. There can be no question but what the messenger was talking about Daniel's people, the Jews. Thus the people of the nation of Israel will come to the parting of the ways. Those who love truth will see it and position themselves upon it. The others--the apostates among them--in refusing the truth will turn to gross ungodliness, and acquiesce to and conform to the decrees of the Antichrist. Their doom will, of course, be sealed as they turn to this false messiah for their sustenance.

And from the time that the continual burnt-offering shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shall rest, and shalt stand in thy lot, at the end of the days (vss. 11-13).

In vs. 11 reference is made to 1,290 days (after the middle of the Tribulation); this is an extension of one month beyond the cessation of the judgment. In vs. 12 we see there are those who survive unto the 1,335th day; they are pronounced as the blessed ones. This passage, read in the light of other predictions, apparently refers to the great Millennial Age. All who are permitted to live to that time will enter the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world (Matt. 25:34).² They will indeed be blessed!



Footnotes:

¹ Kliefoth, Theodor. Quoted by Keil, C.F. Biblical Commentary on the Book of Daniel, p. 319. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co. (1949).

² See also An Exposition of the Book of Revelation by Dr. Cooper, chap. 20, "The Reign of Christ and the Judgment of the Great White Throne."