VERSE 1 "Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise (^M,[; ynEB.-l[; dme[oh' lAdG"h; rF;h; laek'ymi dmo[]y: ayhih; t[eb'W [waw w/prep beth w/noun both s.abs eth time + art.w/pro.3f.s. hi the same, he, she, it, that; "that" + qal impf.3m.s. stand; "will arise" + proper noun Michael = "who is like God" + art.w/noun m.s.abs. shar prince + art.w/adj.m.s.abs. gadol great + art.w/qal part.m.s.abs. amad stand; "who stands guard" + prep al over + noun m.p.constr. ben son + noun m.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. am people]).

And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time (ayhih; t[eh' d[; yAG tAyh.mi ht'y>h.nI-al{ rv,a] hr'c' t[e ht'y>h'w> [waw w/qal perf.3f.s. hayah to be; "will be" + noun both s.abs. eth time + noun f.s.abs. tsarah distress; nuance is a restricting or thight place + rel asher such + neg lo "never" + niphal perf.3f.s. hayay "never occurred" + prep min w/qal infin.constr. hayay; "since there was" + noun m.s.abs. goi "nation" + part ad until + art.w/noun both s.abs. eth time + art.w/pro.3f.s. hi "that"]; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued [rp,SeB; bWtK' ac'm.NIh;-lK' ^M.[; jleM'yI ayhih; t[eb'W [waw w/prep beth w/noun both s.abs. eth time + art.w/pro.3f.s. hi "that" + niphal impf.3m.s. malat be delivered; "will be rescued" + noun m.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. am people + noun m.s.constr. kol all; "everyone" + art.w/niphal part.m.s.abs. matsa find + qal pass.part.m.s.abs. katab write + prep beth w/art.w/noun m.s.abs. seper book]).

ANALYSIS: VERSE 1

1. This chapter deals with the tribulation and the final triumph of God’s people over the enemies of the truth.
2. The opening words of this chapter─ "at that time"─ refer to the fortunes of God’s covenant people Israel during the career of Antichrist.
3. The closing verses of chapter 11 deal exclusively with Antichrist’s political and military career, described in genera and broad terms.
4. The information in this verse supports the interpretation as presented in this study of verses 36-45 of the previous chapter as being predictive of the rise of Antichrist just before the 2^nd advent of Jesus Christ.
5. Here we are told that the period in question is historically unprecedented in terms of national and international distress.
6. Furthermore, we are to infer that Israel, reestablished as a nation, will suffer as never before in her often traumatic history.
7. As the 70^th week of tribulation progresses Israel will become more and more the object of international aggression and brutality culminating in a world-wide assault by all the nations.
8. This brutality will be especially directed against believing Jews wherever they may be, but especially in the land of promise.
9. The severity of these times, we are told in a broad generalization, is unsurpassed, stretching all the way back to the beginnings of ordered society.
10. It is highly significant that Jesus in the Olivet Discourse (Matt.24:21) picks up and enlarges on this prediction, saying: "For then there will be a great indignation, such has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will be."
11. Quite obviously Jesus took this prophecy in Daniel as referring to the Last Days and particularly to the Great Tribulation which comes immediately upon the conclusion of our present church age.
12. Jesus further said that there would be great loss of human life (Matt.24:22): "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened."
13. This world wide loss of life can be attributed to international warfare and genocide, the horrific plagues of God occasioned by the breaking of the seventh seal (Rev 8), and the bowls of wrath poured out at the very end of the seven years (Rev 16).
14. The agent of preservation for God’s covenant people Israel through this time of horror is here specified to be the same archangel who had assisted Gabriel against the demonic "prince of Persia" back in 10:13.
15. Here Michael is described as "the great prince who protects your people [lit., ‘who stands beside your people]."
16. This mighty champion acts as Israel’s guardian angel to protect her from certain annihilation.
17. Michael’s responsibility is to keep Israel from perishing at the hands of her enemies until Christ arrives to crush all remaining armies gathered against Jerusalem and the remnant of positive believers in the city.
18. This suggests that Michael and his angels (cf. Rev.12:7; only mentioned here in Revelation) will take positive action against those who might compromise Israel’s preservation.
19. Michael’s orders will be specific and not intended to exceed what the prophecies specify.
20. For instance, he might negate a nuclear strike against the state of Israel.
21. He and his angels might be behind the defeat of the Russian coalition that is suddenly wiped out on the hills of Israel.
22. The final sentence in this verse guarantees the preservation of all Jewish believers, and not just those who live in these harrowing times.
23. And by all Jewish believers, I mean all who over the course of the age of Israel, who have made the salvation adjustment.
24. The book or record in question here is "the Book of Life" first mentioned in Ex.32:33 as the roster of born again believers.
25. This book initially contains the name of every living soul.
26. Those whose names are blotted out are those who die in a state of unbelief.
27. That is what it means when it says, "whoever has sinned against Me (Ps.69:28)."
28. There is also a "Book of Remembrance" which contains a record of our works (Ps.56:8; Mal.3:16; Rev.20:12).
29. NT references to the Book of Life include Phil.4:3; Rev.3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15, 27; 21:27).
30. This means that the "rescue" here is not referring to one surviving physical death in the tribulation as numerous believers will die (e.g., tribulational martyrs).
31. The rescue is believers’ participation in the millennial kingdom via resurrection.
32. Here, of course, the statement concerns Daniel’s people but it equally applies to Gentile believers as well.
33. This includes unfaithful believers.
34. Since believers cannot lose their salvation only SG3.
35. So verse 1 concludes with assurance of ultimate eschatological deliverance (see v.2).
36. The deliverance all believers enjoy, regardless of their Phase 2 status, is deliverance from the "second death" (Rev.21:8).

VERSE 2 "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake (Wcyqiy" rp'['-tm;d>a; ynEveY>mi ~yBir;w> [waw w/adj.m.p.abs.rab many + prep min w/noun m.p.constr. yashen sleeping; "who sleep" + noun f.s.constr. adamah ground + noun m.s.abs. apar dust + hiphil impf.3m.p.qayats awake], these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt [~l'A[ !Aar>dIl. tApr'x]l; hL,aew> ~l'A[ yYEx;l. hL,ae [adj.p.abs. elleh these = believers + prep lamedh w/noun m.p.constr. chay living; "life" + noun m.s.abs. olam everlasting + waw w/adj.p.abs. elleh these; "others" + prep lamedh w/art w/noun f.p.abs. cherpah reproach + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.constr. dera-on aversion, abhorrence; also at Isa.66:24; "contempt" + noun m.s.abs. olam everlasting]).

ANALYSIS: VERSE 2

1. This verse makes it crystal clear as to the nature of the deliverance and as to the scope of the deliverance intended in verse 1.
2. Verse 1 is not a promise that believers will escape physical death in the End Times only that all believers will enjoy deliverance into the millennial kingdom.
3. All dead believers will participate in the victory of resurrection.
4. All dead believers refer to all OT saints (starting with Abel) and believers who will be causalities in the tribulation (see Rev.20:4).
5. Those within the scope of this prophetic promise are said to "sleep in the dust of the earth"─ i.e., they have experienced physical death and have been buried.
6. The souls of these saints are now in the presence of the Lord (Eph.4:8) but their bodies have returned to dust from which they came (Gen.2:7; 3:19; Job 4:19; 8:19; 10:9; 17:16; 20:11; 21:26; 34:14-15; Ps.22:15; 90:3; Eccl.3:20; 12:7).
7. All believers will be awakened from "the dust of the earth─ a promise that unequivocally refers to bodily resurrection, not simply renewal of the soul.
8. When this happens they will enter into their permanent status quo based on their having made the salvation adjustment during their lifetime.
9. All who are resurrected at Christ’s advent enjoy the blessings of the kingdom age (Rev.20:6).
10. The last half of the verse "but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt" refers to the fate of all unbelievers.
11. This verse demonstrates that resurrection will come to all human beings.
12. But the resurrection of the unsaved/lost will not be a blessing or a deliverance.
13. Rather as Jesus taught in Jn.5:28-29, it will bring them into "a resurrection of judgment."
14. The resurrection of unbelievers awaits the conclusion of the 1000 years (see Rev.20:5).
15. The event is called the "Great White Throne" judgment (Rev.20:11ff.).
16. It is immediately preceded by the dissolution of the physical universe (Rev.20:11ff.).
17. As to the percentages with respect to believers versus unbelievers see Matt.7:13-14.
18. Unbelievers will be reduced "to scorn and everlasting contempt" (preferred translation).
19. Regardless of the esteem they may have enjoyed among their peers, they will forever be remembered in a most negative way.
20. The adjusted/righteous will regard them as God regards them.
21. The term "everlasting" (olam) is used here of both categories of humanity.
22. This term is also used of the divine attribute of eternal life in Ps.90:2: "From everlasting to everlasting you are God."
23. Our Phase 3 blessings are eternal and so is the endless duration of the lake of fire!
24. What parts the two is one simple act of faith.

VERSE 3 "Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven ([;yqir'h' rh;zOK. Wrhiz>y: ~yliKif.M;h;w> [waw w/art w/hiphil part.m.p.abs. shakal be wise; "those who have insight" + hiphil impf.3m.p. zahar shine + prep kaph w/nounm.s.constr. zihar brightness + art.w/noun m.s.abs. raqi-a firmament; "expanse of heaven"; cp. Gen.1:20 for the atmosphere], and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever [d[,w" ~l'A[l. ~ybik'AKK; ~yBir;h' yqeyDIc.m;W [waw w/hiphil part.m.p.constr. tsadaq be righteous; "those who lead…to righteousness" + art.w/adj.m.p.abs. rab many = converts + prep kaph w/noun m.p.abs. kokab star + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.abs. olam forever + waw w/noun m.s.abs. ad continuing future, perpetuity; "and ever"]).

ANALYSIS: VERSE 3

1. In verse three the field of view is narrowed down to include (by interpretation versus application of the verse) only believers who are a part of the tribulation era.
2. Just as there were individuals who taught doctrine to the Jewish populace during Israel’s "little tribulation" in Maccabean times, so there will be those who teach doctrine/gospel during the seven year tribulation (cf. Dan.11:33).
3. The first wave of communicators (here designated as "those who have insight") are the two resuscitated witness of Revelation chapter 11, whose responsibility it is to call the Jews back to God.
4. The second wave is the 144,000 Jewish males sealed and sent on a worldwide mission to evangelize the nations (Rev.7:1-8).
5. Their converts are mentioned in that the following verses: Rev.7:9-17.
6. They are all supernaturally protected and rendezvous with the Lord at the 2^nd Advent (Rev.14:1).
7. Their itinerary is the whole world.
8. Obviously, there will arise a lot of lesser individuals that will be raised up, who as it says here, will "lead the many to righteousness."
9. Except for the two witnesses, those who communicate doctrinal information to the masses will have to quickly figure things out before they can instruct others.
10. Those who courageously stand for the truth will enjoy great stature in the kingdom age and beyond.
11. Remember, the tribulation begins when all believers are removed from the earth via resurrection.
12. The rapture of the church removes all living believers from the earthly scene.
13. The brightly shining star analogy has also been noted in Dan.8:10 of the Maccabean martyrs.
14. Believers are liken to stars in Scripture (Gen.15:5; 22:17; 26:4; 39:9; 1Cor.15:41; Rev.1:20; 12:1).
15. As stars vary in the magnitude of their individual brightness so will believers in their resurrection bodies.
16. This verse can be applied to those who bring people into a true knowledge of God throughout the ages.
17. Verses 2 and 3 clearly affirm the doctrines of resurrection and of eternity beyond the grave.
18. Other passages in the OT make mention of these doctrines as well (see Ps.17:15 where David affirms: "And I in righteousness will see Your face when I awake [using the same verb as here in v.2], I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness." Ps.73:23-24 tells us: "Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand, You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory." Isa.25:8 says: "He will swallow up death for all time; and the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces, and He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken." And Isaiah 26:19 is even more specific about bodily resurrection: "Your dead will live; their corpses will rise. You who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy…the earth will give birth to her departed spirits.").

VERSE 4 "But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time (#qe t[e-d[; rp,Seh; ~tox]w: ~yrIb'D>h; ~tos. laYEnId' hT'a;w> [waw w/pro.2m.s. attah you + proper noun Daniel + qal imper.m.s. satam shut up, keep closed + art.w/noun m.p.abs. dabar word; "these words" + waw w/qal imper.m.s. chatam affix a seal, seal up + art.w/noun m.s.abs. seper book + prep ad until + noun both s.abs. eth time + noun m.s.abs. qetz end]; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase [t[;D'h; hB,r>tiw> ~yBir; Wjj.voy> [polel impf.3m.p. shut go back and forth, rove about + adj.m.p.abs. rab many + waw w/qal impf.3f.s. rabah increase, grow + art.w/noun f.s.abs. da-ath knowledge])."

ANALYSIS: VERSE 4

1. Daniel bore a different relationship to the prophetic information revealed through him.
2. He, for instance, stood at a point in time where the future fulfillment concerned believers who would need these things to survive spiritually.
3. This wasn’t the case with the prophet Daniel.
4. He served God my doing his part to make these things available to posterity.
5. As it turns out it is an even greater posterity than he could imagine.
6. The revelatory information with respect to the person and times of the Antichrist best serves those who are contemporaneous with his evil regime.
7. As we saw, it is "those who have insight" and their disciples that will especially benefit from the information revealed through all the prophets of the OT and NT eras.
8. The OT prophets in general were aware that they were serving future generations (1Pet.1:12: "It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven─things which angels long to look.").
9. They then saw themselves as servants who individually made contributions to the body of prophetic truth that would enable future generations of positive believers to acclimate to their place and time in history.
10. This most certainly applies to those who will face the evil of the tribulation as well as those who live in its shadow (e.g., rapture generation saints).
11. As for Daniel, and the rest of the prophets they were conduits so that future generations could survive spiritually in evil times.
12. And so, it is equally true of church age believers whether living in the apostolic era or the rapture generation or anytime in between (cf. 2Pet.1:19: "So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts."
13. Daniel himself had greatly benefited in his exegesis of scripture when he discovered Jeremiah’s prophecy of the seventy year captivity (Dan.9:2).
14. This prophetic insight, coming towards the very end of the seventy years, enabled him to acclimate to the times.
15. This understanding helped an entire generation to face the challenge and directive will of God in establishing the 2^nd commonwealth.
16. This understanding of their position on the prophetic timeline apparently was first revealed to the Babylonian exiles through the prophet Daniel, who in turn passed it on to the Jewish leaders in Babylon.
17. Daniel probably suspected this was the case based on his awareness of the Cyrus prophecy of Isaiah.
18. But the prophecy in Jeremiah confirmed it so that there was not the slightest ground for doubt.
19. But as for the future stretching out from his day, he was told to supply authentication and deposit the original autograph with the appropriate Jewish authorities.
20. The command to "conceal" or "shut up these words" suggests an action that is nothing more than to record and publish these things.
21. He was not required to explain, as far as it was possible for him to do so, the things revealed through him.
22. Daniel came to a personal understanding of these things according to the statement in chapter 10 verse 1c: "and he understood the message and had understanding of the vision."
23. He bore no responsibility in communicating its meaning to his contemporaries.
24. This is the thrust of the command to "conceal" or "shut up these words."
25. It was up to positive volition in the generations to come to do analyses of these things.
26. Here the content of his "these words" includes all the prophecies of this book not just this last prophetic revelation.
27. He, like all writing prophets, was prompted by God the Holy Spirit to write down all that is recorded in this book (2Pet.1:20-21 "But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.").
28. The command to "seal up the book" refers to author authentication with respect to the finished product.
29. The practice of "sealing" was done in the ancient Near East.
30. In Mesopotamian cultures, it was usual to write out the terms of contractual promises on a clay tablet and then run the cylinder-seals of the attesting scribes over the bottom section.
31. First came the seal of the recording scribe himself, who in this case as Daniel, and then the seals of various witnesses who heard the exact words as they were dictated to the scribe.
32. Once the document was sealed, it became the official an unalterable text.
33. It was usual to have a second tablet, a copy, likewise witnessed by seal.
34. Daniel, then, was to certify by his personal seal, to the faithfulness of the text as an exact transcript of what God had communicated through him through his angel.
35. Thus this record would be preserved until there arose a need to make a fresh copy.
36. The instruction here as to do with the original autograph.
37. Obviously after this rather lengthy prophecy, Daniel needed the help of God the Holy Spirit to remember every word just as it was originally relayed by God to the angel to Daniel and to the written autograph.
38. "Many will go back and forth" translates the polel (impf.) form of the verb shut.
39. It depicts back and forth movement, like the strokes of an oar.
40. Some think this refers to many of God’s people who will pay heed to the prophetic teachings with a view to understanding how they apply to their times.
41. The back and forth activity is apparently under this view a searching to the text of scripture to determine the full and correct meaning of any given prophecy.
42. According to this view the final phrase of this verse ["and knowledge shall increase"] is self explanatory.
43. The alternate view is that when the things of this prophecy are in the process of fulfillment in the last days there will develop a dramatic increase in the movement of humanity from place to place.
44. In other words, human beings will be moving about or traveling about the world at a rate only made possible by modern technology.
45. The point taken here is that people are busy traveling at the expense of learning what they need to learn to be ready for the coming of the Lord.
46. And so with the final statement regarding the increase in knowledge.
47. This verse does say that the knowledge in view is knowledge of the Lord.
48. We know that men are ever involved in the search for knowledge but are not in mass coming to a knowledge of the Lord.
49. Paul prophesied that in the last days men would be "always learning and never able to come to the knowledge (epignosis) of the faith" (2Tim.3:7).
50. This is one of the characteristics of living in the last days.
51. Perhaps there is a dual meaning here.

VERSE 5 Then I, Daniel, looked and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the river and the other on that bank of the river (raoy>h; tp;f.li hN"he dx'a,w> raoy>h; tp;f.li hN"he dx'a, ~ydIm.[o ~yrIxea] ~yIn:v. hNEhiw> laYEnId' ynIa] ytiyair'w> [waw w/qal perf.1c.s. ra-ah see; "looked" + pro.1c.s. ani I + proper noun Daniel + waw w/interj hinneh behold + adj.m. dual constr. shenayim two + adj.m.p.abs. acher another; "others" + qal part.m.p.abs. amad stand + adj.m.s.abs. echad one + part henah hither; "thise""; when used in pairs "here and there" + prep lamedh w/noun f.s.constr. shapah lip, shore, bank, edge; "bank" + art.w/noun m.s.abs. ye-or river + waw w/adj.m.s.abs. echad one; "one" + part. hennah hither; "other"; again, when used in pairs, "here and there"+ prep lamedh w/noun f.s.constr. shapah bank + art.w/noun m.s.abs. ye-or river (as that which flows through the land)]).

VERSE 6 And one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river (raoy>h; ymeymel. l[;M;mi rv,a] ~yDIB;h; vWbl. vyail' rm,aYOw: [waw w/qal impf.3m.s. amar say + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.abs. ish man + qal pass.part.m.s.abs. labesh dress, be clothed + art.w/noun m.p.abs. bad white; "linen" + rel. asher + prep min w/adv ma-al "was above"+ prep lamedh w/noun m.p.constr. mayim waters + art.w/noun m.s.abs. ye-or river], "How long will it be until the end of these wonders [tAal'P.h; #qe yt;m'-d[; [part ad until, as far as + interrog matha when; "How long" + noun m.s.abs. qets end + art.w/noun m.p.abs. pele wonder])?"

VERSE 7 I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river (raoy>h; ymeymel. l[;M;mi rv,a] ~yDIB;h; vWbl. vyaih'-ta, [m;v.a,w" [waw w/qal impf.1c.s. shama hear + d.o. marker + art.w/noun m.s.abs. ish man + qal pass.part.m.s.abs. labesh be clothed + art.w/noun m.p.abs. bad white; "linen" + rel pro asher + prep min w/adv ma-al "was above" + prep lamedh w/noun m.p.constr. mayim water + art.w/noun m.s.abs. ye-or river], as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever [~l'A[h' yxeB. [b;V'YIw: ~yIm;V'h;-la, Alamof.W Anymiy> ~r,Y"w: [waw w/hiphil impf.3m.s. rum be high; "raised" + noun f.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. yamin right hand + waw w/noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. shemo left hand + prep el to + art.w/noun m.p.abs. shamayim heaven + waw w/niphal impf.3m.s. shaba swear, take an oath + prep beth w/adj.m.s.constr. chay living; "lives" + art.w/noun m.s.abs. olam forever] that it would be for a time, times, and half a time [ycixew" ~ydI[]Am d[eAml. yKi [part ki for, that + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.abs. mo-ed appointed time or place; "time" + noun m.p.abs. me-od time; "times" + waw w/noun m.s.abs. chatsi half (of something); "half a time"]; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed [hL,ae-lk' hn"yl,k.Ti vd,qo-~[;-dy: #Pen: tALk;k.W [waw w/prep kaph w/piel infin.constr. kalah finish + piel infin.constr. napats break, dash; disperse + noun f.s.constr. yad hand; "power" + noun m.s.ab.s am people + noun m.s.abs. qodesh holiness; "holy" + qal impf.3f.p. kalah finish, complete + noun m.s.constr. kol all + adj.p.abs. elleh these; "these events"]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 5-7

1. Throughout the transmission of the message of chapter 11 (and 12) the vision of chapter 10 remained visible.
2. At this point in the experience Daniel noticed that there were two beings standing on each bank of the Tigris River (10:4) in addition to the one who was standing above the waters of the river.
3. In chapter 10 (verses 5-6) we identified the one standing above the waters as the Son of God, that is, an OT christophany (i.e., an appearance of the coming Son of Man before the incarnation).
4. He appeared from time to time as a man, an angel, a burning fire, a cloud, etc.
5. The vision of the Son of God/Man is enhanced by the appearance of two angels standing on the banks of the river.
6. The mention of three supernatural beings is also present in the episode where Abraham entertained three men in Genesis 18.
7. There are two self-manifesting angels in addition to Gabriel who delivered the prophetic message of these chapters.
8. Their presence demonstrates their interest and participation in the unfolding events of Bible prophecy.
9. This interest is seen in Zechariah’s time (cf. Zech.1:12-13; 2:3-4).
10. First Peter 1:12 suggests that angels are not fully informed as to all the details of Bible doctrine but are eager to learn the details.
11. In this episode, then, the one angel asks the man in linen how long it would be until the Antichrist would meet his doom (v.6).
12. The angel’s curiosity focuses upon the last three and one half years of the 70^th week or tribulation.
13. Based on the answer given by the mysterious man above the waters it is clear the intent of the angel is focused on the second half of the seven years, or the answer of absolute deity forces the issue upon what is specified by "a time and times, and a half a time" (v.7).
14. His question is literally "Until when is the end of these marvels?"
15. The man above the waters delivers the answer (v.7) through a solemn oath by the raising of both his hands heavenward with the assurance that the time interval would be "a time [mo-ed] and times [presumably two of them] and a half time" (viz., three and a half years).
16. This exact same expression is also found in chapter 7 verse 25 where the prediction has to due with the persecution of the Jewish elect during the 2^nd half of the tribulation.
17. Apparently the angel’s interest is "how long" will God’s covenant people be subjected to the abuses of the Antichrist.
18. The answer relates to the time from which the Antichrist gains control of the Holy Land which according to chapter nine verse twenty-seven is at the midpoint of the 70^th Week.
19. The events of theses years is designated as "wonders" referring to the effect the happenings of these years will have upon those who live and observe these things.
20. The term is general for everything that transpires in the last three and one half years of the tribulation and the staggering impact this will have on the human psyche.
21. It seems to me that the angel is not so much asking a question for his own information as he is asking it to draw everyone’s attention to the unprecedented times leading to the 2^nd Advent.
22. The Son of Man who is absolute deity swears by deity that the days and years of the final indignation are specific and limited.
23. This exact expression is found only one other time outside the book of Daniel.
24. In Revelation 12:14 we read: "But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman (Israel), so that she could fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent."
25. Also, compare Rev. 12:6 where the same exact time is referred to as "one thousand two hundred and sixty days."
26. This verse is also referring to the same period of protection of the Jews who flee to these places of refuge at the midpoint of the seven years.
27. The calculation of the period in terms of days (versus years or months) is also found in Rev.11:6 but the focus there is the first half of the period.
28. And finally, in Revelation 11:2 and 13:5 the last half of the period of indignation is expressed in terms of months.
29. Revelation 11:2 reads: "Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months."
30. These forty-two months refers to the time from which Antichrist gains ascendancy over the nation of Israel through diplomacy according to Dan. 9:27.
31. The only other reference to the time period in terms of months is Rev. 13:5 which reads: "There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months as given to him."
32. Three and one half years and forty two months and twelve hundred and sixty days all refer to the same length of time based on a year containing twelve months of thirty days each or three hundred and sixty days.
33. In each instance the interpreter must determine which half of the seven years is in view.
34. The expression using years are used three times and in each instance the reference is to the last half of the seven-year tribulation.
35. Only the "days" reference refers to both halves of the tribulation (Rev. 11:3 and 12:6).
36. The years and months references refer to only the second half of the seven years.
37. The years references to this period occurs in the three instances where it is found under the term "time, times" and "half a time" (Dan. 7:25; 12:7 and Rev. 12:14).
38. Back to the solemn oath taken by the man above the waters.
39. Since God cannot swear by anyone or anything greater than Himself, He swears by Himself (Heb. 6:13).
40. The 2^nd Person hears swears by the 1^st Person as they are co-equal and co-eternal.
41. The one above the waters goes on to say that once the specified time period has elapsed that the forces arrayed against the courageous defenders of Jerusalem (Zech. 14:2) will overwhelm "the power of the holy people."
42. At the very last moment the Jewish forces will be on the brink of annihilation.
43. Their military where-with-all will be "shattered."
44. This statement is parallel to the one found in 7:25 where it says, "He will wear down the saints of the Highest One."
45. We understand that this reference is to the persecutions of the last half of the tribulation because of what is stated in the next verse (v. 26).
46. Then, when it appears that the resistance fighters are about to be destroyed that God will intervene in the Person of Jesus Christ appearing in the heavens as explicitly described in Zech. 14:3ff.

VERSE 8 As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, "My lord, what will be the outcome of these events (hL,ae tyrIx]a; hm' ynIdoa] hr'm.aow" !ybia' al{w> yTi[.m;v' ynIa]w: [waw w/pro.1c.s. ani I + qal perf.1c.s. shama hear + waw w/neg lo + qal impf.1c.s. bin understand, discern + waw w/qal impf.1c.s amar say; "so I said" + noun m.s.constr.w/1c.s.suff. adon lord, sir + interrog mah what + noun f.s.abs. acharith end (of time) + adj.p.abs. elleh these])?"

VERSE 9 He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time (#qe t[e-d[; ~yrIb'D>h; ~ymitux]w: ~ymitus.-yKi laYEnID' %le rm,aYOw: (waw w/qal impf.3m.s. amar say + qal imper.m.s. halak walk, go + proper noun Daniel + part ki for + qal pass.part.m.p.abs. satham shut up, keep closed; "are concealed" + waw w/qal pass.part.m.p.abs. chatham seal + art.w/noun m.p.abs. dabar word + prep ad until + noun both s.abs. eth time + noun m.s.abs. qets ene]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 8-9

1. Verse 8 demonstrates how confused Daniel was as he tried to unravel and sort out all these predictions.
2. So he asked for clarification as to the details.
3. His particular concern had to do with the timing and sequence of the ultimate fortunes of his people, especially in view of the intimidating speech of the man above the waters (v.7).
4. Would they survive after their power was "broken" or would their struggle be in vain?
5. Would Israel continue to exist as a one nation under God or was their only hope in some future resurrection.
6. The "outcome of these events" has to do with events after the resistance of his people was "shattered."
7. This is his primary concern.
8. The answer is to be found in a careful analysis of all the prophecies given him to date, as well as the general body of prophetic information thus far revealed.
9. Gabriel does not directly answer Daniel’s query, despite its earnestness.
10. Gabriel’s instructions were to reveal this message beginning in chapter 11 verse 2, and leave it with Daniel to study and figure out on his own.
11. Daniel is commanded to "Go" (qal imper. halak go, walk).
12. In other words, he is to proceed on with his life.
13. He is told that "these words [of the prophecy) are concealed and sealed until the end time."
14. This means that the prophetic doctrine herein is concealed from general perception.
15. It is not something that is available to just anyone.
16. Those who study it and come away with understanding is limited to those who are positive and diligent.
17. The implication is not that it cannot be understood but rather that it is hid from those who are negative.
18. Only those are qualified students of scripture can understand and sort out the sequence of events.
19. Only they have any chance of interpreting these things contextually.
20. From what Daniel wrote in chapter 10 verse 1 we learn that he indeed figured the puzzle out: "and the message was true and one of great conflict, and he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision."
21. This verse goes up against the standard view that Daniel ended his life in a state of confusion with respect to what had been revealed to him during his ministry.
22. The second passive participle of verse 9 ["sealed"] has to do with the fact that the prophetic message would be protected or watched over by God.
23. In other words, it would all prove to be historically accomplished "till the time of the end."
24. Every last detail will come to fruition as God watches over His words to bring it to pass.
25. The sealing here is the same as the reference in 9:29: "to seal up vision and prophecy."
26. This phrase constitutes one of the six things that immediately follow the conclusion of the 70 Weeks of years’ prophecy.
27. In verse 4 of chapter 12 Daniel is commanded to both "conceal" and "seal up" the prophecy.
28. These commands were explained in the analysis of verse 4 as relating to non-communication of the content to others and the placing of his official seal, validating the document.
29. Here the action of the passive participles is fulfilled by God who hides His word from negative volition and who fulfills to the letter its contents.
30. Stated another way, God keeps the message free from contamination by seeing to it that all is precisely fulfilled.
31. Thus the integrity of the document is preserved through precise historical fulfillment.

VERSE 10 "Many will be purged, purified and refined (~yBir; Wpr>C'yIw> WnB.l;t.yIw> Wrr]B't.yI [hithpael impf.3m.p. barar purge, cleanse or make bright, test or prove; "purged" + waw w/hithpael impf.3m.p. laben make white; "make themselves white"; "purified" + waw w/niphal impf.3m.p. tsaraph smelt, refine, test; "refined" or "tested" for approval + adj.m.p.abs. rab many], but the wicked will act wickedly [~y[iv'r> W[yvir>hiw> [waw w/hiphil perf.3p. rasha be wicked; "will act wickedly" + adj.m.p.abs. rasha wicked, criminal]; and none of the wicked will understand [Wnybiy" ~yliKif.M;h;w> ~y[iv'r>-lK' Wnybiy" al{w> [waw w/neg lo + qal impf.3m.p. bin understand + noun m.s.constr. kol all; with neg = "none" + adj.m.p.abs. rasha wicked], but those who have insight will understand [Wnybiy" ~yliKif.M;h;w> [waw w/art.w/hiphil part.m.p.abs. shakal understand; "those who have insight" + qal perf.3m.p. bin understand]).

ANALYSIS: VERSE 10

1. In this verse we have a summary statement describing the volitional makeup of humanity living in the last days.
2. Of course, this verse equally applies to humanity at large living at any time in the course of history.
3. But Gabriel’s statement has to do with mankind in the tribulation faced with clear cut choices.
4. The first clause deals with the effect of those trying times upon those who are positive.
5. Believers who are positive to the truth will purge themselves (hithpael stem) of human viewpoint.
6. The second verb "purified" is also a hithpael indicating something that someone does for himself.
7. The verb laben means ‘to make white."
8. It is used here in an ethical sense as pertaining to moral purity (cf. Rev.9:20-21: "The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.").
9. The wrath coming upon the nations has to do with failure in the moral and establishment realm.
10. The third verb, "refined" is a niphal (pass) and it relates to the effect that testing upon a believer.
11. Testing is not something we do to ourselves, it is something that God brings (or permits) into our lives so as to accelerate spiritual growth.
12. Testing demonstrates what we are made of (Deut.8:2).
13. Testing is necessary so are to produce patience or endurance in the race (Jam.1:3 "knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.").
14. The tribulation itself is testing to see the volitional makeup of men (Rev.3:10 "Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.").
15. God tests everybody (Ps.11:5 "The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; and the one who loves violence His soul hates.").
16. The mental attitude we are to have toward testing is stated in 1Pet.1:6 "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials."; and, in Jam.1:2: "Consider it all you, my brethren, when you encounter various trials."
17. By contrast "the wicked" (e.g., unbelievers) will continue in their ways no matter how clear it is that this all is leading to the coming of Christ (cf. Rev.6:14-17 "The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?").
18. This citation dramatically demonstrates how incorrigible negative volition really is!
19. And so, for all who are living in the last days this truism remains in place (cf. Rev.22:11 "He who does wrong, still do wrong (or better "unjust"); and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.").
20. At that time there will be a great chasm between the spiritual perceptions of the wicked versus the righteous.
21. Negative volition ("the wicked") will remain oblivious to these things while those who are positive ("the wise") "will understand."
22. Obviously among believers there will be various levels of perspicacity.
23. Those who are schooled in the prophecies will understand what is going on in the last days.

VERSE 11 "From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days (~y[iv.tiw> ~yIt;am' @l,a, ~ymiy" ~mevo #WQvi ttel'w> dymiT'h; rs;Wh t[emeW [waw w/prep min w/noun both s.abs. eth time + hophal perf.3m.s. sur turn aside; "is abolished" + art.w/adv tamid perpetual; "regular sacrifice"; here and in 8:11, 12, 13; 11:31; occurs in Num.28:15, 23, 24 31; 29:11, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34; and Neh.10:34; it refers to the regular day and evening burnt offering + waw w/prep lamedh w/qal infin.const. nathan give; "set up" + noun m.s.abs. shiqquts detested thing; "abomination" + qal part.m.s.abs. shem be desolated, appalled; "desolation" + noun m.p.abs. yom day; "days" + adj.m.s.ab.s eleph thousand + adj.f. dual abs. me-ah hundred + waw w/adj.m.p.abs. tewhe-yim ninety]).

Beatitude (v.12)

VERSE 12 How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days (hV'mix]w: ~yvil{v. tAame vl{v. @l,a, ~ymiy"l. [;yGIy:w> hK,x;m.h; yrev.a; [interj. ashar happiness; "How blessed" + art.w/piel part.m.s.abs. chakah wait for; "is he who keeps waiting" + waw w/hiphil impf.3m.s. naga touch; "attains" + prep lamedh w/noun m.p.abs yom day + adj.m.s.abs. eleph thousand + adj.f.s.constr. shalosh three + adj.f.p.abs. me-a hundred + adj.m.p.abs. sheloshim three; "thirty-three" + waw w/adj.m.s.abs. chamishshah five])!

ANALYSIS: VERSES 11-12

1. These verse supply believers with yet another chronological yardstick to measure the actual duration of the second half of the tribulation (called Great Tribulation in Matt.24:21; cp. 24:9) to the very day when two important things take place.
2. The time being measured in these two verses is from the midpoint of the tribulation to the removal of the "abomination of desolation" (1290 days) and the judgment of the nations in Matt.25 (1335 days).
3. The number of days from the midpoint of the tribulation to the 2^nd Advent is exactly 1260 days.
4. Thirty days later the idol set up by the Antichrist will be pulled down.
5. So there is as one month delay between the actual appearance of Christ and the removal of the "abomination that cause desolation" (cf. Dan.9:27; 11:31; Matt.25:15//Mk.13:14).
6. Again, remember we are operating on a 360 day year with twelve 30 day months.
7. Why the delay?
8. The answer is that the surviving Jews are fasting and mourning for one month (see Zech.12:9-14; cp. 13:2).
9. Following that there will be an additional forty-five days (or one month and a half) until the millennial kingdom is officially inaugurated.
10. The beatitude of verse 12 is for those believers (Jew and Gentile) who survive the tribulation in their natural bodies and are judged along with surviving unbelievers.
11. Surviving Gentiles will be judged in accordance with Matt.25:31-46, and surviving Jews will be judged according to Ezek.20:33-44.
12. The blessing upon those "who keep on waiting" (total of 75 days from the 2^nd Advent) and upon those who "reach" or "attain to" the 1335^th day is seen in Matt.25:34: "Then the King will say to those who are on His right, "Come blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
13. The blessing of this beatitude is contingent upon their having made the salvation adjustment during the days beginning with the Rapture of the church.

VERSE 13 But as for you, go your way to the end (#Qel; %le hT'a;w> [waw w/pro.2m.s. attah you + qal imper.m.s. halak walk, go; as in v.9; + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.abs. ets end]; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age [!ymiY"h; #qel. ^l.r'gOl. dmo[]t;w> x;Wnt'w> [waw w/qal impf.2m.s. nuach rest, settle down; "you will enter into rest" + waw w/qal impf.2m.s. amad stand; "rise again" + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. goral portion; word is used of the division of the land among the Israelites after the conquests of Moses and Joshua + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.abs. qets end + art.w/noun m.s.abs. yamin days; "the age"])."

ANALYSIS: VERSE 13

1. The final verse contains a word of encouragement for the prophet Daniel.
2. "Go your way to the end" refers to the completion of Daniel’s phase 2.
3. The phrase "then you will enter into rest" refers to his time in phase 3 when his body entered Sheol paradise and later was taken to the 3^rd heaven.
4. The words "and rise [or "stand"] again" refers to the resurrection of the body just after the 2^nd Advent when all OT saints are brought into the kingdom on earth as well as tribulational martyrs (Rev.20:4).
5. Daniel will be a part of those mentioned in verse 2.
6. And finally, he is promised millennial SG3.
7. His "allotted portion" is real estate in greater eretz Israel.
8. No greater promises could be made to any faithful OT believer.