Some get it, some don’t
Daniel – Chapter 12 and Summary
Review
- What did we discuss in the Intro lesson? What’s important to keep in mind as we work through Daniel?
- This is what Habakkuk was about.
- Daniel young (15?) when taken into Neb’s training program (after Jerusalem captured)
- What did we discuss in Chapter 1?
- God will maintain His remnant; cultural assimilation will not succeed.
- God provides all – protection, knowledge, war spoils (to Neb), deliverance.
- What about Chapter 2?
- Daniel’s God has real power.
- God has a plan and it involves His kingdom setup for eternity.
- What about Chapter 3?
- Our boys know to obey God and He’s who to worry about. Neb is nothing.
- Neb is preserved for future use by God.
- Chapter 4?
- Neb is a slow learner
- God has patience to humble even Neb (and us).
- Chapter 5?
- Contrast between Neb and B.
- God judges the prideful.
- Chapter 6?
- God delivers again.
- Daniel is an amazing example of consistency and strength in his faith.
- Chapter 7
- Beginning of prophesy chapters
- God has a plan. Daniel gets AMAZING insights and privileges from God.
- Chapter 8
- Focus on the RAM and GOAT (Medo-Persian and Greek Empires) and their relationship (foreshadowing) to end-times.
- This little horn is NOT the little horn from the Roman Empire (10-horned monster), but it points to him.
- Chapter 9
- Two main points: Prayer and Prophecy
- Lessons in how to pray.
- Prophecy of end times – events important. Exact timeline not as much (and impossible for us to know 100%)
- Chapter 10
- There’s a battle raging. And we’re in it.
- Angels battling. Ranking of angels. …the story will continue.
- Chapter 11
- Lots of kings, wars, and stuff – the there’s a key point. God is in control.
Introduction
- How did you all do this week reading Daniel?
- What’s your opinion of Daniel (thus far)? Easy, hard, straightforward, confusing, basic, advanced, etc?
- What is your opinion of this chapter? Easy or lots of questions, difficult and convoluted?
Lesson
- vv. 1-3 [READ – Dan 12:1-4] Continued…(from Chapter 11)
- What is “that time” – from chapter 11 – when it’s stated in 11:25 that “He will pitch the tents of his royal pavilion between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain; yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.”
- “your people” – This is the Jews; Daniel’s people.
- What is the relationship between Michael the Archangel and the Jews?
i. He is their protector.
- “a time of distress, such as never occurred” – Michael will intervene.
i. Why is the qualifier “such as never occurred” said?
ii. To set a contrast to Antiochus Epiphanes
iii. To contrast all of the other historical (and potentially future) persecutions endured by the Jews (Turkish rule, WWII, etc)
- What happens?
i. All Jews are protected? No. Those found in “the Book”. (v 1)
ii. Those that have died will be raised up and taken to Heaven. (v 2)
iii. Those NOT in the book will be condemned to Hell. (v 2)
iv. Those who have insight will shine (forever, like the expanse of Heaven, like stars, etc). We can presume others WON’T shine, unless it’s from the glow of the fires of Hell. (v 3)
v. [Compare the saved vs. the condemned.]
- vv. 4-9 [READ – Dan 12:4-9] Zip it!
- (v 4) But Daniel…
i. Conceal the words
ii. Seal up the book
iii. Much activity to people
iv. Knowledge will increase
1. (is there a “but” implied here? This seems like a comment that there will be lots of commentary, activity, theories and testing, but it’s not REAL knowledge.)
2. Some believe this is a reference to an increase in the study of prophecy and that, consequently, more (new?) knowledge will be obtained.
- V 5-7 – This image is like in Chapter 10.
i. Who are the men on each bank? Don’t know.
ii. They ask how long it shall be. The man in linen (an incarnation of Christ?) states that it’ll be 3.5 years.
1. Do we know anything about a 3.5 year period? Sure. This is the second half of Daniel’s 70th week.
2. It’ll last until the power of (over?) the holy people (Jews) is broken. In other words, when the Antichrist’s power over the Jews is removed, it’ll be over.
- V 8-9 – Daniel doesn’t understand, but is reminded that it’s for a time to come – the time of the end.
- vv. 10-13 [READ – Dan 12:10-13] What’s gonna happen?
- V 10 – The unsaved will not understand what’s happening and they’ll continue their ways. The saved will understand and more will be saved at this time
- V 11 – This is “the BIG sign” that the Tribulation is happening. When there is a desecration of the temple, presumably an idol of the Beast put inside, this will mark the start of 1290 days of the reign of the Antichrist during the Tribulation.
i. Note, this is 30 days longer than 3.5 years. No one is sure why the Antichrist will be given 30 days longer.
- V 12 – Blessed is [the patient]. We were told 3.5 years, now it’s 30 days longer. Then this verse says it’s 1335 days – ANOTHER 45 days! We don’t know why. Just be patient.
- V 13 – Then, Daniel is given a personal message:
i. Do your business
ii. You’re gonna die…
1. You won’t see any more of these prophecies. You won’t see the return of Christ. In fact, you didn’t see the arrival of Christ.
iii. …but you’ll be part of the group that is raised up with the other saints.
Summary
- Key Verse: v 10
- Jews will be persecuted like never before.
- Some will understand what is happening (when it happens). Others won’t.
- We still don’t know everything. God acknowledges and confirms to us that we don’t know the timeline – so be patient.
- We have no reason to believe that if we die before the end times, that we shouldn’t have the same promise Daniel has; the promise of being risen up with the other saints.
- God is STILL/ALWAYS in control.