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Daniel 12 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
The prophetic events that Daniel witnesses are most likely referring to the end times. Here is what we know so far over the past several chapters…
- There will be a ruler who is over the world and fiercely against God and His people
- This leader will establish a world religion which is centered around the abomination of desolation
- There will be a world war and the ruler will be defeated
- There will be a time of tribulation lasting 3.5 years
- God’s people will be delivered after the tribulation
- There will be a resurrection where some will go to eternal life and others to eternal punishment
It is important to understand that when Daniel inquired more specifics, he was told to “go his way” because God has sealed up these prophecies.
He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
Daniel 12:9 ESV
This doesn’t mean physically go, but mentally depart from this question. God has given enough detail that we are able to watch for signs and indicators. One such indicator is the abomination of desolation. Jesus also speaks of it.
“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
Matthew 24:15-16 ESV
There is so much about God we don’t know, and so much we are still learning. David Guzik points out that God has allowed for time to go on and has brought a specific focus to the church within those time periods.
“For example, in the second through fourth centuries, the church focused on the doctrine of Scripture. In the fourth century, the focus was on the doctrine of God (in the Trinity). In the fifth century, the focus was on the doctrine of Christ. In the fifth through seventh centuries, the focus was on the doctrine of man.
In the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries, the focus was on the doctrine of salvation. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the focus was on the doctrine of the church. So it should not surprise us that it was not until the nineteenth and twentieth centuries – the time of the end – that the focus would turn upon the doctrine of last things and the return of Jesus.”
David Guzik
We are living in the last days. We would be wise to follow the advice of Jesus to be ready and keep watch. We have all the information we need – it’s time to live it!