28/05/2023 – Daniel 12:11-13
This passage today, which concludes our study of Daniel, is fairly short and deals largely with a couple of numbers that apply to the 2nd half of the tribulation (which is where Daniel 12 started off). These two numbers are 1290 days and 1335 days. Even though they differ from the usual 1260 days (Revelation 11:3; 12:6) which equate to 42 months (Revelation 11:2; 13:5) or 3½ years (Daniel 7:25; 12:7; Revelation 12:14), they still must refer to the time of the end which is a common theme of Daniel 12.
Daniel 12:11 – And from the time [that] the daily [sacrifice] shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, [there shall be] a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
the daily (sacrifice) – tamiyd
(continuity; perpetuity; continual).
With “sacrifice”
not in the original, it is
simply “the daily”,
but literally, “the continual”, that which is continual or carried out in
perpetuity: “And from the time the continual (perpetual) shall be taken away
(removed) ….”
Note that even though the word “sacrifice” is not in the original, it can
only refer to the daily sacrifice as per the requirements of the law, thus one
in the morning and one in the evening.
Israel was to sacrifice daily continually. Note the
use of tamiyd in the following:
Exodus 29:38-39; 42 – 38Now this [is
that] which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually (tamiyd). 39The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and
the other lamb thou shalt offer at even:
42[This shall be] a continual (tamiyd) burnt offering throughout your generations [at] the door
of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord: where I will meet you,
to speak there unto thee.
And the meat offering, minchah
which can also mean, as here, a grain or meal offering (see Leviticus 6:21),
was to be offered both morning and evening.
Leviticus 6:20 – This [is] the
offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto the Lord in the
day when he is anointed; the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meat
offering (minchah) perpetual (tamiyd), half of it in the morning, and half thereof at night.
Antiochus IV (who was a foreshadow or type of the future antichrist) had the daily (literally “evening morning”) sacrifices taken away for 2300 evening mornings (= 1150 days) before the temple was cleansed again (see notes on Daniel 8:11-14)
Daniel 8:11-14 – 11Yea, he magnified [himself] even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily (tamiyd) [sacrifice] was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. 12And an host was given [him] against the daily (tamiyd) [sacrifice] by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. 13Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain [saint] which spake, How long [shall be] the vision [concerning] the daily (tamiyd) [sacrifice], and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? 14And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days (‘ereb boqer – literally “evening mornings”); then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
The same term is found in Daniel 8:26 where ‘ereb boqer is translated “the evening and the morning” (“And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told [is] true”)
However, Antiochus IV took away 2300 evening-morning sacrifices = 1150 days. which cannot be equated in any way with the 1290 in Vs 11 above. Therefore Vs 11 above is actually talking about the antichrist who is yet to come, removing the sacrifices midway through the final 7-year period (denoted by 1260 days) so that he instead could be worshipped on the throne in the temple itself.
Daniel 9:27a – And he [“the prince that shall come”, the antichrist – Daniel 9:26] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease ….
1260 days, though, is still 30 days short of the 1290 mentioned here in Vs 11 above. However, if 1260 represents 3½ years (the 2nd half of the tribulation period), then there must have been an extra 30 days added to this to make 1290. We’ll look at this a bit further down.
that maketh desolate – make desolate; stun, appal or
stupefy one; make one awestruck. It can also mean to be desolated or to be
deserted. When the antichrist sits on the throne in the temple to be worshipped
as God, he will cause Israel to desert their holy city, Jerusalem, as per
Jesus’ warning in Matthew 24:15-21. Literally
Jerusalem will be deserted by Israel (see Revelation 12:6,14) who are the very people the antichrist
desperately desires to bow down to him and worship him as their God.
the abomination that maketh desolate – This refers to Daniel 9:27 – ….. in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate ….
(Similar wording can also be found in Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15).
This abomination in Vs 11 above that makes desolate refers to the future antichrist sitting in the temple to be worshipped as God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4); this occurs for 3½ years starting at the midpoint of the final 7-year tribulation.
Jesus spoke of this very same coming event in Matthew 24:15 (When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place …..)
Antiochus IV (who was a shadow or type of the future antichrist) took away the evening-morning sacrifices for 1150 days, and is said to have placed a statue of Zeus in the temple to be worshipped as God.
Daniel 11:31 (And arms shall stand on his (that is, Antiochus IV) part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily [sacrifice], and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.)
Antiochus IV is also said to have sacrificed a pig on the temple altar, sprinkled all their sacred writings with pig broth, and forced the high priest and other Jews to eat pig flesh. This in itself was sufficient to be declared an abomination, but he was only a shadow of the coming antichrist who will go even further by sitting himself on the throne in the temple to be worshipped as God.
In the tribulation, the daily (sacrifices) will be taken away, with the antichrist then setting up the abomination that makes desolate. This will occur at the midpoint of the 7-year tribulation (“… in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease …” – Daniel 9:27), permitting the antichrist to set himself in the temple to be worshipped (“… and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate …” – Daniel 9:27). Revelation 11:2 says that the Gentiles (not Israel) will tread the holy city (Jerusalem) underfoot for 42 months (= 3½ years); this occurs while the antichrist is sitting in the temple to be worshipped as if he is God.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 – 3Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
a thousand two hundred and ninety days – While all other references refer to a 3½ (or equivalent, such as 1260 days or 42 months) period for the abomination that makes desolate, this is 30 days more.
From the time the abomination commences (at the midpoint of the 7-year tribulation), until the antichrist stops sitting in the temple as God, will be 42 months, or 3½ years, also represented by 1260 days. Daniel 12:7 says that it will be ended (“finished”) after 3½ years (“a time, times, and an half”). This means that we have an extra 30 days added in here to make 1290 days. How can this be explained?
The tribulation period will take place during the final 7 years on Israel’s timeline, (2 x 3½ year periods). And Israel’s timeline will therefore have to officially end 3½ years after the midpoint of the 7-year tribulation. Revelation 11:3 says that the two witnesses will prophesy 1260 days = 3½ years (“And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.”); this occurs while the Gentiles tread the holy city underfoot for 42 months = 3½ years (Revelation 11:2) and therefore while the antichrist sits in the temple to be worshipped. At the end of this 3½ period, the two witnesses are killed (“And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.” – Revelation 11:7).
After 3½ days the two witnesses come alive and rise up to heaven (Revelation 11:11-12), and a mighty earthquake hits Jerusalem, killing 7,000; “the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven” (Revelation 11:13).
At this time the 3rd woe (= the 7 bowls or vials of the wrath of God) commence.
Revelation 11:14 – The second woe is past; [and], behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
So, it is clear that from that
earthquake onward we are into extra time: a 30-day period during which the 7
bowls (vials) of the wrath of God are poured out upon the earth (Revelation 16:1
on), Israel is now back in Jerusalem, and the antichrist commences his build-up
to the battle of Armageddon (Bowl No. 6), and then his army is literally
slaughtered (the final Bowl, No.7). Israel was told that they had 70 x 7 (490)
years to be brought by God to everlasting righteousness (Daniel 9:24)
and the end of this final 7-year tribulation period marks the end of that
490-year timeline. Therefore we must assume that 1260 days (3½ years) after “the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the
prophet” (Matthew 24:15) occurs, Israel will have been brought to that
everlasting righteousness and is now awaiting the deliverance of God as per Joel 2:32
– And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever
shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in
Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom
the Lord shall call.
Therefore we must assume that
Israel’s 490 year timeline finishes with that earthquake in Jerusalem. It
also seems probable that the temple will be cleansed and sanctified for the
worship of God at the same time that the earthquake
hits Jerusalem with the remnant giving glory to God; they are His people and He
is their God from this point on. However, even after they have been sanctified
as God’s people, they will still face the mightiest build-up of armed forces
the world has ever known for all time (Armageddon). In one sense the wrath of
God that was to refine Israel in the fire to purify them has achieved its
purpose and now the wrath of is turned upon those who would dare persecute His
people (for they are now His people once again after around 2000 years of being
sidelined, but not cast away – Romans 11:1-2).
It is clear that as the days approach the end, it will become clearer to those of these end times as to what this prophecy says and means. When the people of that day (particularly Israel) see these things happening, then they should have some idea of how long left to wait, probably as an encouragement to those who have this tribulation poured upon them to try and purify them.
Daniel 12:6-9 – 6And [one] said to the man clothed in linen, which [was] upon the waters of the river, How long [shall it be to] the end of these wonders? 7And I heard the man clothed in linen, which [was] upon 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 an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these [things] shall be finished. 8And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what [shall be] the end of these [things]? 9And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words [are] closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Certain things will happen toward the end, and when these things begin to happen, then know that the end draws nigh.
Luke 21:25-28 – 25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Daniel 12:12 – Blessed [is] he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
Blessed (is) he – or “How happy is he ….”
waiteth – waits; tarries; longs for.
There’s a similar phrase that says “… blessed [are] all they that wait for him (God).” (Isaiah 30:18)
cometh – touches; reaches; approaches; comes; attains.
“Blessed (How happy) is he who waits for (tarries
until; longs for) and comes to (attains; reaches) the 1335 mark (point in
time).” The idea here is that he who endures to the end of this whole timeline
will be happy (blessed) that he did indeed wait until the end.
It is not saying that one must wait until 1335 days
in order to be saved, for it is clear that they must
have been delivered by God at the time of the earthquake. It is safe to assume
that those who reach the 1260-day mark have by then attained righteousness
according to Revelation 11:13 (“the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven”)
and therefore can be considered saved for eternity after the 1260 day mark. The
1290 mark would then refer to the second coming of their Messiah, with all
Israel (now the remnant) at this stage waiting for the deliverance of Christ
their Messiah as per
Zechariah 12:8-10 – 8In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David [shall be] as God, as the angel of the Lord before them. 9And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.10And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only [son], and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn.
This would have to assume that the 7 bowls of wrath (Revelation Ch.16) will all take place in just 30 days, with Christ returning at the 1290-day mark.
And 1335 days would then add a further 45 days to this figure. Some commentaries suggest that this figure is not to be counted from the setting up of the abomination that makes desolate, yet it is difficult to see how it could be anything else, looking at the context of this passage as having to be dealing with the very end-times of this vision for Israel. Therefore it is reasonable to assume that 1335 also counts from the midpoint of the 7-year tribulation period.
So what could that extra 45 days refer to? I think that by the time Christ returns, the earth will be a chaotic mess. It is quite possible that the whole of the earth may have to be re-set up in order for Christ their Messiah to set up His millennial kingdom on earth. The new heaven and new earth will be set up after this millennial reign, but the old earth is likely to need a massive cleanup with a sorting out of authorities and rulers to take control under the sovereign rule of their Messiah.
One commentary (enduringword.com) said that Christ returns after the 1260 days, at the time when the two witnesses are killed (after 42 months – 1260 days – of the antichrist with his Gentile armies occupying Jerusalem), with the 7 bowls of wrath yet to be poured out.
enduringword.com says: “We could say that at the end of the 1,260 days Jesus returns. At the end of the 1,290 days, Jesus’ government is officially installed. At the end of the 1,335 days the nations are judged.”
And yet at the end of 1260 days (= the 42 months of the two witnesses), the 3rd Woe (= the 7 bowls of the wrath of God) have yet to be poured out, with Christ the Messiah returning with the conclusion of the pouring out of the 7th bowl. Christ will only return after those bowls have been poured out on the earth; thus it needs that 30 extra days to set up the Armageddon ambush for the antichrist and his massive army.
Daniel 12:13 – But go thou thy way till the end [be]: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
“the end” is mentioned twice here. The same word is used in 3 other verses in Daniel 12 (Vss 4; 6; and 9). Daniel is being told that in the end knowledge shall be increased and then people will know more but not yet. (Note Daniel 12:4)
In Daniel 12:9, Daniel is told to go his way and not to worry about the meaning for now, for the words are closed up and sealed until the end of time. In Vs 13 above, Daniel is told much the same again: to go his way (depart, get on with life) until the end (for the words are shut up and sealed until then).
for you shall rest – for you shall come to your rest in the grave (without finding out the meaning of this prophecy).
But go your way (in your existence) and just wait until you reach the end that has been discussed here, for you shall have rest, and (in the end) stand in the resurrection and judgment in the place that is allotted (allocated) to you at the end of the days.
John 5:28-29 – 28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Effectively, Daniel is being told that, as the words have been shut up and sealed, he is not to worry about it now, but that he should just go away, depart, and wait until the end, even long years in the grave, until he is resurrected to the lot that has been allocated to him. But we now do seem to be living in that age when “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (Daniel 12:4). It is not wrong to assume this if there is reasonable evidence that we are rapidly approaching the end-times tribulation. Of course, people have said in the past that they were approaching the end times. One commentary (Adam Clarke) says of the 1290 days: “Perhaps Mohammedanism may be the abomination which sprang up A.D. 612. If we reckon one thousand two hundred and ninety years, Daniel 12:11, from that time, it will bring us down to A.D. 1902, when we might presume from this calculation, that the religion of the FALSE PROPHET will cease to prevail in the world which from the present year, 1825, is distant only seventy-seven years.” Of the 1335 days he wrote: “But we are left totally in the dark relative to the time from which these one thousand three hundred and thirty-five years are to be reckoned. If, however, we reckon them from the above epoch, A.D. 612, when Mohammedanism arose, they lead us to A.D. 1947, when the fullness of the Gentiles shall be brought in; and thus a final closure of vision and prophecy be made, as then all the great events relative to the salvation of men shall have taken place.”
It is dangerous to set dates when even Jesus stated so clearly that no-one could know the exact time of the end except God.
Matthew 24:36 – But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
However, we are told that when the time comes, we will see the signs and should know that it is near.
Matthew 24:29-33 – 29Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the
sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall
fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30And
then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the
tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the
clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31And he shall send his
angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather
together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the
other. 32Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet
tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer
[is] nigh: 33So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these
things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors.
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