The End of the Days

Awake, shine, and rest in your lot

The last chapter completes the vision begun in chapter 10. It looks past the last king and last war to the resurrection of the dead and the reward of the faithful. It also contains the command to seal the book until the time of the end, and the final word given to Daniel himself.

There is no better ending to a book that began with exile and captivity than the closing promise: thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot, at the end of the days.

Deliverance and Resurrection

DANIEL 12:1–3

1And 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.

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

3And 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.

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. This is the Great Tribulation that Jesus describes in Matthew 24:21. And at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. This is the clearest Old Testament statement of the resurrection of the dead, both of the righteous and the wicked. 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. Those who lead others to Christ will share in His glory.

APPLY IT Soul-winning has an eternal return. Every person you lead to righteousness is a star that will not dim.

Shut Up the Words and Seal the Book

DANIEL 12:4

4But 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.

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. The prophecy was sealed for the people of Daniel’s day, and its full meaning would become clear as the end approaches. Many students see in the increase of travel and knowledge a sign of the nearness of the end, though believers should be careful not to set dates.

By contrast, the book of Revelation is told not to seal the words of the prophecy (Revelation 22:10), because the time is at hand.

How Long?

DANIEL 12:5–7

5Then 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.

6And 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?

7And 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.

Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. One asks the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? The man clothed in linen lifts both his hands unto heaven, and swears 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.

The oath of the glorious Person confirms that the time of suffering is limited. It lasts for three and a half years, and God has numbered each day.

Go Thy Way, Daniel

DANIEL 12:8–10

8And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things?

9And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end.

10Many 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.

Daniel heard but understood not, and asked, O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things? He said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end. 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.

Even Daniel did not understand everything that he wrote, and God did not rebuke him for it. Faith can obey without full understanding. The same events that purify the righteous harden the wicked.

The Days, the Blessing, and the Promise

DANIEL 12:11–13

11And 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.

12Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

13But go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and shalt stand in thy lot, at the end of the days.

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. The 1,290 days are thirty days beyond the 1,260 days (three and a half years) of the tribulation, and the 1,335 days are forty-five days beyond that. Interpreters differ about the purpose of the additional days, which may allow for the judgment of the nations, the cleansing of the temple, and the establishment of the kingdom.

The book closes with a personal word: But go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and shalt stand in thy lot, at the end of the days. After more than seventy years of faithful service in a foreign land, Daniel is promised rest and a share in the resurrection. The prophet who watched empires rise and fall will himself rise and stand.

APPLY IT You do not need to know every date to be faithful. Go your way, serve your King, and trust that you will stand in your lot at the end of the days.

Discussion Questions

What does verse 3 say about the reward of those who turn many to righteousness?
Why was Daniel told to seal the book?
How does the promise of resurrection change the way you view suffering?
What does it mean for you to “go thy way” and wait for the end of the days?

PRAYER Eternal God, You change the times and the seasons, and You hold the end of all things in Your hand. Keep me faithful to the end like Your servant Daniel. Let me turn many to righteousness, and at the last, let me rest and stand in the lot You have prepared for me. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen.