THE BOOK OF DANIEL
CHAPTER TEN, ELEVEN AND
TWELVE  PART III

THE LATTER DAYS

These last three chapters make up one entire vision that Daniel received which gives to him some inside knowledge of the activity with the things that will come in the latter days upon his people.

Chapter 10 is an introductory chapter:

Chapter 11 is the essence of the vision:

Chapter 12 is climactical in nature and concludes the vision.

We will study these three chapters individually, verse by verse, as we have done with the preceding chapters, but yet we will see some repeats of what we have already studied.

III. DANIEL’S UNDERSTANDING. Daniel 12:1-13

“But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.” Daniel 12:13

This doesn’t mean that Daniel understood every detail, for he didn’t, but came to an understanding that he would be at rest and would stand in his lot for his faithfulness to God in the latter days.

Again, as we come to the cliinactical chapter of the Book of Daniel, we see the value of the Book of Revelation, that is, how that these two books must be studied together.

Chapter twelve is a continuation of chapter eleven. Remember that chapters and verses in our Bible are not a part of the original, but were inserted to help us in our study of Scripture and for memorizing portions of the Word. But sometimes these divisions are not for the best. This is so with these two chapters.

We close chapter eleven with the subject of the Antichrist and open chapter twelve with Christ.

 “At that time” (12:1) is the time when the Antichrist will be destroyed. The words are clearly, closely connected with he last verse of the preceding chapter, which says, “yet be shall come to his end and none shall help him.” (11:45) So be careful for some of the greatest truths in the Bible are cut in half by the chapters.

We will look into this chapter under the following three thoughts:

The destiny of time:
The destiny of the Book:
The destiny of Daniel.

A. The destiny of time.  Daniel 12:1-3  “And at that time,….” (12:1)

Time is a very important element in the Bible for it deals much with time and the events that will fulfill that period of time.

Daniel writes these words about time:

* “And at that time --“ (1)

There is an appointed time for all things to be fulfilled.

* “there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time.” (1)

There will be a time of trouble on earth that has never been before or ever be again.

* “and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” (1)

There is a time when God’s people will be totally delivered from trouble and never to participate in it again.

* “But thou, 0 Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end:” (4, 7, 9)

There is a time when all, things will be

brought into judgment and righteousness will rule and reign.

* “And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away,” (11)

That is, in the midst of time there will be a sign of what will take place in relation to the bringing of all the wickedness to naught.

When the Antichrist shall do away with the daily sacrifices. (II Thess. 2:3—4)

Time -	a period of time; the period between two events or during which something exists, happens, or acts. (Web. Dict.)

Thus, Daniel’s visions would be somewhat two-fold;

The rule and reign of wickedness, climaxing with the wickedness of the Antichrist government.

The rule and reign of the Messiah, bringing in the rule and reign of rightness after defeating and destroying wickedness.

Daniel was greatly disturbed in the preceding chapters in what he saw and heard, but now, he can rejoice and rest in the things of the Lord for he sees the finality of it all.

Daniel stated “There is a God in heaven,” (2:28) and that that God will “set up a kingdom” (2:44) now he has a better understanding of it, but not as we do for we can see it clearly through the complete Book.

1. We see the time of trouble. Daniel 12:1

“And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time:” This phrase “time of trouble” no doubt speaks of the Great Tribulation period which will come in the latter part of the 70th week of Daniel. (See lesson on chapter 9)

Time nor space will permit for us to write in this lesson all the places in the Scriptures that deals with this period of time.

We will just list a few and it would do well for each one of us to take the time to read the whole chapters that are listed:

Isaiah 24:

Reading this chapter you will find the earth or world named some sixteen times, and every time it’s in distress. Here is a prophecy of the great tribulation.

Isaiah 34:

Reading this chapter again we see that God calls for the whole world to listen for judgment is upon them.

Jeremiah 30:7:

Jeremiah calls this time “the time of Jacob’s trouble.”

The unbelieving Jew will all unbelievers will go into that Tribulation Period, so in Isaiah it’s “indignation” and in Jeremiah it’s “A day of Jacob’s trouble.”

Zephaniah 1:14—18:

Zephaniah gives to it several names:

“The great day of the Lord” “That day is a day of wrath,” “a day of trouble and distress,” “a day of wasteness and desolation,” “a day of darkness and gloominess,” “a day of clouds and thick darkness.” “A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.” “in the day of the Lord’s wrath:”

The Great Tribulation will be a period of time when God will pour out His Divine Wrath upon all wickedness and He will use wars, disasters, famines, pestilences, and etc. as a matter of judgment.

It is important to note that in the Bible it speaks of having tribulation, but remember this is not speaking of the great tribulation, for the article “the” is of great importance, for it makes a distinction between tribulations that will come and the period of time called The Great Tribulation which will be the latter part of the 70th week of Daniel.

While we are here on this subject, the question arises, Will there be people saved during this tribulation period.

The answer to the question is yes:

“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:13-14

2. The time of deliverance. Daniel 12:1 “and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

Any person with common sense can look at the daily activity of the world and know that chaos is coming. Things can not continue as they are now presently going, so we know that something dreadful is going to take place. We really don’t need the Bible to tell us this truth, but yet the Bible is needed to tell us why it is coming. It is coming because of man’s wickedness and their rebellion against Almighty God.

But the question is how long will it last? When will the coming of the Messiah be to put an end to all wickedness? What will be the post tribulation conditions?

No doubt thousands of questions could be asked, and many answers given, but in the midst of it all, we have a Book, it is the Bible, and it gives to us the answer.

This is why that the Devil is fighting against the Book so much, for it gives to us the answer, as well, as to the doom of Satan, and the hope to all that will believe.

Note the word “delivered” - it means salvation:

Joel 2:22:

“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 bath said, and in the remnant who the Lord shall call.”

Note that the work of deliverance is three fold:

Delivered from something:
Delivered to something;
Delivered with something.

Paul gives to us this beautiful picture in I Cor. 10:1—3:

The Nation of Israel was delivered from Egypt:

The Nation of Israel was delivered to the promise land:

The Nation of Israel was delivered by the power of the Almighty God.

This is a picture of a sinner being saved:

He is saved from something:

He is saved to something:

He is saved by something. Note the time of the deliverance:

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people:” Daniel 12:1

This deliverance will not be brought about by the wisdom of man, nor the armies of the world, but by the Lord’s Coming.

John wrote:

“And the seventh angel sounded: and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and be shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15

Note the people of the deliverance:

“…every one that shall be found written in the book.” Daniel 12:1

What Book? The Book of Life.

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Revelation 20:15

Jesus teaches us that we are to rejoice because our names are written in heaven:

“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20

Read and study the following
verses:
Ex. 32:32
Ps. 69:28
Is. 4:3
Dan. 12:1
Phil. 4:3
Heb. 12:23
Rev. 13:8
Rev. 20:12,15

This teaches us the importance of the new birth. For without this new birth, John 3:3,5, One will never be a child of God, thus, his name is not written in the book of life.

3. The time of the resurrection. Daniel 12:2

“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. “

Jesus deals with the two resurrections in His teachings:

“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
John 5:28—29
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:46

There are two resurrections spoken about in these above verses:

“The resurrection of life”
“The resurrection of damnation”

It is very clear that the “resurrection of life” is unto life eternal, thus, it is for God’s people.

It is also very clear that the “resurrection of damnation” is unto everlasting punishment, thus, it is for the lost.

The “resurrection of life” is also called in the Book of Revelation the “first resurrection.”

“Blessed and holy is he that bath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death bath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:6

This first resurrection clearly teaches that the participant will not be a part of the everlasting punishment or the second death.

The “resurrection of damnation” will take place after the reign of Christ or at the end of time.

“But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.”
Revelation 20:5

There isn’t much said about the resurrection for the lost other than they will be judged and cast into hell the lake of fire.

“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

 “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and bell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”
Revelation 20: 12-14

The lost will receive a body in which they will dwell in in hell for all eternity, but we don’t have a description of that body given to us:

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matt. 10:28
Luke 12:4-5

But the Bible has much to say about the first resurrection or the resurrection for the child of God.

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
Philippians 3:20-21

Read and study carefully I Corinthians 15, it is called the resurrection chapter.

Job gives to us a clear picture of what the first resurrection meant to him:

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.  Job 19:25—27

(I Thessalonians 4:13—18)

4. A time of turning to God. Daniel 12:3

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

This to me seems to be the whole purpose of the Book of Daniel, that is to make you and I winners of others to Christ.

It is not by accident that the Book ends on the high note of soul winning.

It is very clear as you have read through the Book that Daniel was a great witness f or the cause of Christ. No doubt many souls were saved by his testimony and faithfulness to the Lord.

“They that be wise” - who are the wise?

The world has known great men, men who have shaped the world and set new courses for the nations, we call them wise men.

But who are wise men?

Daniel gives to us the answers:

* “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament;”

The word “wise” means to “teach, or to cause to understand”.

The wise man is One who causes others to understand the things and truths of the Sovereign God. Matt 28:18—20

* “and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

The word “turn” means to “convert them over to the True and Living God.

The wise man is one who uses well the ministry of reconciliation.
(II Cor. 5:17—21)

As the firmament is bright with the light, and the stars shine bright in the midst of darkness, so is the one who wins others to Christ. Since this world is in spiritual darkness, how bright the message of Christ must be. Jesus said, Ye are the light of the world.

The preacher wrote about soul winning:

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

Paul wrote some beautiful thoughts about soul winning:

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are note even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

“For ye are our glory and joy.” II Thessalonians 2:19-20

B. The destiny of the Book. Daniel 12:4-12

“But thou, 0 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.” Daniel 12:4

This Book is the time of the end, that is, it is a Book for the end times.

To me, it would cover the time from Christ even to His coming as King of kings.

Since the phrase is used “shut up the words, and seal the book”, many believe that it is a closed or sealed Book and no one can understand it.

In a careful study and keeping all of the Book’s teachings in its proper context, we see that this reference of verse four has to do with Daniel, and doesn’t means that it cannot be understood in the proper time.

The Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation are two Books to be studied in harmony, and listen to what John has to say about the Book:

“Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3

Note the many times the word “end appears:

“Even to the time of the end” Vs. 4

“flow long shall it be to the end of these  wonders?” Vs. 6

“Sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half”
Vs. 7

“All these things shall be finished” Vs.-7

“What shall be the end of these things?” Vs. -8

“Till the time of the end” Vs. 9

“Till the end” Vs. -13

We will follow this simple outline for the study in this division. The word “end” would speak of the time when all things will be brought to a climax and the Lord establishes all things to His glory and honor.

1. What will take place when time ends?

(a) When the end of the grace dispensation comes the rapture of the church will take place and the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel will be ushered in.

II Thess. 2:7

(b) When the end of the tribulation period comes the Lord will come back with all of His Saints and Holy Angles and will destroy the Antichrist and his government and establish the kingdom of righteousness.

II Thess. 2:8

(c) When the end of the kingdom shall come, the Lord will deliver up the kingdom unto the Father and then fire and brimstone will come and destroy the world.

I Cor. 15:24
II Peter 3:10—13

We are now living in the end of time, or in the last days, thus, we can open the Book and begin to see and to understand what will take place even if we don’t know the hour nor the day.

2. What will take place when eternity begins?

Eternity is the place where the soul will dwell for all eternity, in other words, to the place where life will never cease to exist.

(a) For the unsaved.

For the unsaved eternity will be in a place of doom, of torment, of darkness, of pain, of weeping, of loneliness, of memory, of a time without end, being without God, His love, His mercy, His grace, and a place where the prayers are never heard nor answered.

Read Luke 16:19—32

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake of fire which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Revelation 21:8

(b) For the saved.

For the saved eternity will be in the presence of Jesus and the Father for all eternity.

It will be a place of joy,
of light,
of peace,
of happiness,
of fellowship,
of singing,
of praising
and worshipping God.

Read Revelation 21 & 22.

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2-3

It is worthy to note that heaven nor hell will not have its beginning at the time of One’s death, for heaven and hell already exist, and the departed soul will enter into one of the two places that already exist.

3. What are some of the signs that we are close to or living in the end?

In keeping with the 12th chapter of Daniel we see several things that helps us to see that we are now living in the end of time.

(a) The increase of restlessness.

“Many shall run to and fro”.  12:4

(b) The increase of knowledge.

“and knowledge shall be increased.” 12:4

(c) The increase of hatred against God’s people.

“and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished” 12:7

(d) The increase of understanding Bible prophecy.

“And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” 12:9

(e) The increase of believers through out the world.

“Many shall be purified and made white, and tried;” 12:10

(f) The increase of wickedness.

“but the wicked shall do wickedly: and not of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” 12:10

There are yet many other signs through out the Bible that shows us that we are living in the end times.

But these signs are not the bases for our belief although they are very clear, for the bases for our belief is that Jesus said He would come back, and because He said so, we are to be looking for Him each day.

4. How are we to be ready for the end of time?

The Bible is very clear in how we can be ready for the end of time and the beginning of eternity.

(a) For the unsaved.

The unsaved need is to be saved. They must hear the gospel and received it by and through a repenting and believing heart.

Jesus teaches us that this is the new birth, born of the spirit and the Word of God.

Jesus said: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, be cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3,5,7.

Luke 13:3,5
James 1:18
I Peter 1:22-25

(b) For the saved, they ought to be soul winners, reaching others with the
gospel of Christ.

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3

Proverbs 11:30

Paul helps us to see and to understand this truth.
II Thess. 2:19-20

Since the Book wasn’t open for understanding during the days of Daniel, and it is now open for understanding, then we know that we are in the end of time.

Look up for your redemption draweth nigh.

C. The destiny of Daniel.

Daniel 12:13

“But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shall rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.”

Daniel was well up in his eighties when he finished writing this precious Book. He was no doubt tired having lived a very full and rewarding life.

Not only was Daniel a man who faced great spiritual struggles, but also was a political figure and had to face some great struggles being under several kings.

The words spoken to Daniel must have brought great comfort to him. For he was troubled in heart and soul for the things that were to come upon his people.

(a) Daniel’s destiny.

“But go thou thy way till the end be:”

Daniel must comfort himself now with the fact that he was going to depart this life after having a very busy and full life.

We too, must understand that there is coming a day when we will have to go our way.

(b) Daniel’s rest.

“for thou shalt rest,”

Daniel was to rest front all of his present toils and agitations, and would not see the great trouble that was to come upon his people.

(c) Daniel’s hope.

“and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.”

No doubt our faithfulness while here on earth will have all to do with our lot in the end of time.

Jesus will say to those faithful Ones: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matt. 25:21

It was a comfort to Daniel, as well as to all the saints of God, that, whatever their lot is in the days of time, they shall have a happy lot in the end of the days, and shall have their lot among the chosen.

Conclusion:

We have now come to the conclusion of the chapter, as well, as the Book of Daniel

There is no way that we could even begin to review all the great truths that we have learned through out the Book, there are a few that we must not forget:

* We saw clearly that God is a Sovereign God. What a joy it was to walk through the Book of Daniel and see that God was in charge of all things.

No nation will rise nor fall without the help of God. He has a plan and a purpose for them all.

* We saw clearly that God will never forsake those that are His. He will always guide and protect those that are His in every given situation.

Daniel was blessed in that he purposed in his heart concerning the meat and the wine of the king.

The three Hebrew men were protected when they were thrown in the furnace.

Daniel was protected when he was thrown in with the lions.

* We saw clearly that God and God only is the revealer of Divine Truth. Daniel revealed the truths of God to the kings only when the God of heaven made them known unto him.

Man in his own ability can not know God nor the truths of God unless God reveals them.