MAT 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

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1 The Wise Shall Understand Daniel Chapter 12 WAR IN THE HEAVENLIES AND THE END OF DAYS Lesson 17 Daniel 12:1-13 Dan 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. A Time of Great Trouble War in the Heavenlies DAN 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which 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. The time of trouble, time of Jacob s trouble, the day of the Lord, and other similar expressions in prophecy refer to the time of Great Tribulation during the seven years prior to the Second Coming of our Lord. This verse refers to the Great Tribulation ( time of trouble ) suffered by the Jews before the defeat of the Antichrist that occurred in Daniel 11:45. DAN 11:45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. MAT 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. This Great Tribulation is for the salvation of the Jewish nation. JER 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. This time of Jacob s trouble is not for the church, we are not to be tested. REV 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation [trial], which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth [earth dwellers]. Earth dwellers are the unsaved. The Jamison, Fausset, and Brown commentary comments on the meaning of them that dwell upon the earth. To try them that dwell upon the earth - of earth, earthy (Rev 8:13). Dwell implies their home is earth, not heaven. All mankind, except the elect (Rev 13:8,14). 1 Daniel 12:1 also refers to the battle going on in the heavenly realm during the Tribulation. 2 1 Robert Jamison, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, A COMMENTARY: Critical, Experimental, and Practical, Electronic Database, 1997, Biblesoft, Revelation 3:10. 1

2 REV 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. ISA 24:21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. 22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. 23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. According to the Jamison, Fausset, and Brown commentary, the meaning of Isaiah 24:21 is: Host of the high ones - the heavenly host; the invisible rulers of the darkness of this world (Eph 6:12), as the antithesis to "the kings of the earth upon the earth" shows. Angels, good and bad, moreover, preside as it were over kingdoms of the world (Dan 10:13,20-21). The kings of the earth are the confederate anti-christian kings (Rev 16:14; 17:12-14; 19:19) who shall be 'punished upon the earth by the Lord. 3 Now, back in Daniel 12:1 "thy people shall be delivered" the word for "deliver" means "rescue." 4 An explanation of this verse is that "delivered" refers to the remnant of God's people (Israel) who will survive the Great Tribulation. Every Jew whose name is found in the Lamb's Book of Life will survive the Tribulation (i.e. will be rescued) and will go into the Millennial Kingdom. 5 Satan will do everything possible to destroy the Jews from the earth during the second half of the Tribulation. 6 REV 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman [Israel] which brought forth the man child. 14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. MAT 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's [Israel s] sake those days shall be shortened. Not every Israelite will be spiritually prepared for the return of Christ; and those rebels will be purged. 7 EZEK 20:33 As I live, saith the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: 34 And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. 35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. 36 Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord God. 37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: 38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of 2 Arthur E. Bloomfield, THE END OF THE DAYS: A STUDY OF DANIEL'S VISIONS, Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 1961, pp. 242, Jamison, Fausset, and Brown, A COMMENTARY: Critical, Experimental, and Practical, Biblesoft, Isaiah 24:21. 4 Bloomfield, THE END OF THE DAYS: A STUDY OF DANIEL'S VISIONS, pp Daymond R. Duck, Larry Richards (editor), DANIEL: God's Word For The Biblically-Inept, Lancaster, PA: Starburst Publishers, 1998, p John F. Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1971, pp. 281, Renald E. Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, Bellmawr, NJ: The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc., 1982, p Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p

3 the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the Lord. Two-thirds of the Jews will lose their lives during the Tribulation. 8 This is why Jesus warns them to flee. MATT 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. DAN 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. Regarding Israel, it is only the Jews who are alive and saved at the second coming that will enter the Millennial Kingdom. 9 The resurrection of the dead is clearly indicated here. 10 Old Testament saints will be resurrected to everlasting life. Let s now consider what is meant by resurrections of the dead. JOB 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: ISA 26:19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. HOS 13:14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. PSA 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell [hades]; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. The sense of the Hebrew of Daniel 12:2 appears to sharply separate the two classes of those being resurrected. It may be better understood as referring to two separate resurrections and may be rendered as follows: And many from among the sleepers of the dust of the earth shall awake; these shall be unto everlasting life; but those the rest of the sleepers, those who do not awake at this time, shall be unto shame and everlasting contempt. 11 Sheol or Hades 16. Where are those sleepers of the dust kept before they are resurrected? Jesus tells us in Luke chapter LUK 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell [Hades] he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he 8 Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, p Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, p Bloomfield, THE END OF THE DAYS: A STUDY OF DANIEL'S VISIONS, p Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, pp. 284, 285. Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, p Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p

4 may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. From the Scriptures it is clear that there is a place of torment and a place of comfort after death. Jesus described a two-compartment abode, an intermediate state (not purgatory) where people went after they died. This was the situation that existed for all those that died prior to Christ s death and ascension. This intermediate state is called Sheol (Hebrew) or Hades (Greek). Both Sheol and Hades, as well as Abraham s bosom, refer to the same place. Jesus spoke of this state when He told the story of the rich man and Lazarus. 12 After Christ s death, resurrection, and ascension a change took place whereby all the righteous in Christ are taken to heaven when they die. The unrighteous remain in the place of torment, and the unrighteous who die go to that same place. Christ descending to Sheol or Hades can be seen by the words of Peter: 13 1 PE 3:19 By which also he [Jesus] went and preached unto the spirits in prison; It is unclear whether the Old Testament Saints have received temporary bodies, but the scriptures such as Luke 16:19-31 seem to indicate that both the rich man and Lazarus do have bodies. 14 After Christ s death and ascension it is clear from Scriptures that the righteous who die are immediately in heaven. Speaking to the good thief on the cross, Jesus said this: 15 LUK 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Paul assured the Corinthians and the Philippians: 16 2 CO 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. PHI 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Paul affirms that we would go to new houses in heaven once our earthly houses are dissolved CO 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Some believe that those who die in Christ before the Rapture may receive temporary bodies. however, is not certain. 18 Let s now look at the resurrections of the dead, of which there are two. This, 12 John Walvoord, THE FINAL DRAMA, 14 Keys to Understanding the Prophetic Scriptures, Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1993, pp. 106, Walvoord, THE FINAL DRAMA, pp. 106, Walvoord, THE FINAL DRAMA, p Walvoord, THE FINAL DRAMA, p Walvoord, THE FINAL DRAMA, p Walvoord, THE FINAL DRAMA, p Walvoord, THE FINAL DRAMA, p. 107,

5 The Resurrections 19 REV 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. Revelation 20:4-9 describes two resurrections that are to occur. The understanding of these resurrections is essential to understanding the Millennial Kingdom. The First Resurrection has six phases and began with Christ's resurrection. The Second Resurrection will be a single event and will involve the unbelievers at the end of the Millennium. First Phase The resurrection of Jesus Christ. Second Phase Some Old Testament Saints immediately after Christ s resurrection. MATT 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 1CO 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Third Phase The resurrection of the Church at the Rapture, before the seven-year Tribulation, involving both dead Christians and those that are still alive. 1TH 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Fourth Phase The resurrection of the two witnesses at Mid-Tribulation. REV 11:11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Fifth Phase The resurrection of the martyred Tribulation Saints at the end of the Tribulation Period, after Christ s Second Coming. The martyrs that came out of the Tribulation, seen under the throne in Revelation 7:9-17, will be resurrected at this time Daymond R. Duck, Larry Richards (Editor), REVELATION: God's Word for the Biblically-Inept, Lancaster, PA: Starburst Publishers, 1998, p John Walvoord, THE FINAL DRAMA, 14 Keys to Understanding the Prophetic Scriptures, Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1993, pp John F. Walvoord, THE PROPHECY KNOWLEDGE HANDBOOK, Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1990, p

6 REV 20:4 the souls of them that were beheaded lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Sixth Phase Old Testament Saints at the end of the Tribulation, after the Second Coming. 21 It is clear from the wording of Daniel 12:1 ( children of thy people ) that the Jews are in mind. DAN 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which 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. 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. ISA 26:19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. 20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. There will be a final resurrection and judgment of the unbelievers at the end of the Millennium. 22 REV 20:5 But, the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. The First through sixth phases of the first resurrection are called the Resurrection of Life. The Final or Second Resurrection is called the Resurrection of the Damned and will take place during the white throne judgment after the Millennium. 23 Only the damned of all ages will attend this judgment. The saved will have been resurrected and received their glorified eternal bodies during the first resurrection. The unsaved will be resurrected, judged, and cast into the lake of fire forever at the second resurrection. 24 Both the Antichrist and the false prophet will be taken alive and cast eternally into the "lake of fire." 25 REV 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. They will be the first occupants of this place of eternal torment. The unsaved who die prior to this time temporarily occupy the place of torment called Hades. After the Great White Throne judgment at the end of the Millennium, Hades, together with Satan, will be cast eternally into the lake of fire. 26 REV 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 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. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell [hades] delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell [hades] were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. The Wise Shall Understand DAN 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. 21 Walvoord, THE FINAL DRAMA, 14 Keys to Understanding the Prophetic Scriptures, p Walvoord, THE FINAL DRAMA, 14 Keys to Understanding the Prophetic Scriptures, pp Duck, Richards, REVELATION: God's Word for the Biblically-Inept, p Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, pp. 172, John F. Walvoord, THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1966, p Walvoord, THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, p

7 4 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. Daniel 12:3 refers to those who will lead others to Christ in the time of the Great Tribulation. 27 In Amos we find that there will be a time of a "famine" of the Word of God. I believe that we are in that time, especially for the children of Israel, and those among us who harden their hearts. AMO 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: 12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. ROM 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. EPH 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. JOH 12:39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. 41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. 2CO 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. ISA 56:10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. However, as the end progressively nears, many will search the Scriptures, and true knowledge will increase because of the words of the book of Daniel. 28 Because the search for knowledge, any kind of knowledge, seems to be the context of Daniel 12:4, that knowledge will increase may be the preferred meaning. Men may be continually frustrated in an endless search for senseless knowledge, rather than true saving knowledge. 29 This also may refer to the time of the end as a time when knowledge and travel will increase at lightning speed, such as we see today. Certainly we see people running "to and fro," while computers enhance the speed of acquiring knowledge and developing technology. 30 DAN 12:5 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. 6 And 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? 7 And 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. 27 Duck, DANIEL: God's Word For The Biblically-Inept, pp. 321, 322. Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, pp. 290, Duck, DANIEL: God's Word For The Biblically-Inept, p Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, p Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, pp. 291, Duck, DANIEL: God's Word For The Biblically-Inept, p Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p

8 The river mentioned in verse 5 is the Tigris River. 31 Remember that in Daniel 10:5 the "man clothed in linen" was Jesus. The other mentioned in Daniel 12:5 is probably an angel. DAN 10:5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. The question asked by the angel to the man clothed in linen is "how long will it take for these things to be fulfilled at the time of the end?" In other words, he wanted to know how long will the persecution of the Jews last once the Antichrist breaks the covenant with Israel. 32 The covenant can be seen in Daniel 9:27. DAN 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week [3-1/2 years] he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. The 3-1/2 years, time, times, and an half, from the breaking of the covenant will extend until the Second Coming, at which time He will destroy His enemies, and then Israel will finally believe. This can be seen in Zechariah 12:8-10. ZECH 12:8 In 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. 9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10 And 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. The "man clothed in linen" raised both hands which stressed the certainty of the answer, that the time would be for a time, times, and an half, or 3-1/2 years, which is 42 months, or 1260 days. During this time, the last 3-1/2 years of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will persecute the Jewish people, Jerusalem will be turned over to the Antichrist, the Temple will be desolate, the Jewish people will finally turn to Jesus as their Messiah, and all the prophecies will be fulfilled. 33 Don t forget, Israel today is back in the land in unbelief, they are still in rebellion, since they still have not accepted their Messiah. This is difficult for them to admit that Jesus is their Messiah while the religious leaders over the centuries have done everything in their power to discredit and reject Him. When Israel's "power is scattered" (verse 7), that is, they will be persecuted severely, then eventually their confidence will be placed in Jesus as their Messiah and the rebellion of God s people (Israel) will be over. 34 Jesus warned Israel, MATT 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. The leaders rejected Jesus and the leaders throughout the centuries viciously discredited Him in their Talmudic writings. This time the leaders will be the first to call on the name of the Lord. ZECH 12:3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. 4 In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the 31 Duck, DANIEL: God's Word For The Biblically-Inept, p Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p Duck, DANIEL: God's Word For The Biblically-Inept, pp. 323, 324. Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, p Duck, DANIEL: God's Word For The Biblically-Inept, p Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, p Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p Duck, DANIEL: God's Word For The Biblically-Inept, p Showers, THE MOST HIGH GOD, p Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p

9 people with blindness. 5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the Lord of hosts their God. Only then will they finally see Jesus for who He truly is when they look on [Him] whom they have pierced (Zech 12:10). The Time of the End DAN 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. Daniel asked for further explanation. The prophecy would not be fully understood until the "time of the end," the last 3-1/2 years of the tribulation period. Throughout the book of Daniel, the time of the end refers to the end of Gentile world power, which extends all the way up to the Second Coming of Christ, anticipated in Matthew 24: Notice this beginning with verse 21 of Matthew 24: MATT 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's [Israel s] sake those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. 29 Immediately 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: 30 And 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. 31 And 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. Many will be saved during the Great Tribulation. The wicked will continue in their wicked ways, and things will get worse. The Tribulation ( time of the end ) will serve to purify the saints and will reveal the true character of the wickedness of the human heart. Satan will deceive the wicked and they will not understand, but the wise, who put their faith in Jesus, will not be deceived. The wise who have spiritual insight and the teaching of the Holy Spirit shall understand. 36 DAN 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. 12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Different commentators may have different interpretations of these extended periods of time. The most plausible interpretation is that of Arnold Fruchtenbaum in his book The Footsteps of the Messiah. Immediately following the Tribulation and before the beginning of the Millennium (The Messianic Kingdom) two intervals are mentioned that extend the last 3-1/2 years (1260 days) an additional 75 days. 37 The two intervals that are mentioned are 1,290 days and 1,335 days. The first interval extends the time specified for tribulation an additional 30 days. The second mentioned interval gives an additional 45 days, for a total of 75 days when added to the first interval. Remember that when the Abomination is set up there will be 1,260 days (3-1/2 years) remaining until the end of the seven-year Tribulation. Daniel indicates this in chapter 9 when he states that the Abomination will be set up in the middle of the week. 35 Duck, DANIEL: God's Word For The Biblically-Inept, p Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, pp. 294, Duck, DANIEL: God's Word For The Biblically-Inept, p Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH, A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 2003, 2004, p

10 DAN 9:27 And he 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, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Jesus confirms this in Matthew 24: MATT 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. The Tribulation will be exactly seven years according to Daniel 9:27. At midpoint the Abomination will be set up. This is confirmed in Revelation 11:2 and 13:5 where the last half of the tribulation, counted from the Abomination of Desolation, is described as 3-1/2 years. REV 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months [3-1/2 years]. REV 13:5 And there was given unto him [the Antichrist] a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months [3-1/2 years]. There will be 1,260 days (3-1/2 years) from the confirmation of the seven-years covenant to the midpoint. From the mid-point to the end of the Tribulation will be 1,260 days. The first interval is a period of 30 days after that, and will end 1,290 days from the midpoint of the Tribulation. This is the time that the Abomination remains in the Temple before it is removed. 38 Remember that Jesus confirmed that there would be 1260 days until all would be fulfilled when He confirmed Daniel 9:27. Now we see that there will be an extra 30 days. For some reason, unexplained, the abomination (idol) will remain in the Temple for 1290 days before being destroyed. 39 The second interval is an additional 45 days. Those who survive to this additional 45 days, 1335 days from the mid Tribulation point will be those that enter the Messianic Kingdom (the Millennium). 40 During this combined 75 day interval the following events occur, not necessarily in this order The removal of the Abomination of Desolation from the Temple Rev 12: The Antichrist and the False Prophet are cast alive into the Lake of Fire Rev 19: Binding of Satan into the Abyss for a thousand years Rev 20: Separation and judgment of the Sheep and the Goats of all nations. The Goats will be sent to Hell. The Sheep will go into the Millennial Kingdom. The judgment will be based on their treatment of Israel Joel 3:1-3; Mat 25: The resurrection of Old Testament Saints Isa 26:19; Dan 12:2. 6. The resurrection of Tribulation Saints Rev 20: The Marriage Feast of the Lamb Isa 25:6-8; Mat 22:1-14; 25:1-13; Rev 19:9. Walvoord has this to say concerning the intervals: Although Daniel does not explain these varying durations, it is obvious that the second coming of Christ and the establishment of His millennial kingdom requires time. The 1,260 day period or precisely forty-two months of thirty days each, can be regarded as culminating with 38 Fruchtenbaum, THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH, A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, p Duck, DANIEL: God's Word For The Biblically-Inept, pp. 327, Fruchtenbaum, THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH, A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, p Fruchtenbaum, THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH, A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, pp Leon J. Wood, THE BIBLE & FUTURE EVENTS, An Introductory Survey of Last-Day Events, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1973, pp

11 the second advent itself. This followed by several divine judgments such as the judgment of the nations (Matthew 25:31-46), and the regathering and judgment of Israel (Ezekiel 20:34-38). These great judgments beginning with the living on earth and purging out of believers who have worshiped the beast, although handled quickly, will require time. By the 1,335 days, or seventy-five days after the second advent, these great judgments will have been accomplished and the millennial kingdom formally launched. Those who attain to this period are obviously those who have been judged worthy to enter the kingdom. Hence, they are called blessed. 42 DAN 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. "For thou shall rest" indicates that Daniel will die. "And stand in thy lot" indicates taking possession of his divine rewards during the first resurrection. "The end of the days" indicates that although Daniel would die, he would "stand in his lot," that is, he would participate in the part assigned to him in the Millennial Kingdom. 43 The Lesson to Ponder Many will run to and fro seeking knowledge in this fast paced world today. The problem is that they avoid the true saving knowledge of God s Word. They pay attention instead to the knowledge that is worthless. 2 TIM 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. We should instead seek the true knowledge that saves. COL 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Walvoord closes his commentary on the book of Daniel with this: For Christians living in the age of grace and searching for understanding of these difficult days which may be bringing to a close God s purpose in His church, the book of Daniel, as never before, casts a broad light upon contemporary events foreshadowing the consummation which may not be far distant. If God is reviving His people Israel politically, allowing the church to drift into indifference and apostasy, and permitting the nations to move toward centralization of political power, it may not be long before the time of the end will overtake the world. Many who look for the coming of the Lord anticipate their removal from the earth s scene before the final days of the time of the Gentiles are fulfilled. When the plan of God has run its full course, it will be evident then with even more clarity than at present that God has not allowed a word to fall to the ground. As Christ said while on earth, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (Mt 5:18). 44 The first century church was living expectantly of His soon return, can we do less when we are living in the generation that sees the fulfillment of the prophetic signs? Remember God is in control of everything and is bringing His plan to its proper climax. Notice the following verse: REV 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. Keep looking up! 42 Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, pp. 295, Bloomfield, THE END OF THE DAYS: A STUDY OF DANIEL'S VISIONS, pp. 268, 269. Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p Walvoord, DANIEL, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, p