Contents Daniel 12 Next Study
No.10.
This chapter is God’s conclusion to the prophecies given to Daniel.
As you are aware, the prophet did not fully understand the messages given him, even though Gabriel gave detailed explanations. This was according to the will of God.
Notice what Daniel is told to do. “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 12:4.
The subject was closed.
Did you notice those familiar words again “the time of the end”? The text tells us that the prophecies of Daniel would be sealed until “the time of the end”.
You will remember these words from chapter 8, when Daniel was first told them. “Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.” Daniel 8:17. This was said in relating to the vision of the 2300 days.
Also recall that the overturning of nations was understood as history progressed, but the intriguing message about the daily (tamid), the sanctuary and the time period of 2300 days, were to remain a mystery “until the time of the end.” Daniel 8:17.
This clearly tells us that the time of the end would begin at the end of the 2300 days, or in 1844. Daniel would be in his grave by then.
The text says “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge would be increased”.
This has a two-fold meaning.
(a) The pages of Daniel’s book would be diligently studied, and knowledge of the prophecies increased and understood.
In booklet 8, we saw this fulfilment in the light that shone from the heavenly sanctuary.
(b) There would be much running to and fro on the earth, and knowledge in general would be increased.
It is also true, that from the end of the 18th century, knowledge in the line of invention increased with amazing speed.
Here are a few inventions – Gas for lighting, cast-iron plows, steel pens for writing, first locomotive, first steamboat, steam printing press, passenger cars for trains, kerosene for lighting, friction matches, electrotyping, sewing machine, anaesthesia by ether and chloroform, ocean cables, the Gatling gun, Monitor warship, automatic air brakes on trains, seismograph, steam turbine, X-ray, radium, mowing (reaper) machine, first electric motor, telegraph, photography, submarine telegraph cable, typewriter, telephone, phonograph (record player), electric railway, linotype, automobile, wireless telegraphy, first aeroplane flight, radio broadcasting and on and on till today.
It would be difficult to list the new inventions of the latter part of the 20th and into the 21st century. Viewed from this standpoint, we have certainly reached an age of the increase of knowledge.
In 1799, the Rosella Stone was unearthed by Napoleon’s soldiers on the banks of the Nile River. It is a black stone with hieroglyphics that were completely foreign to all linguists. However, after much study and with great difficulty, one of the languages was deciphered. This opened the way for understanding other ancient artefacts, including numerous parts of Bible history.
But, as has been stated, the main intent of the verse is that Daniel’s book would be unsealed and open to the Bible student from 1844.
Daniel then sees two heavenly beings, one of whom is the Prince of heaven. He asks the question still on the prophet’s mind, “How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?” Daniel 12:6. (The Prince of heaven is the One clothed in linen, as a priest. See the principle in Leviticus 16:4, 1 Samuel 22:18 and Ezekiel 9:2)
Perhaps Daniel is going to learn more after all.
Then Christ, the ‘Man in linen’, raises His hands to heaven and swears by the God of the universe “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.” Daniel 12:7.
Again we see a familiar time period – time, times, and a half a time – the 1260 years of Papal dominion, in which the little horn did ‘scatter the power of the holy people’.
During this time period the little horn accomplished his will upon God’s people, and tens of millions died. The rest remained hidden in the safety of the mountains in various parts of the world – the Waldenses, the Huguenots, the Moravians, the Anabaptists, the Chinese Christians, the Indian Christians, the Nestorians, and many others unnamed, but close to the heart of God.
The question asked, “How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?” Daniel 12:6.
The answer, “…when all these things be finished.”
Here we are given a repetition of information received earlier, a confirmation that when the 1260 years of Papal dominion and persecution ended, it is the conclusion of all the wonders Daniel has seen in his visions.
This does not mean there is nothing mentioned that goes beyond 1798, but that this date is close of the last week in God’s great ‘week’ of time.
The verse again to show its setting. “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.” Daniel 12:7.
This repetition about ‘the end’ is important because Christ, the Prince of heaven has now given it with an oath. This confirms Him to be the Son of God, as only God the Father and Christ the Son are permitted to give oaths.
(Christians are instructed not to make an oath by anything, but to answer yes or no. James 5:12. This does not include a court of law. Christ is our example, for when at His trial, He was asked to declare His Sonship under oath, He complied.. Mathew 26:63.64)
Daniel heard the statement made by Christ, but he did not understand, so he asked, “O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?” Daniel 12:8.
Poor Daniel.
Christ has just given an answer to the question with an oath, and the prophet is still mystified.
Maybe you are thinking – what is wrong with him? Why can’t he understand?
But remember, you and I are post 1844. The book is now open. Daniel’s mind was full of all the wonders he had seen over the years. It was so much information, and he was confused, bewildered and frightened.
What is the answer to his question?
“And he said, “Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” Daniel 12:9.
Well, at least we are getting the message!
This is important, for the prophecies are for those who live at “the time of the end”, from 1844 to the return of Christ. All the Old Testament prophecies certainly had a local fulfilment, but their main message was for the future.
Even Bible history is written “for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11. Paul says that the events of the Exodus were an “ensample” of what will take place for those living in the ‘time of the end’.
(Two English words are used in 1 Corinthians 10, example and ensample, although the Greek word (tupos) is the same. Tupos means a type, and ensample is the better word, for a type is the miniature of a larger event. There are other Greek words that mean a sample, exhibition, copy, and example is the correct word for them)
The Prince of heaven then says to Daniel.
“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 12:10.
This verse mainly refers to those who will suffer for their faith in the future. although there is no question those who died as martyrs under Papal dominion were “purified and made white” by the “blood of Jesus.” 1 John 1:7.
All Christians will suffer in some way, and so long as we gain the victory in Jesus when tested and tried, we can have confidence that God who “hath begun a good work in (us) will perform (or complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6.
The psalmist understood this too, for he wrote, “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” Psalm 138:8.
God promises that “…the wise shall understand”, but the “wicked” will not understand. Daniel 12:10.
This does not only mean an understanding of the meaning of the prophecies, but also a spiritual experience. Anyone can read books giving an interpretation of the prophecies, but this will not give a spiritual understanding. There must be a surrender to Jesus and genuine prayer for enlightenment.
Now we come to more time periods.
“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.” Daniel 12:11.
Again we have some familiar wording. We already understand that the “daily” (tamid) is the daily ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary “taken away” by the “abomination that maketh desolate”, the counterfeit ‘sanctuary’ services.
We also know that papal dominion began in AD 538, when it toppled the last of the three Arian horns. Our question now is: When was it actually “set up” in preparation for the major victory that began its dominion?
We must go back to history.
Once the enemies of God entered the Christian church in Rome, it was gradually infiltrated with pagan doctrines. Little by little, the devil changed it to become his masterpiece of deception for unsuspecting Christians.
As his counterfeit grew stronger and more corrupt, multitudes of men and women were deceived into believing the Roman Catholic system was genuine Christianity.
However, the Christian churches in other areas of the world saw a great deal of difference between their own beliefs and those of the Roman church, and many were very concerned.
One difference was seen in the day of worship. Why was Rome keeping Sunday, the first day of the week?
The Eastern churches had maintained the seventh day of the week according to the fourth commandment. This has been noted by many historians.
“It was the practice generally of the Eastern Churches, and some churches of the West… it seemes the Saturday was held in faire esteeme…. Not that the Eastern Churches, as any of the rest which observed that day, were inclined to Iudaisme (Judaism); but that they came together on the Sabbath day to worship Iesus (Jesus) Christ the Lord of the Sabbath.” History of the Sabbath. Pr 2. Par 6. p73.74. Original spelling retained. London 1636.
“Ancient Christians were very careful in the observance of Saturday, the seventh day… It is plain that all the Oriental churches, and the greatest part of the world, observed the Sabbath as a festival…
Athanasius likewise tells us that they held religious assemblies on the Sabbath, not because they were infected with Judaism, but to worship Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. Epiphanius says the same.” Antiquities of the Christian Church. Vol II. Bk XX. Chp 3. Sec 1. 66. 1137.1138.
In Rome, some of the priests were challenging the orthodox view of God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. A few said there was only one God in totality, and this one God came to the earth as Jesus, then after His ascension, descended as the Holy Spirit. Others believed Christ was created by the Father.
Arius, a presbyter of Alexandria, did not believe either of these views, but said the Son of God was begotten of the Father in eternity. His teachings became a theological threat, and the Emperor Constantine, called for an ecumenical council to deal with the problem. He invited Christians from far and wide.
The council was held at Nice in AD325. Its purpose was to destroy the Arians. It certainly was not a Christian council as the majority of its delegates were scheming and bitter, which showed in their attitude and manner at the council.
Although Arius and those who remained true to their belief were banished from the realm, the Council of Nicaea did not solve the Arian problem.
In fact, the belief continued to spread, until it became an even bigger thorn in the side of Rome. Whole nations were Arians, and at one stage, even the Emperor was an Arian. Instead of Paganism being the enemy, Christians with a non-orthodox view of God had become the enemy.
The Heruli had been defeated in AD 493, but the Visigoths, the Vandals and the Ostragoths were still causing problems for the Papacy. Of course pagans remained in the world, but Paganism as such had already been subdued one hundred years earlier.
What would Rome do?
Time and the devil’s cunning gave the answer.
Clovis I was king of the Franks. He was a pagan, but he married a Catholic girl who determined to make her husband a member of the papal church. The king resisted her efforts, but eventually, he said that if he won a war being waged at the time, he would convert. He won the war, but relented. He decided to ask his soldiers, and with one voice they all voted to convert to Catholicism. (AD 496)
King Clovis was a very important convert to the Roman religion. He was given the title ‘Most Illustrious Majesty, Eldest Son of the Church’. All the other Germanic kingdoms had accepted the Arian belief. (The Anglo-Saxons were still pagan)
“With the conversion of Clovis, there was at least one barbarian leader with whom the Bishop of Rome could negotiate as with a faithful son of the Church. It is from the orthodox Gregory of Tours that most of our knowledge of Clovis and his successors is derived. In Gregory's famous History of the Franks, the cruel and unscrupulous king appears as God's chosen instrument for the extension of the Catholic faith.
Certainly Clovis quickly learned to combine his own interests with those of the Church, and the alliance between the pope and the Frankish kings was destined to have a great influence upon the history of western Europe.” History of Western Europe. James Harvey Robinson. p35, 36.
The Roman Church “quickly branded any competitor as Arian”, for the name had come to mean ‘non-trinitarian’. This was the position Rome was determined to crush. Truth Triumphant. Benjamin Wilkinson. p 141.
H.H. Milman, a well-respected historian from the past said, “For the first time the diffusion of belief in the nature of the Godhead became the avowed pretext for the invasion of a neighboring territory.” History of Latin Christianity by Milman, quoted in The Two Republics by A. T. Jones, p 526.
In AD 507, Clovis and his Frankish army met the Visigoths under Alaric II. King Alaric, realizing his weakness, tried to delay the confrontation. He hoped help would come from Theodoric, king of the Ostrogoths. But no help came. Soon the Visigoths were in flight, and Alaric was slain. However, the defeated camp divided, and under Gesalic, challenged the victory. In AD 508 they too were defeated, and Gesalic slain.
The Cambridge Medieval History says of this battle. “It is evident, from the language of Gregory of Tours, that this conflict between the Franks and the Visigoths was regarded by the orthodox party of his own and preceding ages as a religious war, on which, humanly speaking, the prevalence of the Catholic or the Arian creed in western Europe depended.” The Cambridge Medieval History, Vol. I, p. 286.
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Clovis, king of the Franks
“In AD 508, Clovis received at Tours the insignia of the consulship from the eastern emperor Anastasius.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th ed., art. Clovis Vol.VI, p563. Clovis I from Wikipedia
(The historian Edward Gibbon records the acclamations of the joyful multitude as Clovis rode through the streets. ‘Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.Vol.2. p400)
As a result of this victory, “It was decided that the Franks, and not the Goths, were to direct the future destinies of Gaul and Germany, and that the Catholic faith, and not Arianism, was to be the religion of these great realms.” The Beginning of the Middle Ages. Richard W. Church. pp. 38, 39.
After Clovis and the Franks defeated the Arian Visigoths driving them into Spain, further victories took place. Some were defeated, while others converted to Romanism.
“Thus was the bloody course of Clovis glorified by the Catholic writers, as the triumph of the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity over Arianism.” The Two Republics A. T. Jones. p528.
The Catholic Encyclopedia states that “The Frankish Kingdom was thenceforth the representative and defender of Catholic interests throughout the West.”
It was a new era for the Catholic Church, and a new era in the course of the world’s history, for it established the first Catholic kingdom in the West. Thus, the date AD 508 marks the time when “the abomination that maketh desolation” was “set up”. Nothing could change its destiny now, for the pope had become “the most powerful individual in Christendom.” The Rise of the Medieval Church. Alexander Flick p180.
Adding 1290 years to AD 508 brings us to the Papacy’s “deadly wound” in 1798.
1290 years
AD 508 ______________________________________ 1798
In AD 533, the Emperor Justinian added to the setting up of the Papacy by issuing a decree to make the pope head over all churches. He stated of the Pope, “… you are the head of all the Holy Churches, for We shall exert Ourselves in every way (as has already been stated), to increase the honor and authority of your (Apostolic) See” The Civil Law. Code of Justinian. AD533.
This removed the remaining opposition, and the following year, the Arian Vandals were uprooted. (AD 534)
Four years later, the Ostragoths (the remaining Arian nation), were uprooted. Thus, in AD 538, the Pope of Rome became the official head and persecutor of churches.
Praise God that our Saviour, Jesus Christ is still the Head of the church, and no matter what the counterfeit does, His glory and majesty remain untarnished.
But sadly, with the papal counterfeit effectively taking away the daily (tamid) ministration from the minds of the people, men, woman and children failed to receive the blessing of Christ’s heavenly ministry.
Only those who longed for righteousness, who studied the Bible (if they had one), and whose spirituality rose above earthly formalities, received the blessing.
But for their faithfulness, they had “trial of cruel mockings, and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, (Of whom the world was not worthy): they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” Hebrews 11:36,37.38. (Bracket in text)
Soon they will be rewarded by our Saviour.
The next text in Daniel’s prophecy is, “Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.” Daniel 12:12.
As there is no way of calculating this period of time, it must be based on the previous verse. And in fact, the wording implies this to be so for it says “waiteth”. So we ask, ‘Wait till when?’
Clearly the beginning of the 1335 must be AD 508.
1335 years
AD508 !_____________________________________! 1843
As we have said earlier, the beginning of the 1290 years is when the papal system was set up, and its close when it lost its dominion.
1290 years
AD 508 !______________________________! 1798
Thirty years later, papal dominion and persecution began.
1260 years
AD 538 !____________________________! 1798
God’s promise of blessing is for those who survive the papal dominion and live to see the year 1843.
You will remember that this year was the highlight of the expectation for the soon-return of Christ.
The believers were waiting for Christ to come on March 21, 1843, the end of the Jewish year. It is perhaps hard for our minds to comprehend a year from March to March, but the Millerites were looking at the Jewish calendar for the climax of the prophetic periods, and 1843 was to them the ‘blessed year’.
Thousands were led to embrace the truth of Christ’s soon- return, and they rejoiced that in a very short time they would be with their Saviour.
Many hymns were sung (and written) by believers that signified “the blessed hope’. (The following was written by F.E.Belden. First and third verses and chorus last)
O there will be joy when the work is done, Joy when the reapers gather home,
Bringing the sheaves at set of sun To the New Jerusalem.
Pure are the joys that await us there, Many the golden mansions fair;
Jesus Himself doth them prepare, In the New Jerusalem.
Joy, joy, there’ll be joy by and by, Joy, joy, where the joys never die;
Joy, joy; for the day draweth nigh When the workers gather home.
Hymns spoke of the pathways of gold, the walls decked with jewels so rare, its wonders and pleasures untold, but sang with enthusiasm: What must it like to be there!
Often they would say to each other ‘Maranatha – the Lord is coming’.
In the final verse of his book, Daniel is told, “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 is a double application.
(a) At the end of days, that is, at the very end of earth’s history, Daniel will be resurrected to stand in his lot among the redeemed.
(b) After the close of the prophetic days, at the time of the end -- in 1844 -- Daniel will stand in his lot, not personally, but his book will be unsealed, and men and women will run through its pages in diligent study. And they will understand.
Do You Want to Know the Future?
Summary of Daniel
The prophecies of Daniel bring us very close to the coming of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God, a wonderful encouragement for those who live in these last days.
Progression
The rule of Babylon over the kingdoms of the world.
The rule of Medo-Persia over the kingdoms of the world.
The rule of Greece over the kingdoms of the world.
The rule of Rome over the kingdoms of the world.
The break-up of Rome into ten divisions, eventually to become the
nations of Europe.
The rise of the Papacy in Europe.
In AD 508, through the work of Clovis king of the Franks, the Papacy was ‘set up’ to where it could continue its conquests against the Arian nations without much opposition. A period of 1290 years was predicted until the demise of the Papal power in 1798.
In AD 533, Emperor Justinian made a decree making the pope the ‘head of the church’.
In AD 538, the Papacy’s 1260-year dominion began, in which it persecuted God’s people, changed God’s Law, and elevated the pope to be a ‘god’. Its dominion ended in 1798.
In 1831, a Baptist farmer began to preach the soon-return of Christ in power and glory to cleanse the sanctuary, as predicted in Daniel 8 and 9. According to the Jewish calendar, March 21, 1843 was the expected date, the Spring and close of that year. It was a ‘blessed’ year, where thousands prepared to receive Christ in glory.
But Christ did not come.
Through a study of history, the leaders realised the decree of Artaxerxes went out in the Autumn of 457BC, and not the Spring, making the expected return October 22, 1844, the typical Day of Atonement in the Jewish calendar. But again Christ did not come. It was a ‘bitter’ disappointment.
Through a study of the Scriptures, the ‘little flock’ who believed God had led them, realised the earth was not the sanctuary, but instead the heavenly temple in which Christ ministered for the salvation of His people. Now they understood that on October 22, 1844 Christ had entered the second phase of His ministry in the most holy place. It was the beginning of the anti-typical Day of Atonement, the judgment of those whose sins had been transferred to the heavenly sanctuary.
Daniel’s book was to be sealed until 1844, when the “the time of the end” began. Many Christians studied the book of Daniel, but it was the work of the Advent people in 1844 that fulfilled the prophecy. No other Christian group or denomination taught the truth of Christ’s ministration in the heavenly sanctuary during these years, and in fact, only those who believe in the validity of the unchanged Law of God are able to present it today.
Truth is always unpopular. It is maligned and spurned by the world. Even the early mainline Christian churches rejected the prophetic truths fulfilled after the unsealing of Daniel’s book. They still do in the 21st century.
Dear Reader, you are now able to weigh the evidence. Are these things so?
As you study the book of Revelation, you will see that the prophet John adds information to the foundation of Daniel’s prophecies. You can put these books to the test as you study to “show thyself approved unto God”. 2 Timothy 2:15.
Truth will be vindicated, even if it is on the scaffold.
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